MarsKid
Mitch Worden
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Last Active 01-01-70 12:00 am
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Build-an-Album II, R10(P2): We're Gloom'd

We are approaching the end of Survivor-lite! Wow wow wow.
1Preoccupations
Preoccupations


Back again, eh? AND THERE ARE STILL SEVERAL SHIELDS TO COLLECT. That’s a reference no one will get, but I still made it, so take that.

Anyways, let’s reconvene and recap! This past round, the genre was POST-PUNK, the theme was NO HOPE, and contestants were required to submit albums with 11 tracks. Instead of a cap or floor on overall length, competitors had song duration limits, with each song needing to be below 5 minutes long. The “dumb rule” for the round necessitated that only tracks from the year 2000 to the present could be used—old-school classics were forbidden. How did the field respond to such demands? Let us discover… now!
2Black Marble
It's Immaterial


Sinternet's album: Though it started off as a vibe-centric album, Sint’s submission began to transform into something much harsher. The flow of the album was admirable, allowing the opening salvo of sad, restrained instrumentals to bleed into fierce tracks such as track 7 and track 9. The finale in particular was an absolute ripper, and its despairing lyrics were a perfect pairing for the violence laid out by the static-laden guitars. On the whole, it was a wonderfully violent experience that proceeded seamlessly, hitting multiple highlights throughout the runtime.
3Shame (UK)
Songs of Praise


tyman's album: Some very nice, standard post-punk! Much like many other records submitted, this bounced back and forth between darker tunes (track 3 and 4 namely, who complement each other amazingly) and more straightforward rockers. I just found the peaks here less impressive than competitors, although it did land hits in moments such as track 10’s entertaining climax—with horns! The introductory few tracks were a great showcase of build-ups as well and bumpin’ bass performances. Overall, quite satisfying! It just occasionally became too ‘great’ rather than a level above.
4No Devotion
No Oblivion


Steak's album: This had a lot of high-energy numbers while also balancing more moody ventures. That transition occurred around the halfway portion of the record, with the final three tracks relying on softer textures and atmosphere. It was an entertaining blend of styles and kept the darkness varied and intriguing, such as the dreamy soundscapes of the opening tune and the bleak, sarcastic lyricism of track 3. It was a quintessential post-punk album while making an effort to go above the standard, often dealing out highlights to make it a consistently thrilling listening experience. It was one of the more memorable albums this round, which helped to boost its value!
5LICE
WASTELAND: What Ails Our People Is Clear


Johnny's album: Of the albums submitted this round, none matched the aggression Johnny’s was capable of. For the front half of the record, every song was a quick shot of adrenaline to the skull, ranging from the iconic bassline of track 5 to the absolute bedlam of track 2. It was scratchy, angsty, anxious, and full to the brim with strong instrumentals that meshed amicably together. As the album entered its second half, tracks began to embody a more reserved nature, adopting more atmospheric tones. This culminated in a surprisingly emotional finale, combining a strong vocal performance with despairing lyrics to wrap up the whole package. It was an awesome demonstration of what post-punk can do, both in terms of its brutality and restraint. Epic!
6Preoccupations
New Material


Sloth's album: Solid post-punk abound in this album. It featured some memorable songs for sure, such as the claustrophobic opener and the delightful apathy of track 3—a wonderful contrast to the dark lyrics and strong instrumentals. Everything else was at an enjoyable level of quality, if mostly unimpressive. It just felt like the post-punk aesthetic without much depth to it; it took the clichés, did them well, and aspired for not much else. I felt like I heard track 5 several times throughout the album in one form or another, from the guitar tuning and tone to the vocal delivery and production. Can’t say it was bad at all, just great! Hoped for more though.
7Protomartyr
Consolation


bg's album: This was an excellent album and at times hit a high point that was pretty enjoyable! I can't deny that. However, with rules becoming more and more strict, track 1 stuck out like a very sore, diseased, dying thumb. An unfortunate misstep that can't be ignored...
8Black Eyes
Black Eyes


Phero's album: This was perhaps the most atmospheric customer to encounter this round. Much of the record focused its strengths on creating hazy, opaque soundscapes that gentle timbres colored, creating a vast space for an atmosphere to linger inside. Tracks such as track 7 were brilliant examples of this, with the vocals supplying an awesome punch to amplify the dark mood. Fellow tunes like track 4 brilliantly composed delicate passages that gently guided the listener through wistful lands. The lack of true post-punk rockers really wasn’t a hindrance; the consistency and flow here was on-point and adequately portrayed the darkness the genre can possess. Nicely done fo sho.
9Preoccupations
Preoccupations


And off into the distance goes post-punk. Could’ve been worse! In fact, I quite liked it. Huh. Let’s tie a bow on this round and forge onward to the ultimate results. Who placed where?
FIRST PLACE: Johnny
SECOND PLACE: Sinternet
THIRD PLACE: Steak
That’s how it ended up. Now, how did it factor into the team battle? Who was able to get the upper hand? Off to count points we gooo!
10Black Peaks
All That Divides


The amount of players still alive in the game is dwindling fast! Only a few will be left, and then one more round of Survivor-lite, and then the final showdown in the top 5! Ridiculous to see how far this competition has gone. Whew. Anyways, the concern right now… who conquered post-punk??

SUSPENSE

MAXIMUM SUSPENSE

And the winner goes to…

ERECT BUSINESS! Victory has been secured!

This places FIASCO SHAMPIONS are again on the elimination clock. Time for someone to walk the plank. Discuss amongst yourselves and figure out next steps. Meanwhile, we move to the next genre!
11Macho Man Randy Savage
Be A Man


Post-punk is now officially post-done. I think it was fun, or at least alright. Not too much to complain about, and LORDY are there worse options out there in the genre pool. It’d take some good fortune to avoid any pitfalls—for me, that is, since this is more about me than it is about y’all. That is, as they say, how the crumbles cookie. Something like that. Enough with building anticipation! It’s time to pull back the curtain on the wheel, give it a spin, and see the outcome.
12Forest Stream
Tears of Mortal Solitude


One big ol’ spin of the wheel of fate again, and it looks like we are gonna end up with DOOM METAL. Oh boy. That means titanic, slow, dirty riffs that are vying to drag down the unaware listener. That sounds pretty thrilling! And considering that the competition is nearing its end, I expect to hear that kind of excitement. Time to bring your A-game and nothing less!
13Macho Man Randy Savage
Be A Man


Your theme to keep in mind shall be MAXIMUM EPICNESS. Doom metal has the ability to create towering soundscapes, constructing absolute mountains of sound. Success in this round will be based around how huge and imposing the songs you use are. They could be triumphant or absolutely, totally depressing; the ultimate goal remains the same either way. Give the biggest, loudest, most epic riffs possible.

The album you create must make it to the hour mark. That’s right, the big 60 minute finish line! Doom metal is generally loaded with long songs, so this shouldn’t be too much of a struggle. Seven (7) tracks shall be the requirement, because it is the requirement. Load up on the extravagance to your heart’s content. An additional consideration: when making your record, it must feature a CENTERPIECE, a crown jewel of length and bombast. Whatever your longest track is, it must be placed directly in the middle of your submitted record.
14Macho Man Randy Savage
Be A Man


As I’m sure many of you are aware of by now, we live in a Society. With a capital ‘S,’ mind. It’s a big, global melting pot we’ve got going on here through the internet. I think it’s important that such a beautiful mish-mash gets proper respect. With that in mind, your “dumb rule” is about worldliness: four different countries must be represented in the record you submit. Those countries can be any you choose! Maybe even the Principality of Sealand has a doom album kicking around somewhere.
15Forest Stream
Tears of Mortal Solitude


SUMMARY
Genre = Doom Metal
Theme = Maximum Epicness
Requirement = 7 tracks; at least 1 hr. long; longest track in the middle
“dumb rule”: four different countries must be represented
“point of no return” = no repeat songs; can only use an artist once for your album

DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 16
16Black Peaks
All That Divides


The stars have aligned such that bg has been escorted out of the building. Sad scenes... the game now continues, with the drama reaching its peak!
17Europe
The Final Countdown


REMAINING PLAYERS:
Steak | Johnny | Sint | Sloth | Phero | Tyman
18Big Bear
Doin Thangs


ERECT BUSINESS

Steak
Sinternet
Tyman
Sloth
19Ada Rook
UGLY DEATH NO REDEMPTION ANGEL CURSE I LOVE YOU


WALL-TO-WALL FIASCO SHAMPIONS

Johnny
Phero

Due to the diminishing player numbers and therefore less chances to score points, a +8 handicap has been added to FIASCO SHAMPIONS to assist with balancing.
20Secret Band
Secret Band


ITEM 1:

Clue 1: Reverse-Drogo

Clue 2: Myers doesn't want you near it.

Clue 3: The calling card for Kirk Cousins and co.
21Secret Band
LP2


ITEM 2:

Clue 1: Loic on a bad day.

Clue 2: Emotionally troubled waters.

Clue 3: One of five phases.
22Fvneral Fvkk
Carnal Confessions


Tyman's album:
1. Fvneral Fvkk - Alone with the Cross 🇩🇪
2. Helevorn - A Sail to Sanity 🇪🇸
3. Krux - Black Room 🇸🇪
4. Dream Unending - Ecstatic Reign 🇺🇸 / 🇨🇦
5. Evadne - Black Womb of Light 🇪🇸
6. Evoken - The Fear After 🇺🇸
7. Doom:vs - The Slow Ascent 🇸🇪

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3T3Frv64eNQenxwFAIiq6W?si=1b44372f76e546b7
23Ereb Altor
By Honour


Sinternet's Album:
1. Ereb Altor - By Honour (Sweden)
2. Candlemass - Demon's Gate (Sweden)
3. Evoken - Antithesis of light (USA)
4. Esoteric - Circle (UK)
5. Thorr's Hammer - Norge (USA)
6. Disembowelment - Your Prophetic Throne of Ivory (Australia)
7. Dragged Into Sunlight - Volcanic Birth (UK)

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3wp3xnzsHzqqmFlPv230K2?si=6c50ba71a6684403
24My Dying Bride
The Angel and the Dark River


Phero's album:
1. My Dying Bride - The Cry of Mankind (UK)
2. Electric Wizard - Dopethrone (UK)
3. Boris - Kuruimizu (Japan)
4. Bell Witch - Mirror Reaper (As Above) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Knoa23mppNI 00:00 - 48:13]
5. Kyuss - Demon Cleaner (USA)
6. Disembowelment - Cerulean Transcience of All My Imagined Shores (Australia)
7. Hell - Mourn (USA)

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1CWSVksoWkTTzxWmimtnG3?si=b5808336a1ab490d
25Candlemass
Epicus Doomicus Metallicus


Steak's album:
1. Candlemass - A Sorceror's Pledge (Sweden)
2. Electric Wizard - Funeralopolis (UK)
3. My Dying Bride - Edenbeast (UK)
4. Evoken - Accursed Premonition (USA)
5. Ahab - Old Thunder (German)
6. Khemmis - Three Gates (USA)
7. Crypt Sermon - Christ Is Dead (USA)

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7r036X9LiXnIAPeDuYgApN
26Procession (CL)
To Reap Heavens Apart


Sloth's album:
1. Procession - To Reap Heavens Apart 🇨🇱
2. King Goat - Rapture 🇬🇧
3. Pallbearer - The Ghost I Used To Be 🇺🇲
4. Horsehunter - Stoned to Death 🇦🇺
5. Khemmis - The Bereaved 🇺🇲
6. Gods Tower - Reign of Silence 🇧🇾
7. While Heaven Wept - The Furthest Shore 🇺🇲

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0LrRX9LaUClIEApUd2HmBp?si=d00598071ebb4ebd
27The Gathering
Nighttime Birds


Johnny's album:
1. The Gathering - On Most Surfaces (Dutch)
2. Tiamat - Whatever That Hurts (Swedish)
3. Katatonia - Soil's Song (Swedish)
4. ** Bloody Panda - Miserere** (US/Japanese)
5. Boris - Absolutego (Japanese)
6. My Dying Bride - The Raven and the Rose (British)
7. Kayo Dot - The Antique (US)
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