Round 6 Results
Group AStadler: Duran Duran – “Ordinary World”
In a group of decent–good songs, none of which really grabbed me, this was my favorite. It's just a really solid, warm ballad that stays on point but never feels tiresome. Definitely has a strong 80s vibe (I realize now that it was actually released in the 90s but the point remains), which I quite enjoy. It's not fascinating stuff from a compositional standpoint, but I'm certainly going to be checking this album out in the future. 7
Cyril: Xanthochroid – “Walk with Me O Winged Mother”
I know you were surprised to see that I picked this song rather than the Hunstmen, but this one just interested me a lot more. It's obviously from a concept album, or at least I assume it is(?) Very cinematic and story-driven, which drew me in. I like the hard fantasy texture of it—reminds me a lot of LOTR in certain places. For instance, when the song intensifies at around the 3:10 mark, I can't help but think of the industrialization of Isengard and destruction of Fangorn Forest. 6.5
Lethean: Enchant – “At Death’s Door”
Sonically, this song reminds me a lot of WDADU-era DT, which initially turned me off but I eventually got over. I actually own one of their later albums as well, which unfortunately I never really got into, but this song was better than I remember that album being. The vocals are good (I like Ted Leonard in Spock's Beard and Harmagedon is a great album that Chad introduced me to in my first roulette) and musically the song is engaging enough. It does ultimately feel a bit generic prog rock for me though, with no moments in particular that knock me off my feet. 6
Sacul: Giles Corey – “Blackest Bile”
I was intrigued at the beginning of the song—the distant humming sets the mood well. But the song quickly lost me. I'd say this is by far the most sedated and uninteresting song you've submitted so far. I see this is related to Have a Nice Life, which makes sense, cause I've never been a big fan of them apart from a couple songs and their preposterously-named songs. Like HaNL, this Giles Corey piece sounds like it was recorded in the basement next door, and it does a good job of evoking a certain mood but not evoking much of an emotional response in me. It's by no means the worst song of the round or roulette, but I don't get it. 4.5
Group BJingle.boy: Arch Enemy – You Will Know My Name (Live)
Excellent female growling and clearly one of the best songs of the round. It definitely has that live recording energy to it, which I suspect adds quite a lot. The riffs are good, the solo is nice and appropriate (though not really mind-blowing), and the song has a really nice hook. Or perhaps it's just that this song looks better than it is alongside the more mediocre submissions in the group? 7
TAC: Frantic Amber – “Ghost”
This is good exercise metal—I can see myself taking this out on the road for runs. It has a good, galloping kind of energy to it that keeps things moving along well. As for the female growls, since that's what this round is all about, I'm rather impressed. Musically I'm not as smitten with this one as with Arch Enemy, but in terms of the growls themselves I think this vocalist takes the cake. This song is almost the same length as the Oathbreaker song below, but it feels about half as long. 6
FlyingBIZKIT: Jinjer – “Pisces”
I thought this was a decent song for the theme; unfortunately I don't think it's a great song aside from the theme. The clean sections are not super exciting, the guitar work a bit djenty for my tastes in some of the heavier parts, and the mermaid theme kind of goofy. I don't know if I'm imagining it, but there are sections with a bit of an Opeth vibe, which I do like, but otherwise this song is pretty forgettable. Sorry these themes are restricting you so much
5
Tomislav: Oathbreaker – “Second Son of R.”
Wow, this song is really brutal. I didn't know women were capable of such ferocious anxiety. No—who am I kidding—of course I knew they were capable. But as a song, this one doesn't appeal to me. I find her clean singing more grating than her harsh vocals, which is really saying something. Musically, this song is a bit too unrelenting for my tastes. Around 2:30 it shifts nicely into a different kind of groove, but the clean vocals quickly come in to put me off once again. You've been so fantastically consistent and sent me some of my favorite songs of the roulette so far, but this song is one to forget. Her terrifying gasp-screams at the end-and-climax of the song pretty much fit my mood when listening to this song. 4
Group CAriich: Blue Food – Joker Face
You're nailing the funkier submissions this roulette. Similar to the Bizali track earlier, it's hard for me to sit still while listening to this one. The horns do a really job of pulling things together, but also of accompanying when appropriate (see ~3:30). Speaking of that moment at 3:30, I really like the way the song eases off in middle section, stripping itself down to almost nothing but bass, before gradually building itself back toward its conclusion. Fun song—I'm looking forward to checking the album out. 8
Nekov: Kiev – “Ariah Being”
Slick song, this one. I'm impressed by how well it eases in and out of chaos (~3:20–3:40 is the first part that comes to mind) and teases with expectations without ever wobbling in the slightest. The beat is persistent and the vocals cool (if somewhat detached), but its the keyboardist who pulls everything together really well. Pulsing energy makes for a really inviting song. 7.5
Romdrums: Bill Bruford’s Earthworks – “No Truce with the Furies”
I guess I shouldn't have been too surprised to see Bruford at the center of such solid Jazz music considering that was such a strong part of the DNA of King Crimson. And Yes, he's a great drummer and an important part of some of my favorite albums of all time. It's the other musicians who make this work though, and each of their contributions is important, but I especially want to shout out the dude on the keys. The Plini track was pretty cool too, but this one just edged it out. Unfortunately for you, however, the group again performed well across the board. 6.5
Kattelox: Incognito – “Jacaranda”
There's almost nothing separating this song from the Bill Bruford track above. Both are better-than-average instrumental tracks with memorable motifs and central roles for the wind instruments. The main difference is in their general mood and presentation; whereas Earthworks impresses in the classic Jazz mold, this one takes more of a back door approach. It's not uber tight in the same way as Bill Bruford's, but it benefits from being a little less predictable as well. Acid jazz, indeed. 6.5
Group DRuba: Dance Gavin Dance – “Man of the Year”
What sets this song apart from the other songs in the group is that it's much more dynamic (Arcane Roots to a certain extent, too). At first I found the transitions between heavy and clean a bit jarring, but I grew to like its wild ways. I think it's something to do with the high register and the way the clean vocals are enunciated, but I'm getting a strong Coheed and Cambria vibe from this song that I quite like. The other thing I like about it is that its able to pair its heaviest parts with a kind of bouncy, carnival atmosphere. One of your better submissions, and I'm looking forward to checking it out. 7
LordCost: Arcane Roots – “Curtains”
Given that this one was talked up a bit earlier in the roulette, I had high expectations coming in. And I can see why a lot of people would like it. It's a nice build up—feels like swimming upwards from deep water, toward the light—and by building up relatively slowly I think earns its intensity by the end. It's not incredibly exciting or interesting to me, but it really nails the mood department. I could see this growing on me with further listens, in the context of the full album. Is this the best album to check out further? 6.5
Puppies: Oathbreaker – Needles in your skin”
Perhaps the strangest thing about this song is that I preferred it to your other submission, which was creepy as all get out. You can see what I said for Tomi's song—pretty much all of it applies here, too. Really—I hope to never hear Oathbreaker again. 4
Evermind: So Hideous – “Yesteryear”
You took a risk in sending me this song and unfortunately for you it didn't pay off. This is certainly a new low for the round, but also for the roulette as a whole. When I mentioned there being songs that I had trouble getting to the end of, this was most definitely on my mind. I think it's interesting that you compared this to Deafheaven in your submission, because there are certainly some similarities here, but overall I don't think the comparison is favorable for So Hideous. Deafheaven (Sunbather in particular) has, to my ears, a much warmer and inviting sound to it than this song (despite also being really heavy). More of a comforting post-rock texture, whereas this feels more sterile and classical to my ears. The orchestral aspects of the song don't do much for me, and the vocals are so one-note that I find myself wanting to plug my ears. Sorry bud. I wish I could be more positive. 3.5
Standings (italicized contestants can still take advantage of the double-submission perk)
Group A
Sacul 17 + 4.5 = 21.5
Stadler 13 + 7 = 20
Lethean 14 + 6 = 20
Cyril 9 + 6.5 = 15.5
Group B
jingle.boy 15 + 7 = 22
Tomislav 15.5 + 4 =19.5
--
FlyingBIZKIT 13.5 + 5 = 18.5
TAC 12 + 6 = 18
Group C
Ariich 14 + 8 = 22
Nekov 13 + 7.5 = 20.5
--
Kattelox 13.5 + 6.5 = 20
Romdrums 12.5 + 6.5 = 19
Group D
LordCost 14.5 + 6.5 = 21
Evermind 16 + 3.5 = 19.5
--
Puppies 14 + 4 = 18
Ruba 9 + 7 = 16
Jingle and LordCost, neither of whom finished in the top 8 of rounds 1-3, take the lead for the first time! Remember that after Round 7, half will be eliminated. A couple of you are going to need to send fantastic songs and hope for some luck (Cyril and Ruba), but the margins are pretty thin and things can change quickly (see how Evermind, Sacul, and Tomislav blew their leads in one round). Also, after this round the double-submission perk disappears, so make sure to use it now if you want to. Themes for Round 7 will be selected by
Evermind, Tomislav, Romdrums, and Sacul. Please try to choose something in the next 24 hours so we can get the submissions in before the weekend.
Poll
Topic: Seneca v3 results (Read 78378 times)
