Riff-Off 1.2: Antonio "Tony" DiMarco Thunderbottom vs. cyberBKP

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE POST BEFORE VOTING!​

You are voting for your favorite riff in Round 2 of the December 2009 Riff-Off. More information about the Riff-Off can be found here. In this round, there are three head-to-head matches. (Robin Williams advances to Round 3 automatically, since I did not receive a riff from Eddie Vedder by the deadline.) Be sure to check out and vote for your favorite riff in the other two Round 2 matches, also found in the Tips and Clips room. To view the bracket for this month's Riff-Off, go here.

Because not all contestants have access to the same quality of recording equipment, your voting decision should be based first on the actual composition, second on the player's execution of the riff. Try to look past recording quality. Some questions you may want to ask yourself while considering which way to vote: What is the emotional impact of the riff? How original is the riff? Does the riff inspire me? Would I want to hear a whole song built off this riff?

Note that each contestant has chosen a battle name for the Riff-Off; their identities have been hidden from all other contestants and the voting public, and will be revealed at the end of the Riff-Off, when a champion is crowned.

Lastly, while comments are strongly encouraged, please realize that each contestant put personal time and creative energy into his or her submission. If you have any critique to provide in this thread, give the contestants the courtesy of making it constructive. This competition is built on the premises of fun and musical growth.

Here are the links to each clip in this head-to-head:

Antonio "Tony" DiMarco Thunderbottom

cyberBKP

If you run into any technical issues or have other question regarding the Riff-Off, contact me via email (kgmessier at gmail dot com).

Have fun!

- Keith

 

[tone4days]

Re: Riff-Off 1.2: Antonio "Tony" DiMarco Thunderbottom vs. cyberBKP

wow - you guys don't disappoint ... you make it nearly impossible to decide though
very cool ... gonna have to give them some space before voting ...

both of them should be on the foofighters next record!

congrats on excellent work
t4d

 

[sosomething]

Re: Riff-Off 1.2: Antonio "Tony" DiMarco Thunderbottom vs. cyberBKP

Antonio "Tony" DiMarco Thunderbottom

Wow, not what I expected from our Thunderbottom, considering how epic-metallish his last submission was. This is where the competition gets fun, because you can start to hear the diversity of our contestants, but you can also pick up on the common thread running through that defines their styles.
I LIKE this one! The tone and big chords make me think of early Smashing Pumpkins.
My only gripe is that the palm mutes coming in feels like I second riff more than the continuation of the first. Since I get more vibe from the beginning of the clip, I'm basing my judgment on the first part.

​

cyberBKP

Another solid, well-played contribution from cyber here as well. I'm a little thrown off by the fade-out that eats up the majority of the clip, but I'm not letting that affect my decision.
I'm recognizing some deliberate restrain in this riff, since it seems to be that cyberBKP could probably have burned up the fretboard had he wanted to.
I really dig this riff. The muted single notes and jazzy-sounding chords combine into something very '70s underground rock / metal to me. I'm thinking stuff like Pentagram, later Thin Lizzy, etc.

​

HARD HARD DECISION!!

And I'm not telling which I chose.

 

[Fresno Bob]

Re: Riff-Off 1.2: Antonio "Tony" DiMarco Thunderbottom vs. cyberBKP

Voted

 

[GoDrex]

Re: Riff-Off 1.2: Antonio "Tony" DiMarco Thunderbottom vs. cyberBKP

voted

 

[crusty philtrum]

Re: Riff-Off 1.2: Antonio "Tony" DiMarco Thunderbottom vs. cyberBKP

Voted. Both excellent riffs. Only round two and already difficult to make the decisions....i'm starting to think it may end up being harder to be a voter than a contestant, hehe.

 

[elscorcho]

Re: Riff-Off 1.2: Antonio "Tony" DiMarco Thunderbottom vs. cyberBKP

Voted. Both excellent riffs. Only round two and already difficult to make the decisions....i'm starting to think it may end up being harder to be a voter than a contestant, hehe.

+1 voted

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Riff-Off 1.2: Antonio "Tony" DiMarco Thunderbottom vs. cyberBKP

Whoa! This is a very difficult decision.

Both clips RULE!

Unlike soso, I dig the fade out in cyberBKP's riff. I can hear that lick played to open and close a song, and the fade out would definitely fit in an outro with this riff.

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: Riff-Off 1.2: Antonio "Tony" DiMarco Thunderbottom vs. cyberBKP

Very, very difficult to decide. Honestly, I didn't like one more than the other. My decision came down to this: Thunderbottom's had me anticipating what was coming next and just kept me on the hook for a second longer. I can see this breaking down into a percussive rhythm break and bringing the rock to those who hunger for it.

cyberBKP, I really think the fade out hurt you. Instead of leaving me thinking, "Hmmm... What's next?" I got the feeling that you were taking your ball and going home. What you see is what you get. What I got was fantastic and moving in an almost pop hard rock way, but when it was over, it was over.

Excellent work, gentlemen.

 

[B2D]

Re: Riff-Off 1.2: Antonio "Tony" DiMarco Thunderbottom vs. cyberBKP

I'm gonna do the soso' thing and describe my impression of each:

Thunderbottom: This riff reminded me of a cool droney Soundgarden type thing and I enjoyed it. It didn't sound like your typical noodle on the D or G either, it sounded like a good foundation for a song to build on. I dug the slightly fuzzy but still crunchy tone as well, it worked very well for the riff.

cyberBKP: Very well done again. I like the rhythm of the riff and the space in between the notes as well as a subtle but effective use of a dash of delay. Excellent interval choices in the double-stops, too. I'd love to hear a song built off this.

 

[Redmist]

Re: Riff-Off 1.2: Antonio "Tony" DiMarco Thunderbottom vs. cyberBKP

Voted.

Both great, but Thunderbottom spoke louder to me.

(BTW, that guitar needs intonated on the lower strings Thunderbottom...)

 

[Markk]

Re: Riff-Off 1.2: Antonio "Tony" DiMarco Thunderbottom vs. cyberBKP

Thunderbottom: I feel freedom here. Somekind of energy that really just wants to unleash once the rest of the band kicks in. But, it's almost as if there's too much of it. Might be the distortion, but it almost starts to sound a bit mushy. Wondering how it would sound clean (maybe a la Led Zep?)

cyberBKP: Not taking into account the fade, it had a steady flow. Seemed to be clearly outlined where it wanted to go and how. Delay gives a nice flavour here and there.

Well done, good luck.

 

[Lazarus1140]

Re: Riff-Off 1.2: Antonio "Tony" DiMarco Thunderbottom vs. cyberBKP

Voted

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: Riff-Off 1.2: Antonio "Tony" DiMarco Thunderbottom vs. cyberBKP

Great stuff from both!


I really had to stop and listen to these a few times in this round, where the first round was mostly "landslide" decisions for me!

 

[DankStar]

Re: Riff-Off 1.2: Antonio "Tony" DiMarco Thunderbottom vs. cyberBKP

easy one for me

 

[Blue Calx]

Re: Riff-Off 1.2: Antonio "Tony" DiMarco Thunderbottom vs. cyberBKP

Very tough. I thought thunderbottom's submission sounded a bit pumpkin-ish.

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Riff-Off 1.2: Antonio "Tony" DiMarco Thunderbottom vs. cyberBKP

Voted.

I can't say the fade-out hurt cyber's track. It can serve as an intro, an interlude, or an ending. It doesn't necessarily have to be "the first thing you hear" ala Smoke or Paranoid IMO.

I liked both, truly, but of course I had to pick only one. Nothing against the one I didn't vote for, but rather found the one I did vote for more appealing.

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Riff-Off 1.2: Antonio "Tony" DiMarco Thunderbottom vs. cyberBKP

Upon a second listen (after voting had ended), cyber's track reminds me of Vito Bratta.