KidInTheDark666
What's yours is mine and what's mine is mine too
It's my favorite song by my 5th favorite band, it's not that complicated.
Edit: Actually Megadeth is my 4th favorite band.
The Greatest Metal Song Cup - Part II, Round 2, Matches 88-93
- Thread starter LooseCannon
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Edit: Actually Megadeth is my 4th favorite band.
There are good takes, bad takes, hot takes, cold takes, and then takes that are the equivalent of bread that has been left out too long.
KidInTheDark666
What's yours is mine and what's mine is mine too
I'll be glad to bomb you with Good Charlotte and Hollywood Undead the next time one of these games happen.
Detective Beauregard
Leviathan of Doggerland
Testament’s song is a solid aggressive piece of thrash, while Washington is Next is easily my favorite from that particular Megadeth album (United Abominations… brilliant title, by the way). Love the melodic open-string riff and the aggression in the verses, and the brief solo by Megadeth Guitarist #17. Neither of these songs are winning any vocal awards, though. Megadeth gets my vote.
Therion’s song was solid, but it in no way can compare to one of Dream Theater’s better 20-plus-minute epics. I love the part after the intro where the muted guitar enters, and the verses that follow. The section that starts at around 9:00 is uber-creepy, and that crawling bass that slithers under the vocals and keys is exquisite. LaBrie’s voice gets really cringy at times, but that’s pretty much every DT song since the late ‘90s. As with many DT songs, the obligatory solo section loses me a bit, but the ending is massive. Dream Theater, no question.
I couldn’t even get through that Neurosis song. Ugh. Meanwhile, if Dream Theater’s wankiness doesn’t scratch that itch for some people, I’ll point them to Snakes and Ladders. This sounds like a demented carnival of randomness. It’s cool when it sets into a groove, though. It’s not my thing, but it’s leaps and bounds better than Neurosis. John Zorn it is.
I’ve never heard of Medieval Steel before, and while this song is beyond cheesy, it has just enough Maiden-isms to keep it interesting. Hansi and his band of merry elves is, as expected, a blend of multiple cheeses. I find myself enjoying Blind Guardian more here, especially the bit beginning around 4:20.
This is one of those matches where you know who you’re gonna vote for beforehand, even if you’ve never heard either song. I made it about a minute into Manowar, then put on Stratovarius. And I’m not a big Stratovarius fan by any means.
Here we go again with this forum’s love of Linkin Park. So the riff kicks in and I was a bit surprised because it didn’t immediately suck, but then the rapping started. This is about as metal as Barry Manilow. Now look – I’m not someone who listens to Godsmack at all. I liked that Voodoo song back in the day, but they’re a little too simplistic for my tastes. Still, I’ve yet to hear anything by them that is worse than Linkin Park, Korn, Limp Bizkit, or any of the other nu-metal crap they typically get lumped in with. In fact, I don’t think they’re really even nu-metal. This song is far from bad, and it contains zero rapping. Plus there’s scorpions in the video. Get over here! Super easy vote for Godsmack.
Therion’s song was solid, but it in no way can compare to one of Dream Theater’s better 20-plus-minute epics. I love the part after the intro where the muted guitar enters, and the verses that follow. The section that starts at around 9:00 is uber-creepy, and that crawling bass that slithers under the vocals and keys is exquisite. LaBrie’s voice gets really cringy at times, but that’s pretty much every DT song since the late ‘90s. As with many DT songs, the obligatory solo section loses me a bit, but the ending is massive. Dream Theater, no question.
I couldn’t even get through that Neurosis song. Ugh. Meanwhile, if Dream Theater’s wankiness doesn’t scratch that itch for some people, I’ll point them to Snakes and Ladders. This sounds like a demented carnival of randomness. It’s cool when it sets into a groove, though. It’s not my thing, but it’s leaps and bounds better than Neurosis. John Zorn it is.
I’ve never heard of Medieval Steel before, and while this song is beyond cheesy, it has just enough Maiden-isms to keep it interesting. Hansi and his band of merry elves is, as expected, a blend of multiple cheeses. I find myself enjoying Blind Guardian more here, especially the bit beginning around 4:20.
This is one of those matches where you know who you’re gonna vote for beforehand, even if you’ve never heard either song. I made it about a minute into Manowar, then put on Stratovarius. And I’m not a big Stratovarius fan by any means.
Here we go again with this forum’s love of Linkin Park. So the riff kicks in and I was a bit surprised because it didn’t immediately suck, but then the rapping started. This is about as metal as Barry Manilow. Now look – I’m not someone who listens to Godsmack at all. I liked that Voodoo song back in the day, but they’re a little too simplistic for my tastes. Still, I’ve yet to hear anything by them that is worse than Linkin Park, Korn, Limp Bizkit, or any of the other nu-metal crap they typically get lumped in with. In fact, I don’t think they’re really even nu-metal. This song is far from bad, and it contains zero rapping. Plus there’s scorpions in the video. Get over here! Super easy vote for Godsmack.
We'll follow through on Testament's DNR as Megadeth succeeds at this coup (but, thankfully, no others, yet). Therion is the enemy that Dream Theater is in the presence of, it seems. John Zorn avoids at least one Biblical plague by climbing up his snake-filled ladders. Medieval steel is too weak to defeat the Noldor, the greatest of Blind Guardian's elvish warriors. Stratovarius holds the key to defeating Manowar (which, based on this tournament so far, the key is simply not being Manowar). Godsmack stands alone as Linkin Park moves on.
Part I, Round 50, Matches 295-300
| Play In Round |
| Tim Bradstreet Division | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ayreon - Run! Apocalypse! Run! | vs. | Dream Theater - Breaking All Illusions | |
| @Stardust | Nominators | ||
| Youtube | Spotify | Amazon | Links |
| Play In Round |
| Tim Bradstreet Division | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Donnas - Take It Off | vs. | Bad Company - Bad Company | |
| Radio EHS 100 | Nominators | Popoff 500 | |
| Youtube | Spotify | Amazon | Links |
| Play In Round |
| Tim Bradstreet Division | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metallica - Orion | vs. | Testament - Trial By Fire | |
| Popoff 500 | Nominators | Popoff 500 | |
| Youtube | Spotify | Amazon | Links |
| Play In Round |
| Bob Sawyer Division | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body Count - There Goes the Neighbourhood | vs. | Rage Against the Machine - Guerilla Radio | |
| Rolling Stone 100 | Nominators | ||
| Youtube | Spotify | Amazon | Links |
| Play In Round |
| Bob Sawyer Division | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lucifer's Friend - Ride the Sky | vs. | Jimi Hendrix Experience - Purple Haze | |
| Popoff 500 | Nominators | Popoff 500, Radio EHS 100 | |
| Youtube | Spotify | Amazon | Links |
| Play In Round |
| Bob Sawyer Division | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ayreon - Day 3: Pain | vs. | Dream Theater - Home | |
| @Shmoolikipod | Nominators | ||
| Youtube | Spotify | Amazon | Links |
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DJ James
A coma stole my name.
Detective Beauregard
Leviathan of Doggerland
Damn! Two Dream Theaters, two Ayreons, and a Metallica? This might be the best round yet!
MrKnickerbocker
clap hands
Stardust
Rainmaker
The first matchup is horribly, horribly painful. That's my favourite DT song right there. So...uhhhh, this is a case where I think I might have to vote against my own nomination.
...however, I'm also acknowledging the fact that it's a very well-liked DT song generally so I think it will win regardless of whether I vote for it or not. With that "logic" in mind, I'm sticking to my nomination. Maybe this decision will backfire on me?
...however, I'm also acknowledging the fact that it's a very well-liked DT song generally so I think it will win regardless of whether I vote for it or not. With that "logic" in mind, I'm sticking to my nomination. Maybe this decision will backfire on me?
MrKnickerbocker
clap hands
Run! Apocalypse! Run! has a killer riff and features a star-studded vocal ensemble of literally the best singers in metal. I do love this album, but I can’t say I remembered this track before relistening today. But within 4 minutes you’ve got Tommy Karevik, Floor Jansen and Sir Russell Allen belting it out with guest appearances by Hansi and LaBrie and more. It’s a crazy thing and I enjoy the heck out of it. Mike Mills is a treasure of vocal layering. Unfortunately, it is up against one of the best modern Dream Theater songs (and IMO one of their best of all time). The first 3 and a half minutes are pure emotive catchiness and vibe, with LaBrie even sounding really good. The chorus is airy and Jordan Rudess’ Carnival of Flea Circus patches that follows is very nice. The jam section in the middle is absurd, but features some cool tonal and FX-laden guitar parts. The whole thing is an emotional journey from start to finish and it packs a hell of a punch. It sucks that this Ayreon tune drew this as competition, and I truly loathe voting against a song featuring the best vocal talent in this entire game, but I must go with Breaking All Illusions.
Take It Off is a fine enough little rock song. I find nothing terribly wrong with it. Bad Company is iconic.
Trial By Fire is a very cool thrash song with lots of neat changes. Orion is iconic.
I can appreciate what There Goes The Neighborhood is doing from a distance, as I am clearly not the intended audience. It’s got great playing and buckets of attitude, but it’s not for me at all. Guerrilla Radio is one of many iconic Rage Against the Machine songs and it features all of their best qualities: simplistic, but undeniably powerful riff, masterful blending of hip-hop and rock, catchy chorus, and wacky guitar FX.
Ride the Sky is a really cool slice of proto-metal that I found very interesting! It’s basically Sinister Led Zeppelin, which I can get behind. Which came first, this or Immigrant Song? Because that one musical moment is identical. This time Hendrix has the more iconic song, but I’m over him at this point and Lucifer’s Friend feels more metal.
Day Three: Pain doesn’t do much for me in terms of Ayreon. Shocker: it features Devin Townsend. There’s something interesting and hypnotic about it, but overall the song just never really hooks me. Not a big fan of the vocal layers. Home is one of several masterpiece songs on an absolutely top tier Dream Theater album. It’s a very DT take on a Tool-esque riff and it works really well by adding the droning Eastern tonalities throughout. The shifting drum rhythms under the first verse section are really cool and it only gets catchier from there. The ONLY thing, and it’s a big one, that would keep me from voting for Home is the mid-song orgasm sound FX. I hate it. It ALMOST ruins the song. But, still, I must once again vote for James LaBrie Instead of Other James LaBrie.
Take It Off is a fine enough little rock song. I find nothing terribly wrong with it. Bad Company is iconic.
Trial By Fire is a very cool thrash song with lots of neat changes. Orion is iconic.
I can appreciate what There Goes The Neighborhood is doing from a distance, as I am clearly not the intended audience. It’s got great playing and buckets of attitude, but it’s not for me at all. Guerrilla Radio is one of many iconic Rage Against the Machine songs and it features all of their best qualities: simplistic, but undeniably powerful riff, masterful blending of hip-hop and rock, catchy chorus, and wacky guitar FX.
Ride the Sky is a really cool slice of proto-metal that I found very interesting! It’s basically Sinister Led Zeppelin, which I can get behind. Which came first, this or Immigrant Song? Because that one musical moment is identical. This time Hendrix has the more iconic song, but I’m over him at this point and Lucifer’s Friend feels more metal.
Day Three: Pain doesn’t do much for me in terms of Ayreon. Shocker: it features Devin Townsend. There’s something interesting and hypnotic about it, but overall the song just never really hooks me. Not a big fan of the vocal layers. Home is one of several masterpiece songs on an absolutely top tier Dream Theater album. It’s a very DT take on a Tool-esque riff and it works really well by adding the droning Eastern tonalities throughout. The shifting drum rhythms under the first verse section are really cool and it only gets catchier from there. The ONLY thing, and it’s a big one, that would keep me from voting for Home is the mid-song orgasm sound FX. I hate it. It ALMOST ruins the song. But, still, I must once again vote for James LaBrie Instead of Other James LaBrie.
Shmoolikipod
Stranger to the Light
Oh well I had to bypass the 3-per-artist rule somehow, you know?
I'm going to deflect this claim of fanboyism by stating that the chorus is the least important part for me, and that I literally never realized he sings the entire part. No seriously, I thought he only did the screaming bits. WTF.
it's the simple, very fun to play verse riff, and the synergy between LaBrie (who really sounds fantastic on this album) and Graves, that make this one a winner for me.
Resolved some link issues.
Breaking All Illusions has aged into a bit of a modern classic. The entire ADTOE album is solid and I think validates the Mangini era. While that lineup never really settled into a groove the way the Portnoy era did, they at least have that album to be proud of and I will put it up against most of the discography (same goes for DT12, which I find to be even better, but it’s missing a single song like Breaking All Illusions that just really sums up the band’s best qualities).
Detective Beauregard
Leviathan of Doggerland
This is a tragic match, as I love both of these songs. Ayreon’s The Source is one of my favorite progressive metal albums of all time – Russell Allen, Tommy Karevik, Floor Jansen all on one record? I mean, what’s not to love here? The first disc in particular is stunning, with heavy riffage and beautiful Celtic melodies. I can only hope that The Day That the World Breaks Down will make an appearance later in the game. Run! Apocalypse! Run! is a blistering and fun track, but sadly in cannot begin to compare to one of Dream Theater’s best songs (and arguably the highest point of the Mangini era). The intro is complicatedly stunning without ever reaching the full overblown wank that these guys constantly love to remind us they’re capable of, and the bass line that forms the skeleton of the first verse is breathtaking. The quotes in this verse (from Khalil Gibran) show why this band is at an astronomically higher elevation than other bands that love to sing about how tough they are because they’re metal:
Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens
Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars
Then there’s the heavy second verse, and of course Petrucci’s soulful solo… just outstanding. A lot of Dream Theater fans describe this as “Learning to Live 2.0,” but I actually like this song better. Obviously rolling with Dream Theater here.
The Donnas are hot… but musically this does nothing for me. I know nothing about the band Bad Company, but their title song is something I’ve heard many times and always liked.
I’m always willing to give Testament a chance, since I’ve yet to hear anything by them that sucks. This song is solid, but it sounds like it was recorded in a submarine at the bottom of the Mariana Trench (not to be confused with the far more delicious Marinara Trench). Comparing this to Cliff Burton’s greatest achievement in Metallica is a joke; the classical bass-driven section in the middle of Orion blows everything Testament has ever done away, even if it’s comparing apples to oranges. Incredibly easy vote for Metallica.
I can’t stand Rage Against the Machine, from their juvenile rap-rock style to their annoying guitar sounds to their extremist politics. Yes, Body Count’s song is also rap, but it’s over metal riffage and Ice-T is great on Law & Order SVU. Also the interlude is cool.
Both of these songs are cool in their different ways. Lucifer’s Friend is more my style with the bass that’s louder than the guitar and what I can only assume is a random Viking horn (based on the band’s name I was expecting some humor). Damn that bass is good.
Another solid Ayreon song, with an excellent buildup and creepy guitar riff in the background. I’m not a fan of the “happier” part, though. Oooh, that Celtic interlude! I really need to give this album a proper listen soon. Then we have yet another mammoth by Dream Theater – Home. The Eastern elements in the intro combined with the Tool-ish bass line make this one of the band’s strongest introductions, and with the chorus borrowing the melody from the original Metropolis, this song has always been a fan favorite. The way Petrucci’s guitar lines build up before each chorus and then release is gorgeous. Bonus points for the sexiness in the interlude. Oooh and that outro! Forgot about that. Is this my favorite from Scenes? Nah. I dunno, maybe it is. I love Fatal Tragedy and Finally Free, too. Regardless, Home is simply a juggernaut that blows this particular Ayreon song out of the water. Dream Theater, easily.
Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens
Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars
Then there’s the heavy second verse, and of course Petrucci’s soulful solo… just outstanding. A lot of Dream Theater fans describe this as “Learning to Live 2.0,” but I actually like this song better. Obviously rolling with Dream Theater here.
The Donnas are hot… but musically this does nothing for me. I know nothing about the band Bad Company, but their title song is something I’ve heard many times and always liked.
I’m always willing to give Testament a chance, since I’ve yet to hear anything by them that sucks. This song is solid, but it sounds like it was recorded in a submarine at the bottom of the Mariana Trench (not to be confused with the far more delicious Marinara Trench). Comparing this to Cliff Burton’s greatest achievement in Metallica is a joke; the classical bass-driven section in the middle of Orion blows everything Testament has ever done away, even if it’s comparing apples to oranges. Incredibly easy vote for Metallica.
I can’t stand Rage Against the Machine, from their juvenile rap-rock style to their annoying guitar sounds to their extremist politics. Yes, Body Count’s song is also rap, but it’s over metal riffage and Ice-T is great on Law & Order SVU. Also the interlude is cool.
Both of these songs are cool in their different ways. Lucifer’s Friend is more my style with the bass that’s louder than the guitar and what I can only assume is a random Viking horn (based on the band’s name I was expecting some humor). Damn that bass is good.
Another solid Ayreon song, with an excellent buildup and creepy guitar riff in the background. I’m not a fan of the “happier” part, though. Oooh, that Celtic interlude! I really need to give this album a proper listen soon. Then we have yet another mammoth by Dream Theater – Home. The Eastern elements in the intro combined with the Tool-ish bass line make this one of the band’s strongest introductions, and with the chorus borrowing the melody from the original Metropolis, this song has always been a fan favorite. The way Petrucci’s guitar lines build up before each chorus and then release is gorgeous. Bonus points for the sexiness in the interlude. Oooh and that outro! Forgot about that. Is this my favorite from Scenes? Nah. I dunno, maybe it is. I love Fatal Tragedy and Finally Free, too. Regardless, Home is simply a juggernaut that blows this particular Ayreon song out of the water. Dream Theater, easily.
This is the best reason anyone has given for a vote yet.
Shmoolikipod
Stranger to the Light
Oh crap. Run Apocalypse Run is a blitzster with an array of amazing vocalists, but it's up against Lines in the Sand 2. Majestic song, especially the solos.
Bad Company.
Orion is a beast.
There Goes the Neighborhood is more metal and has more attitude than Guerilla Radio, not that the latter is bad.
It can't be. This is none other than Lucifer's Friend's Ride the Sky, famous for coming on my autoplay in September 7th, 2022?! Cool little tune, it can have this one.
I am Pain as I vote against my own nomination. Home is too good.
Basically, RIP Ayreon.
Bad Company.
Orion is a beast.
There Goes the Neighborhood is more metal and has more attitude than Guerilla Radio, not that the latter is bad.
It can't be. This is none other than Lucifer's Friend's Ride the Sky, famous for coming on my autoplay in September 7th, 2022?! Cool little tune, it can have this one.
I am Pain as I vote against my own nomination. Home is too good.
Basically, RIP Ayreon.
Detective Beauregard
Leviathan of Doggerland
Jer
A window to the west, a blazing star above
"Run! Apocalypse! Run!" kicks off with a dope-ass riff clearly inspired by Bach's "Toccata And Fugue" (don't tell @KidInTheDark666!). The vocal melodies aren't quite as inspiring, the Broadway-esque backing vocals are a bit over the top, and throwing so many singers into the mix makes it all feel a bit scattershot, but the music itself remains strong throughout. Not sure that it succeeds as a song overall, but it's got some great parts. "Breaking All Illusions" is more Dream Theater, doing all their usual dreamy theatrics. There's plenty of virtuosic musicianship on display, and LaBrie gets to spend some quality time in his soft, breathy voice where he always sounds best. The songwriting here is more coherent than I'm used to from latter-era DT, and the melodies are pretty memorable. It still takes on some of the "musical porn" elements of gratuitous prog, and it certainly didn't need to be as long as it is, though admittedly I was never bored. The bluesy section a little past the halfway mark is particularly great. Very good overall. Sorry, @Stardust, but this is an easy call for @Wogmidget's nominee. Winner: Dream Theater - "Breaking All Illusions"
"Take It Off" is dumb, peppy fun, and it's burned into my brain from Guitar Hero. I'd never seek it out on purpose, but if it came on randomly I'd bob my head and enjoy it for what it is. Solid, but unremarkable. "Bad Company" has a nice melancholy verse with a memorable vocal. The chorus is noticeably weaker, though it comes together better toward the end. Good solo. Not particularly thrilled with either track, but one of them obviously carries more emotional weight. Winner: Bad Company - "Bad Company"
"Orion" is an excellent instrumental with some nice rhythmic change-ups, sweet harmonies, great solos, and a beautiful soft section that slowly builds back up to epic heaviness. Metallica definitely lost a part of their musical soul with Cliff Burton's passing. "Trial By Fire" has a cool clean intro and strong riffage and soloing. Chuck Billy is the weak link here, with barely melodic and barely memorable vocals that drag everything down. Also not sure why the band's official video for this sounds like a bad VHS dub, but whatevs. The easiest of easy calls for Metallica here. Winner: Metallica - "Orion"
I've never really been into Body Count, but I've gotta say the lyrics to "There Goes The Neighborhood" are volcanically hot (I was going to say "white hot", but...uh...), and the musicianship is strong. And yes, Ice-T is great on Law & Order: SVU. "Guerrilla Radio" sounds like every other Rage Against The Machine song -- fat, simplistic, repetitive riffs with leftist rapping. They're consistently good at the one thing that they do, but I can't imagine listening to more than one of their songs in a row, since there are so few musical ideas at play. Sorry, @Spambot, but the list nominee is superior here. Winner: Body Count - "There Goes The Neighborhood"
"Ride The Sky" is gratuitous Zeppelin worship, complete with an elephant trumpeting the vocal riff from "Immigrant Song". It adds in some extra harmonies, but otherwise there isn't much originality on display here, and the song itself is pretty simplistic. Not bad, but nothing memorable. "Purple Haze" has memorable guitar work (duh), strong vocal lines, and it's more rhythmically interesting with some nice a capella breaks. It's not a super awesome song or anything, but it's good stuff, and that's more than enough to win this match-up. Winner: Jimi Hendrix Experience - "Purple Haze"
"Day 3: Pain" has an interesting clean guitar and synth intro. The verse is OK, with some of the melodies being more memorable than others. Unfortunately the chorus is a complete mess melodically, and fuck those growls. I like the incongruous flamenco break, but the female vocal bridge that follows doesn't really work. No sir, don't like it. Ah, more Dream Theater from before they became tiring. As I said in the Crusade Of Epics, "Home" is a complex but coherent musical journey with lots of nice instrumental work and memorable vocal lines. The female sex noises are a bit unnecessary, but this is otherwise very good throughout. Love that sitar intro. Sorry, @Shmoolikipod, but this is an extremely easy call for @The Dissident's nominee. Winner: Dream Theater - "Home"
"Take It Off" is dumb, peppy fun, and it's burned into my brain from Guitar Hero. I'd never seek it out on purpose, but if it came on randomly I'd bob my head and enjoy it for what it is. Solid, but unremarkable. "Bad Company" has a nice melancholy verse with a memorable vocal. The chorus is noticeably weaker, though it comes together better toward the end. Good solo. Not particularly thrilled with either track, but one of them obviously carries more emotional weight. Winner: Bad Company - "Bad Company"
"Orion" is an excellent instrumental with some nice rhythmic change-ups, sweet harmonies, great solos, and a beautiful soft section that slowly builds back up to epic heaviness. Metallica definitely lost a part of their musical soul with Cliff Burton's passing. "Trial By Fire" has a cool clean intro and strong riffage and soloing. Chuck Billy is the weak link here, with barely melodic and barely memorable vocals that drag everything down. Also not sure why the band's official video for this sounds like a bad VHS dub, but whatevs. The easiest of easy calls for Metallica here. Winner: Metallica - "Orion"
I've never really been into Body Count, but I've gotta say the lyrics to "There Goes The Neighborhood" are volcanically hot (I was going to say "white hot", but...uh...), and the musicianship is strong. And yes, Ice-T is great on Law & Order: SVU. "Guerrilla Radio" sounds like every other Rage Against The Machine song -- fat, simplistic, repetitive riffs with leftist rapping. They're consistently good at the one thing that they do, but I can't imagine listening to more than one of their songs in a row, since there are so few musical ideas at play. Sorry, @Spambot, but the list nominee is superior here. Winner: Body Count - "There Goes The Neighborhood"
"Ride The Sky" is gratuitous Zeppelin worship, complete with an elephant trumpeting the vocal riff from "Immigrant Song". It adds in some extra harmonies, but otherwise there isn't much originality on display here, and the song itself is pretty simplistic. Not bad, but nothing memorable. "Purple Haze" has memorable guitar work (duh), strong vocal lines, and it's more rhythmically interesting with some nice a capella breaks. It's not a super awesome song or anything, but it's good stuff, and that's more than enough to win this match-up. Winner: Jimi Hendrix Experience - "Purple Haze"
"Day 3: Pain" has an interesting clean guitar and synth intro. The verse is OK, with some of the melodies being more memorable than others. Unfortunately the chorus is a complete mess melodically, and fuck those growls. I like the incongruous flamenco break, but the female vocal bridge that follows doesn't really work. No sir, don't like it. Ah, more Dream Theater from before they became tiring. As I said in the Crusade Of Epics, "Home" is a complex but coherent musical journey with lots of nice instrumental work and memorable vocal lines. The female sex noises are a bit unnecessary, but this is otherwise very good throughout. Love that sitar intro. Sorry, @Shmoolikipod, but this is an extremely easy call for @The Dissident's nominee. Winner: Dream Theater - "Home"