Welcome, one and all, to the highly anticipated showdown between two amazing bands. We have already heard Elephant9 take on Birth of Joy and claim an upset win. JIRM just recently defeated the dark forces of Black Moth in their efforts to reach Choon glory. Now the two face off against each other to see who is the last one standing. To recap, we introduce the bands:
Elephant9 (E9):
Origin: Norway
Active Since: 2006
Style: Progressive Jazz Rock
Vocal: None
Albums: 5
Current Album: Greatest Show on Earth
Jeremy Irons and the Ratgang Malibus (JIRM):
Origin: Sweden
Active Since: 2004
Style: Psychedelic/Stoner Rock
Vocal: Male
Albums: 3
Current Album: Surge Ex Monumentis
Rules for the final match include an extra option. Bands can either chose to resume play after their most recent song played, or reset their playlist by restarting from the beginning of the album. Either way, sequence remains as the order of the album dictates. If an album reaches its end, it continues back at the opening track and carries on from there. The substitution option still exists. Both bands get one chance to skip a track and move to the next.
With that out of the way, let’s put these fish back in the water and get the show on its way!
The plectrum is flipped, and it decides that E9 is the first up to set the amosphere.
Round 1:
With E9 opting to continue where they left off in the semis, they resume the Greatest Show on Earth with Freaks. That triumphant organ returns to take center stage as we are treated to some jazz noir affair. I can feel the drama building as the intensity slowly builds to raise the journey to cacoghonous levels as a seemingly mad carousel whirls and wanders it’s way into a magical place, until it slowly fades out if our existence, perhaps taking with it the “freaks” that run it. Makes me wonder where it’s gone…
JIRM appears to have taken the same approach as E9 by continuing the progression of Surge Ex Monumentis. Looks like JIRM may have anticipated E9’s move and decided to combat Freaks with the melancholy stylings of Giza. By delivering this choon, JIRM makes the statement that the “Greatest Show on Earth” cannot stand up to the might and majesty of the great pyramids of Giza. Have to appreciate the boldness here as we are taken on a tour of the hot and dusty land. Spirits thousands of years old seem to linger as I feel the winds blowing ancient mysteries through my mind. Are we being watched by things unseen? Imagery is exceptional as the old secrets continue to hide themselves from us. As our time fades, the winds blow unknown memories deeper into oblivian.
Seems hard to call between these two journeys. Let’s examine the judges’ consensus.
Result:
JIRM’s strategy has paid off as the judges give favor to their Egyptian tribute. Perhaps JIRM recognized our panel’s penchant for things historical after their loss to Black Moth’s mythological Istra. Nice adjustments, there. Still anyone’s game at this point as we head into the next round.
Round 2:
Switching sides, JIRM takes their turn going first as they present Tombs Arise. Setting off like a shot this time, high energy fills the Choonatorium as the crowd goes into full motion. Clearly this is right time to bring out the firepower. JIRM has done their homework with these setups, and don’t seem keen on taking chances. After some fast paced frolicking, the tempo settles down as the winds of Giza echo back into being. There are things moving in the twisting, burning sands now. Just as we get to see something rising from the ashes, we are suddenly on the move again, running at full steam. Are we escaping? I certainly hope so, ’cause this feels dangerous. Looks as though we survive as take some inter-dimensional travel, but then the heat and fury return to take us to the end of our adventure here. Truly epic. Can’t wait to see how E9 combats this.
As both bands have reached their album closers, we now have wrap back around to the beginnings. In E9’s case, they have opted to substitute Way of Return for Actionpack1 to take on JIRM’s Tombs Arise. Clearly not intimidated by the epic, they begin to roll out with their own brand of hard percussion as the organ pumps out its driving melody. This tension filled mover carried a lot of hope for E9 when confronting Birth of Joy in the semis, but just fell short. Resurrecting it here seems a good move on E9’s part. It may not be as epic as JIRM’s offering, but if it can capture the imagination of the panel. Changes in direction can be felt as elements rise and fall. We are certainly on the run here as the scenery continues to fluctate, leading to an absolutely confusing torrent of obstacles. Whee!! As nimble and athletic as we are, we are able to dodge all of them. Until… we don’t. Oh, the music stops. Did we hit something? Fall in a hole? A dimensional portal? Ooooo, maybe. Different music now takes us to the end… Or perhaps a new beginning…
Scowls on the judges faces looking at me would indicate that they don’t necessarily agree with my imaginings here. Pfffft. Whatever. Let’s just check the scores.
Result:
With high marks on creativity for both choons, JIRM takes the edge with the percieved continuation on the Egyptian theme. With that epic tale JIRM has stacked up two wins! Only one more is needed for them to claim ultimate victory. Can they possibly take a sweep of three straight ones to overcome the cleverness of E9. While on the back foot now, we have have seen them pull of amazing turns in their semi-final round. I wonder what is hiding up their sleeve. Won’t be long till we find out. These guys aren’t called “Norway’s best live band” for nuthin’! This is getting intense, folks!
Round 3:
In this desperate time, E9 gets to pull the already once victorious Farmer’s Secret. Using this as a momentum shifter agaist Birth of Joy’s You are Many, clearly they hope to once again escape the jaws of defeat. After the short bassline opening, that mighty organ once again – Oh, wait a minute. I’ve just been handed notes from the judges as to their vision of this jam – Thanks, I guess. The idea, apparently, is that the mad carousel from Freaks has reappeared. Also, the “Freaks” are actually the aliens running and maintaining rhe ship. Okay. Seems the farmer’s secret is that he has a calliope that can summon the carousel, which is not actually a carousel, but rather an intergalactic space craft. Oooooh, so then we set off on a magical flight through the cosmos. The craft wobbles a bit as we slide into an organ fed fulcrum dance and intermittent instability. Must be some turbulence out there. After exploring the wonders of our galaxy, the craft comes to rest back at the farmer’s barn of secrets. We have just seen a rare peek inside the minds of judges, folks! Fascinating ride, but is it enough to win? We will soon find out.
After E9’s artistic space journey, JIRM decides that what the people need now is to hear a straight ahead rocker, so we return to their album opener, Candle Eyes. Pulling out the energetic heavy groove has the desired effect on the crowd as we movin’ and groovin’ again. Feels refreshing to feel the constant rhythmic power surge flow through the air as we celebrate whatever it is this song is about. Just wish that – (whisper, whisper, whisper) – Oh! I have just been notified that Candle Eyes most likely refers to stars in the night sky. Well, good enough for me. I wonder what it is they see. I certainly hope they can see these great performances. JIRM may have just made the winning move with that strategy, possibly playing off of E9’s Farmer’s Secret galactic cruise. All that remains now is check the tally.
Result:
Looks as if the judges just cannot get of that Farmer’s Secret. Another victory for this song means that E9 is still alive! Could this another complete turn around for E9? I don’t know if it mattered what JIRM did. That song looks unbeatable somehow. Wowees! Field to stage choons, folks. Delivered fresh straight to you. Enjoy!
Round 4:
JIRM’s turn to fire up first this go around. After being slightly disappointed from not being able to close this event on the rockin’ Candle Eyes, they choose to play their substitution card to skip over Dig this time and move right into the colossal Isle of Solitude. This, of course, was the one JIRM used to defeat Black Moth’s Sisters of the Stone earlier. It’s echoey beginning starts this journey in a rather forebooding manner as we visit some somber developments. A brighter guitar comes in, subduing the shadows to offer a bit of joyous light, but is then ignored as the gloom returns. Anguished passion rises seemingly from the Earth itself and the impact appears lost on no one. All eyes – perhaps even the Candle Eyes – are focused on the drama unfolding before them. We then get a chance to resume breathing as the mood shifts to a gentler, more pensive place. Intensity then returns like an earthquake as we are revisted by the tormenting shadow until darkness ultimately overcomes the stage. Stunning performance. Everyone here has felt something from this magic, I am sure. E9 certainly has their work cut out for them this round!
Taking a moment to gather themselves, E9 prepares themselves for the next song in their rotation. Dancing With Mr. E was responsible for maintaing E9’s momentum against Birth of Joy’s Riff Raff. Perhaps it can fair well here as well. Organ and percussion launch into a bit of a scamper until some mysterious tones enter the room for a change of scenery. E9 then begins to develop their own brand of high energy drama. Intesity multiplies itself, building up until feeling like a machine operating at its utter limit and on the verge of exploding. At its very peak, the whole thing appears to vaporize itself into oblivian. Very effective jam, but can it be enough to maintain E9’s hopes? I have a feeling that this may have been the final performance of the Choonament, but let’s see what the judges think.
Result:
JIRM wins!!!
Ladies and Gentleman! It is official! JIRM are your 2018 March Chooness Champions!!
Congratulations!!
Taking victory in this round is all they needed to clinch ultimate victory. What a brilliant strategy from JIRM. Isle of Solitude simply seemed indefensible in that position. A bewildering event to behold. We have seen and heard many great things and we have these amazingly talented bands and their albums to thank for it:
– Birth of Joy – Hyper Focus
– Black Moth – Anatomical Venus
– Elephant9 – Greatest Show on Earth
– JIRM – Surge Ex Monumentis
Thanks, everybody.
I hope everyone found something they liked.
I know I did!
September 17, 2025
Chameleons – Arctic Moon (Metropolis)
September 1, 2025
Lathe of Heaven – Aurora (Sacred Bones)
