Monthly playlists
Wanting to boost a bit of traffic into playlist suggestions and comments, I decided to start this thread similar to Daniel's monthly feature release outcomes thread. Let's share our overall playlist thoughts and hear which one stands out the most for you and if you made any new discoveries. Of course, you don't have to do it now, in case you need some time until the end of the month to absorb all that you can. You also don't have to talk about only one playlist or talk about every song you've listened to, that's what their respective playlist threads are for! I'll start with the playlists I've reviewed this month (January):
1. Guardians playlist - 5/5 (number of songs commented: 3)
2. Fallen playlist - 4.5/5 (number of songs commented: 6)
3. Infinite playlist - 4.5/5 (number of songs commented: 7 (formerly 8))
4. Pit playlist - 4.5/5 (number of songs commented: 7)
5. Revolution playlist - 4/5 (number of songs commented: 18 (formerly 20))
Another rewarding playlist month for me, though this time it's more about the quality than quantity. I love all 3 of the songs I commented in the Guardians playlist, though that's probably my earlier epic metal taste talking. The Fallen, Infinite, and Pit playlists have a decent amount of tracks I've commented that are very good. I reviewed a massive amount of tracks in the Revolution playlist, ranging from perfect to good to too incomprehensible for 4 stars or more.
Also please don't forget to submit your requests for the February playlist by the 15th, if you want the playlists (and this thread) to keep going. I'll submit mine tomorrow...
Here are my overall ratings for the playlists I've reviewed this month (February):
1. Guardians playlist - 5/5 (number of songs commented: 5)
2. Fallen playlist - 4.5/5 (number of songs commented: 7)
3. Revolution playlist - 4.5/5 (number of songs commented: 12)
4. Infinite playlist - 4/5 (number of songs commented: 11 (formerly 17))
Another rewarding playlist month for me, though this time it's more about the quality than quantity. I love all 5 of the songs in the Guardians playlist including my own requests, though that's probably my earlier epic metal taste talking. The Fallen playlist has a decent amount of tracks I've commented that are very good. I reviewed a massive amount of tracks in the Revolution playlist, ranging from perfect to good to too incomprehensible for 4 stars or more. And I've managed to review all 17 songs from the Infinite playlist, but I ending cutting the list down to 11. Still a good month!
Hi everyone. Sonny & I have both been wondering whether it might make sense to give each member a maximum time allocation for their suggested inclusions in each month's clan-specific playlist rather than a track number limit. What do you think of that idea?
I think it's a good idea. Might be a tough challenge, but it can be done. Using both conditions, I'll submit 5 tracks in 30 minutes for all my clans...
Also, while the membership is still quite small, how about allowing one track suggestion to any non-clan Academy member. For example, I'm not a member of The Guardians, but I think I've heard enough heavy metal to come up with a decent suggestion or two. These can always then be subject to omission due to time constraints or unsuitability, submissions from clan members always taking precedence obviously.
Another good idea, Sonny! However, for that to happen, we should probably limit that to two of each member's most heard clans that aren't their own. I know a lot about The Horde (my former clan) and The Pit, but I'm not a fan of The Gateway, The North, or The Sphere, though I started enjoying a couple bands from that last clan...
I like Sonny's idea but would only suggest that we implement it for The Gateway, The Revolution & The Sphere & only until we get at least two or three legitimate clan members contributing. The move will be purely to gain more internal engagement in these particular playlists. I think we already have a good balance in some of the other playlists like The Fallen & The North & I've just increased the maximum number of clan member submissions for others so I don't feel that they require the additional push as much. I've already picked the tracks for the April The Gateway & The Sphere playlists so we might kick off with The Revolution next month & see what the engagement is like.
In regards to Andi's suggestion, I don't see any reason to limit which clan members are eligible. There's no reason you need to contribute to clans that you aren't interested in.
Unfortunately, The Revolution is probably the clan I know least about, so will probably have to pass. Oh, well!
And yet you've only just listened to the monthly feature release for The Revolution & reported back positively Sonny. That qualifies as having an opinion as far as I can see.
Great idea and will help me broaden my horizons. I have always held a soft spot for The Gateway as it predominantly caters for a very niche time in my life where I was yet to bury myself in the more extreme genres of metal. I listen through the playlist for that clan most months already so grateful of the opportunity to contribute as well as continue to explore new bands. The Sphere and Revolution clans will be on catch up inevitably but planning to take up the option to add my two penneth.
And yet you've only just listened to the monthly feature release for The Revolution & reported back positively Sonny. That qualifies as having an opinion as far as I can see.
I don't think I've explained myself very well. What I mean is, I have very little experience of metalcore and don't see how I could suggest a track for next month's Revolution playlist with any authority. I have heard bands like Killswitch Engage, Shadows Fall and Dillinger Escape Plan, but I really don't care for them at all. I have the same problem with metalcore as I do with a lot of sludge - the hardcore-influenced vocals. Now I'm well into hardcore punk like Black Flag, Minor Threat and Sick of it All, but I dislike that style of vocal delivery in metal. The reason I enjoyed In Waves so much was because a significant percentage of the vocals were clean sung, enabling me to tolerate the harsh-sung sections more easily.
Now, the Trance Metal tag interests me much more because I have literally no idea what that is all about, but it sounds intriguing. Could anyone suggest a decent album within that genre that may give me a good idea where to start, then I may possibly find something to suggest there.
I was simply asking why you didn't pick a track from the Trivium album you liked Sonny. Feel free not to though.
If you want to know what trance metal is all about then give Amaranthe's 2014 album "Massive Addictive" a few spins. They're by far & away the most significant & definitive trance metal band.
Yes, well I was wrong. I listened to a few Amaranthe tracks on YouTube and found them to be jaw-droppingly awful. But, that's fine - I somehow don't think a grizzled old cynic like me is their target demographic. As for picking a track from In Waves for next month's playlist, I didn't really think anyone would be interested in listening to a track from the previous month's featured release again so soon. But I pledge that I WILL find a track to suggest sometime during the next week or so.
Yes, well I was wrong. I listened to a few Amaranthe tracks on YouTube and found them to be jaw-droppingly awful. But, that's fine - I somehow don't think a grizzled old cynic like me is their target demographic. As for picking a track from In Waves for next month's playlist, I didn't really think anyone would be interested in listening to a track from the previous month's featured release again so soon. But I pledge that I WILL find a track to suggest sometime during the next week or so.
Ha ha, I stumbled across Amaranthe yesterday also when exploring the genres of The Revolution clan and have to say I was of the same opinion.
Hahahahaha..... yeah I could have saved you both the trouble as I knew perfectly well that Amaranthe wouldn't be up Sonny's alley (or mine for that matter) but I don't like to put words in people's mouths when it comes to music.
As for picking a track from In Waves for next month's playlist, I didn't really think anyone would be interested in listening to a track from the previous month's featured release again so soon.
I feel a little differently on that topic. I religiously include a track from the monthly feature releases because they're the most listened to releases by each clan in any given month & that works into my ambition to have the playlists reflecting our current listening habits. It's also worth remembering that these playlists are listened to by far more casual Spotify users than they are by our Metal Academy regulars.
Fair point Daniel, in that case I'm probably sorted for a Revolution selection then.
I'm probably the one Metal Academy member who enjoys Amaranthe so much. Of course, they still had several sh*tty stinkers throughout their career, including "that song you gotta avoid at all costs".
What song is that then Andi?
Last day to get your playlist suggestions in guys. Here's the run down of the current allowances (yes I know it's all a bit too complex at the moment but I'm hoping to clean that up after we trial a few things this month):
THE FALLEN: Strictly 30 minutes max. No track number or track length limitations. Clan members only.
THE GATEWAY: Clan members get a maximum of five tracks. Non-clan members get a maximum of one track.
THE GUARDIANS: Clan members get a maximum of five tracks. Clan members only.
THE HORDE: Clan members get a maximum of five tracks. Clan members only.
THE INFINITE: Clan members get a maximum of five tracks. Clan members only.
THE NORTH: Clan members get a maximum of three tracks. Clan members only.
THE PIT: Clan members get a maximum of five tracks. Clan members only.
THE REVOLUTION: Clan members get a maximum of five tracks. Non-clan members get a maximum of one track.
THE SPHERE: Clan members get a maximum of five tracks. Non-clan members get a maximum of one track.
Here are my overall ratings for the playlists I've reviewed this month (March):
1. Fallen playlist - 4.5/5 (number of songs commented: 5)
2. Guardians playlist - 5/5 (number of songs commented: 8)
3. Infinite playlist - 4.5/5 (number of songs commented: 9)
4. Revolution playlist - 4/5 (number of songs commented: 11 (formerly 12))
Another rewarding playlist month for me, though this time it's more about the quality than quantity. The 8 songs in the Guardians playlist I've commented are really awesome, including my own requests, though that's probably my earlier epic metal taste talking. The Fallen and Infinite playlists both have a decent amount of tracks I've commented that are very good. I reviewed a massive amount of tracks in the Revolution playlist, ranging from perfect to good to too incomprehensible for an average 4 stars. I've reviewed 12 songs in the Infinite playlist, but I ending up taking one song off the list of songs I've commented. Still a good month!
Here's the arrangement for next month's playlist suggestions:
THE FALLEN: 24 min each clan member, no track limits
THE GATEWAY: 30 min each clan member, no track limits, one track for non-clan members
THE GUARDIANS: 30 min each clan member, no track limits
THE HORDE: 30 min each clan member, no track limits
THE INFINITE: 30 min each clan member, no track limits
THE NORTH: 24 min each clan member, no track limits
THE PIT: 24 min each clan member, no track limits
THE REVOLUTION: 30 min each clan member, no track limits, one track for non-clan members
THE SPHERE: 30 min each clan member, no track limits, one track for non-clan members
Good arrangement, Daniel! Here are the amounts of songs I'm gonna submit (tomorrow or sometime this weekend or next week) for both clans based on this condition:
The Fallen: 4 tracks in 24 minutes
The Gateway: one track only
The Guardians: 6 tracks in 30 minutes
The Infinite: 5 tracks in 30 minutes
The Revolution: 7 tracks in 30 minutes
The Sphere: one track only
PS: Sonny, I'm sorry to hear that your clans have a shorter time limit for your song submissions, but I wish the best for your songs to be worth those 24 minutes in each clan!