Geography Main Assignment Grades!
5
Reaper: Guapa-Fabersven
This is like charming a snake with Repentance.
So, I appreciate the submission. It was a really interesting listen, but unfortunately it just never really had a chance. This was a strong round and this song kind of felt like a big speedbump. On its own though, it was pretty cool and had a nice vibe. But it was just too long for what it was.
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6
Stadler: David Gilmour-All Lovers Are Deranged
I cannot believe that with this artist’s catalog, THIS is the song you send.
OK, Stads.. This song is only slightly better than I remembered. I definitely remember the song and I never really understood it, as it was so far away from Pink Floyd. Maybe that’s the rub. Phil Lynott’s solo material was quite different than thin Lizzy and well….it was interesting. I am surprised at the low stream numbers for this compared to the rest of this album, considering it was the single off of it.
Puppies: Enslaved-Singular
Nice and heavy and doesn’t feel as long as it is.
So this was a weird one for me. There’s nothing wrong with it, and it’s pretty groovy. The vocals are fine and the mixed cleans blend well. But overall, the song just isn’t all that exciting, and it seemed like everytime I played it, I’d drift off about halfway through and kind of lose touch with it, only to be brought back to reality by realizing that the next song started. Looking forward to the discography, as I will be following, but I’m not sure this was the right song.
Soupy: Church Of the Cosmic Skull- Cold Sweat
Is this the ghost of Phil Lynott?
This song really got me excited…until it didn’t. The first half was really cool. All I could hear was the ghost of Phil Lynott. It was really captivating, the vocal style. But about halfway through, it seemed to become some sort of lounge jam, which would’ve been fine but it devolved in an extremely repetitive thing such that I forgot how much I enjoyed the first half.
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7
Lethean: Leprous-Phantom Pain
You didn’t do it again did you?
I’ve sampled Leprous before, and they’ve just never moved the needle for me. The intro to this song really had me worried. It does get better once it turns into Lord Nefaryus. The “harsh” vocals before the chorus were unexpected, but the chorus itself was excellent. Musically, the rest of it was decent enough. Better than I expected.
Jamesman: Alcest-Autre Temps
This is real nice, but you do know the Foreign language round is still yet to come, right?
This song was quite a change of pace in this round. The intro generally stopped my in my tracks, and even though it’s slow a plods a bit, it has a real endearing quality to it. The acoustic lines have a sort of familiar 70’s feel to it, a classic rock vibe. Alcest will not be banned after this round, and I would definitely welcome them again. I’m actually intrigued.
Glasser: Cloven Hoof-Highway Man
That is some old school styled classic metal.
I enjoyed this song, I’ll say that. The intro was decent enough, but then it picks up into an old school classic heavy metal track. Cloven Hoof is an older band and this is from a relatively recent release. The singer has some pipes, but like the new Metal Church, I feel like he’s..overdoing it a bit. But I like his dedication. The whole “How do you plead?” section in the middle was a bit cheesy though if I’m being honest. I like the nice melodic solo. Class. All in all, pretty good. The outro though, is completely unnecessary.
Kingshmegland: Sieges Even-Tidal
I feel like someone is trying to slip me some Damian Wilson.
Here’s a song that kind of sits in the middle ground. It’s really nice, but it lacks something to really compel me. The chorus is pretty nice, but overall, this song kind of passes me by. It’s heavy in spots, proggy in others, but neither heavy nor proggy enough I guess. I like the song, don’t get me wrong, but it’s up against some much stiffer competition.
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7.5
Wolfking: Mgla-Exercises In Futility V
Even though this song wants to breathe, it might be a tad long
So this is definitely a cool tune and I will be checking out this album, but… this song is pretty long for what it is. Every song is its own song in a roulette playlist, but as much as I liked it, it just seemed to run on and on . This is something I’d put on if I had to paint a room or something. Cool to have on… The best part is at 1:08 where the rhythm guitars underneath really define themselves. It has a cool haunting vibe.
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8
Lithojazzosphere: Amaran-Primal Nature
We found Lost Domain’s mother.
Yeah, this song rocks big time. I’m still trying to place the opening guitar line. Besides being more accepting of harsh vocals in the last 6-8 years, I am also way more accepting to female vocals in metal as well. I’ll definitely be checking this album out. One thing that stands out to me is the strong snare. Has a great heavy feel to it. The only thing I don’t love is the repeating descending (ascending?) guitar line in the chorus.
Jingle.Boy: Marius Danielsen- Angel Of Light
You are one crafty cheating son of a bitch motherfucker.
Holy shit! That’s all I have to say. What a find. The song is a little generic, even cheesy, but still in my wheelhouse. Most of Kiske’s guest spots are on songs that sound exactly like this. Both guys sound amazing here. The “Never give up, never give in” part is incredible. This has a great ending with both guys shining. Really enjoyed this.
Faizoff: Pain Of Salvation- Used
This song feels like a medley
I have to admit, I thoroughly enjoyed this song. I loved the Faith No More/rap styled verses. The snare had a bad ass pop to it which was addictive. The “Getting used to pain” prechorus was…ok I guess, and the chorus was really nice.At 2:42, it’s such a cool part with the solo and the steady beat behind it leading into a really cool bridge. Love the drum sound in this song.
Lonestar: Altair-Flame Of Knowledge
2013 me would’ve loved this
Used As the Impressions says, I would have been all over this a decade ago. I still think it’s excellent. The singer has a Doogie White quality to him kind of. He’s got pipes. What I found with music like this is that there’s a fine line between being interesting and ears glazing over, but I definitely like this. Love the DT part at 3:36. A chancy submission, but you survived it.
Twosuitsluke: The Haunted-Hollow Ground
Really interesting mix of styles but really cool.
I LOVED the music in this song. Nice driving beat and the guitar sounded great. The vocals are a little sceamo for my tastes, but the song is quite strong so I can get past them, plus they’re not in the chorus. I really love the outro. Nice. This is a really cool track.
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9
Tomislav: Mors Principium Est- Lost In A Starless Aeon
How can you send such drivel in one round and then…..this?
This was really punchy and I loved it from the jump. I really need to check this band out more. Not sure I’ve been sold on the vocals on everything I’ve heard, but they’re fine here. Musically though this band is all win. This caught my attention every time it came up in the playlist. This was a great choice, and it feels like it packs a lot in its five minutes, yet never overstays its welcome.
Nick: Sentenced-Forever Lost
Really cool groove on this, though might be a tad long
A number of years ago, I sampled Sentenced and the vocals basically made them a non starter for me. This song is a great reintroduction to the band. What I hear while listening to this is Blaze Era Iron maiden. The intro is a sounds like Maiden (with a little Eye Of The Beholder underneath), but it’s as if this is a Harris/Gers piece. At 3:44, and again at 4:50, all I hear is Janick. I also hear a little Fields Of The Nephilim slightly as well.
Ariich: Whispered- Tsukiari
Looks like the real ______ has finally showed up to play!
Right off the bat, I knew this song was going to do well. Epic build up that only sounds slightly Asian. It has a subtle folky influence coming through the metal. The vocals are on the harsh side for sure, but the music in this is so damn good. The chorus reminds me a bit of the amazing Bloody Tyrant album from a couple of years ago. The shift at 3:56 is metal as shit followed by a great solo section. Unfortunately, I could only give one 10, and this damn near got it.
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10
Romdrums: Europe-Scream Of Anger
I feel like I’m back in high school.
I got a copy of The Final Countdown when it came out and I thought it was ok, but I never really took them all that seriously. I wished I had discovered this album though because I would’ve really liked it. It’s better than Vandenberg, I’ll say that. This song is classic early European Power Metal. John Norum is oozing Michael Schenker. All over! The rhythm, the solo….This would’ve definitely passed for MSG for sure.
Topic: The TAC Back To School Roulette V.7 Schools Out!!! (Read 61255 times)
