Riff-Off 4.1: Ironclad

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE POST BEFORE VOTING!
​

You are rating one of sixteen riffs in Round 1 of the March 2010 Riff-Off. Each of the other fifteen riffs can be heard and rated in the Tips and Clips room. More information about the Riff-Off can be found here.

As with last month, this month's Riff-Off has no bracket; each riff will be rated on an individual basis according to a seven-point scale. Once all of the polls have closed, the scores for each riff will be averaged, and the eight contestants with the highest average scores will advance to Round 2.

I encourage you to score each of the sixteen riffs. You may wish to listen to each riff before voting in order to establish a baseline. Of course, you are free to score riffs however you like, in whatever order you like. You could even give each riff the same score, if your impressions dictate so. It's all in your hands!

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 is a link to this contestant's Round 1 riff: Ironclad

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

Have fun!

- Keith

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Ironclad

Off the beaten path, makes me wonder what bass line the player had in mind. Also, a cool single coil tone!!!

 

[JollyRoger523]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Ironclad

This one didn't grab a hold of me, but I enjoyed the originality.

 

[GoDrex]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Ironclad

one of my favorites - might take a bit to sink in

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Ironclad

This is one of my fav's. I really like the slight delay, and everything just works for me.

 

[Gamera]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Ironclad

Ironclad indeed. Keep up that level of riffage and I predict good things for you.

Nice variety, tone, feel, execution, everything. Nicely done.

 

[tone4days]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Ironclad

i like this alot even though it is not my preferred genre of music and the tone is not to my taste .. but as a riff, it is tight and has personality ... high marks from me

 

[JordanM82]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Ironclad

decent, good tone... interesting idea... I liked it overall

 

[B2D]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Ironclad

Excellent use of space and letting the riff breath AND a subtle delay to create dimension in those spaces. I can hear some Bonham-esque drum fills in here as well. Cool!!

 

[d1dsj]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Ironclad

Good solid playing, good use of space... less is more. Nice one!

 

[Tor]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Ironclad

Solid, original, tight, etc., etc. Honestly, though, I am not sure if I'm getting the riff. I'm gonna wait and chew a bit on this one.

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Ironclad

Nice job :friday:

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Ironclad

I agree with a lot of the posters here that I'm really not getting it. With the right drummer, it's epic. With the wrong one, it fails. Still don't know how to vote.

 

[Blue Calx]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Ironclad

Excellent use of space and letting the riff breath AND a subtle delay to create dimension in those spaces. I can hear some Bonham-esque drum fills in here as well. Cool!!

I see your Bonham and raise you a Stanier!

I thought this one was fun too.

 

[RushOfBlood]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Ironclad

I dig it, it definitely is one of those imagine-your-rhythm-section ones.

 

[Lazarus1140]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Ironclad

This is in my top 5. The tone, use of space, octaves, and delay all add up to more than the sum of the individual elements. Great job!

 

[daemon barbeque]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Ironclad

I definetly didn't like it. No offense meant, the playing is cool, well defined, and the player shows his intentions well. But it's unmusical for me, doesn't hit, push any point in my brain. The groove is not there either. Could be cool for a sound score tho!

 

[Redmist]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Ironclad

Sounds a bit familiar, but not a bad riff in my book.
Has a touch of the Zep in the time spacing being left for the percussion to fill. The spacing didn't hurt the riff for me.

 

[DankStar]

Re: Riff-Off 4.1: Ironclad

odd, but enjoyable. in this one, the pauses seem to work well with the overall feel.