Tastes:I’ll keep these brief because the longer these go the more confused people will be. And I’m going to be honest, I am really not looking to expand my tastes at this point in time. This is more to check out cool stuff that already fits nicely into my tastes, that I may not have known about. Sending risky stuff way out of my comfort zone is more than likely going to get you eliminated.
Metal: Oh boy do I like metal. Prog metal, black metal, sludge metal, post-metal, some mathcore, some metalcore, some death metal, some djent, even a little straight-up heavy metal. I don’t like nu-metal, generally not a fan of thrash metal, and I really dislike deathcore.
What’s really important for me with metal is that it’s kept dynamic. Bands that feel the urge to be constantly heavy all the time and give the listener no breathing room are, in all honesty, really damn boring. There’s a lot of ways to win me over, though. Strong melodies, crushing and crunchy riffs, thick atmosphere, controlled frantic energy, just raw power. Of course, with some lighter moments to break up the mood, or at least not a constantly crushing sound.
For me though metal has the most potential to be dynamic and interesting, and metal with influences from other genres (especially electronic as of late) really gets me interested. Metal stuff is probably the safest best for doing well but you don’t have to stick exclusively to it; my favorites from my last roulette were, ironically, not metal at all.
Examples:
Black Metal:
Alrakis – Alpha EriEnslaved – Roots of the MountainThy Catafalque – SzerveltenDeath Metal:
Ne Obliviscaris – Forget NotOpeth – Ghost of PerditionMetalcore/Mathcore:
Between the Buried and Me – Disease, Injury, MadnessThe Hirsch Effekt – CotardPost-Metal:
Isis – Grinning MouthsRosetta – AbsentProg Metal:
Haken – Cockroach KingPain of Salvation – IdioglossiaRiverside – Hybrid TimesSludge Metal:
East of the Wall – The ApologistIntronaut – Fast WormsThe Ocean – Mesopelagic: Into the UncannyProg: My opinion on this has really changed in the past year or two. I’m pretty over the pointlessly technical, showboaty prog that feels far too dominant. I’d rather hear bands come up with cool rhythms, diverse song structures, unique genre fusions. Of course I’m not averse to technicality either if it’s done tastefully.
Examples:
Baroness – The GnashingCHON – Can’t WaitDream Theater – Take the TimeOceansize – Trail of FireThank You Scientist – CarnivalRock: Straightforward hard rock is probably going to bore me. The rock I tend to like is generally more atmospheric or more rooted in emotional impact. That’s not to say I wouldn’t enjoy a good straightforward rock song, but my definition of good is probably not going to be yours here.
Examples:
Brand New – LimousineCoheed and Cambria – Mother SuperiorCursive – Driftwood: A Fairy TalePorcupine Tree – TrainsThrice – Between the End and Where We LiePost-Rock Don’t send this to me, honestly. I like post-rock on a case-by-case basis and especially on an album basis more than a song basis. There’s exceptions, of course, and if it’s like a stunningly good song on its own merits then go ahead, but prepare to be disappointed.
Examples:
Cult of Luna – And With Her Came the BirdsMew – Comforting SoundsSigur Rós – VakaSólstafir – DjákninnThis Will Destroy You – Villa del RefugioElectronic/Pop: Make it atmospheric. I have little use for upbeat, bright pop. Maybe I’ll find it fun for a listen or two but I’ll get bored of it quick. I have little use for lifeless, cold, low-key electronica. It really needs to be evocative to work for me, well-textured and atmospheric, layers of synths, strings, piano, whatever else.
Devin Townsend – The Death of Musicfun. – Take Your Time (Coming Home)Gorillaz – El MañanaJulia Holter – Lucette Stranded on the IslandLorde – Buzzcut SeasonDjent: If djent is the primary genre tag that applies to a band, don’t send them. If djent is an element used as part of a mix and is used tastefully, go ahead and try, I guess. There have been enough bands that have done this pretty well.
Examples:
Being – Air AtlanticCaligula’s Horse – MarigoldDavid Maxim Micic – Where is Now?Leprous – The FloodSkyharbor – New DevilSoundtracks: I’m going to reject this outright, honestly. I have no use for soundtracks outside of their original context. I’m not going to buy soundtracks for movies or games I’ve not seen/played.
Folk/World Music: I pretty exclusively like this as an element in a mix of genres rather than on its own. Folk-tinged rock or metal is pretty rad; standalone bluegrass or celtic music probably won’t do much for me. There are exceptions, as always, however.
Drone/Noise: Do you wanna have a bad time?
If there’s anything not listed here, I’d consider treading with extreme caution. Which is to say, don’t.