Goodness, no thoughts on the new league? Is this thing on?
GREATEST METAL ALBUM CUP - Winner: Iron Maiden - Seventh Son of a Seventh Son!
- Thread starter LooseCannon
- Start date
karljant
Ancient Mariner
Ok ok... stop whining.
Transcendence is one of Metal's best Heavy/power metal with prog like influences here and there ever made. Period. Apart from the more commercial Lady Of Winter and Lonely (that still are really cool) everything is STUPID GOOD! By fortune I listened to it little time after it came out and was absolutely stunned by that stuff. And still am to this very day. Red Sharks, Masks Of The Red Death, Painted Skies, Eternal World? Man... this is a style I normally dislike played at such an high level I had to fall in love with it. And then there's the voice of the late Midnight. Simply one of the top singers of all time in falsetto. Crimson Glory by miles.
There's something in Dev that when he goes poppy truly works wonders. The man can really pull insanely addictive and yet musically rich. This album ranks in my Dev top 5. Supercrush, Resolve and Numbered are as intense as easy listening, as this guy mixes with a jaw dropping easiness pop stuff a la Vengaboys and Spice Girls with metal while leaving his unique signature in it like it was NOTHING! And that assumes other dimension in Bend It Like Bender. Plus Annekke really delivers one hell of a performance on this record. This degree of adaptation and eclecticism while leaving an unmistakable personal mark is only reserved to some musically illuminated minds. And that doesn't depend on either you like the man's work or not... I myself don't like all the artists I'm about to point out but IMO Devin ranks among the strict group of guys like the Zappas, Pattons, Bowies and few others that could embrace a monstrous range of styles in stellar way. So as much as I like Empire (and I do) it's Devin Townsend all the way.
I really don't like Linkin Park... that's just it, what can I say? Opeth.
The last match is the more balanced IMO. The Human Equation is one of Ayeron's best creations and also quite diverse. Nevertheless I'll go with the only Mastodon album since Blood Mountain that I consider far from a letdown (It actually has some great tracks, it's just the first 3 albums are absolutely on another level). But if Ayeron wins at least we have a good album advancing.
Jer
A window to the west, a blazing star above
This Crimson Glory album is an interesting fusion of early Queensrÿche and King Diamond with some other flavors thrown in the mix. The singer goes over the top a little too often — he reminds me of the guy from Lost Horizon a bit. The album is consistently good and interesting, though nothing on it really grabbed me by the throat or blew me away. But I did respect it and enjoy it. Meanwhile, this Amorphis album has probably been here longer than it’s deserved to be, and while it offers up some cool music, it still has a fair amount of cringey glass gargling and less variety than its competitor. Plus Skyforger is a better album anyway. So, sorry @Night Prowler, but I’m going with the list nominee here. Winner: Crimson Glory
Half of this Devin Townsend album is the rich, booming, harmonized, hooky version of him that I like, while the other half is the screamy, random version of him that I don’t like so much. The female vocals are a nice touch, and there are some very high highs here, but the album’s pretty uneven overall. Compare that to Empire, which is a pretty consistently great record, albeit a bit cheesy in spots, and I think the choice is clear for me. Sorry, Moshmatic22, but I’m going with Colliyax’s choice here. Winner: Queensrÿche
Meteora is a consistently enjoyable album, though it hews a little too close to Linkin Park’s debut in songwriting style, and even in the way that certain types of songs are ordered on the album, which leaves it feeling a little manufactured and focus-groupy. Still, it’s got a lot of strong material on it, and “Numb” is another all-time classic for them. Compare that to this Opeth album, which is only half brilliant, and half ruined by god-awful extreme vocals, and I think consistency and lack of ick squeaks out the win here. Sorry, @The Flash, but I’m going with Travis The Kidnight666’s nominee this time. Winner: Linkin Park
This Ayreon album is very grand and ambitious, but I’m not really sold on Lucassen’s songwriting style. He goes through these twists on The Beatles, 70s Genesis, Queen, Meat Loaf, and mildly proggy power metal, which are all raw elements that I would tend to like, but it doesn’t really feel like it comes together naturally for me. Plus the lyrics are painfully on the nose at times, and the whole thing’s all a bit cheesy, and I kept checking the clock as I got further into it. I can see how someone could like this a lot, but I’m apparently not that person. It’s up against an uneven Mastodon album, but that album at least has some very distinct highlights that I can get behind. Sorry, Night Shmoolicker, but I’m going with your identical half-brother Night Sprawler’s choice instead. Winner: Mastodon
Half of this Devin Townsend album is the rich, booming, harmonized, hooky version of him that I like, while the other half is the screamy, random version of him that I don’t like so much. The female vocals are a nice touch, and there are some very high highs here, but the album’s pretty uneven overall. Compare that to Empire, which is a pretty consistently great record, albeit a bit cheesy in spots, and I think the choice is clear for me. Sorry, Moshmatic22, but I’m going with Colliyax’s choice here. Winner: Queensrÿche
Meteora is a consistently enjoyable album, though it hews a little too close to Linkin Park’s debut in songwriting style, and even in the way that certain types of songs are ordered on the album, which leaves it feeling a little manufactured and focus-groupy. Still, it’s got a lot of strong material on it, and “Numb” is another all-time classic for them. Compare that to this Opeth album, which is only half brilliant, and half ruined by god-awful extreme vocals, and I think consistency and lack of ick squeaks out the win here. Sorry, @The Flash, but I’m going with Travis The Kidnight666’s nominee this time. Winner: Linkin Park
This Ayreon album is very grand and ambitious, but I’m not really sold on Lucassen’s songwriting style. He goes through these twists on The Beatles, 70s Genesis, Queen, Meat Loaf, and mildly proggy power metal, which are all raw elements that I would tend to like, but it doesn’t really feel like it comes together naturally for me. Plus the lyrics are painfully on the nose at times, and the whole thing’s all a bit cheesy, and I kept checking the clock as I got further into it. I can see how someone could like this a lot, but I’m apparently not that person. It’s up against an uneven Mastodon album, but that album at least has some very distinct highlights that I can get behind. Sorry, Night Shmoolicker, but I’m going with your identical half-brother Night Sprawler’s choice instead. Winner: Mastodon
Lampwick 43
Barstool Warrior
I'm just curious to see how he's going to do it when we got to the top league and he has to combine like 10 different people into a single name.
Honestly, there should be a thread with all of Jer´s Member Mashups
Spambot
Meme Lord
I also just take a peek at the playlist but it doesn't mean much until I see the pairs, that's when it gets interesting.
This was actually a tough round. I didn't listen to Under the Red Cloud much, it didn't stink nor it smelled on those couple of listens. On the other hand, Crimson Glory sounded really interesting so I had to listen something else beside Mask of the Death. It was Lady of the Winter and I must say I'm definitely listening to the whole album later. Also voting for it.
This is second Devin Townsend entry and third time I've tried to listen to something his (gave an Empath a couple of spins last year.) I've come to this conclusion. You either love or can't stand this guy. There is no middle road for this guy. This Queensryche entry was much better than the previous round but it still didn't encourage me to listen to the whole album. Still, it was better than Devin.
Here's a pickle. I've listen to Meteora a lot when it came out and I've know every second of it. On the other hand, I still haven't listened to Watershed and I'm not planning to rush it. Like every progressive band I've started liking with time (Pink Floyd, Rush, Dream Theater) I'm taking things slowly and won't change the formula for Opeth. I know we have to vote every pair, but I'm skipping this one.
Voted for my nominee, Mastodon.
Also, what is this round, a @Night Prowler special episode?
This was actually a tough round. I didn't listen to Under the Red Cloud much, it didn't stink nor it smelled on those couple of listens. On the other hand, Crimson Glory sounded really interesting so I had to listen something else beside Mask of the Death. It was Lady of the Winter and I must say I'm definitely listening to the whole album later. Also voting for it.
This is second Devin Townsend entry and third time I've tried to listen to something his (gave an Empath a couple of spins last year.) I've come to this conclusion. You either love or can't stand this guy. There is no middle road for this guy. This Queensryche entry was much better than the previous round but it still didn't encourage me to listen to the whole album. Still, it was better than Devin.
Here's a pickle. I've listen to Meteora a lot when it came out and I've know every second of it. On the other hand, I still haven't listened to Watershed and I'm not planning to rush it. Like every progressive band I've started liking with time (Pink Floyd, Rush, Dream Theater) I'm taking things slowly and won't change the formula for Opeth. I know we have to vote every pair, but I'm skipping this one.
Voted for my nominee, Mastodon.
Also, what is this round, a @Night Prowler special episode?
Marvel's Infinity War will look like a Peppa Pig episode when GMAC gets at that point.
Crimson Glory passes by Amorphis. They're still alive in Match 31.
Queensrÿche conquers Devin Townsend. That's it for Devin, who's done in the GMAC. Next up for Queensrÿche is Seventh Wonder.
Opeth strikes down Linkin Park, who are done in the tournament. They'll match up with Iron Maiden in League 5.
Ayreon outlasts Mastodon, who return once more in League 4.
Queensrÿche conquers Devin Townsend. That's it for Devin, who's done in the GMAC. Next up for Queensrÿche is Seventh Wonder.
Opeth strikes down Linkin Park, who are done in the tournament. They'll match up with Iron Maiden in League 5.
Ayreon outlasts Mastodon, who return once more in League 4.
Alter Bridge - Fortress (2013) How it got here List entries: n/a Maidenfans Nominators: @Ariana, @The Dissident | |
| League 6 - Match 21 | vs. |
Annihilator - Alice in Hell (1989) How it got here List entries: n/a Maidenfans Nominators: @Perun Previous Rounds: League 8: Defeated Gojira - L’Enfant Sauvage 15-8. League 7: Defeated Sodom - M-16 - Ensiferum 17-4. |
Testament - The New Order (1988) How it got here List entries: n/a Maidenfans Nominators: @phantomoftheicarus, @Whooten | |
| League 6 - Match 22 | vs. |
Joe Satriani - Surfing With the Alien (1987) How it got here List entries: n/a Maidenfans Nominators: @MrKnickerbocker Previous Rounds: League 10: Defeated Metallica - Death Magnetic 13-12. League 9: Defeated Opeth - My Arms, Your Hearse 14-8. League 8: Defeated Threshold - Legends of the Shires 13-10. League 7: Defeated Enforcer - From Beyond 11-9. |
Gojira - The Way of All Flesh (2008) How it got here List entries: n/a Maidenfans Nominators: @Black Wizard, @phantomoftheicarus, @Saapanael | |
| League 6 - Match 23 | vs. |
Blind Guardian - Tales From the Twilight World (1990) How it got here List entries: n/a Maidenfans Nominators: @Night Prowler Previous Rounds: League 14: Defeated Kamelot - Karma 18-3. League 13: Defeated Yngwie Malmsteen - Marching Out 16-9. League 12: Defeated Suicidal Tendencies - Suicidal Tendencies 18-8. League 11: Defeated Eis - Galeere 19-4. League 10: Defeated Thin Lizzy - Jailbreak 13-11. League 9: Defeated Fight - War of Words 14-8. League 8: Defeated Scorpions - In Trance 15-9. League 7: Defeated Mastodon - Emperor of Sand 15-6. |
Blaze Bayley- Tenth Dimension (2002) How it got here List entries: n/a Maidenfans Nominators: @Lampwick 43, @Shmoolikipod | |
| League 6 - Match 24 | vs. |
Pearl Jam - Ten (1991) How it got here List entries: n/a Maidenfans Nominators: @Ariana, @Lampwick 43 Previous Rounds: League 7: Defeated Guns ‘n Roses - Chinese Democracy 16-5. |
JudasMyGuide
Ancient Mariner
Some intriguing matchups, methinks... so let's see:
Alter Bridge for me, because I like both bands I'd say the appropriate amount and I want to shamelessly grab Ariana's attention, I guess?
Satch, because although Testament are great, I'm getting old and Joe's breezy vibes do it for me more now.
Blind Guardian, because I'm a stan and although I always supported Gojira and TWOAF is an awesome album (yes, even with those horrendous cookie-monster glass-gargling vocals, ohmigosh), but I've been reappreciating BG lately and although I blasphemously like some of the latter albums more, I still can't help but to support them now.
Blaze - that's the only one that's really not a question. I need something special to like a grunge band and Pearl Jam it ain't, at least to me.
Alter Bridge for me, because I like both bands I'd say the appropriate amount and I want to shamelessly grab Ariana's attention, I guess?
Satch, because although Testament are great, I'm getting old and Joe's breezy vibes do it for me more now.
Blind Guardian, because I'm a stan and although I always supported Gojira and TWOAF is an awesome album (yes, even with those horrendous cookie-monster glass-gargling vocals, ohmigosh), but I've been reappreciating BG lately and although I blasphemously like some of the latter albums more, I still can't help but to support them now.
Blaze - that's the only one that's really not a question. I need something special to like a grunge band and Pearl Jam it ain't, at least to me.
srfc
Ancient Mariner
Alter Bridge - Video won't play so I picked "Addicted to Pain" as it seems to have been the single, track is good, the half time chorus isn't great though and the production is way too polished for my tastes, the older album from a couple of rounds back was more to my liking.
Annihilator - opinion given before
Annihilator with the win
Testament - My favourite Testament album, but I wouldn't claim to be an expert on them. Disciples of the Watch, Trial by Fire and The Preacher are all classics. I like the cover of Nobody's Fault as well. Skolnick has no one within an asses roar of him in thrash, except Friedman.
Joe Satriani - opinion given before.
Testament with the win
Gojira - video won't play, so I picked Oroborous because a) it started playing anyway and b) it remind me of the symbol for Moonchild on the SSOASS inlay card. It's a good bit better than the stuff from them that's been in the game but still quite bad.
Blind Guardian - These cunts have taken out 3 albums I like, including one of my nominees, and I'm really sick of them at this stage. I wouldn't mind but it's just generic stuff as well. They've won rounds quite easily too, especially since all the bands they faced bar Kamelot and Eis I would reckon as being more famous than BG, maybe I must be missing something??
Gojira with the win.
BALZE!!11 - A really great album, they best he's ever featured on (including Maiden albums). Fantastic concept, really well executed with strong songs and a fantastic Sneap production (before it was cool). I feel anyone listening for the first time might be short changed by the chosen track, not that it's bad, but there's stuff a good bit stronger on the album, like the title track, Meant to Be, Stealing Time and Stranger to the Light, even Speed of Light is better if you are going for a three minute single-type track.
Pearl Jam - opinion given before
BALZE!!11 with the win
Annihilator - opinion given before
Annihilator with the win
Testament - My favourite Testament album, but I wouldn't claim to be an expert on them. Disciples of the Watch, Trial by Fire and The Preacher are all classics. I like the cover of Nobody's Fault as well. Skolnick has no one within an asses roar of him in thrash, except Friedman.
Joe Satriani - opinion given before.
Testament with the win
Gojira - video won't play, so I picked Oroborous because a) it started playing anyway and b) it remind me of the symbol for Moonchild on the SSOASS inlay card. It's a good bit better than the stuff from them that's been in the game but still quite bad.
Blind Guardian - These cunts have taken out 3 albums I like, including one of my nominees, and I'm really sick of them at this stage. I wouldn't mind but it's just generic stuff as well. They've won rounds quite easily too, especially since all the bands they faced bar Kamelot and Eis I would reckon as being more famous than BG, maybe I must be missing something??
Gojira with the win.
BALZE!!11 - A really great album, they best he's ever featured on (including Maiden albums). Fantastic concept, really well executed with strong songs and a fantastic Sneap production (before it was cool). I feel anyone listening for the first time might be short changed by the chosen track, not that it's bad, but there's stuff a good bit stronger on the album, like the title track, Meant to Be, Stealing Time and Stranger to the Light, even Speed of Light is better if you are going for a three minute single-type track.
Pearl Jam - opinion given before
BALZE!!11 with the win
srfc
Ancient Mariner
Also @LooseCannon this album is credited to the band BLAZE rather than it being a Blaze Bayley solo with hired goons line up.
Shmoolikipod
Stranger to the Light
I want everyone to be extra careful not to misvote against the best Blaze album!
Shmoolikipod
Stranger to the Light
Also, Ten Vs Tenth Dimension, and I cast my vote at 10 PM. 
