Album Rating: 2.5

It's not amazing in my opinion, but it's certainly not god afwul. It's at least slightly above average.

Album Rating: 2.5 | Sound Off

album rules you negative nancy you

Album Rating: 4.0

I'll have to change that. I got plenty to give

Album Rating: 4.0

I think this might be the very first review of yours I disagree with. With that being said, will someone make you staff? Excellent review and thanks.

Nice score, teamster ;)

Album Rating: 2.5 | Sound Off

I'm interested in which users who are thinking of climbing up to the site's contributors status honestly.

my job requires creative writing so I'm all burnt out when I'm not working

sput is like the place for dumping senseless crap for me where I don't get rekt by editors for missing a comma in a 50-page document

Good review. You seem to have a formula for reviews down pat which is nice, but if I might recommend a few things (that you never asked for) to help you kick it up to that next level:

-Be more descriptive. I don't mean write more, I simply mean more colorful writing. For example, I understood what you meant in the opening paragraph when you said "it lacks the basic memorability and status found in the band’s previous studio efforts", but what exactly constitutes status? Are you saying it doesn't have the recognize-ability/clout of previous efforts (which would go without saying, because this is a new record)? Or that the songwriting quality is of a lesser stature, as in the tracks are not as elaborately composed? It's not a bad sentence outright, it just leaves me feeling a little bit lacking for what to expect going in. Maybe also toss in more analogies; you did this when you compared the singer to Akerfeldt and it was something that immediately helped me to understand what the music sounds like. Would love to see you go into even more detail in general though...do the riffs sound like the wheels of hell churning and clattering in utter despair? Does their "same-ness" echo with the stubborn stupidity of a man hammering a nail into the wall with his bare hands wondering why it won't go in? Again, your writing effectively and efficiently describes things, it could just be spiced up to make it an even more enjoyable read for someone who is maybe on the fence about checking the album out.

-Other nitpicks (which they are just that): "the album’s same-ness" probably could be better worded, maybe "homogeneity" or "refusal to experiment" (if that's apt), also "it’s first impressions" should be its, etc. Little grammar stuff isn't a huge deal, but it's what separates good writers from the great ones.

-CC aside, I think you do have solid prose and a good approach to writing reviews. The injection of humor was good with the quip about going out clubbing, and your verbiage and understanding of genres is top-notch. I especially thought this part was staff-tier writing: "The track itself is a centrepost of hypnotic melody that combines complementing features of doom, post metal and the band’s natural foundation of melo-death. Netzell’s vocal styles do not falter here and despite the breathing space a slower, more melody based track might offer, the weight of the band’s delivery quashes the air, providing ample emotion in its place." That's great stuff, there.

-Anyway, I really like your reviews. I think you have the potential to convince even me to check out more metal, but more descriptive/analogous/colorful writing would kick your craft into a higher gear. Admittedly convincing someone one way or the other about a 2.5/5 album is a moot point, but this is just broader advice that you never asked for but I felt might be useful. I suck at giving feedback like I used to, but for some reason inspiration struck right now. Feel free to discard it as me projecting my own preferences as a reader lol. Keep up the great work.

Album Rating: 4.0

someones getting scouted.

Lol not really, just me trying to provide valuable feedback for once. I try to when I have time, and often all our contributors hear is "nice review, maybe will check this" which is more of a spiritual pos than actually helpful, haha.

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

I respect your opinion, but its wrong.

It's

Album Rating: 2.5 | Sound Off

Hey Sowing : ) and thank you. It's good to hear this from a reader perspective, especially given that this is all kind of pointless without someone reading a thing meant to be read. I wouldn't mind engaging this conversation some more/diving a little deeper.



As far as adding to descriptions and adding colourful language, the last bit of writing criticism I've received was from Jac and I believe he said something along the lines of "superfluous adjectives" which I think does and does not encompass your point here. Maybe to this extent I need to learn better when and when not to do this.



I definitely get where you're coming from about supplying reference to sound, especially for newer fans/people who can't access assumed information (what the band/album sounds like).

Album Rating: 2.5 | Sound Off

As for whether I'm convincing someone to check this out (specifically this album just for examples sake) I don't think I was using this review for that purpose -- instead I was using it to highlight a mixed bag of disappointment without falling into a trap of finding too much praise for the album's more positive features and respectively not over do the album bashing of those counterpoints.

Album Rating: 2.5 | Sound Off

the riffs sound like the wheels of hell churning and clattering in utter despair? Does their "same-ness" echo with the stubborn stupidity of a man hammering a nail into the wall with his bare hands

Fuck this band.

In a weird turn of events - seeing how easy to please I am in most cases - I'm on board with the 'nope' crowd regarding this band.

Album Rating: 4.0

Hmm, this band is right in the middle of my favorite current mdm bands:

Fractal Gates

Be’Lakor

Barren Earth

Album Rating: 4.0 | Sound Off

I've never disagreed more with a review. Garden of Storms is epic!