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The 15th M-A Reviews Challenge: 8th - 14th Jun 2015 https://forum.metal-archives.com/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=110341 |
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Author: | Derigin [ Fri Jun 05, 2015 5:48 pm ] |
Post subject: | The 15th M-A Reviews Challenge: 8th - 14th Jun 2015 |
Greetings, all. It's been six months since we last held our classic MA Virgin Reviews Challenge. First hosted by Byrgan, and then later on by Sean16, droneriot, caspian, and Gunther, the Virgin Reviews Challenge was once a time-honored tradition among our reviewers here. Every winter (usually in November or December) and every spring (usually in May or June), reviewers were encouraged to spend a week writing and submitting as many quality reviews as they could muster... with the primary aim to focus on albums with no reviews so far (ie. virgin albums). The challenge is meant to encourage people to make reviews for albums that don't have any! Every day, the reviews submitted and accepted would be tallied, and participants could see how they compare with one another and whether or not, altogether, we've been able to surpass previous challenges' totals. Here’s the week for the challenge: from Monday June 8th at 12AM EST to Sunday June 14th at 11:59PM EST. Sorry it's short notice on request. The magic number to beat is 609. That was set in May 2009. It's high but we can beat it. The second magic number to beat is 384. That was the total from our last challenge! The Rules 1. The focus is on virgin albums. The primary aim of the Virgin Reviews Challenge is to improve the site's quality by encouraging people to write reviews for albums with no reviews so far. During one week, MA reviewers submit as many reviews as they want/can for this kind of release. Of course everyone can still write reviews for already reviewed releases, but they won’t be taken into account in the final numbers. 2. Every release listed on the main site is valid including singles, videos, boxed sets and so on. However please note that 1) SPLIT ALBUMS will always count ONCE regardless of how many bands are playing and 2) there's a cap of FIVE REVIEWS PER REVIEWER for SINGLES. There are no other restrictions for other releases. 3. Eligible releases have to be virgins at the beginning of the Challenge. However several reviewers may review the same initial virgin. There’s no bonus for getting to it first, so no need to hurry – focus on quality instead. 4. Value quality over quantity! It’s a collective challenge, not an individual one. Mods won't be more lenient anyway. Everyone is welcomed even if it's only to write one review. 5. The Challenge abides by the default time of the site (Eastern Standard time or GMT-5). The Challenge always begins on a Monday at 00:00:01 and ends on the following Sunday 23:59:59. Time in your timezone is likely to be different from MA time, even if you’re living in the United States. So again, ensure that you are posting your review(s) within the right time frame. 6. The total number of reviews written will be tallied once a day (under normal circumstances). After the Challenge has ended, a big list of all the reviews written for virgin albums will be compiled, as a monument to MA reviewers. Another list will sum up how many reviews have been written by every reviewer. Again, being on the top of this latter list won’t make your dick bigger, so value quality over quantity (didn't I hear an echo here?) 7. Stay cordial and respectful with one another. In the recent past, review challenges ended up being hijacked by petty arguments. Regardless as to your personal goals, you should be having fun while doing this challenge. Friendly competition is good, but remember that the end goal is a collective goal. 8. The only reward is our eternal appreciation. This was never about winning prizes. The only prize is knowing that there is an album that previously didn't get any love... that now has a review to call its own. The MA Reviews Challenge Hall of Fame • General Challenge May 2006: 75 reviews November 2006: 110 reviews February 2007: 231 reviews July 2007: 239 reviews December 2007: 274 reviews May 2008: 322 reviews November 2008: 360 reviews May 2009: 609 reviews November 2009: 489 reviews June 2010: 605 reviews December 2010: ? reviews October 2012: 117 reviews June 2013 (low-key): 338 reviews December 2014: 384 reviews June 2015: 230 reviews • Individual Challenge May 2006: n/a November 2006: Corimngul (9 reviews), 2nd Cianan (8), 3rd Peregrin (7) February 2007: hells_unicorn (65 reviews), 2nd erickg13 (17), 3rd Sokaris (15) July 2007: hells_unicorn (38 reviews), 2nd oneyoudontknow (17), 3rd CannibalCorpse (16) December 2007: hells_unicorn (56 reviews), 2nd Mors_Gloria (15), 3rd Mungo (9) May 2008: Noktorn (55 reviews), 2nd hells_unicorn (52), 3rd lord_ghengis (12) November 2008: hells_unicorn (57 reviews), 2nd Perplexed_Sjel (42), 3rd caspian (41) May 2009: hells_unicorn (93 reviews), 2nd DeathRiderDoom (89), 3rd OzzyApu (84) November 2009: Perplexed_Sjel (95 reviews), 2nd iamntbatman (46), 3rd sushiman (36) June 2010: OzzyApu (97 reviews), 2nd Perplexed_Sjel (91) December 2010: n/a October 2012: n/a June 2013 (low-key): dystopia4 (51 reviews), iamntbatman (50), MutantClannfear (47) December 2014: Diamhea (57 reviews), iamntbatman (53), hells_unicorn (23) June 2015: hells_unicorn (30 reviews), Zodijackyl (28 reviews), iamntbatman (27 reviews) |
Author: | TheStormIRide [ Fri Jun 05, 2015 8:45 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: The 15th M-A Reviews Challenge: 8th - 14th June 2015 |
Frantically browsing MA to compile a list of virgins to slay. |
Author: | Wilytank [ Fri Jun 05, 2015 8:53 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: The 15th M-A Reviews Challenge: 8th - 14th June 2015 |
Are albums released that week fair game? Midnight Odyssey's new album releases on the 8th for instance. |
Author: | GuntherTheUndying [ Fri Jun 05, 2015 10:29 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: The 15th M-A Reviews Challenge: 8th - 14th June 2015 |
Wilytank wrote: Are albums released that week fair game? Midnight Odyssey's new album releases on the 8th for instance. Yessir, fair game. Short notice, but fuck it. I have a few days off this week, so I'll try to throw out a few. |
Author: | Empyreal [ Fri Jun 05, 2015 10:32 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: The 15th M-A Reviews Challenge: 8th - 14th June 2015 |
I still have a few left over from the previous challenge, so I'll do those ones at least. |
Author: | J_Ason [ Sat Jun 06, 2015 9:01 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: The 15th M-A Reviews Challenge: 8th - 14th June 2015 |
Is this the place to recommend albums for reviewing? Because this EP from 2005 contains some seriously vicious thrash with perfect production and a badass voice, and it needs some lovin'. It can be listened to or downloaded from the band's official website. |
Author: | Spiner202 [ Sat Jun 06, 2015 10:46 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: The 15th M-A Reviews Challenge: 8th - 14th June 2015 |
Wow I hadn't dropped into the reviews subforum in a while, but good timing that I didn't miss this. Hopefully I can do a couple as I'm pretty busy with work, but I'm definitely going to try my best to participate! |
Author: | Napero [ Sun Jun 07, 2015 4:52 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: The 15th M-A Reviews Challenge: 8th - 14th June 2015 |
I've participated in every single one of these so far, so should I skip it this time? No way. I'm going to focus on really crappy stuff this time. I haven't written anything in other than Finnish in a while, time to sharpen the knives in English again. |
Author: | hells_unicorn [ Sun Jun 07, 2015 3:33 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: The 15th M-A Reviews Challenge: 8th - 14th June 2015 |
Based on what I've amassed in virgins since the previous challenge, I'll probably be mostly reprising my role as Mr. Positive. I've got a few mediocre ones, but nothing I'd qualify as terrible. |
Author: | Turner [ Sun Jun 07, 2015 5:48 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: The 15th M-A Reviews Challenge: 8th - 14th June 2015 |
I'll have a crack at this. Guess the "random band" link and youtube search are gonna get a workout! |
Author: | Thumbman [ Sun Jun 07, 2015 8:25 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: The 15th M-A Reviews Challenge: 8th - 14th June 2015 |
Atrocious_Mutilation is staying at my place for the 8th-11th so don't think I'll get any reviews done in that time frame. Maybe I'll churn a few out in the last half of the challenge, but honestly probably not that many. Don't think I'll ever match the 50 I did that one challenge, and the only reason I was able to do that was that I was unemployed at that time. Writing that reviews in that short a time frame is exhausting, haha. |
Author: | TheStormIRide [ Sun Jun 07, 2015 8:55 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: The 15th M-A Reviews Challenge: 8th - 14th June 2015 |
A little over three hours until go time. Best of luck everyone. I've been listening to a few EP's and demos while painting the garage to gear up. I'm hoping to belt out a bunch, but I'll still be working 8 hours a day. |
Author: | Erosion of Humanity [ Sun Jun 07, 2015 9:01 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: The 15th M-A Reviews Challenge: 8th - 14th June 2015 |
I'll actually be on vacation this week, I was supposed to be moving into a new house but that all went to hell and died, so I should be able to do at least 8. That's the number I'm going for anyways. I'm gonna be lame and do a single to start with because the band is dear to my heart and it's their first output since reuniting. |
Author: | Diamhea [ Sun Jun 07, 2015 9:03 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: The 15th M-A Reviews Challenge: 8th - 14th June 2015 |
Remember, just because it is a challenge doesn't mean that I'm going to go easy on any of you guys. Don't phone it in just to meet a quota, give these virgin releases a worthy appraisal. |
Author: | TheStormIRide [ Mon Jun 08, 2015 12:09 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: The 15th M-A Reviews Challenge: 8th - 14th June 2015 |
Let the games begin! Looking forward to see what everyone covers this time around. |
Author: | hells_unicorn [ Mon Jun 08, 2015 12:59 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: The 15th M-A Reviews Challenge: 8th - 14th June 2015 |
I'm going to hold off until the afternoon to start writing, I want to have my head clear before I start deconstructing what I've been listening to for the past couple days, but I definitely look forward to seeing what gets hit first and I hope I didn't select too many albums that others are hoping to hit, even though I know it counts for us individually regardless. |
Author: | caspian [ Mon Jun 08, 2015 5:15 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: The 15th M-A Reviews Challenge: 8th - 14th June 2015 |
i'll try to punch out a few more reviews- have a lot of Njiqhdda and Oaks of Bethel left to work through. No promises though, it used to be "first thing I'd do when bored", now it's probably fifth or sixth. |
Author: | oneyoudontknow [ Mon Jun 08, 2015 8:06 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: The 15th M-A Reviews Challenge: 8th - 14th June 2015 |
TheStormIRide wrote: Let the games begin! Looking forward to see what everyone covers this time around. The same shit as usual in my case. I doubt that I have spoiled any expectations with this. |
Author: | PhilosophicalFrog [ Mon Jun 08, 2015 10:04 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: The 15th M-A Reviews Challenge: 8th - 14th June 2015 |
WOO. I'm in. I wanna do this again. |
Author: | iamntbatman [ Mon Jun 08, 2015 11:07 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: The 15th M-A Reviews Challenge: 8th - 14th June 2015 |
Just gonna do a couple this time. |
Author: | Acrobat [ Mon Jun 08, 2015 2:26 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: The 15th M-A Reviews Challenge: 8th - 14th June 2015 |
Like always I'll probably get two done; I've never been a prolific writer, anyway. Still, I'm not at work much this week... so maybe I'll do three reviews (!!). |
Author: | Derigin [ Tue Jun 09, 2015 1:24 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: The 15th M-A Reviews Challenge: 8th - 14th June 2015 |
Daily Tally for June 8th, 2015 Total Reviews: 35 / 35 Total Virgin Reviews: 29 / 29 Percentage (VIRGINS/TOTAL): 82.8% Today's Virgin Reviews:
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Participant List for June 8th, 2015 Total Participants: 17 / 17 Totals per Individual:
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Author: | Erosion of Humanity [ Tue Jun 09, 2015 8:01 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: The 15th M-A Reviews Challenge: 8th - 14th June 2015 |
Damnit Derigin, seeing SINGLE next to my name all emblazoned like that makes me feel shameful . I know what I did, you know what I did, let's just keep it between us ehhh? |
Author: | hells_unicorn [ Tue Jun 09, 2015 12:15 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: The 15th M-A Reviews Challenge: 8th - 14th June 2015 |
Had a pretty productive first day, I hope to hit a few more this evening. I'm eyeing the latest releases by Pyramaze, Guardians Of Time and Emerald Sun. Gonna get my power metal freak on. |
Author: | Derigin [ Tue Jun 09, 2015 2:54 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: The 15th M-A Reviews Challenge: 8th - 14th June 2015 |
Erosion of Humanity wrote: Damnit Derigin, seeing SINGLE next to my name all emblazoned like that makes me feel shameful . I know what I did, you know what I did, let's just keep it between us ehhh? This is shameful and you should feel ashamed! But nah, on a serious note, it's just there to help me keep track of the # of singles for the final tally. This thread is a judge free zone, otherwise. Single or not, you helped rid the site of another virgin, which is good. |
Author: | Napalm_Satan [ Tue Jun 09, 2015 3:27 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: The 15th M-A Reviews Challenge: 8th - 14th June 2015 |
Never been too prolific as a reviewer, but one is better than none. |
Author: | PhilosophicalFrog [ Tue Jun 09, 2015 3:38 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: The 15th M-A Reviews Challenge: 8th - 14th June 2015 |
knocked out a few today, got a bunch loaded up for tomorrow... |
Author: | TheStormIRide [ Tue Jun 09, 2015 6:36 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: The 15th M-A Reviews Challenge: 8th - 14th June 2015 |
PhilosophicalFrog wrote: knocked out a few today, got a bunch loaded up for tomorrow... Always looking forward to them, Frog. Like the Akitsa reviews, by the way. |
Author: | Metantoine [ Tue Jun 09, 2015 6:43 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: The 15th M-A Reviews Challenge: 8th - 14th June 2015 |
Yeah, I liked the Grands Tyrans review, Froggy. The title should be Bête QuébécoisE though, contact me the next time you try to write some French hehe. Good review of the The Meads of Asphodel / Tjolgtjar split, TSIR, glad you liked Tjolgtjar, they definitely need more reviews. I'm starting the challenge, I wanted to do a bear themed series but the bands I found just weren't interesting, too bad. |
Author: | TheStormIRide [ Tue Jun 09, 2015 7:53 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: The 15th M-A Reviews Challenge: 8th - 14th June 2015 |
I've been a longtime follower of Tjolgtjar, but I just never got around to trying to review their material. The music is always so eclectic that it's difficult to describe. EDIT: Also just noticed Gunther's Sanity Days review. You pretty much nailed my opinion on that; bland and uninspired. |
Author: | MutantClannfear [ Tue Jun 09, 2015 10:14 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: The 15th M-A Reviews Challenge: 8th - 14th June 2015 |
I'm afraid I don't have enough time to actively participate in this challenge, but I do want to bring people's attention to an awesome virgin album that people can take on if they're bored: Northern Haze - Sinnaktuq. Thanks for Azmodes for bringing these guys to my attention. This is heavy metal from Nunavut - that is, the northernmost province territory of Canada. The lyrics are all in Inuktitut. Not mind-blowing, I guess, but super-cool for the oddity factor and I doubt anybody who likes Black Sabbath will dislike it. You can listen to a track here. Unfortunately, I don't know whether the whole album is available for download anywhere, but hopefully you manage to find a place to listen to the thing in full. Hell, if nobody else's touched it by the end of the week, I'll write about it myself. |
Author: | Metantoine [ Tue Jun 09, 2015 10:24 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: The 15th M-A Reviews Challenge: 8th - 14th June 2015 |
Cool call! As a future social sciences teacher, I must tell you that Nunavut isn't a province but a territory like Yukon and the NorthwestTerritories. I don't think there's rips of the album anywhere but damn, these pictures are awesome. http://citizenfreak.com/titles/319435-n ... -sinnaktuq There's also a documentary about the band, I have yet to watch it though but it looks cool. http://www.isuma.tv/igloolikmiut/living ... thern-haze |
Author: | MutantClannfear [ Tue Jun 09, 2015 10:27 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: The 15th M-A Reviews Challenge: 8th - 14th June 2015 |
Semantics, semantics. Anybody who wants to review it, send me a PM. I'll hook you up with a link. |
Author: | PhilosophicalFrog [ Wed Jun 10, 2015 10:10 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: The 15th M-A Reviews Challenge: 8th - 14th June 2015 |
damn my clumsy French! that band looks real interesting but I kinda fell down a rabbit hole lately....so I'm gonna have a bunch of single band focused reviews for a little while. |
Author: | tomcat_ha [ Wed Jun 10, 2015 11:03 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: The 15th M-A Reviews Challenge: 8th - 14th June 2015 |
i dont think i will be involved this time. |
Author: | kluseba [ Wed Jun 10, 2015 11:46 am ] |
Post subject: | Re: The 15th M-A Reviews Challenge: 8th - 14th June 2015 |
I'm familiar with the band Northern Haze and watched several documentaries and listened to several studio and live versions of many tracks but I couldn't fit a rip of the entire album. It's cool that the lyrics are in Inuktitut and deal with Inuit myths. I was wondering if there are comparable groups, for example with Cree or Innu members. I'm really interested in these kinds of things and I'm regularly listening to bands like Kashtin. |
Author: | failsafeman [ Wed Jun 10, 2015 12:31 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: The 15th M-A Reviews Challenge: 8th - 14th June 2015 |
Northern Haze are alright, but in my opinion their unique status has inflated the community's view of their quality quite a lot. Musically speaking they're decent at best, not some sort of lost classic. Arctic Spirits are a comparable band from Greenland natives, in their own language. Pretty good stuff, definitely unusual. No virgin releases, unfortunately. |
Author: | Derigin [ Wed Jun 10, 2015 1:07 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: The 15th M-A Reviews Challenge: 8th - 14th June 2015 |
Daily Tally for June 9th, 2015 Total Reviews: 43 / 78 Total Virgin Reviews: 35 / 64 Percentage (VIRGINS/TOTAL): 81.4% / 82.1% Today's Virgin Reviews:
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Participant List for June 9th, 2015 Total Participants: 18 / 25 Today's Totals per Individual:
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Did not participate today:
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Author: | RapeTheDead [ Wed Jun 10, 2015 1:17 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: The 15th M-A Reviews Challenge: 8th - 14th June 2015 |
I like that there's a "did not participate" list. Shame the slackers! Understandable, though. This is the first review challenge I've really given a legit crack at participating in, and it's proving to be harder than I thought to keep up decent writing while still being prolific. I'm gonna try and write at least one thing every day, we'll see how that goes. I'm already running out of virgins in the backlog though! How the hell people manage to shit out 50+ reviews in these things I have no idea--you definitely have to stockpile for something like that. |
Author: | Empyreal [ Wed Jun 10, 2015 2:22 pm ] |
Post subject: | Re: The 15th M-A Reviews Challenge: 8th - 14th June 2015 |
The new Manilla Road doesn't have any reviews? Hmmm...there's an idea. |
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