Devsults!!
Lonestar
Supercrush!....... 8.4
The chorus is the best part of this, ends really strong.
Anneke! Holy shit!. I really like Devin in this chorus. I would’ve liked a different pace or some sort of changeup in the bridge. Listening at around 3:45 and there’s too much going on in my ears. I like that quick little thing at 4:08 to set up the final chorus. The part at 5:00, I like and they exited that section too soon to end the song. I would’ve rather dropped the bridge and built upon that ending. Still, great song.
Addicted!....... 7.2
This is the Keep It In The Family riff! Driving track for sure.
The beginning of this reminded me a lot of Anthrax’s Keep It In The Family. Totally the same groove. This song kind of lives on this groove for the entire song. The female vocals are nice, but this isn’t my favorite Devin vocal. The chorus isn’t bad. I wasn’t expecting the circus music until the next round.
Unfortunately for Addicted!, there's way more songs in this round that are more....addictive!
8.4+7.2=15.6/2=7.80
Kingshmegland
Stormbending....... 8.3
The first half was amazing, almost Styx-ish, but it peters out by the end.
This starts off with a cool section. At 1:40, it goes full on Styx, and it’s awesome. I love this part. Love it! Has a cool JP styled solo. The second half of this song isn’t nearly as good as the first, but like most other songs, this section has grown on me.
Where We Belong...... 7.1
Nice enough but not very exciting, though it “grands up” for the second half.
Wow, this feels almost too safe. There’s some intense stuff in this round and this is having trouble stacking up.
8.3+7.1=15.4/2=7.70
Vmadera00
Kingdom..... 9.0
Really strong vocals for the early verses. This song is really thick, but good.
Damn, what an amazing intro. When the vocals come in, it is literally my favorite moment of the entire playlist. These first verses are amazing. This song stays on an intense journey. This song really gets better with every listen.
Life...... 7.9
A very nice and simple tune. A nice change from the noise. But is it good enough?
Sounds like a song you’d hear on the radio. Quality track. Quite simple and effective. I definitely like it. So many of the other songs in this round are so thick, this is like a breath of fresh air.
9.0+7.9=16.9/2=8.45
Romdrums
Almost Again...... 7.5
Decent enough tune. Will it stand out?
I have really struggled to come up with comments on this song. The verse is ok. The chorus is ok. There’s nothing I inherently dislike about this song, but there’s nothing I really grab onto. The best moment of the song comes at 2:00.. the “so it’s over” part.
Kingdom (Live)....... 9.0
Not sure the Live version really adds much but it’s still cool.
Here’s what I said about the studio version:
Damn, what an amazing intro. When the vocals come in, it is literally my favorite moment of the entire playlist. These first verses are amazing. This song stays on an intense journey. This song really gets better with every listen.
This live version is pretty faithful, but it is strong. Tons of energy.
7.5+9.0=16.5/2=8.25
Kwyjibo
Funeral..... 7.4
This was actually pretty nice to start but damn it lingers
This song has a nice pace to it. Almost hypnotic. There seems to be layers to this, but I feel like this plods along a bit. I am glad it changes a bit at 5:30. Breaks it up a bit, but it’s the same tempo. I kind of wish they’d had ridden this out. When it comes back full on, it just feels like a long song.
Planet Smasher...... 8.2
Really cool rhythm guitar to start. Quite a bit of variety for a song of this length.
I like the Megadeth styled opening to this. I don’t know what kind of story is going on, but the music really supports it well. There’s a wicked double bass flurry at 2:15. Wow! This music really keeps you engaged. Really intense. I like the bit at 4:00 and it would’ve been a nice way to ride this out. I didn’t need another chorus, which is the weakest part of the song. This song has some really cool rhythm guitars. I really digged this.
7.4+8.2=15.6/2=7.80
HOF
Life...... 7.9
A very nice and simple tune. A nice change from the noise. But is it good enough?
Sounds like a song you’d hear on the radio. Quality track. Quite simple and effective. I definitely like it. So many of the other songs in this round are so thick, this is like a breath of fresh air.
Funeral..... 7.4
This was actually pretty nice to start but damn it lingers
This song has a nice pace to it. Almost hypnotic. There seems to be layers to this, but I feel like this plods along a bit. I am glad it changes a bit at 5:30. Breaks it up a bit, but it’s the same tempo. I kind of wish they’d had ridden this out. When it comes back full on, it just feels like a long song.
7.9+7.4=15.3/2=7.65
Buddy
Addicted!...... 7.2
This is the Keep It In The Family riff! Driving track for sure.
The beginning of this reminded me a lot of Anthrax’s Keep It In The Family. Totally the same groove. This song kind of lives on this groove for the entire song. The female vocals are nice, but this isn’t my favorite Devin vocal. The chorus isn’t bad. I wasn’t expecting the circus music until the next round. Unfortunately for Addicted!, there's way more songs in this round that are more....addictive!
Skesis...... 6.9
Kind of hectic, even a bit monotonous. Nice drum patterns near the end.
Another song that reminds me of Anthrax. Except, I can’t say I’m a huge fan of this song. It’s intense and all, but I don’t feel it takes me anywhere. It’s not terribly musical. The last minute is pretty cool though. Amazing drumming.
7.2+6.9=14.1/2=7.05
Puppies
Deadhead........ 8.2
Great opening guitar! Not a fan of Mid Tempo, but it works here.
I love the opening guitar here. Mid tempo, but I like how the vocals float above the rhythm. There’s two run throughs over the verse/chorus before a long instrumental section where it stays at the same tempo and not much happens. Then a third verse/chorus, all at the same pace. I think at 8 minutes, this is probably 3 minutes too long. I like the idea of this, but it just kind of wears on. Still, it's one of the stronger tracks in the round.
Failure...... 9.0
Really nice. Excellent chorus. Cool guitar. Nice.
Cool guitar to start this off. The rhythm leading into the verses is cool. Nice vocals and falsetto. The chorus is grand. Nice intro to the instrumental part at 2:16. Then at 3:12, it goes full on La Villa Strangiato. This is fucking nice! Closing with another chorus and brief outro. Excellent song!
8.2+9.0=17.2/2=8.60
Cyril
Stand..... 7.4
Wow, that’s a powerful song, but it does test your patience.
Kind of a brooding beginning. The whole song is brooding. Love that little thing they do at 7:46. I think my first listen to this was the best one. It never really took off from there. It’s just kind of monotonous.
Sumeria..... 7.7
Sounds like from a play or something. Almost choral in parts.
The gang vocals are really cool. Like an entrance of a Disney villain. Probably my favorite part of the song. This song has a ton of layers. Not sure I’m crazy about the verses though. Interesting way to end it. Doesn’t feel connected to the song in any way.
7.4+7.7=15.1/2=7.55