ariich's DARK TO LIGHT roulette (v8) - Post-roulette updates (ongoing)

[TAC]

I was listening to the new Kalmah this morning. Great album!

[Crow]

damn i'm really falling off (you're not wrong that this is probably my weakest submission so far tho lmao but it's still very )
the rest of the album is also quite good and they put out a 20ish minute single-song EP a few months later, too, so... plenty of gospel to go around 

[King Postwhore]

Next round already sent!

[HOF]

Better than my first heavy round score, so I’ll take it! Guess I should figure out what to send next (have an idea but need to put it together).

[Buddyhunter1]

Well I think it's pretty safe to assume you'll enjoy Where Owls Know My Name.

I really need to think about what to send for this round... I had an idea for an EP but I scrapped it, and now I need to make sure I don't need whatever I send this round for the EP. Damn you for running this so efficiently, now I need to catch up!

[Glasser]

I'm not doing bad overall.

[lonestar]

Cool assessment, and I totally agree that the last song is their best. Actually, that's their latest too, so hopefully that's the direction they're heading in.


On a side note, Hanabie just opened for Nemophila a few weeks ago, and they collaborated on that song and on Zen off Seize the Fate, with Yukina of Hanabie singing it. I even had a bud who attended the show snag me a shirt with both bands on it. Just for the heck of it, here's a video of Nemophila's cover of Pardon Me I Have to Go Now...  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=higsrM4jqn8

[twosuitsluke]

About what I expected, and I do agree that the first song is the weakest overall.

[ariich]

Well I think it's pretty safe to assume you'll enjoy Where Owls Know My Name.

Seems quite likely. The only one I'm more certain about is Nuclear Power Trio, because Chad sent me the entire EP.

EDIT:

Cool assessment, and I totally agree that the last song is their best. Actually, that's their latest too, so hopefully that's the direction they're heading in.

Awesome, that would be great if so!

[faizoff]

Whoa my lowest score so far. I kinda get it though, it took me forever to get into Meshuggah, it was several years before I really got into them.

[LithoJazzoSphere]

Litho – Mercenary
1. Firesoul
2. Music Non Stop
3. The Hours That Remain

First impression: Sounds like a really cool mixture of aggressive and epic - elements of the vocals are not normally what I go for, but they seem to work well here.

Final opinion: This strikes me as a really interesting amalgamation of what various other bands were doing in the late 90s and 2000s, with various aspects very reminiscent of something else but the overall effect not quite sounding like any of them. Musically, Firesoul is absolutely a cross between earlyish In Flames and Children of Bodom, but with lots of King Diamond style vocals. It’s not a vocal style I tend to like (I’m not at all a fan of Halford, for example, although I do think King Diamond is so dark and theatrical and some of it works great) but this is delivered well and blends in with the music very effectively such that it’s not bothersome at all. The harsh vocals are also quite full-on but again they work. Music Non Stop is quite a gear shift, in much more of a straightforward hard rock vein, but it’s a nice little song and I appreciate the variety. And then Hours That Remain has more of a power metal vibe with, presumably, a different vocalist as the singing is more tasteful, if still a little cheesy in a different way. But anyway it’s great - I liked all the songs a lot from the start and the first and third ones have grown on me further with each listen.

Their vocalist lineup has shifted over the years.  Their original vocalist is bass player Kral, who does the lowest-range cleans on the first two songs (and lower-range growls on other songs I couldn't fit in 20 minutes of music)).  Mikkel joined on the second album as co-lead vocalist to add higher-range cleans and screams.  I really like the variety of their dual lead vocal attack there.  Kral left after their third album, and Mikkel does all the vocals on the fourth album (represented by the third song), albeit with a couple guest spots on other tracks.  On the tour for that album they added new bassist/co-lead vocalist René, they did one album together, and then Mikkel left, so René did all the vocals on the next two albums and the upcoming one this year/next one maybe.  His vocals aren't represented on these tracks though.  I can definitely hear a bit of In Flames, though I personally can't really see much CoB.  But I agree on the stylistic fusion of the era, I haven't been able to find another band that scratches the same itch for me.  Scar Symmetry and various others have many similarities, but a different vibe. 

[ariich]

I can definitely hear a bit of In Flames, though I personally can't really see much CoB.

It's mainly the style and ferocity of the verses that remind me of Follow the Reaper era Bodom, more so than In Flames. Probably also added to by the "cross my heart and hope to die" line.

[LithoJazzoSphere]

Yeah, I guess they do both use that cliche, don't they? 

Sent. 

[jingle.boy]

Rik Emmett killed me!  I'd be Top 5 if I'd had a decent round 2.

Let's hope this 'light' round doesn't do the same.  Round 5 sent Rich - just pull up the playlist again.  You'll figure it out.  Glad to see Dynazty do so well!

[LithoJazzoSphere]

Rik Emmett [LJS: Phil Keaggy] killed me!  I'd be Top 5 if I'd had a decent round 2.

Let's hope this 'light' round doesn't do the same.

ariich just isn't into skilled acoustic guitar players I guess.   

[lonestar]

Rik Emmett killed me!  I'd be Top 5 if I'd had a decent round 2.

Let's hope this 'light' round doesn't do the same.  Round 5 sent Rich - just pull up the playlist again.  You'll figure it out.  Glad to see Dynazty do so well!

I'm taking this next round, and that's a promise.

[wolfking]

That's more like what I was expecting!  Great band, get into em Rich.

I'll send hopefully tonight.  I've been getting my balls busted at work so not prepared anything, but give me 12 hours or so hopefully.

[Buddyhunter1]

Sent!

[King Puppies and the Acid Guppies]

Sent

[Glasser]

Rik Emmett killed me!  I'd be Top 5 if I'd had a decent round 2.

Let's hope this 'light' round doesn't do the same.  Round 5 sent Rich - just pull up the playlist again.  You'll figure it out.  Glad to see Dynazty do so well!

I'm taking this next round, and that's a promise.

What if Rich breaks your promise?

[lonestar]

I SAID I'M TAKING IT!!!!!!!!!

[King Puppies and the Acid Guppies]

I SAID I'M TAKING IT!!!!!!!!!

Nah, I'm pretty sure I've got it.








4/10 incoming....

[Crow]

honestly have no clue how this next submission will do but i do know that i fully stand behind it

[lonestar]

Everyone's reaction to me winning after hearing my songs...

https://youtu.be/2dHgeV9zMCI?t=98

[LithoJazzoSphere]

seneca – Dan Swanö
1. Sun of the Night
2. Uncreation
3. Add Reality

First impression: Well, this feels like a pretty big oversight on my part - the limited amount of clean vocals is kind of surprising for how melodic most of the music is, but it’s a great sound anyway.

Final opinion: There's not been any particular reason that I've not checked out Swanö's solo album before. He just has so many different projects that I don't think I even knew he'd done one. But of those I've heard, the ones I really like a lot are Nightingale and Witherscape, and this sounds like a fantastic marrying of the two styles...Really great stuff!

Score: 8.6

Now, see, this is why I called you out in Tomi's on this. 

In fairness, none of Swano's other projects are nearly as good as Nightingale or Witherscape IMO.

The Moontower project is one of them, and there are arguably others as well.  Shame as these could have been my points as I'd probably have picked those same three songs, but if I'm gonna lose, doing it to Dan is an honor.

[jingle.boy]

Rik Emmett [LJS: Phil Keaggy] killed me!  I'd be Top 5 if I'd had a decent round 2.

Let's hope this 'light' round doesn't do the same.

Soupy too. We’re crushing it if not for the damned “Light” round. 

[HOF]

Sent!

[wolfking]

Sent.

[ariich]

ariich just isn't into skilled acoustic guitar players noodling I guess.   

Although that said, the Rik Emmett acoustic guitar track was one of my favourites from that submission, so who knows what I like.

Soupy too. We’re crushing it if not for the damned “Light” round. 

Yeah I found it funny that you all stayed in joint 10th place by getting an identical score last round, but hadn't appreciated that you've all had a really similar score profile throughout with a weaker round 2.

seneca – Dan Swanö
1. Sun of the Night
2. Uncreation
3. Add Reality

First impression: Well, this feels like a pretty big oversight on my part - the limited amount of clean vocals is kind of surprising for how melodic most of the music is, but it’s a great sound anyway.

Final opinion: There's not been any particular reason that I've not checked out Swanö's solo album before. He just has so many different projects that I don't think I even knew he'd done one. But of those I've heard, the ones I really like a lot are Nightingale and Witherscape, and this sounds like a fantastic marrying of the two styles...Really great stuff!

Score: 8.6

Now, see, this is why I called you out in Tomi's on this. 

In fairness, none of Swano's other projects are nearly as good as Nightingale or Witherscape IMO.

The Moontower project is one of them, and there are arguably others as well.  Shame as these could have been my points as I'd probably have picked those same three songs, but if I'm gonna lose, doing it to Dan is an honor.

All very fair, I retract that statement on the basis of clearly not hearing enough of his projects. If others are along the lines of these three and less like Edge of Sanity then that sounds promising! There was at least one other I heard a bit of but don't think I ever rated an album from, but I can't remember what it was or why I wasn't keen on it.


Anyway thanks for so many quick submissions already!

[soupytwist]

Soupy too. We’re crushing it if not for the damned “Light” round. 

It's weird for me as I normally struggle with the heavier stuff, this roulette is the reverse.

[wolfking]

Soupy too. We’re crushing it if not for the damned “Light” round. 

It's weird for me as I normally struggle with the heavier stuff, this roulette is the reverse.

But you nailed it with Dynazty! 

[soupytwist]

Soupy too. We’re crushing it if not for the damned “Light” round. 

It's weird for me as I normally struggle with the heavier stuff, this roulette is the reverse.

But you nailed it with Dynazty! 

Yeah and now I'll mess it all up with the 'light' round again

Oh and sent!

[senecadawg2]

I'm glad to have properly cheated 

I'm sure you'll enjoy that entire album!

[Luoto]

Luoto – Kalmah
1. The Groan of Wind
2. Heroes To Us
3. Drifting In a Dream

First impression: Sounds like a strong example of the genre and right up my alley, with a great mix of the slower atmospheric side and the faster, more aggressive (yet always melodic) side.

Final opinion: My experience here is very similar to with seneca's Dan Swanö submission. I hesitate to call this one an oversight as I didn't have any previous experience with the artist, but it's definitely a hole in my collection - I've seen them mentioned a lot in relation to other bands I like (Suotana, Children of Bodom) so I don't really know why I've never got round to checking them out. Anyway this is really excellent. The general style seems to come from the super melodic, power metal infused side of melodic death metal, which tends to go down well with me if the melodies are strong (which they definitely are here). On their own the first two songs may not have scored quite so high, but including the third was brilliant as it showcases a slower, more atmospheric side which you know is something I'm attracted to. It's an absolutely gorgeous track and really completes this selection of songs.

Score: 8.6

Nice, a round winner! Kalmah are a little hit and miss for me, but they certainly have strong highlights throughout their catalog and their live shows are pretty fun.

I'll send round 5 shortly.

[Evermind]

Glad you enjoyed it a little more than Buddy's entry!

Really hectic day here at work and I've apparently caught a cold somewhere too. I'll try to send something in 24 hours.