Finally. Sorry for taking so long.
Parama: The Ocean - Let Them Believe 8/10This score probably surprises you, and it did for me as well because I was expecting something like East of the Wall; and while genrewise it’s similar, the vocals were really good, even the harsh ones. The harsh vocals evolved slowly from quiet clean, to loud intense clean, to gravelly intense, to harsh. I thought that was WAY more effective than what I’ve heard before regarding harsh vox, because it didn’t seem like screaming for no reason at all. The music was great too, I really liked the chord structure in the intro and the instrumental sections. It wasn’t COMPLETELY my cup of tea, but it’s not like it was something I won’t ever listen to again.
Evermind: Vanden Plas - Misery Affliction 8.5/10What is it with you and sending me ballads? Every song seems to be a ballad. You must have a soft spot for those. Anyways, this was a beautiful one. I love the duet in the vocals, and the cello was especially beautiful. It seemed a little formulaic especially since I’ve heard a few ballads such as these by now (although cello in a ballad is always a plus considering it’s one of the most emotive instruments). I’d like to hear this in the context of the album though.
Bolsters: Scandroid - Aphelion 8.5/10This was one of those songs I was surprised I didn’t get into more, considering it’s straightforward synthpop. It had the same type of feel as some of my favorite synthpop bands such as Depeche Mode… however, I just didn’t get into it as much as other stuff you’ve sent. I think it’s because it was just very repetitive and very formulaic, and as a result, the song just felt like it was there… I didn’t feel the drive as much. I mean, it’s repetitive because it IS a pop song, but you can be repetitive and not LITERALLY be repetitive (like, add another layer to the chorus the 2nd time or something). It just seemed like it was put on a loop, with such a loud chorus every single time.
Scorpion: Clint Mansell - Death is the Road to Awe 8.5/10This was a beautiful orchestral ballad that was really nice and had some very emotional moments. It just seemed a LITTLE clunky. Perhaps because I don’t know the movie that it’s a part of and don’t really understand the context of the music? It also seemed to drag a little bit; there were a few times I had to look and see if this was in fact the same song playing. Still, some of the moments within the music ranged from hauntingly beautiful to intensely emotional (I don’t want to say depressing or sad or whatever, but it sure wasn’t happy or angry… I can’t put my finger on it.)
Jingle.boy: Frameshift - La Mer 8.5/10JAMES!!! YOU BROUGHT JAMES!!! I thought he was great… however, it just sounded like I’ve heard it before. And in some ways I did. I was listening to it and my wife was like “Is this (name of band, it wasn’t DT but it was a similar band) and I was like “No, but James is singing” and my wife was like “THAT explains it”. Like, it wasn’t bad in the least, I enjoyed it, but it felt like it was done before a time or two.
Tomislav: Wolverine - This Cold Heart of Mine 8.5/10A good prog-metal song. I just really didn’t connect to it. To me, it really didn’t go anywhere, it was just like BOOM and just stayed at a really loud level the entire time, even during the instrumental sections. It didn’t feel intense, just loud. I liked the interesting keyboard solo in the instrumental section though, and the song did have it’s moments, it just seemed a little drug out.
TAC: Heart of Cygnus - Sailing North 9/10This was a fun song almost integrating Queen-era rock into a modern prog song. This is one of those bands that I’ve heard before but haven’t gotten into more for some reason, and yet I whenever I hear their music I love it. This is no exception. The vocals were great, the instrumental sections were great, the solos were great. There really wasn’t any particular moment that made me “whoa”, which is why it gets a 9, but it was a lot of fun and I enjoyed it.
Sacul: Trioscapes - Blast Off 9/10Quirky is all I can use to describe this song. It was unique. I really enjoyed it; a lot of jazz elements within this song. It’s an eclectic mixture of instruments, with drums, bass, and saxophone… this sounds like three college friends met up in the music building one night and decided to record some music. I wouldn’t think this would work initially, but I really enjoyed it, and would like to hear more. It didn’t blow me away, but it was very interesting and fun to listen to.
Hath: Speaking to Stones - Water 9/10A nice laid back piece with some beautiful instrumentation. The song continuously builds with a crescendo to a powerful chorus, and then there is also a great B section that contrasts with the rest of the song that really works. It seemed just a little long, especially at first, but over time and listens the time sounded less than 8 and a half minutes. Overall a great piece that really grew on me, and probably will continue to grow on me.
King: 
- A Second or Two 9.5/10I have no idea who this band is, because you never said, and I didn’t realize it until I was typing this, and then I didn’t want to sound like a huge dork and ask you, and then I realize now I should have because I’m typing this and have no idea. Please enlighten me. Maybe they don’t have a name yet because they are so new. I don’t know. But I wish i was a RoSFest because this was great. The vocals remind me of 90125 era Yes, which was one of the albums I grew up listening to, mixed with almost a funk like groove throughout the entire piece. This was fun, and I want MORE….
Tyrias: Oceansize - Trail of Fire 9.5/10 +1 = 10.5/10 (bonus for Time Signature)What a great piece. I love the intro, I love the vocals, and then the music changes while maintaining tempo and sound… then continues to grow in intensity as the piece goes on. The tight chords and harmonies along with very ethereal layers were really enjoyable to me, and I’d like to explore this band further. Great submission.
Lonestar: Maestruck - Aquarela 9.5/10 +1= 10.5/10 (bonus for Strings)This is another song that mixes elements inspired by the 80s with a great modern sound. I LOVE the arpeggiated synths as the song starts to build up. The instrumentation is GREAT, I LOVE every single solo, I LOVE the mix. The thing that kept me from giving it a 10 is I felt like the vocalist was a little weak… it seemed pitchy to me a little bit, or affected and that affected his quality. I'm overly critical on vocals... maybe a little too much so... but as a vocalist I guess that comes with territory. However, great submission, great song.
Here we go. Congrats to the top 8 for moving on. The bottom 4, you put up a valiant effort.
Lonestar - 67.5
Kingschmegland - 67
Big Hath - 66.5
Bolsters - 65.5
Tyrias - 65.5
Sacul - 64.5
Evermind - 64.5
TAC - 64
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Scorpion - 62.5
Jingle.boy - 62.5
Parama - 62
Tomislav95 - 62
There are 2 rounds before I eliminate the bottom THREE, so it’s still anyone’s game. This is the critical 60s/70s round. Round is OPEN!!!
**NOTE: Everyone has used their bonuses except for Bolsters who has one left. If he uses it during the next two rounds, I will apply bonus points prior to elimination.
Poll
Topic: Splent's Controversial Roulette v.1.0.11 - R10 RESULTS!! FINAL ROUND COMMENCING (Read 90157 times)