Round 5 results
10 points: Lethean
Agent Fresco – See HellCatchy riff with cool rhythms. I’m in.OK, this sounds like Leprous. A lot. But since Leprous is one of my favourite bands, it’s a good thing. The intertwining bass and guitar rhythms are fun and the chorus is amazing. Might be my favourite song in the roulette so far.
9 points: TAC
Seven Sisters – Seven Sisters
The world needs more music like this. The vocalist doesn’t really have the kind of power this kind of music demands though.These guys know their 80s Iron Maiden. The intro bears resemblance to Children of the Damned. If you’ve played me this without context, I might have been fooled to think this was an actual 80s metal band, although the ridiculously reverbed lead guitar sound doesn’t really belong to that time period. The guitarists are pretty damn great. The vocalist isn’t that great honestly, but he’s trying. The youthful enthusiasm shines through and there’s loads of great riffs and melodies. If these guys find their Dickinson or Halford, they’ll be going to places.
8 points: Sacul
Perturbator – VantablackThis has great ominous mood.Yeaaaah… some quality creepy electronica. I’m not really sure what this is, synthwave with industrial influence? I like it anyway. Vocals remind me of Front 242. I read an interpretation of the lyrics that said this is about rape (in metaphorical level), but I think it could also be about roleplay/rough sex. Well. It’s quite creepy, uneasy listening and definitely not for everyone. He’s apparently playing on my local rock festival and I think I might be interested to check him out there.
7 points: senecadawg2
Phoebe Bridgers – FuneralRather minimal piece. I get some country vibes out of this but like it anyway.This starts with some droning guitar, that fades out and is replaced by acoustic guitar. The chord progression is great, I think it’s a little bit of of gospel-y. Some lovely string arrangements here too. Phoebe sounds like she could use a hug.
6 points: Train of Naught
Art By Numbers – Best Laid Plans
This isn’t Between the Buried and Me in disguise, is it?C’mon, I can’t be the only one who have thought this sounds like Fossil Genera
. The mix of prog metal and jazz works really well and the first two and half minutes are some high-energy fun. The last minute is good too, but the song could’ve probably ended at three minutes.
5 points: Cyril
Actor|Observer – In Your Ways
Beautiful song building into a nice finish. It didn’t win me completely over yet though.You’ve played this song on plug.dj and I’ve actually checked out couple of their songs, but neither of them really struck a chord. This however, is quite good. However, while I find the first half of the song quite beautiful in itself, it’s sort of unmemorable. Bit like Circa Survive in a way that while I enjoy it, I can’t remember how it goes afterwards. Thankfully, the extended outro packs quite a punch.
4 points: Stadler
Rival Sons – Feral Roots
This doesn’t break any new ground, but what it does it does it well.Some nice roots-y rock, I’d almost like to categorise this as desert rock. Guitar work is excellent and my favourite thing about the song. Although you were praising the vocals, they’re not really my thing and they’re kinda heavy on reverb.
3 points: Kattelox
Billie Eilish – ocean eyes
More minimalism, but the vocals are pretty great.The vocals are indeed the best thing about the song. While her singing on her newer material is kinda mumbled and low in pitch, she shows some real ability in here. But while I would definitely want to hear her sing more like this and this song is well, good, this is another high-quality round and I didn’t really connect with the song on emotional level.
2 points: MoraWintersoul
Maggie Rogers – Burning
Interesting beat. It and genuinely good vocals raise this above disposable modern pop music.OK, I’m not a fan of love songs or happy sounding music. And this almost sounds like something playing in clothes stores or in a cider commercial. However, the production is more interesting (I quite like the synth playing the main melody) than that and also, she sounds sincere. I guess the sincerity is the biggest factor that I actually somewhat like it.
1 point: Puppies_On_Acid
The Ongoing Concept – You Will Go
What are those vocals? There are two genres mixed I’m not sure go that well together, at least here.OK, I begun to like this song more the more I listened to it. The disco vibe with mixed post-hardcore reminds me of some of Dance Gavin Dance’s groovier songs and it’s pretty fun after all. However, the chorus pretty much kills the song. Those high-pitched vocals are kinda horrible, they sound like Brian Johnson being tortured. With better vocals this song wouldn’t have been the last, but here we are.
STANDINGSLethean 34 pts
Kattelox 31 pts
TAC 30 pts
Puppies_On_Acid 28 pts
Stadler 27 pts
Cyril 27 pts
MoraWintersoul 26 pts
Sacul 26 pts
senecadawg2 21 pts
Train of Naught 21 pts