Round 6 Results!
Sacul - Viagra Boys - Ain't No Thief
So.........apologies Lucas if I offended with the troll impressions but this simply is not for me at all. I struggled to get through this and this modern techno pop kinda thing is just the polar opposite of something I'd like. Unfortunately there's nothing here I find appealing at all, sorry.
Score - 3.5
Reaper - Guillotine - Stray From the Path
Next up we have another style that again just isn't for me. I've never liked the punkish hardcore vibe either. I guess the vocals are fine for the style of music but again not something I really gravitate towards. I didn't find myself skipping this one, but all in all it's just a style that really doesn't do anything for me at all.
Score - 4.5
Shadow Ninja - The Dillinger Escape Plan - Panasonic Youth
As the impression mentioned, I really didn't expect these guys to be as aggressive and hardcore as this. I didn't know what I thought to be honest but it wasn't this. Again, this borders more into the hardcore style but the slight mix of a more modern metal was okay. A bit groovy in places but again, that whole wall of sound that comes with the genre doesn't quite get me going. I hear some Faith No More in there too which certainly doesn't hurt but overall, I can't score it much more than this.
Score - 5.5
Jingle - About Us - EVH
Dude.........dude........I thought you were trying to get me back into this genre? This is as generic, barf inducing, cliche and generic as this modern style can get. I wanted to like it, I really did but this IMO was pretty bad. It probably should score lower but points to the very nice guitar solo that is very nice to hear buried in this sea of modern mediocrity. If this is the top of what the current genre is producing, maybe I have totally moved on from this style.
Score - 5.5
Indi - Ten Years After
This was a strange one. I liked the vibe and atmosphere but the more uptempo sections in the first half were a bit so so for me. As we head into the second half we get get going with some stellar guitar work which made the song much more enjoyable for me. I guess I can appreciate the older stuff like this and as mentioned the lead guitar helped this a ton. I'm not sure if it's something I'd really explore further though. I think the novely was nice too at the start but wore off a little.
Score - 7.0
King - Indistinct - The Ambassador
This took a few listens to get my head around. At first I wasn't really keen on the verses but after time they were fine. Once we head into the clean vocal section that was really nice though and refreshing with a great vibe. I riffing was pretty cool and gave me Korn vibes too be honest. I liked the way the song worked with the length too and the structure was pretty neat. Didn't blow me away but did enough to keep me pretty happy throughout.
Score - 8.0
Crow - Hail Spirit Noir - I Mean you Harm
As mentioned, this gives me a strong Children of the Night era Tribulation vibes right away. Overall I really like this kind of black metal old school vibe, it's quite fresh and the production really sits nicely too with the style. It probably didn't age through the week as well as I thought it would truthfully but it didn't hurt the score, just didn't send it upwards. The only thing I wasn't sold on was the circus keyboards at times but in context it was fine. Nice song, great style and enjoyable.
Score - 8.25
Dr. DTVT - Ihsahn - Mass Darkness
I obviously see this name a lot and I know a little bit of Emperor but I don't think I've ever checked any solo work. So, I wasn't sure what to expect but I think this doesn't stray to far from what I should have expected. I really like his voice to be honest and it suits what's going on here. There was a lot of cool sections and tempo changes which kept it interesting. I didn't really expect the Children of Bodom sounding part before the chorus nor did I expect the chorus, very interesting. All in all, it was really good and unique. Had a cool little solo too which was nice, good stuff.
Score - 8.5
Lonk - Plini - Every Piece Matters
This was great to have on in the background truthfully. Really calm melodies and a wonderful feel throughout. The guitar melodies were quite memorable too really. The more I listened to this one too the more I liked it. Really enjoyed the vocal part near the end too, that was great. Reminds me of something from Pain of Salvation's BE. Anyway, I expected this to rank lower than it has but it surprised me and sucked me in and I keep loving it more and more each listen.
Score - 8.75
ariich - Andy Gillion - Final Boss
Member award - Reb Beach
When I listened to this track it was exactly what I thought it would sound like, and as I mentioned, that's fine with me. For some reason I've never really checked Andy's solo albums but looks like I'll have to. There's nothing here I haven't heard before, maybe that's the only thing holding the score back a little? Not sure, but having Per Nilsson is always going to give someone a good chance of winning a Reb Beach award, so there it is.
Score - 8.0 + 1 = 9.0
Puppies - Spin Adrift - Hear Her
Now this was a cool piece of stoner/doom/sludge whatever. The Ozzy like vocals fit perfectly and the whole groove was really nice, enjoyed it from start to finish. The riffing is simple as fuck yet so effective. I love the change going into the chorus too. Obvious Sabbath vibes but it changes things up while keeping the groove too which feels clever. That rundown riff in the middle was nice too and worked well once the harmonies came in. I thought that was going to be it but will still get a pretty ripping solo too with a quick reminder of the chorus. Really cool shit.
Score - 9.0
Stadler - Supertramp - Dreamer
Member award - Paul Taylor
When I was a kid, the radio was on a lot. Mainly old school rock radio. I learned about all the classic Aussie bands there along with other classics. This was one that was played from time to time. While I never have ever had the urge to listen to Supertramp or check them out, the song has a special feeling. That keyboard motif along with the vocal melodies just give you a sense of calm no matter if you're a fan or not. Saying that, it's a classic and a tremendous song and for the atmosphere and keyboards has to get the Paul Taylor award
Score - 8.0 + 1 = 9.0
Litho - Collibus - Dead Inside
Member award - Kip Winger
I know this band name. Might have stumbled across them before from someone here. Nevertheless, you managed to send me a song with female vocals that I really enjoyed. The production on this was pretty ordinary though and hurt its impact but looking past it, it was a great groovy modern metal song with a great chorus. But really, it's all about the strong vocals here, so well done, have a Kip Winger award for managing to send me female vocals that was the standout part of the track. I think the score is fair because again, the production was a bit iffy and there's nothing here I haven't heard, but it was very enjoyable.
Score - 8.25 + 1.0 = 9.25
Evermind - Slumber - Conflict
Man, the vibe from the get go with this was killer. As I said, reminds me of old Sentenced but that's fine with me. The vocals are fabulous and fit the style perfectly too. Reminds me Be'lakor in the vocal department. The female backings in the chorus actually worked really well with the harsh vocals too. That middle section had a lot of room to breathe too. Reminded me of Green Carnation actually. Overall just a killer somewhat simple metal song that didn't overstay its welcome and got the job done.
Score - 9.25
TAC - Walls of Blood - Walls of Blood
When I set out to do a 4 minute round, this is exactly what I had in mind. Something short, ripping and to the point, so nailed it there. The vocals gave me real Arch Enemy vibes but as mentioned, I was shocked when I looked up this band. Glen fucking Drover?! How did I not know this existed, I feel shame. So, this is a no brainer and can't wait to check the full album. I should have picked it up from the guitar solo though it was Drover, I love the way he ends his solo with those runs up the scale hitting a final note to climax, so good.
Score - 9.25
lonestar - Asterism - Full Throttle
Bonus point - Artist being 17 when recording - bonus 2 points!!!
This came out of the gates pretty damn strong and there's no denying the talent on show here from a 17 year old. I decided to give you 2 bonus points though for this being played from a female of that age. This is a Winger roulette and you didn't even pick it because of that. So 1 point for the artist and 1 point for being ignorant to the fact. The melodies were good and was an enjoyable listen, but the novelty did wear off a little towards the back end of the week. Saying that, it's still an enjoyable exhibition of guitar playing.
Score - 7.5 + 2 = 9.5
twosuitluke - The Haunted - Bury You Dead
Bonus member award - Rod Morgenstein
Yeah, this was fucking ripping. I loved this from the get go. Love the drums and the tightness here. The way the drummer keeps that urgent tempo throughout is amazing and the change into that middle groove metal riff was fucking excellent. I liked the vocals too and the little solo was fitting. Overall just a blistering song from a band which I knew the name of but again never checked out for some reason. Great stuff.
Score - 9.25 +1.0 = 10.25
romdrums - Panic Division - Spinning Around the Wheel
Bonus member award - John Roth
Now this is how melodic rock is supposed to be done. i've never heard of these guys but everything about this gave me that feeling I used to get listening to melodic rock. Everything is simple yet written with purpose and intent and feeling. This feels like a song that has had some love put into it. The keyboards and whole vibe is just wonderful. Gotta get an award, the only one left is Jon Roth, but since he's more of a backing man, that fits here. I could have used a little solo, but really, I didn't miss it. I will also add the vocal melodies in the chorus is fantastic, what a fucking great song.
Score - 9.25 + 1.0 = 10.25
Round 6 scores;
romdrums - 10.25
twosuitluke - 10.25
lonestar - 9.5
Evermind - 9.25
TAC - 9.25
Litho - 9.25
Stadler = 9.0
Puppies - 9.0
ariich - 9.0
Lonk - 8.75
Dr. DTVT - 8.5
Crow - 8.25
King - 8.0
Indi - 7.0
Jingle - 5.5
Shadow Ninja - 5.5
Reaper - 4.5
Sacul - 3.5
Standings after round 6;
TAC - 8.25+9.25+9.25+9.0+9.0+9.25 = 54.0
Evermind - 9.0+9.25+9.0+8.75+8.5+9.25 = 53.75
Crow - 9.5+8.5+8.75+9.25+7.0+8.25 = 51.25
Puppies - 9.0+9.25+8.25+6.25+9.5+9.0 = 51.25
Litho - 9.0+9.0+8.0+7.5+7.75+9.25 = 50.5
Indiscipline - 9.0+8.25+9.5+8.25+8.25+7.0 = 50.25
ariich - 8.5+7.75+7.5+8.5+6.5+9.0 = 47.75
Dr. DTVT - 8.0+8.5+7.25+6.0+9.25+8.5 = 47.5
Jingle - 8.75+8.75+7.75+8.25+8.25+5.5 = 47.25
Stadler - 9.25+5.5+6.75+8.5+8.25+9.0 = 47.25
twosuitluke - 4.0+6.5+7.0+9.25+9.5+10.25 = 46.5
King - 7.5+5.0+8.0+8.5+7.5+8.0 = 44.5
Lonk - 7.75+4.5+7.75+6.75+7.0+8.75 = 42.5
romdrums - 5.5+6.25+5.25+6.5+7.5+10.25 = 41.25
lonestar - 6.0+5.75+3.5+7.75+8.25+9.5 = 40.75
Sacul - 9.5+8.0+5.0+8.0+4.5+3.5 = 38.5
Shadow Ninja - 4.0+7.0+5.25+6.5+6.75+5.5 = 35.0
Reaper - 5.0+4.0+7.25+6.25+4.5+4.5 = 31.5