This is basically the battle of the bands, but I thought changing up the name would make it more catchy. This was something that was completely new to me, and I loved being introduced to brand new artists within my home state. Had the honor to be a judge in this and man was it hard choosing between these artists. Literally had to listen to them a few times and really listen so I can give my honest opinion. Let's kick the first round off!!!
GRIDIRON- BECOME
1st Listen : The vox did really well in the deliverance of the harsh vocals. The first initial guitar riff started the whole piece off beautifully, you could tell that the first verse was going to drop as soon as the drums picked up. The melody was absolutely beautiful and this is definitely something I would add to my own personal playlist.
2nd Listen: I really love the sound of this band. They executed everything perfectly especially with how well the cleans and the harsh vocals harmonized. The lyrics are very impactful and an entire scene plays in my mind as I listened. Just something about a song when in impacts you in that way. I don't know about you guys, but being able to visualize my own story within theirs makes the experience that much better.
VON TEZ - SHOT DOWN
1st Listen: The vocals are pretty rock solid, as well as the overall tone of the song. Definitely has that Old School vibe to it, which I honestly love. The guitar solo was SICK! With strong instrumentals and it was a very well executed song. It's definitely a VIBE!
2nd Listen: They truly are a magnificent band, but just doesn't have as big of an impact on me. It is truly something I would have grown up listening to with my family, but it's not something I would listen to on a day to day basis. I would say my favorite part of this whole song was the guitar solo. It was truly phenomenal!
WINNER! (My Pick)
GRIDIRON- BECOME
This battle was a tough one because both groups had their own strengths. But in the end I chose Become by GridIron due to the way it made me feel. There were so many emotions radiating from me when I listened to this particular song. Being able to visualize my own story with it, is usually how I fall in love with a song. I am not saying one artist is better then the other, but this is personally how I feel. This band hits all my check marks.
Who do you think won this battle? GridIron or Von Tez?
SOOTHSAYER - ONYX
1st Listen: Started off incredibly strong with the guitar riffs and the beats of the drums. You can hear each individual riff as well as the bass if you listen carefully. The harsh vocals were executed perfectly and paired so well with the instrumentals. Great breakdown that is full of emotion and passion.
2nd Listen: The deliverance of this song is just so powerful and having the ability to envision a scene is just absolutely magical. Having that visual is of extreme importance because it helps you connect with the music. There is just so much clarity that the vox has with the harsh vocals, it's insane.
THROUGH LIFE - NEW RELIGON
1st Listen: Beautiful opening riffs and beats that bleed into the harsh vocals at the beginning of the song! I love the different harsh vocal techniques that the vox uses throughout the whole song. The cleans could use a little bit of more work, but overall a beautiful song. I am in love with these instrumentals!
2nd listen: The beginning of the song was awesome and I love their sound. The harsh vocals are on point, and their instrumentals are fire, but the cleans are not my favorite part. Unfortunately it's the one thing I don't like about this song, but everything else was done beautifully!
WINNER! (My Pick)
SOOTHSAYER - ONYX
This was another tough battle, what with both Vox's having such amazing harsh vocal techniques! Both showcased so much emotion and passion in their songs. Both instrumentals were both insanely unique and beautiful. They both had their own strengths, but Onyx by Soothsayer had better deliverance. The whole production was done beautifully and there wasn't one single thing I didn't like about it. Neither band is better then the other, it just comes down to that emotion. For me that is why they are the winner.
Who do you believe won? Soothsayer or Through Life?
TRENCHRAT - DEATH BY COP
1st Listen: They have great potential. but the production of the song needs work. All I can focus on is the sound of the drums and the guitar riffs. I can barely hear the vox due to the volume of the instrumentals. Even the guitar is drowned out by the volume of the drums.
2nd Listen: Needs to work more on the harsh vocals and the production of the song. They are nice, but they have so much more that no only the vox, but the instrumentals can expand on. It's really hard to form an authentic opinion until I can zero out the drums and actually hear the full bands potential.
GHOST LUX - PINKY PROMISE
1st Listen: I love the melody that they produced when the song kicks off. It's super mellow and chill, which is a song I need when for the days I just want to relax. Her vocals are just so heavenly and harmonizes well with the instrumentals.
2nd Listen: I still feel the same as I did when I first listened to the song. The lyrics are just so poetic, and comforting. Overall I just really enjoy and appreciate this song.
WINNER!(My Pick)
GHOST LUX - PINKY PROMISE
This time around there really was no contest, because the moment I heard Pinky Promise by Ghost Lux I was head over heels. It was very easy to fall in love with this song, because it was so angelic. The melody of the vox's voice, the beautiful harmony of the instrumentals, and the visual they gave me had me sold. I've said this once before, if I can envision my own story when listening to a song, the band has me sold. Now this doesn't mean one band is better then the other, it's just my very own preference when listening to and judging music. Each band has their own strengths, and this is my personal opinion.
What do you guys think? Did Trenchrat or Ghost Lux win this battle?
SPITLIFE - DEATH IS SILENT
1st Listen: Very heavy with strong instrumentals. The harsh vocals are great, but the overall production of the song needs some work.
2nd Listen: Very strong instrumentals with great brutal vocals. Unfortunately, the vox gets drowned out by the guitar riffs. So it's really hard to focus on the overall sound of the band, therefore I can not give an accurate opinion on the song.
HORRID DEMISE - TWO GIRLS ONE CHAINSAW
1st Listen: Really heavy and the instrumentals are super consistent. Honestly did not know what to write the first time I listened to this song!
2nd Listen: The entire production of this song is very solid. You can distinctively hear the guitar riffs, the different dynamics of the harsh vocals, the intense drumming, which all in all gives it that horror movie feel. Can you picture it?
WINNER!(My Pick)
HORRID DEMISE - TWO GIRLS ONE CHAINSAW
The reason I went with Two Girls One Chainsaw by Horrid Demise is because, I believe they have more dynamics in their song. The production is done very well, and I feel that aspect is very important. With the different dynamics of both the vox and the instrumentals, it made it feel very cinematic. Literally feels like you are living a horror movie when listening to this song. Pretty dope if you ask me. Also, I don't feel like one band is better then the other just really love it when bands can pull at certain emotions.
Who do you think won? SpitLife or Horrid Demise?
THE GOD'S HAVE FAILED - NOTHING
1st Listen: Very strong opening to the song. The clean vocals are very strong and it definitely gives of older Rock & Roll vibes. Reminds me of A7X a little bit, but the riffs were pretty consistent. Throughout the song there was very little transition with the guitars, however the drums were powerful and I enjoyed the harsh vocals. There was a pretty sick guitar solo in there too!
2nd listen: I still feel the same I did when I first listened to the song. It's definitely a vibe! But, the song just does not speak to me. The delivery of the whole song is absolutely beautiful! Production is on point with that beautiful guitar solo, just didn't invoke an emotion in me.
BASTION - MIMIC
1st Listen: Very strong opening with various vocal ranges. The drums are very solid and powerful, as well as the bass and guitar! I love how they threw in the BLEGH right before the breakdown. Amazing transitions with the guitar riffs, overall an amazing song!
2nd Listen: This song is an absolute BANGER! It's something that would be nicely paired with one of Lorna Shore's songs. Everything about this song was done beautifully between the vocalist, to the drums, to each individual riff of the guitarist and bassist. Just the dynamics of the vox alone and them throwing in the that BLEGH!
WINNER!(My Pick)
BASTION - MIMIC
Both groups have strong songs, just Mimic by Bastion captured my full interest. The dynamics in the entire song was insane! I also absolutely love it when they throw in a BLEGH! Both bands were amazing, but this one resonated with me more and it's something that I can jam all day long! I know I've said this with every my pick, but seriously, not one band is better then the other. Just comes down to preference and this is mine, and why I chose this song.
ALL FALLS DOWN - I'M DYING, HOW ARE YOU?
1st Listen: I absolutely love the drums and the guitar riffs, but personally I feel like the vocals could use a little more dimension in this song.
2nd Listen: This is song has amazing instrumentals and it's beautiful, but I feel like if there was just a bit more emotion in it, it would take it to a whole other level. I just don't vibe well with this song in particular.
TEA WITH TITANS - BROKEN COMPASS
1st Listen: Beautiful opening to the song that transcends into the clean vocals of the 1st verse. Very strong vocal techniques for the harsh vocals with amazing guitar riffs. Overall this song is a BANGER!
2nd Listen: The vocals are just absolutely beautiful. There are so many dynamics throughout the song with not only the clean vocals, but the harsh vocals as well. The diversity in the instrumentals is very distinctive and yet the don't overshadow one another. Everyone is in perfect sync creating this beast of a song.
WINNER! (My Pick)
TEA WITH TITANS - BROKEN COMPASS
Both bands had their strengths in their songs, and it was fun listening to both to see which one resonated well with me. The reason I went with Broken Compass by Tea With Titans was for the way it spoke to me. The diversity and the execution was done so effortlessly, and it just captivated me. Honestly this was just a BEAUTIFUL song, and so many images flooded my mind when I listened to it. Y'all may get tired of me saying this, but my pick is by no means stating one band is better then the other. This is for the songs that made me feel something when I was asked to be a judge. Each band has their strengths and this is truly my pick :)
LABOR XII - SUFFOCATE
1st Listen: Very strong beautiful vocals that harmonize well with the instrumentals. I really enjoy the lyrics, and I can relate so well to them. They are extremely powerful, and I overall truly enjoy this song.
2nd Listen: Man this song is just so beautiful and I can personally relate to this entire song. Everything I felt in the first listen still applies to the second one. The instrumentals are immaculate and they set the whole tone of the song. Definitely a BANGER!
DIVIDED ME - SUPERNOVA
1st Listen: Absolute BEAUTIFUL delivery and such a unique way to start their song. The clean vocals are stunning and they pair beautifully with the harsh vocals. The overall harmony of the song is just breathtaking.
2nd Listen: They are like a combo of Nightwish and Eyes Set to Kill! The lyrics resonate with me so well that images flash in front of my eyes as I get lost in the song. A story completely unfolds as the instrumentals fill the void and then as the vocalist come in I am just hit with this wave of emotion. The song is just so powerful and unique, I fell head over heels for them.
WINNER! (My Pick)
DIVIDED ME - SUPERNOVA
Oh man! Was this a difficult one to vote on!! Both bands had some very powerful lyrics and had amazing instrumentals. Each one spoke to me and were incredibly relatable, and both I was able to formulate a story by just listening to them. What it came down to was uniqueness when I was voting on both of them. Supernova by Divided Me had this very unique beginning that felt cosmic. It just resonated with me more with this song vs song. Labor XII is a phenomenal band and one that I will still listen too. The deciding factor had to be uniqueness.
What do you guys think? Do you think Divided me or Labor XII won?
Thank you One Take for having me be a part of this. Music is something that helps define who I am, and there are so many new artists that I was introduced too. Every single one of these artists are amazing for doing what they do. It's not easy being vulnerable, and I admire each one of you. Keep on fighting for those dreams and remember we can never stop improving our craft. Until next time, This was The Hopeless Kreative and we are rocking out!
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