Very solid round. Running a bit late for work so I'll update the master results and score count in a few hours.
Round 3 Results:Elite
Jolly - "Firewell"
Awwww yiisssssssss this is a stellar track. I got hooked from the very start, this song elicits memories of one of my all time favorite bands, Fair To Midland. The rhythm section slays but it's not a full on tour-de-force of chugging riffs. Those chorus (pre-chorus?) breaks sections give you a moment to catch your breath before you're thrust right back into it. Great pick!
4.5Lonestar
Anathema - "Lightning Song"
I could've sworn I've heard this album before but after skimming around I clearly have not. It's ashame that I didn't explore Anathema earlier because I REALLY like this song. The song works well in many contexts; I can have this playing while working as background noise, or I can sit and tune in completely and take it all in, it doesn't command your attention but pays off if you do take the time to hone in on it. The song starts with a beautiful guitar melody and build on that, it reminded me of some of my favorite post-rock tracks with the added bonus of having incredible vocals laid on top.
4.5 jingle.boy
Circus Maximus - "Glory Of The Empire"
I was curious about this song because of the message you sent me but I think it makes sense now. This song hits all the right check boxes; epic - check; arpeggiated guitar intro - check, flows beautifully - check. Two things knock this song down a half point, the vocals take some getting used to. Much like hearing JLB for the first time they took some time to appreciate, and the mix felt really compressed and flat. Spotify says the album was released in 2005 but it sounds like it could've been released the same year as WDADU, it needs more umph. Other than that it's a great song!
4.5senecadawg2
Manchester Orchestra - "Annie"
What a change this track is from the rest of the roulette
. This is a great pick and depending on the day could be my favorite track of the round. I'm filled with melancholy and nostalgia for a time in my life where I was listening to music that fit stylistically with this track. It's pretty, it's mild, and has me yearning for a time long past.
4.5Vmader00
Gojira - "Born For One Thing"
Another banger. Right out the gate I'm hit with some awesome riffage. The drums really steal the spotlight, on my first run through I caught myself expecting the drums to go one way but instead they brought something more unique to the table. The vocals prevent this song from getting ranked higher, there are kind of one-note and leave me wanted something more.
4Tomislav95
Eidola - "Perennial Philosophy'"
This song has a lot going on but it's still really easy to follow which is a quality I like. It rewards you if you listen to each instrument separately but it's also coherent, complete piece of music. Something with the singer isn't clicking with me though. He is good, he hits the notes, the vocal melodies are good, and the lyrics are fine too but I don't know, just isn't there.
4Sacul
David Bowie - "Lazarus"
Full disclosure, I don't like David Bowie. I can respect hm as an artist and entertainer but I never clicked with his music. After his passing I did give Blackstar a few spins and remember enjoying Lazarus. Listening to it again I think it holds up well. There are many interesting elements in the song but I think what really elevates it is are the circumstances around when the song/album was written and David coming to terms with his death. It's a powerful, emotional song that forces me to give all my attention to it. Inescapable, much like death I guess.
4Kingshmegland
A.C.T. - "Checked Out"
This song is just fun. I was listening to it on my morning drive to and couldn't stop smiling and getting lost in the music, the groove banging off the windows of my car. It's a blast to listen to and easy to digest.
4wolfking
Scar Symmetry - "Ghost Prototype I - Measurement Of Thought"
From jump I loved the riff. Another tune where I reached for the guitar to try and sort that opening riff out. While the intro riff is fun the middle section comes in and changes the whole dynamic of the song. With the way the opening riff and first verse is constructed I was not expecting to get an anvil dropped on me during the breakdown. I loved it.
4HOF
Paradigm Blue - "Gravity"
I seriously thought this was a Rush song out the gate which isn't a bad thing. Gravity has one of the best chorus' this round but the verses miss that high standard. The instrumental break are great and sound very Rush inspired. On subsequent listens I just kept thinking "Don't bore us, get to the chorus". I do like the song enough that I want to check out more stuff from Paradigm Blue
3.5Stadler
Black Sabbath - "Spiral Architect"
I have a fairly negative opinion of Black Sabbath, my dad was always playing them growing up and I was never impressed or interested but this is quite good. This song feels put together, tight, and interesting which are not words I've ever used to describe any. Overall this is the most surprising song of the round.
3.5Cyril
Persefone - "Spiritual Migration"
Another intense track from Cyril. This one does better than Wreche from the previous rounds, it doesn't feel like an all out assault on my senses
. There are a lot of interesting mythemic hooks and quick turns in this song that make near impossible to grasp on first listen (or even fifth listen). My brain was grasping at trying to figure out where it's going and what is exactly is being played. It's abstract in a way but not so much so that I want to turn it off immediately like I would with free jazz. This isn't a song I'd listen to frequently but it is something I'll keep in the rotation.
3.5Deadeye21
Ragdoll - "Rust"
Big fan of the GTA games so when I saw the cover I knew what my first impression was going to be. I find it pretty difficult to articulate what I like/don’t like about the song. It's a good tune that rocks but it's not something that sticks in your head. I like it but there is nothing really memorable here. None of the interesting elements stick around long enough to make a lasting impression. The breakdown in the middle section is sick but it doesn't stick around long enough, similar things can be said about the solo, it's good but it goes in one ear and out the other. That's not to imply that I need guitar acrobatics in every solo but I feel the note choice could be better.
3.5Luoto
Insomnium - "Pale Morning Star"
Powerful track right here. It starts off strong and carries it's intensity throughout without becoming a riff salad even when you get to the middle part where the onslaught is dialed back a little bit. I feel like the song really hits it's stride when it gets to the first melodic break, it gets into this pattern of slowing down only to build again and that kind of writing I can get behind.
3.5TAC
Cloud Cult - "Good Friend"
Another tough one. There are elements I like here but they are quickly overpowered by elements I don’t like. Lets start with the positive; I love the amount of instruments on this track. I didn't catch it at first but on repeats listens I started to unwrap the layers. It was rewarding with every pass through. Now for the negative, the vocals. They aren't great, they come off whiny and the way they are harmonized makes it worse, it's nice when he gets to the part of the chorus, the "To help me out, when I'm burning down.." part, but then the harmonies come back in and just kills it for me.
2.5Puppies_On_Acid
Teramaze - "Broken"
I want to like this song but it sadly doesn't do anything for me here. My first impression became my permanent impression of the song. The vocal melodies come off as trying a bit too hard, like going for the high note that comes in during the "no one left I'm on my own" line. The lyrics are pretty weak here too, I get it, you're standing on your own. The chorus, piano breakdown, and solo redeem the song a little bit. At first I thought maybe I was just in the wrong head space listening to this song which is why it wasn't clicking but I just don't care for it personally. I think it's biggest sin is that it's forgettable and doesn't stick out from other songs in it's genre.
2
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