- Top 3 Overall
- Perfect 10 — Vocals from Ben Tarkus · Klopfenpop · Mark Cooper
- Perfect 10 — Production from Ben Tarkus · Mark Cooper
- Perfect 10 — Challenge from Ben Tarkus · LEX the Lexicon Artist · Mark Cooper · Richie Branson
- Vocal Standout 9.6 / 10 avg across judges
- Production Powerhouse 9.2 / 10 avg across judges
- Perfect Card 30/30 from Ben Tarkus · Mark Cooper
- Wide Appeal no judge ranked you in their bottom third
- Crowd Surfer on 63/119 ballots (53%)
- Niche Fave 39 voters made you their #1 — a small but devoted fanbase
- Full Package audio + art + lyrics + both writeups
- Storyteller 1,248 characters across both writeups
- Climber +4 positions from Round 4
TOTAL REACH — 30 plays rank 10 / 24
- VPC SITE 30
TOTAL LIKES — 10 rank 4 / 24
- VPC SITE 10
Once More (feat. Jogli & Jesse Dangerously)
Vocalist's challenge writeup
This track is based on Slay the Spire 1 and 2, told from the point of view of the Ironclad character. Inspirations are Blind Guardian, Dragonforce, Judas Priest and Ayreon. StS is known for its minimal story presentation, but sifting through character interactions and small snippets, one is able to fully piece together the tragic story of the Ironclad, who bargained for power and got exactly what they wished for. The first verse tackles the pre-game story, verse 2 covers Slay the Spire, and verse 3 is from the perspective of Vakuu, who granted the power and send the Ironclad back to the spire in StS2.
Producer's challenge writeup
The challenge of this round was really fun to accomplish. I have featured the following animals sounds: A Rattlesnake for Verse 1 Bird whistles for the second half of Verse 2 A Dolphin sound leading into Verse 3 An eagle cry throughout Verse 3 This whole VPC has been really fun and I feel like we are closing this one out pretty strong. I worked with Jogli, who is my brother, on this one as a producer and we got Jesse Dangerously for our other collab. I've always really enjoyed Slay the Spire, so I spent a whole work day listening to the soundtrack from the first and second and then came up with the beat for this song.
Lyrics
[chorus] Once more go forth unto the Spire! I'll ruin, I'll wreck Go stack the odds And I'mma stack the deck Once more into the blight and fire! Mind fades I'm hurting Can't stop this blood from burning [verse 1: zilla] Gather round and Exhume the tale of the one who brought the doom To everything dear that I ever had Alone I stand; the Ironclad It's a bit of a haze, but a war raged The valleyguard at the barricade Just centuries of ash and pain Bruises, bodies, broken graves But amid the rust and rot Cut a voice in the smoke that time forgot A Sacred Demon, a Burning Pact Vakuu gonna getcha that kingdom back Uh I cleft the valley in twain! I turned their blood into rain! I'm breathing fire that's so hot I burned the desert away! [chorus] Once more go forth unto the Spire! I'll ruin, I'll wreck Go stack the odds And I'mma stack the deck Once more into the blight and fire! Mind fades I'm hurting Can't stop this blood from burning Once more to slay a fearsome beast! Cry havoc; I am the flame I see the fallen the slain Your doomed ascension at its peak! This curse? My story. Omamori! Pray for me! [verse 2: zilla] I wished for power, but a wish is never quite what you seek A walking weapon never questioning the wrath that I wreak Vakuu said time to pay your debt, your life, your mind belong to me You asked for nothing but destruction you'll get all you can eat I let the beast out and then I kill and climb and ascend And though I fight and die again, again, again, again, again With measured focus I rend A blighted Heart and transcend The pact devours the power; O let this misery end [chorus] [verse 3: JD] no rest for the wicked - that's you we made a deal and your part is past due yes pass through but again do i have to ask you - one little favour for Vakuu? hard bargain, hardest part ahead still go ahead and get killed, let the red spill let's build go on get your fill as long as in the end my intent is fulfilled architect put the arch in arch enemy thy target is the darkest obscenity i supplied thee props and propensities give er a shot champ one more again for me ...please and thank you don't let the demons bleed and break you we would hate to see you breach the sacred pact. once more can't take it back [chorus] [outro] That's a wrap on VPC ZP, Enter Rikkaari Shout out to Joe-glee, Jesse D Czarina, Jordan, PZ Everyone who makes this mess a scene And to the judges? I'm grateful. You know where to find me.
JUDGES' BREAKDOWN
Richie Branson
9.00/10 score rank #12 of 24VOCALS 9PRODUCTION 8CHALLENGE 10That lead guitar is fucking tight! Beat is a banger. Hook is great, I’m finding myself humming the melody in my head… and I love the lyricist’s flow on this. Another pass on vox and a few instrument levels would be useful here, but it sounds good as-is.
Klopfenpop
8.67/10 score rank #10 of 24VOCALS 10PRODUCTION 9CHALLENGE 7This track has so much vibe. I love the big choir behind the hook. The vocal stack sounds fantastic as do the guitars. Love the pinch harmonics. The animal samples sounds cool. IT's great to hear Jesse in the VPC again! Jesse's verse could have used a little EQ love to blend more naturally with the other vocals, I think, but other than that the mix sounds very good.
LEX the Lexicon Artist
9.33/10 score rank #6 of 24VOCALS 9PRODUCTION 9CHALLENGE 10Y'all might just cinch victory with this one. Really powerful showing. Granted you got a *comparatively* easy roll. But want to give the team props on their commitment and excellent pieces throughout the competition despite busy schedules. This beat feels the least Rikkari of all the beats, but it's very powerful and grand and befitting of a fantasy world (I am unfamiliar with the game.) Really like the synth vox and synth strings. And the animal sounds chosen do not sound out of place at all. The hook is powerful and hits like a truck! Well done! Really like Jesse's feature verse, it's got that classic Jesse cadence and provides a nice break from Zilla's flow which can get a little samey at points in this track. I will count Jogli as a producer collaborator even though he isn't rapping. Challenge met! Maybe this will be the vote that pushes you over the edge to become champions - or maybe it'll do the opposite. Whatever happens, y'all crushed!
Ben Tarkus
10.00/10 score rank #1 of 24VOCALS 10PRODUCTION 10CHALLENGE 10What in the epic boss battle intro?! WE'RE SO BACK! I don't have any attachment to Slay the Spire but after this track I might have to check it out. The vibe could work with any high fantasy type game though and I think that well warrants the high marks. Thanks for being a stand out team for me this year from the start, keep collaborating because this duo fuckin rules. * All teams receive a '10' in their challenge category from me this round. This has to be one of the most randomized challenges and can seem insurmountable with the wrong pairing. As such, I am thoroughly impressed with everyone's ability to rise to the task.
Mark Cooper
10.00/10 score rank #1 of 24VOCALS 10PRODUCTION 10CHALLENGE 10super melodic hook and beat that I'm here for! Has a epic inspirational vibe! love the verses and they have a lot of passion and conviction in them! nailed the challenge! very dope beat! love the lead and singing vocals! done it again Rangoons
Audience score and rank
AUDIENCE SCORE
Aggregated from 119 ballots cast by the public.
AUDIENCE RANK
Out of 24 teams competing this round.
- 63 voters ranked them in their top 10
- 48 voters had them in their top 5
- 39 voters picked them as their #1 favorite
FINAL BLEND
The final score was a 8.52. The song received an average voter score of 5.88 from the community, and an average judge score of 9.40.
The display score blends the audience and judges' contributions at 25%/75%. Here's how Crab Rangoons's 8.52 broke down:
(5.88 × 25%) + (9.40 × 75%) = 8.52
YOUR SEASON SO FAR
- Round 1 7.95 / 10 rank #1
- Round 2 8.26 / 10 rank #2
- Round 3 8.76 / 10 rank #1 PERSONAL BEST
- Round 4 8.07 / 10 rank #7
- Round 5 8.52 / 10 rank #3