Can I send an EP to the final round even if I don't make it? I mean, there's only 1 point difference between me and fifth place
Sure, but I'll give it a listen once that round is over
Alright, I went to a meeting yesterday and hoped to get back home early and finish results - ended up getting back at 4AM, oops
. Anyway, here's results:
kingshmegland
Oak Claire de Lune
First impression:
This song is nothing like the originalI was expecting a modern take on the classic song, but got something completely different. A kind of dark, moody, mysterious... generic prog rock song
. I like the darker passages here and the instrumental sections, even if they remind me of a lesser Opeth, but the rest of the track is just pretty ok tbh. And at 7 minutes, it's sort of a long track. Nothing bad here, but nothing outstanding either.
3/5ReaperKK
Ola Englund Balegmah
First impression:
This song needs to relax a littleI think this song might be a bit too intense at time for what it's trying to do, which is... a pretty average prog metal track. It reminds me a lot of DT's heavier moments, even with the excessive guitar solos, but without Portnoy's amazing drumming. It's all instrumental, alright, but I don't find any of the ideas portrayed here as interesting at all. It just kind of goes through a few boring riffs and solos and then it just ends. It's not a bad song, it's just not memorable for me.
3/5TAC
Loch Vostok Expiry Date On The Soul Of Man
First impression:
This song needs more personalityAin't gonna lie, I'm not a big fan of generic prog metal. This one might be a bit more atmospheric than your typical prog song and I appreciate it, but it's just... bland. The melodies are kind of forgettable, and the performances are just fine. Nothing really stands out for me here tbh
3/5wolfking
Iron Maiden Hell on Earth
First impression:
This song is scarily relevantI've never been a big fan of them tbh, it's just that most heavy metal ain't my cup of tea - jingle.boy tried in a past roulette with Rime of the Ancient Mariner and it did just ok. And this song ain't that much different for me. It's quite well put together (and relevant), I'll give you that, and it's never a boring track at all, despite being quite long - just not a style that resonates with me.
3.5/5Elite
Weather Report Birdland
First impression:
This song flows nicelyIt does certainly feel like music for the weather report for some reason
. It's a fun song, with a smooth flow to it and some catchy melodies. There's quite a nice variety of textures that makes it constantly interesting. I like it but it's not making me go woah, maybe because it's just... too chill? I like chill in general, and this one does it quite fine, so maybe it's just a matter of not resonating emotionally with me as much as I'd like to.
3.5/5Stadler
Scorpions We'll Burn the Sky
First impression:
This song doesn't blowAnother bold choice on this round, but this time to try to submit a band that didn't do well before. Well, it kinda works I guess? Surely it's a more interesting track than Yellow Raven, but not by much I'm afraid. Maybe it's too 70s sounding for my taste, as I'm not crazy for that era of music but I don't hate it either. The songwriting is quite competent here, and the climax of the song is nice, but it feels quite like a typical hard rock way of ending a song.
3.5/5lonestar
Voices from the Fuselage Epicinium
First impression:
This song needs more electronicsOn paper this sounds like something I should dig more, as it's mostly electronic and with some piano. But I feel that it just... doesn't go anywhere. The melodies are kinda in between hinting at a big buildup or climax, and being just chill and relaxed. Like, the vocals are too intense for how unassuming the instrumentation really is. Feels like a transition track and maybe I'd like it more on its original context, but it's not that strong on its own.
3.5/5HOF
Prefab Sprout Goodby Lucille #1
First impression:
This song certainly feels from that eraRYM describes this album as Sophisti-Pop and Pop Rock, and that makes sense. I've never been big on such genres, but I'll admit this song is quite well-written, even if I'm not a fan of the over-the-top sounds here. It certainly feels like an 80s song, and I've had very mixed feelings about that era myself. This one is pretty nice, but doesn't fully connect with me.
3.5/5Vmadera00
Bunbury Si
First impression:
This song has a familiar soundI'm reminded of other spanish and latinx bands I hear on the radio sometimes, but I mean it in a good way. This is a pretty fun piano-driven song, quite catchy and layered - I like the use of strings and brass here and there. It feels both familiar and fresh to me, and I quite enjoyed it.
4/5Tomislav95
Queens of the Stone Age No one knows
First impression:
This song reminds me of the 2000sFor some reason I've never listened to this band despite being aware of them for so many years, this album in particular. And it turns out it's quite a banger - fun, catchy, dirty guitars, and lots of personality. I've had the chorus stuck on my head for a few days, and for a good reason. I kinda wished the songwriting was a bit more varied in terms of structure, but I'll take it for what it is. Also the ending is quite fun
4/5Evermind
Anneke van Giersbergen Hurricane
First impression:
This song is a little surprisingI had no clue Anneke was releasing her own music, nor had an idea of what it'd sound like. Well, color me impressed, this is great. I love the mostly acoustic instrumentation along with her vocal harmonies. It starts pretty subtle and quiet, but gets more interesting as it goes on, particularly on the horns. Simple but lovely track.
4/5Cyril
Magdalena Bay Chaeri
First impression:
This song has a great productionThis one took quite some time to grow on me I'll admit. At first I wasn't so sure about it - I wouldn't say it was generic, but it didn't strike me as super original either. But the more I listen to it, the more layers and details I find, and the way it progresses is very interesting. It just gets better and better as it goes on, sometimes exploding in quite an intense way. Also it's catchy as hell.
4/5TheSoylentMan
Himuro Yoshiteru Start It
First impression:
This song is pretty variedI don't know what genre this even is outside of just electronic, but I like it. I like the first half, feels quite cinematic, and almost like videogame music. Then the other half has some uuhhh interesting vocals, almost rapping? Dunno, they kind of work so am not complaining. I think it may be a tad too long overall, like I'd have cut 1 minute of runtime, but that's really the only complaint I have tbh.
4/5Puppies_On_Acid
M83 Oblivion
First impression:
This song is kinda cheatingQuite audacious to use my love for Susanne's music here
. I've never been a big fan of M83 so I was a little cautious about this one, but seems my fears were unfounded. This is a great song, with a wonderful atmosphere, and a great mix of electronic and orchestral elements. Great climax as well. I was only confused a little by the last section, because I thought the song had already ended, but I don't mind this coda, it's quite nice. From your worst submission to your best one, quite a nice turn of events.
4.5/5Buddyhunter1
Dan Terminus The Wrath Of Code
First impression:
This song is very energeticWell damn, second time you send me quite a banger of a synthwave song. And yes this is kinda cheating a little but I'll allow it because it's a different artist. It's got a lot of punch to it, and the Perturbator sounds are quite notable and great here. It's a deeply layered yet cohesive sound here, and I loooove that snare sound, I want it for myself
. Awesome track, wished I knew how to write music like this. Not exactly synthwave, but with this sort of energy and production quality.
4.5/5Scores
Buddyhunter1 30
lonestar 29
Vmadera00 28.5
HOF 28
Evermind 27.5
Cyril 27.5
kingshmegland 27
wolfking 27
TheSoylentMan 27
Puppies_On_Acid 27
Stadler 26.5
Tomislav95 26.5
ReaperKK 26
Elite 26
TAC 25.5
Alright, time for the last round before the EP one! This time the optional theme is long songs: any track from any genre that's at least 10 mins long, and no more than 25. I'll put a hard limit on 5 seconds above or below that, and not a second more or less. If I can suggest something based on the previous rounds, please don't send me prog epics unless you're very sure about them