Ariich's ALBUM Roulette; or, Is The Man Completely Mad? (completed)

[jingle.boy]

FYI emotional blackmail doesn't work.

That should be a given, british people and emotions don't go hand in hand

Or dental care.

[lonestar]

You guys are fucking brutal.

[jingle.boy]

You guys are fucking brutal.

You know you were thinking it!  I can say it, since I have nothing to lose. 

[ariich]

FYI emotional blackmail doesn't work.

That should be a given, british people and emotions don't go hand in hand

Just because emotional blackmail doesn't work, it doesn't mean emotional abuse won't be punished...

[Nekov]

[lonestar]

[Stadler]

That seems about right to me. 

[ariich]

ROUND TWO RESULTS

Here we go! Prog metal has a much better performance this round, while really bizarrely my rankings ended up in alphabetical order.

Winner: Evermind – 9/10
Artificial Language - The Observer [2017]
This is my favourite album so far from the first two rounds. Right up my alley. Somewhere between The Human Abstract and Protest the Hero, with the occasional dark theatrical moment thrown in as well. I particularly love the guitar work - there’s so much going on and it creates a fantastic, energetic vibe in the same way those comparable bands do. I thought this would win the round on my first listen, though I wasn’t sold on the singer at first, but if anything I liked it even more on subsequent listens and the vocals are fine once you get used to them.
Standouts: These Aren’t Mirages, Unself Portrait, Dirty Hands

Parama – 8/10
Cursive - The Ugly Organ [2003]
Wasn’t sure what to think about this one first, but it’s definitely a grower! Really interesting indie music, I’d heard a song from it a little while ago and it was cool but sounded a bit like Modest Mouse and I didn’t think much of it. And there’s definitely a hint of that throughout the album, among other influences, but as a whole there’s a lot going and it’s all very intense and exciting. Though I do think it’s strongest in some of the quieter and more thoughtful moments. There are a couple of tracks that I find a little irritating, so I don’t know what sort of staying power it will have, but right now I’m liking the rest enough that those don’t bring it down.
Standouts: The Recluse, Sierra

lonestar – 7.5/10
The Deadstation - Episode 01: Like Peering Into the Deepest Ocean Abyss [2012]
I was sure I’d heard a Deadstation album before, but I haven’t heard this, and it’s their only album, so clearly I haven’t. Very weird, but anyway this was great, solid prog metal that blends a range of different influences - definitely hearing a bit of Protest the Hero, but also DT-esque keyboard work at times. Not every track is killer but it’s pretty consistent and there are some excellent moments. This was back in 2012 though, so it does make me wonder if Episode 02 is ever coming?
Standouts: Subsistence Defined, Anything But This… Anywhere But Here

Nekov – 7.5/10
Exxasens – Satellites [2013]
Really nice post-rock this, though I didn’t like it quite as much as your first round submission. They created a lovely spacey vibe right throughout the album that fits perfectly with the concept. Kinda reminds me of some of God is an Astronaut’s stuff, though not with quite the same level of glorious climaxes - possibly a production thing, at least in part. But there are some really lovely moments and the whole album is really pleasant to listen to. I’ll definitely check out more of their stuff.
Standouts: Satellites, Sputnik

Elite – 6.5/10
Obsidian Kingdom -  A Year with No Summer [2016]
How the mighty have fallen! Well, ok this isn’t a bad score, just comparatively low because of the quality of the competition. I found this album a little difficult to really get into properly, but there are things I really like about it. It’s incredibly bleak and miserable in vibe - hints of Deftones, Mastodon and Gojira in various places - so is very atmospheric and quite powerful. But it’s also very dense and doesn’t offer much respite. I’m also not particularly keen on the vocal style and production, which feels a bit off-putting. There’s some really good stuff in the middle of the album though, particularly where they stray into post-rock-ish territory.
Standouts: The Kandinsky Group, The Polyarnik

Stadler – 6/10
Ozzy Osbourne - Diary of a Madman [1981]
Like with Evermind’s round 1 submission, I’ve heard another Ozzy album before and rated it 5/10. I’m afraid this hasn’t been as successful at changing my opinion. Don’t get me wrong, it’s definitely a more enjoyable album than Down to Earth, I just don’t really like his voice. I think it works in Black Sabbath as it feels like a better fit with the gloomy style of their music, but with this more 80s style it just feels out of place and kind of irritating. I’d heard the title track before and it’s still a great song, and there are some other good tracks, but overall not much else really interested me I’m afraid.
Standouts: Over the Mountain, Diary of a Madman


Round scores = (Average of previous rounds / 2) + 0.5 per previous win + Round 2 rating

Evermind = (7/2) + 0 + 9 = 12.5
Parama = (7.5/2) + 0 + 8 = 11.75
Nekov = (8/2) + 0 + 7.5 = 11.5
Elite = (8.5/2) + 0.5 + 6.5 = 11.25
lonestar = (7/2) + 0 + 7.5 = 11
Stadler = (8/2) + 0 + 6 = 10

Sorry Stads, but your strong showing in round 1 wasn’t enough to pull you out of bottom place this round.

[ariich]

ROUND THREE: HOUSE OF FUN

There was quite a lot of heavy, intense music that round. So this time, send me something fun!

It's entirely up to you to interpret what that means, and I have no particular expectations when it comes to genre, although death metal is unlikely to make me think fun. I won't be scoring based on HOW fun something is, ratings will be just based on how much I like it, but I expect to either find it fun or be able to understand why YOU feel it's fun, and will dock marks if I don't.

[lonestar]

YES!!!! DTFer aparadoxindeed will be very pleased, he's the guitarist. There is an Ep 2 slowly in the works, I was privy to some snippets a bit back, but I think real life gets in the way for them so who knows when it'll come to fruition.


Sending now...

[Crow]

I'm gonna be the only person on DTF who doesn't like artificial language soon enough

Anyways I probably won't have anything for you until tomorrow night, I'm going to see ne obliviscaris tonight so won't really have time to pick something and tbh I don't think I have anything good for this theme anyways 

[Train of Naught]

Fuck yeah!  lemme just say I'm obsessed with Artificial Language, their debut it still my AOTY.

I actually found out about them cause someone told me it filled the void THA left after they broke, definitely agree with him and you there. Welcome to the ArtiLangGang

and tbh I don't think I have anything good for this theme anyways 

I find that hard to believe

Or is fun. banned?

[Crow]

I don't consider that album good enough overall tbh

These themes are killing me, I really just wanna send the hirsch effekt 

[lonestar]

Are you that anxious to get eliminated?

[Crow]

Nah I'm gonna win
Thank You Scientist is unfortunately also banned, hmm

[twosuitsluke]

The Observer will definitely be a top 5 album this year for me, great album!

I don't consider that album good enough overall tbh

These themes are killing me, I really just wanna send the hirsch effekt 

Just do it! I think it'd do well in this roulette. I'm assuming you'd send the same album I'd choose.

[TAC]

So let me get this straight.

You rate Down To Earth a 5 and Diary Of A Madman a 6? A fucking 6?


Oh and Stadler, if a guy that LIVES in England has only rated ONE Ozzy album, chances are it's because he does NOT like him.

But seriously. WTF'nF?

[Nekov]

I'm ok with that rating and i agree the production quality could be better. Fun huh? Can i send the same album as round 1? 

[Crow]

The Observer will definitely be a top 5 album this year for me, great album!

I don't consider that album good enough overall tbh

These themes are killing me, I really just wanna send the hirsch effekt 

Just do it! I think it'd do well in this roulette. I'm assuming you'd send the same album I'd choose.

I don't think any hirsch effekt album is particularly fun lol

[twosuitsluke]

The Observer will definitely be a top 5 album this year for me, great album!

I don't consider that album good enough overall tbh

These themes are killing me, I really just wanna send the hirsch effekt 

Just do it! I think it'd do well in this roulette. I'm assuming you'd send the same album I'd choose.

I don't think any hirsch effekt album is particularly fun lol

I'll find the reactions fun, so there's that 

[home]

Please someone send Vulfpeck for this round

[ariich]

Once again lonestar wins the Quickest Submission prize.

[jingle.boy]

Once again lonestar wins the Quickest Submission prize.

That's what she said.

[TAC]

Once again lonestar wins the Quickest Submission prize.

It's a fogey issue.

Ninja'd!

[ariich]

You guys.

[lonestar]

Yeah, but I cuddle like a motherfucker...

[King Postwhore]

I shouldn't laugh.

[jingle.boy]

Yeah, but I cuddle like a motherfucker...

I know.

[Nekov]

    

[TAC]

[jingle.boy]

[Nekov]

Sent round 3. Not sure I'm gonna make it out alive

[Stadler]

So let me get this straight.

You rate Down To Earth a 5 and Diary Of A Madman a 6? A fucking 6?


Oh and Stadler, if a guy that LIVES in England has only rated ONE Ozzy album, chances are it's because he does NOT like him.

But seriously. WTF'nF?

This is sort of the stuff of legend:   Out in two rounds of a roulette and the two submissions are Rainbow Rising and Ozzy Diary of a Madman.   Ritchie Blackmore and Randy Rhoads.   I feel like the undefeated Patriots losing to Eli and the Giants in the Super Bowl.   At least I can say I left it all on the field.   I'll be rooting for the bands Anal Catastrophe or Obscure Flambe to win it all!   



(All in fun; I get it that it's all taste, and Ozzy can be polarizing.)

[Evermind]

I will say, I listened to The Observer five or six times since I sent it to you, and yeah, this album is...

BADASS!

I didn't expect you to like it so much though, that was a pleasant surprise.

Sending in a bit. I blame Parama if I get eliminated.

[lonestar]

Oh God if you cock block him on the Hirsch Effect, you'll be everyone's hero.