Part 3. 3 rounds left now. Posting full results and maps shortly.
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Evermind
Artificial Language - Fortune Teller 8.8 This one's so interesting... exquisite piano playing. Clever use of piano alongside off-kilter drumming and the heavy distorted guitars. Gets really engaging toward the end with that drumming and clean guitar. Singer has a pleasant voice. Really enjoyed this one, it's unique and well written.
Kingcrow - Night's Descending 8.4 I would lump these guys in with Steven Wilson, Katatonia, Karnivool, Damnation by Opeth, maybe a few others as far as their sound - kinda brooding, dark, a bit lethargic at times. That's the vibe I get from this anyway. Daniel Gildenlow, man... I just don't get him. He's been pretty boring in everything I've heard him in. I think I'd like this more with someone else singing because the vocals just aren't memorable at all.
Wolverine - Communication Lost 9.2 Oh yeah. This is good. Takes a while to get going but I like it when it finally gets in gear. I didn't like this one for a while at first, but over time I warmed up to it. Somehow it sounds comforting and sad. Big ups for the awesome sounding synth solo. I like the big dramatic chorus a lot. Strong song. [+1 BP]
Current Score: 49.89 [+8 BP]
Round 7 Score: 26.40 [+1 BP]
Average: 8.80
Movement: 9 spaces
NEW CURRENT SCORE: 58.69 [+9 BP]
Although Evrys stomped all of the enemy mushrooms, he didn't notice the sign until it was too late - "Touch Fuzzy, get dizzy." The fuzzy shrooms have given him the spins, but Evrys pushes onward through the vertigo 9 spaces.* * *
TAC
Almanac - Flames of Fate 9.0 Just barely good enough to earn the point. If the chorus wasn't so strong, I'd probably call this generic. But that's a power metal chorus for sure, a definite singalong banger. That's what this kind of metal is all about to me, so party on, Garth, this one's a good gym tune. [+1 BP]
Alsatia - Across the Fray 9.0 Man, this one is good. Full on power metal. Strong vocals, great use of choir in the right places. Happy melodies everywhere. It's like Power Quest in the chorus, optimistic and powerful. Having renewed faith in power metal after hearing so many unknown bands in this roulette. [+1 BP]
Primitai - Curse of Olympus 7.3 The chorus to this one just plain irritates me, I don't like that it slows down and the melody is bad. The solo rips and it sounds heavy as hell, but it's so standard otherwise. This one just kinda whiffs, sadly.
Current Score: 51.19 [+5 BP]
Round 7 Score: 25.30 [+2 BP]
Average: 8.43~
Movement: 8 spaces
NEW CURRENT SCORE: 59.62 [+7 BP]
After swinging your axe wildly, you land enough heavy metal atTACks that the Mimic lies in a pulpy mess on the parched ground. You loot the body and go 8 steps forward.* * *
Stadler
Night Ranger - Penny 9.0 I thought you were sending Night Ranger, not Toto. Seriously, this sounds like Hydra-era Toto, so naturally I must love it. Well, not entirely, but it's good time fun rock about a girl - no frills, kinda corny, and that's how I like it. I'd dig this if I was around in the 80s, but this still doesn't make up for that abomination of rock Sister Christian. [+1 BP]
Sammy Hagar - Baby's On Fire 7.8 Way better than Van Hagar, that's for sure. But it sounds like a lot of other 80s rock radio songs. Sammy sounds great, it's got a nice hook, but it sounds so safe. No, it doesn't blow my mind, but it's a serviceable rock song.
Billy Squier - In Your Eyes 8.7 I know four Billy Squier songs and you can probably guess which ones they are. I don't really like any of them, maybe it's the association with predictable FM classic rock radio, but this is better than all of them and not what I expected from Billy Squier. Great guitar playing, great chorus. I'm not really a fan of his voice but I love what he does with the guitar toward the end with the slides and bends.
I think my dad would love almost everything you've sent in this roulette.
Current Score: 50.19 [+4 BP]
Round 7 Score: 25.50 [+1 BP]
Average: 8.50
Movement: 9 spaces
NEW CURRENT SCORE: 58.69 [+5 BP]
Sir Jethro of Avalon splits the wight at the hip, and it crumbles into a pile of lifeless bones and armor. You take the black, polished helm as your own as you move 9 spaces on.* * *
Sacul
Sufjan Stevens - Mercury 9.0 Oh man is this pretty. Enchanting combination of the piano riff and dreamy guitars, and the vocals are the airy cool whip on top of that tasty musical pie. I love a speedy but really gentle instrumental part. [+1 BP]
Sufjan Stevens - Should Have Known Better 7.9 Instrumentally I like this one a lot. I like some of the vocal melodies, but find it hard to recall much about this one. I like the other two here a bit more, this one doesn't speak to me as much.
Sufjan Stevens - Blue Bucket of Gold 8.6 How warm and comforting. I'm not sure if this comes at the end of an album or something because it takes quite a while for it to end - that's the only thing I feel like skipping here. I feel like I'm listening to Nils Frahm or Olafur Arnalds in the back half. Dig it. [+1 BP]
Current Score: 51.07 [+7 BP]
Round 7 Score: 25.50 [+1 BP]
Average: 8.50
Movement: 9 spaces
NEW CURRENT SCORE: 59.57 [+8 BP]
You squashed the Beastfrog and barely broke a sweat, but the journey isn't over yet. 9 spaces more you march.