Alright, I'm finally feeling a little better and managed to finish results for ya. All of these songs were a little hard to get through as I'm not used to long compositions these days, but some were very enjoyable indeed.
wolfking
Wintersun Awaken From the Dark Slumber.
First impression:
This song reminds me of a saunaI'm not familiar with the band's music, but I followed their kickstarter drama a few years ago, hence the sauna reference. Anyway, to the song itself, it's... meh. It's got some very cheesy synths, plenty of bland drumming, fake orchestral sounds, and alright harsh vocals. It feels like power metal turned into melodeath, and it lasts for 14 mins, none of which appeal to me, oops
. I know you were expecting me to suffer a bit from this, and you're correct.
2.5 + 1 =
3.5Vmadera00
The Pineapple Thief White Mist
First impression:
This song is not very memorable on a first listenEven after a few listens I find it kind of hard to grasp this song and remember about it, so I'm trying my best to describe it while listening to it. On the one hand is quite well-written and so much thought was put into it. On the other hand, I don't find the melodies that memorable tbh. Maybe it's just their style, but I've never delved into their music besides this so I can't tell. At least it's quite pleasing and easy to listen to.
3 + 1 =
4kingshmegland
Von Hertzen Brothers War is Over
First impression:
This song is hopefulWell, considering the current world situation, I thought this first impression would be more obvious
. Anyway, the song is fine - I like the slow and moody beginning, but I'm not that big on the rest, as it feels like things going into more typical prog rock territory. It's a style I have no interest in these days, and despite this being a well-written piece, it's not something I feel myself returning to.
3 + 1 =
4Stadler
Grateful Dead Terrapin Station Medley
First impression:
This song is a bit longer than it shouldI'm torn a bit, because on one hand this is a piece with much thought and care put into it, with many different sections and a layered instrumentation. On the other hand, I find it quite dated and boring tbh
. It's not bad at all, but man I just don't get it. I guess it's true that this band is either the best thing ever or plain boring. I'm not that dramatic, but I can understand the sentiment.
3 + 1 =
4TAC
Transcend A Parallel Reflection I
First impression:
This song gets good near the endAlthough there are some interesting elements here, like the eastern instrumentation, and the use of strings, it's sadly mixed with fairly alright prog metal. I feel that only in the last 3 minutes is when we get something a bit different and intriguing. Although nothing groundbreaking, it's quite nicer than what came before tbh. It doesn't last too long, but it's cool anyway.
3 + 1 =
4Elite
Thy Catafalque Vadak (Az átváltozás rítusai)
First impression:
This song has an interesting soundIt starts off as a pretty predictable black metal affair for the most part, with some interesting riffs here and there reminding me of thrash metal, but nothing special. Then, after 3 mins of brvtality, we get some... synths? Ok, they sound cool. Then some strings. And percussion. And a sax? And vocals in some language I can't understand?? Damn, why didn't they start the song here, this is very nice and atmospheric
. Then the black metal elements start appearing slowly again, but they somewhat fit and make for a very unique sound that I dig. At least for a while, because they then return to more of the same as in the beginning. Which is nice, but man, for a moment this song was really coming into its own. Oh well.
3.5 + 1 =
4.5TheSoylentMan
NOFX The Decline
First impression:
This song is extremely long for its genreAn 18 minute punk song? Damn. I mean, I personally prefer more hardcore stuff like Refused or the proto-punk of The Stooges, than other variants of punk. But I'll admit this is quite an interesting song, with multiple sections and a very cool climatic ending. My biggest gripe is that, well, it's a bit too long and in a style of music that has never attracted me. But it's so well-executed that I just have to give it a decent score.
3.5 + 1 =
4.5HOF
Big Big Train The Shipping Forecast
First impression:
This song is proggy but not boringThis song reminds me a bit of No-Man on the vocals, and a bit of Gazpacho on the instrumentation, but proggier - it's got the acoustic guitars, the flute, the mellotron, and a retro guitar tone that reminds me of the IQ song that was sent a few rounds ago. It's quite a pleasing and somewhat complex song, with plenty of layers. It's a lovely one, but I'm not sure why it's not resonating with me, maybe it's that it reminds me of a lot of other bands instead of something a bit more unique.
3.5 + 1 =
4.5Evermind
Hypno5e Night on the Petrified Sea
First impression:
This song doesn't feel longQuite an interesting track, I can actually understand what most of the spoken vocals say! Interesting passage about finding heaven within, it's something I think about sometimes. I also love the guitars that play when she speaks, wished they had stayed like that throughout the song instead of going back to a more normal sound. I'm getting some Opeth vibes here, which is nice. I don't find the drumming interesting at all though, feels quite generic for the most part imo. I think it's a nice song, always flowing well and never feeling long. The section after the second spoken vocals is very cool. Overall it just kinda lacks something to truly make me connect with it, or maybe it's just their sound I don't find super interesting or unique outside some sections. Expected something way worse based on Cyril's past comments, but this is just fine.
3.5 + 1 =
4.5lonestar
Shineback Rise Up Forgotten, Return Destroyed
First impression:
This song has a modern styleThis is kind of weird, on the one hand this has an interesting sound, a modern take on prog rock/metal that helps it stand out from the crowd. A bit. On the other hand, paradoxically, it feels like prog rock by the numbers for some reason. I feel that it's not enough, melodically, to really set them apart - maybe it's the structure that just feels quite predictable. Maybe I've just outgrown most prog by this point. It's a fine song, it never gets boring or annoying, but I'm afraid that, back in 2013, both Haken and David Maxim Micic, to name a few, were doing way more interesting things within the genre.
3.5 + 1 =
4.5Buddyhunter1
Cult of Luna Cygnus
First impression:
This song has an interesting dualityI quite enjoy that this song doesn't have only one vocalist, as Julie's vocals add quite an interesting flavor to the mix. This song is quite intense and certainly has that epic closing track feel to it, which fits perfect with this being the last regular round. I also like how it doesn't feel that long, and the performances are on point, the drumming being excellent in particular. The calmer section in the middle really helps accentuate the rest of the song, although it might be a tad uneventful for me. My biggest complain though is the mastering here - it's very compressed and I can barely feel the intensity of the guitars and drums. Other than those things, it's a great song - guess I'll finally check out this album, as I enjoyed some of Julie's solo music in the past.
4 + 1 =
5Cyril
Left at London Pills & Good Advice
First impression:
This song is quite comfyThis song is quite interesting, as it feels like the combination of many different genres and styles into a big yet somewhat cohesive whole. RYM lists quite a few genres, half of them with the words "indie" or "pop", and it feels appropriate. So, it's hard to describe this tune, as it starts with some pretty conventional acoustic guitars, but then goes into many different directions, mostly involving some cool electronic percussion. I'm not that big on some of the occasional processed hyperpop vocals, but they're a small part of the piece so I don't mind. In general I really like the soundscape they create, with some inventive synth sounds, and always bringing new ideas without them feeling out of place. Overall it's a very nice piece, that sometimes feels like many different songs stitched together, but they kinda work, so I don't mind that much.
4 + 1 =
5Puppies_On_Acid
Yndi Halda Illuminate My Heart, My Darling!
First impression:
This song reminds me of one of my favourite albumsI get strong GYBE! vibes from this song, mostly from F#A#Infinity, which might as well be my very favourite record ever, but also from Lift your skinny fists like antennas to heaven. There's a pretty interesting and strong buildup on the first half of the song. It's a lovely and pretty nice one, in particular I love the sad strings throughout it and the second buildup. Post-rock is a tough genre for me to enjoy these days, since most folks seems to be just emulating what Explosions in the Sky do, instead of the amazing and inventive first GYBE! albums, and late Talk Talk records. I feel that, although this is nowhere near as innovative as such albums, it's still quite well written and executed.
4 + 1 =
5Tomislav95
The Ocean Jurassic | Cretaceous
First impression:
This song has some unexpected elementsThis song starts off as a pretty cool but standard post-metal song, until some freaking horns and a piano appear. I didn't expect them to work nearly as well as they did here, but they do. I love the chorus, it's pretty intense and quite
. The songwriting is quite varied and never gets repetitive despite the length. I kinda wished the horns and the piano were a bit more integrated into the song but I'll take what I can here. Also the vocals during the calmer sections are a tad bland imo. My previous experience with The Ocean had been some songs off Pelagial I think, and while they were good, they didn't grab me like this does. Pretty solid track.
4 + 1 =
5ReaperKK
A Winged Victory For The Sullen Atomos I
First impression:
This song is subtleAmbient is quite hard to do right I've realized, as someone who is currently exploring how to do that. It's also deeply personal - what might move someone might leaver others cold. I'm glad this song is the former one. I love how it slowly adds elements while remaining quite elegant and subtle, and never getting boring at all. It's a slow progression but one that works really well. I also enjoy how it kind of stops at the middle and introduces a lovely piano - this is the kind of music I've tried to make on my own, and it's damn hard.
4 + 1 =
5Scores
Buddyhunter1 35
lonestar 33.5
Vmadera00 32.5
HOF 32.5
Cyril 32.5
Evermind 32
Puppies_On_Acid 32
TheSoylentMan 31.5
Tomislav95 31.5
kingshmegland 31
ReaperKK 31
wolfking 30.5
Stadler 30.5
Elite 30.5
TAC 29.5
Alright, seems that there won't be a need for a deathmatch as we have exactly 5 players for the EP round. So, to everyone but those in the first 5 places, thanks for playing! For the rest, send your EPs! I'll give you some time to prepare them in case you haven't, let's say, until Monday.
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