This round was definitely the hardest to score. I changed a few scores on last listen and I'm still not sure about some of them but here's what you got. Also, it's not even close to being the worst round as I initially thought.
Round 5 ResultsScar: XI - Freedom Dive ↓My first thought: wow, this is so frantic. My final thought: wow, this is so frantic. It definitely sounds like programmed shred guitar
But… it’s not that bad as I initially thought. I would like it more if it wasn’t so fast all the time. For example, that short piano break is very beautiful. Unfortunately, it gets crazy again after it. This song sounds like Japanese game soundtrack or something and playing is very impressive but I can’t see myself ever listening to it after this round. It’s not bad but it’s not my cup of tea either. (btw I rated this even worse on my first listen
)
6/10Scorpion: Grayceon - War's EndSo... this is one of your favorite songs ever huh... It’s always hard not to think about it when someone tells me that
I don’t like first part of the song very much, to be honest. String section is when it gets a little more interesting to me. That first part sounds emotional and vocals are emotional as well but I can’t say I like her voice enough, sorry. Vocal melodies are just too monotonous for the most part. The song isn’t bad and I don’t hate it but I have to be honest and say it bored me. I was trying hard to get into it, find something that will transform it from an ok song to great song and unfortunately I didn’t find it.
6.5/10Sacul: Gorillaz - Kids With GunsObviously, I heard of them and I know two of their most popular songs (I guess). I was planning to check them because they seemed pretty cool and lately I started to listen to trip-hop. I have to say they are different than most trip-hop acts I’ve heard. The ones I like, like Archive and Massive Attack, are very moody and atmospheric and judging by these few songs I know, Gorillaz are a little different. I’m not a big fan of those funky bass lines but here it does its purpose and makes the song really catchy. My favorite part is singing in the chorus (I’m indifferent towards rapping). That atmospheric part near the end is very cool as well.
I can’t say it made me eager to check them out but it’s pretty good.
7/10Shadow Ninja 2.0: Switchfoot - The BluesThis was closest to you not succeeding in sending me a good song
In the end, this song grew on me a lot. Still, I have some problems with it which were up front on my first listen and that’s why I didn’t value this song as much as I do now. Firstly, it sounds like early 2000s alternative rock I usually don’t like. And that’s funny because it is 2000s alternative rock
Secondly, vocals still sound kinda weird. I don’t know what it is, maybe they are (or just sound that way to me) overproduced. The reason it grew on me are emotions during most of the song, especially
You're pushing till you're shoving part. So yeah, I enjoyed it in the end and it gave me chills more than once. However, I don’t know will I check their music further but you can recommend me some of their albums if you wish.
7.5/10Train of Naught: Toundra - RequiemI have this weird relationship with post-rock. I love some of it and kinda like the rest of it. I don’t think I’ve ever heard any post-rock that I hated but I also rarely love it very much (unless it’s best of GY!BE or Explosions in the Sky). It’s same with this, I can’t really say there is anything I don’t like with it but still I can’t compare it to the higher scored songs and say I like this equally or more. Nevertheless, this is pretty interesting, especially after the string join the rest of the band. And clearly, it’s structured like a real song, with verses and chorus. Second chorus with strings is definitely better but I understand why strings are not there from the beginning. In every good post-rock song there is a big climax and it is here as well in form of a guitar solo backed by strings and pretty heavy drumming, I like it.
Yeah, I like the song but I have to give it only 7.5/10 due to reasons mentioned before.
7.5/10Parama: fun. - Take Your Time (Coming Home)I rarely listen to this kind of music, especially if it’s happy as this one, but thank you for sending it
However, I like when song is catchy, when vocal melodies are good as these are. There is usually problem with catchy songs: they get boring and old fast, no matter how much you like them at first. Well, fun. succeed to make a fun and catchy song and at the same time it is interesting enough to make me keep attention to it. Instrumental is interesting as well. I can’t really choose a highlight of this song, it is pretty consistent even though it’s pretty long song.
I had trouble rating this, it’s pretty good and fun. but I just can’t compare it to other 8s so you get your beloved score again
7.5/10Elite: Astronoid - Tin Foil HatsI’m not sure but I think Luke played this (or something off this album) like a month ago on plug.dj and I said I don’t like it
Well, I’m glad you sent it. This time I liked it from the start. I guess this is shoegaze + black metal, right? I always say that black metal and all its forms are the most beautiful music if done well. And it’s done well. There are some blast beats, fortunately, they are not overused and I love drumming here opposed to some bands that use blast beats. Even though there are some black metal influences, I’m glad vocals are completely clean, it differentiate them from other bands in this blackgaze (or whatever it is). Chorus is something beautiful, one of my favorite moments of this round (can’t find lyrics, I guess it says
The clouds upon the sky, sunshine’s on my face). Near the end it goes in Cynic-like territory and I’m not sure if it fits here but it’s ok.
This was a lot to process and I’m still not sure what is the right score to give to this but I’m going with 8 in the last moment. Will check this album out.
8/10Evermind: Vanden Plas - Vision 9ine: Soul AllianceAs you know, I heard some of their songs before. Only one I remember was Stone Roses Edge which is awesome. So I knew what to expect before listening to this. Keys in the beginning are kinda Gates of Babylon
I assume some people don’t like singer very much (but I have no idea really), to me he has somewhat similar timbre to Roy Khan and I love that. Other thing I love is piano underneath heavy riffs, and keyboard playing in general here. Guitar riffs are fine as well, not so much in my opinion, but still good. That quiet break is what makes this song better, with piano, voice and strings (probably keys).
I will definitely (finally) check this album out as this was pretty good. It lacks something to get 8.5 or more but it’s still a great song.
8/10Luoto: Ghost Brigade - AuroraSo you have realized I love audible bass
As you said, bass is the backbone of this song, so thick and powerful. And chorus is even better, when electric guitars and growling vocals kick in. Again, guitar tone is absolutely great. Towards the end it gets even more sludgy, that riff is so good. It’s hard for me to find words and describe this song. It’s not really the most original song ever, yet it has enough great parts to keep listener interested and really, every instrument in this song sounds awesome. I don’t know what genre it is, internet says it atmospheric sludge/progressive metal and I’m so glad it’s not as any of these genres. It’s definitely atmospheric and sludgy but there’s safe dose of melodies as well.
This song was one of my favorites in this round from the beginning, I hope their other songs are in similar style.
8/10twosuitsluke: Type O Negative - Love You to DeathI heard some of their songs before as it is something I should like but I didn’t and tbh I didn’t try to hard. Lately, I’ve into bands like Woods of Ypres and Paradise Lost and Type O Negative remind me of those two pretty much. Peter’s deep voice is probably something most people have trouble getting into and it is a little weird at first but it grew on me later, especially in heavier part of the song. Right from beginning, this song is beautiful, some piano and his voice. And with whole band it gets even better, of course. I got used to chuggy, highly distorted riffs in combination with piano in my doom metal and it sounds awesome as always. The reason I like this song even more is because it succeed to be very emotional and everything he says seems so honest even though music is pretty heavy. My favorite part is Sugar Mice part until the end (4:55)
You can’t deny it sounds like it. Everything just clicks there: music, singer’s voice, lyrics, emotions.
It gets the same score as that Turisas song but I like this one little more and that makes it your best submission so far
Keep it up!
8.5/10home: Karnivool - Alpha Omega [Live @Ghost City Sessions]I'm so glad I got this in my roulette because I forgot to put it on my wishlist and I know I wanted to put it since I saw them on someone's Top 50 list (I think it was some other album). And also, this was pretty much love on the first listen
I heard people compare them to Tool and on moments they are pretty similar. However, judging by this song I will say they have that emotional dimension Tool often lack. By now you probably realized, and maybe you send this song for that reason, I love this kind of progressive songs, when it's cam and quiet in the beginning and then gets heavier and heavier. That middle heavy part is especially great, rhythm section is so tight, love them bouncy bass lines. I have to mention singer as well. There is some Maynard in his voice but (fortunately) not as much as in Soen’s singer. I find his voice perfectly suitable for this kind of music. It’s not that I’m floored by him but at the same time he is serving music perfectly and I couldn’t imagine someone else in his place.
This ain't no ordinary life part is awesome.
Yeah, this is pretty much the best song in this round, congrats
and choose your bonus.
9/10STANDINGS:
1. Shadow Ninja 2.0 - 40.5 + 1 = 41.5
2. home - 40
3. Train of Naught - 39.5
4. Elite - 39.00001
5. Luoto - 38.5
5. Parama - 38.5
5. twosuitsluke - 38.5
6. Sacul - 38
9. Evermind - 37
10. Scorpion - 36
11. Scar - 35
As you can see, most of you are still pretty close, nothing is lost and noone is safe. There are only 3 more regular rounds after which only first 3 contestants compete for the roulette title in EP round
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Topic: Tomislav's Roulette v. The Best of Roulette (Read 68479 times)