Every once in a while I get the feeling that I'll stumble upon a black metal song that will get me interested in exploring the genre. Well, Kuolleiden Maa... isn't that song. The first few minutes are great because there's no vocals, but the remaining 14 aren't really my thing. There's riffs in here, but like almost everything that I've heard in the genre, they're robbed of their punchiness by being subjected to wall-of-sound production. The first hint of melody we get isn't until nearly 11 minutes in, and it comes in the form of a guitar solo that I wish would have started at the 2 minute mark and been 10 minutes longer. Much like the first two minutes, the last two are stellar due solely to the lack of vocals whatsoever (even though it is comprised of nothing more than an iceberg-paced riff and wind sounds). Apparently this song's title translates to "Land of the Dead," which is exactly what it sounds like, to the band's credit. Also, these guys are described as folk/pagan metal, but this is black metal, right?
In the Name of God is one of my favorite Dream Theater tracks from one of my favorite Dream Theater albums. From the heavy Metallica-but-with-good-drumming riffage to the soaring chorus to the swordfight-in-a-sandstorm instrumental section, this song has it all. Highlights for me as a bassist are the simple but effective groove that forms the building block for the haunting post-chorus verses (the quiet ones of which include some of LaBrie's creepiest and least-annoying vocals ever) and Myung's all-too-brief funk-a-thon underneath the keyboard solo at 9:22. Also, how can I forget the classic massive-drum-fill-into-EDM-keyboard-break-into-heavy-riff part? Some more supreme bass work closes out the song in the outro-chorus, where a minor key rendition of the American Civil War anthem "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" is played in the background. Chills. This song truly has everything, and my mind was blown upon first hearing it. This is one of Dream Theater's most massive epics, and my obvious winner here.
The link to the Meat Loaf song isn't working, but I've heard it many times before. This is the full version, which is obviously much stronger than the condensed radio edit that most people are accustomed to hearing. It's a good song, but it's still like 4 minutes too long.
This Caligula's Horse song is quite the adventure. Having Dream Theater in this round is fitting, because the main guitar melody here reminds me very much of Petrucci. The vocal interlude about halfway through is out of left field, but in a good way. Just when I was thinking that the song is nice and epic and kind of psychedelically flowery but it needs some punchiness did 11:06 arrive with punchiness in tow! I don't think the song is perfect, and to my dismay I noticed no distinct bass parts, but I like the vibe of these guys and will check more of their stuff out. This is easily my pick over the bloated Meat Loaf classic.
Second pair was an easy vote for Primordial.
