Hungary, Men of AWS, 1

The Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of music unprofessionals — continues to rank and review the 43 songs competing in Eurovision 2018. Next we journey to Hungary where metal band AWS has “Viszlát nyár” (Goodbye, summer). Were we caught up in the emotion of the song? Read on to find out!

AWS – “Viszlát nyár”

“Viszlát nyár” reviews

Luis: Hungary is not bringing a Eurovision song, it’s providing a public service: Eurovision so badly needed a great metal entry and here it is. “Viszlát nyár” is a rush, three minutes of pure musical adrenaline made of a surprisingly perfect blend of metal and melodic music. In a weird way, despite the language barriers, I feel a kind of connection with this entry. AWS are children of the early ’90s just like me, and the beginning of the song kinda reminds me of the openings of the many anime series there were on TV back then. These guys are the voice of a generation, y’all.

Score: 9/10

Anthony: It won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but it is a risky genre under Eurovision’s current format as Max Jason Mai flopped with a similar approach. AWS has given the instrumentals a bit of breathing space and to shine amidst Örs’ screaming moments. Hungary’s high-risk, high-reward strategy could either flourish or come crashing down. Good luck tackling the karaoke version, y’all!

Score: 7/10

Antranig: Let’s talk about how incredible this song is, shall we? Eurovision needs diversity and Viszlát nyár” definitely delivers just that. This might not have the biggest appeal in Eurovision circles but never underestimate the niche vote. I’m willing to bet a top-ten finish is in AWS’ future. Regardless of how it fares, this is a song that Eurovision 2018 needs and it’s an absolute delight to listen to.

Score: 7/10

Robyn: It pretty much goes without saying that “Viszlát nyár” won’t appeal to many typical Eurovision fans. But for others, it’s a treat. The song is full of gut-wrenching emotion, with a surprisingly solid pop melody at its heart. The mellifluous Hungarian language works perfectly with the song’s screamo style and creates a smooth path into the sonically rougher parts of the song. Packed with heartfelt emotion and in an authentic musical style, this is surely the sort of anti-fast-food music that Salvador Sobral wanted to see more of.

Score: 10/10

Steinunn: This is so what Eurovision needed, a good old scream of rock and head-banging. While some people might find this too aggressive I find it refreshing. It might not be my favourite this year, but it’s very good and an important unorthodox (in ESC standards) flavour that Eurovision needs to keep things interesting. The fact that it is in Hungarian gives it an extra oomph and even though I don’t understand a thing of what Örs is singing about, I can still feel the angst and the emotions, and that’s what it is all about.

Score: 8/10

William: This five-piece, post-metal group is cutting through all the disposable pop and delivering one of the most uplifting and daring performances of the year. They understand the fine line between shouting and singing, and the difference between singing and telling a story. In both instances, they get it totally right. Their coordinated movements aren’t forced — they suggest the band’s unity and shared sense of purpose — and the lead singer delivers his lyrics with total conviction and gravitas. He’s obviously singing from the heart (and the gut). The autobiographical message — his dying father speaking to him and telling him to move on — culminates in a breakdown where he shouts viszlát, goodbye in Hungarian. It’s totally arresting and worthy of a top-five finish.

Score: 9/10

In the Wiwi Jury we have 20 jurors but only have room for six reviews. The remaining scores are below:

Angus: 2/10

Bernardo: 6/10

Bogdan: 7.5/10

Chris: 5.5/10

Cinan: 5.5/10

Deban: 6.5/10

Jonathan: 6.5/10

Jordi: 5/10

Jovana: 6/10

Kristin: 8/10

Padraig: 6/10

Renske: 9/10

Ron: 8/10

Sebastian: 6/10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We have removed the highest and lowest scores prior to calculating the average. This is to remove outliers and potential bias. We have removed a low of 2 and a high of 10.

Wiwi Jury verdict: 6.97/10

What do you think of this song? Share your own score and review below!

See all our Eurovision 2018 reviews and rankings

135 Comments
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LCH
LCH
5 years ago

I really tried to like this, I tried to draw om my indie 90’s period and all… but I just can’t. I’ll never put this on for a quick spin. Having said that I do believe it is a quality entry that will do far better than the current betting suggests. Anyone saying this will not qualify has not been paying attention. Sure, rok acts have crashed and burned (in the bad way) in Eurovision… but others ended up shining. You know, results-wise. Not on my own playlist. This feels genuine, it has a decent melody, it very much stands… Read more »

LCH
LCH
5 years ago
Reply to  LCH

Oh, crackers! Some text went missing.

It should say “… should on that basis alone qualify”.

S. T.
S. T.
5 years ago
Reply to  LCH

I have had the Samsung probléma before

S. T.
S. T.
5 years ago
Reply to  S. T.

Same problem….

CyxCy
CyxCy
5 years ago

ah, that’s very energetic and determined rock. This is the kind of group that anything can happen to because no one is waiting for them at the turn. If the final program them after a song honeyed and boring (hi Amaia and Alfred), for sure they will wake everyone. Good by cons, after three minutes it breaks the ears.

AurelianTamisan
AurelianTamisan
5 years ago

Totally unexpected, Hungary got huge scores from Wiwibloggs Jury. Never thought that this genre could get such high scores, but even a bad one?! This is my opinion about Hungarian song: the fact that it is a genre rarely used in ESC and a strong one that has a huge amount of fans throughout the world, even though they don’t represent a majority between musical tastes, could be a a big asset. That’s how Lordi won. But, I think that the Hungarian entry is not a too big quality song of that genre. Let’s compare this to Lordi, especially vocally.… Read more »

anonymous91
anonymous91
5 years ago

AWS has grown on me so damn much, i wouldn’t be against this being in the top 10

hungarian linkin park, rock on i say

it was first in my bottom 5 but after more listens currently my 12th place

M_K
M_K
5 years ago

It took me some time to get into the song, but after a while, I discovered a very distinctive and unique quality in it. It’s hard to describe it, but it works. My personal ranking: 9/10 (9th overall) My prediction: 11-14 in the second semi final ______________ 1st FR (10.0) | 2nd AL (10.0) | 3rd PT (10.0) | 4th NL (9.5) | 6th CZ (9.0) | 8th LV (9.0) | 9th HU (9.0) | 10th IE (8.5) | 11th EL (8.5) | 12th ME (8.5) | 13th HR (8.5) | 15th MK (8.0) | 16th LT (8.0) | 17th… Read more »

Yaa
Yaa
5 years ago

Can’t wait! I imagine a scene like this from the moment I knew they qualified!

Darth Thulhu
Darth Thulhu
5 years ago

Agree with Robyn’s assessment: One of my top, top songs this year. As a lover of genres that don’t often get a lot of love at Eurovision, this year is an absolute embarassment of riches. Just so many great songs of uncommon genres. My Top Ten is crammed with country-rock from The Netherlands, rhythm and blues from Czech Republic, old school chanson from France, pure traditional folk from Greece, soprano opera from Estonia, reggae-EDM fusion from FYR Macedonia, and this great metal banger from Hungary. Just such a great entry in the metal genre. So skilled and so layered and… Read more »

Apple
Apple
5 years ago

Wow, that is really high! I’m honestly pretty surprised it appeals to so many people. Very deserved score

Jan
Jan
5 years ago

This is what Germany needed all the years. And Hungary serves. Definitively my favorite song this year. 12 points from Germany.

MooMoo
MooMoo
5 years ago

This is my favourite song of this year. Judging by the result of the last two years a song that appeals to your emotion without following the Eurovision formula is going to win. Dark horse alert.

Pablo
Pablo
5 years ago

This is a diverse year.
Just imagine a final lineup of
Spain-Hungary-Estonia-Netherlands-France

DerisorySigh
DerisorySigh
5 years ago

Exactly what makes you think this weird sneer of yours so important and lyrical that you have to repeat it word for word three weeks later?

You literally made the exact same comment three weeks ago on the article about the lyrics.

Ousider
Ousider
5 years ago
Reply to  DerisorySigh

In the context of Eurovision it’s funny to say something is outdated. For me it’s more like early 2000s than the eighties. And could not disagree more on them being a joke. Their lyrics and view on the world in general is anything but funny.

Jo
Jo
5 years ago

I don’t like it, but I respect them. 6.5/10
I think the juries will try to kill this one.

Eve
Eve
5 years ago
Reply to  Jo

Let the accent be on ”try”, but I don’t think so 😉

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
5 years ago

Omg at legend Robyn serving TASTE. 10/10 indeed.

Kyna
Kyna
5 years ago

Normally I don’t listen to rock/metal or any of those things. But there are some songs that I really like regardless. Previous entries like Finland 2006, Switzerland 2005 (although it was our band, but hey, you’re welcome Swiss), Turkey 2010 (robbed), Georgia 2011. Now this… this is a next level. This was able to break the barriers for me. I really felt the emotions, the music video helped it. I liked how they used old footages, gives me kind of 90s vibes (especially the verses). Now they also have the theme about deceased loved one, usually it’s a sad, peaceful… Read more »

Yaa
Yaa
5 years ago
Reply to  Kyna

Love you, Kyna!

Kyna
Kyna
5 years ago
Reply to  Yaa

<3

Roelof Meesters
Roelof Meesters
5 years ago

If I was a fan of metal This would be a 10. The song and their performance are top 10 worthy because they are daring and it Will push others to be original. This is All sorts of great, its just too bad rock isn’t My cup of tea. 8/10

Bravisssimo
Bravisssimo
5 years ago

Who doesnt like this is destroyer of Eurovision. I am very surprised with wiwi ranking, yes people are more and more thinking now, that Eurovision really needs this type of songs. We dont need Eleni, Yianna etc, we need AWS! With great staging they can win, we need new Lordi but without masks. We need rock winners, we need group for win!

Yaa
Yaa
5 years ago
Reply to  Bravisssimo

AWS for the win!

Pablo
Pablo
5 years ago

I thought I was gonna exaggerate by saying this but many are saying it here, so I will: We needed this. Eurovision needed this. Full stop Eurovision was in a dire lack of this and needed this and we are thankful to Hungary for this. I was gearing for a terribly boring win from the other superfinalists (which I didn’t like at all), but the way these guys cut through the competition was insanity. And I’m here for it, RSVP. This hits hard, yet uses elements familiar to Eurovision, all while keeping it true for hard hitting rock (yes people,… Read more »

AM casablancas
AM casablancas
5 years ago

9.5 out of 10 with the right to raise my score later. If you don’t like the song well I’m sorry this is not your average gay pop entry, this bursts with feelings and for my surprise (even if I don’t consider myself a heavy metal rock fan) a lot of people agree will do well. All of the people tired of the same gay pop song contest will definitely respond to this. Good luck.

Weißbrot
Weißbrot
5 years ago
Reply to  AM casablancas

I agree, but your negative use of the word gay isn’t really appropiate..

Jennings
Jennings
5 years ago
Reply to  Weißbrot

“Gay” could also mean something like happy. Fits the context as well.

AngieP
AngieP
5 years ago

Not my cup of tea, but they sound amazing and their performance are excellent! Hope they qualify, because we need diversity in Eurovision.
6/10

HoneyBS
HoneyBS
5 years ago

Dark horse alert I hope. It’s AMAZING.

lacrymea
lacrymea
5 years ago

I absolutely love this entry.

Still not sure whether my country can vote for this in the semi (i’m from Portugal). But if i can, my votes will go straight to Hungary.

Very well done! (i actually find the score a bit too low)

someone
someone
5 years ago
Reply to  lacrymea

No you can’t, Portugal will vote in Semi 1 and Hungary is in Semi 2. But you can vote in Final if it qualifies, which I think it probably will.

R
R
5 years ago
Reply to  lacrymea

Also, from Portugal, if Albania doesn’t go to the final, my votes will go to Hungary! 😀

Sabrina
Sabrina
5 years ago

Your reviews are always the funniest, Tibor! And the best thing is that I can sense that you’re not trying to make jokes, you’re just having fun while writing them. Let me try to answer some of your questions: – If we compare the “lost relative songs”, I would say Cláudia is still very emotional but moving on; Michael is upset and still can’t let it go; AWS’s vocalist is very angry about it. So we have 3 of the 5 stages of grief: acceptance, bargaining (thought it seems that this happened a long time ago, so it’s possibly depression?)… Read more »

S. T.
S. T.
5 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

Ok. Dont sell: be true to his father. His dad died one year ago. This song is a dialoge between the father and the son. IT is a farewell. The son is hopelesly sad, angry abouth his illnes. This is what you do, when you are helpless. You scream.

Frysk
Frysk
5 years ago

I have always been able to listen to each song form each country every year in order to try and appreciate every effort. There have been some horrific songs which i skip now if I listen to an old CD. But this one, I just have to stop listen after ten seconds. Cannot see the pleasure of having my ears and brains tortured like that. Maybe it’s my age… ?

Tyson
Tyson
5 years ago

Nor for haters like you 🙂

Tyson
Tyson
5 years ago

Nonsense comment of the day

Yaa
Yaa
5 years ago
Reply to  Tyson

It has a sense but it’s so ugly!

Lourdes
Lourdes
5 years ago

Seriously, Angus should get out of his pop diva bubble and try to be more openend about music. I always found his scores so exaggerated ( the low and even the high ones).

GregHUN
GregHUN
5 years ago

Thank you for the quite good review! I am proud that my country send a song like this one. Maybe we will be one of the dark horse this year.
So Europe get ready, Hungary is in da house! 🙂

ikoyy
ikoyy
5 years ago

It was a perfect occasion to title the post “Hungary AWES with “Viszlat nyar”.

You can send me an offer for being one of the website’s copywriter to the email I’ve specified for commenting (troll)

Caroline
Caroline
5 years ago

Couldn’t agree more. I am a fan of rock music, metal, progressive, even hardcore, but this is horrible. It hurts my ears. People think that every rock song is like this so they give high scores in the name of “tolerance” and “diversity”. I think that for people that really enjoy this genre AWS is not impressing.

Tyson
Tyson
5 years ago
Reply to  Caroline

Or you’re just a typical elitist “metal snob”, Caroline.

Caroline
Caroline
5 years ago
Reply to  Tyson

Well, call me whatever you want, but nothing in the world is going to convince me that pure screaming is music. If your ears can tolerate this noise, good for you.

Caroline
Caroline
5 years ago

Different doesn’t mean good. Yes, it is different from traditional europop songs, but, as a fan of rock music myself, I find this song horrible. It shouldn’t be even considered music, it is just noise. It’s aggressive to the ears. Rock music doesn’t equal shouting and making noise, it still has melody. Sorry, this entry is trash and I don’t get the hype just because it’s not pop. You must be deaf, because any normal ear can’t stand this crap.

Tyson
Tyson
5 years ago
Reply to  Caroline

First of all, this is metal, or to be more accurate, metalcore. And it HAS a melody, so if you still call this just angry noise and stuff, you better not consider yourself a rock/metal fan.

Caroline
Caroline
5 years ago
Reply to  Tyson

Ok, compare this song with other quality songs from metal bands like Nightwish. Or on the hard rock side you have Guns n’ Roses, that borderline with screaming, but still keeps the MUSIC. Even Linkin Park and The Used (that are not metal) have harmonic songs combined with some screaming and it’s miles ahead of this. I am not against using strong vocals to transmit a feeling, I am against using too much of it, to the point that it sounds like a person is just shouting at you, not singing. That’s why I also don’t like Italy’s entry this… Read more »

Weißbrot
Weißbrot
5 years ago
Reply to  Caroline

I totally disagree with everything you said. And of Course it’s not as ”tame” as the usual alternative rock band, but they really aren’t a rock band. And I can hear the melody, but hey… Everybody has a different opinion.

Noel Hoffmann
Noel Hoffmann
5 years ago
Reply to  Caroline

I think you just a wannabe rock fan…

Ariadne
Ariadne
5 years ago
Reply to  Caroline

First of all let me ask, have you ever listen to metal band even once? Or are you just a wannabe rock fan?
People have different opinions but I find it’s funny to see “rock music shouldn’t be shouting and making noise” and yet call yourself a rock/metal fan…

Yaa
Yaa
5 years ago
Reply to  Caroline

I’m not into rock, I usually listen classic, opera 95% of the time, and the rest everything but not rock, this for me is simply good music!

Lourdes
Lourdes
5 years ago
Reply to  Caroline

Haha, you’ve probably never heard metal in your life. This is post-metalcore, so it actually has a melody and it’s not so harsh to the ear. If you’d ever hear proper metal music, you’d be in for a shock. Metal is a subgenre of rock and if you’d really be a rock fan, you’d know that.

AurelianTamisan
AurelianTamisan
5 years ago
Reply to  Caroline

The tastes differ from people to people. You might be a soft rock fan, which is totally different from hard/metal rock. I’m not necessarily a fan of metal rock either, but I like some of this genre and also, I hear music in many songs. Why I consider this a bad entry is not the lack of music. Ok, the music is not amazing at all, but the worst thing is that the guy has a weak voice. He simply doesn’t scream like the elite of this genre does, he’s an amateur in the end.

Soph
Soph
5 years ago

I can definitely see how this is a well made rock song, but I can’t get myself to like rock, so I am not a fan of this.

4/10

Mario
Mario
5 years ago

I can’t wait for the 1:50-2:15 part in the final, in front of 200M of TV watchers…

History of Eurovision

Yaa
Yaa
5 years ago
Reply to  Mario

Can’t wait!

Digital Style
5 years ago

I have to admit that I hated this at first. However, it’s really grown on me and I now feel entranced when I listen to this. It takes me on an emotional rollercoaster and I can really feel Urs’ (is that his name?) mind pour out through his voice. It’s really quite an inspiring song, actually. Here’s hoping it’ll be amazing on the night.

L'oiseau
L'oiseau
5 years ago

Well, this is reeeeaaalllyyyy not my cup of tea. I cannot listen to it, because since early childhood this kind of music gives me the chills and not in a good way. Having said that and after having making an effort to listen to it, I think this is a brilliant entry. What strikes me is the authenticity of the performance. The song is well structured. But most importantly, this is real music with content, with feelings and no need of fireworks, because the feelings come straight from the guitar and the lead singer lungs – and what an explosion.… Read more »

Sabrina
Sabrina
5 years ago
Reply to  L'oiseau

I feel the same, I don’t want to listen to it on my daily life, but I think it’s great to have it on Eurovision. And we were both crazy enough to mention Salvador on a similar fashion on our reviews!

L'oiseau
L'oiseau
5 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

OMG that is right! How crazy is that?!…
PS: BTW I might have been a bit too generous with the rate, though, but I am really valuing it a lot in a year that is so generic…

Sabrina
Sabrina
5 years ago
Reply to  L'oiseau

I wasn’t as generous, but I must say that my high rating was also influenced by the fact it brings something different to the contest.

Álvaro
Álvaro
5 years ago

First 18 seconds –> Wig testing sponsored by loctite

This stands out as different, quality stuff inside its genre, it’s qualyfing for suuure

Sabrina
Sabrina
5 years ago

I’m always up for some rock on Eurovision. It’s still my favorite genre, though it’s been very hard for me to find new bands that can carry the legacy of the classic ones (Alabama Shakes is a beautiful exception). Having rock entries on the contest is awesome not just for diversity purposes, but also because they usually bring the “break the rules” attitude that Eurovision desperately needs. Pop music nowadays is so overproduced that maybe having something very raw and sincere around can teach a thing or two (and it doesn’t have to be hard rock, since Salvador did the… Read more »

Lourdes
Lourdes
5 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

I was about to write a review, but then I read yours and realized there’s no need to. I think and feel exactly the same way as you, it’s scary. I know we’ve said it before, but we have a very very similiar taste and approach to music and Eurovision. Rock is also my favorite genre and I grew up listening to it heavily (although I’ve drifted towards more indie, indie folk and alternative the recent years), so it probably has to do with the way we percieve music.

Sabrina
Sabrina
5 years ago
Reply to  Lourdes

I’ve also noticed that our tastes in music are quite similar and it’s nice to have you around, because we’re obviously a minority here! 😛 Of course we won’t agree 100% of the times, but I would say we are looking for the same things at least. So it won’t be a surprise to you when I say that I also had drifted towards indie and folky rock recently (though I usually listen to it for a while and end up getting back to old sounds anyway). The same would apply to pop, but the Lordes and Sias are finding… Read more »

Colin
Colin
5 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

It’s one of my favorite songs. Glad, you like it, Sabrina! Also, thanks for the reference. 🙂

Sabrina
Sabrina
5 years ago
Reply to  Colin

Just like what happened with the Italian entry, you said about the lyrics what I wasn’t able to express by myself. 🙂 I don’t like this one as much as you (if I could vote on its semifinal, I would focus on the Netherlands and Latvia), but I’m rooting for the guys. It would be lovely to see them getting a good result and encouraging other rock bands to try the same.

.
.
5 years ago

That was beyond disrespectful and unnecessary. You should be ashamed of yourself.

esc freak
esc freak
5 years ago

Solid song that offers variety but the screaming in the end puts me off and kinda scares me. I know it’s part of the genre itself but it’s too much for me. It will do very well in the televote, the juries will probably go for more commercial acts.

6/10

Nickc
Nickc
5 years ago

I don’t like the song either, but you do not need to make it personal just because people have a different taste

Kobe
Kobe
5 years ago

Three minutes of pure horror…

Maximilian
Maximilian
5 years ago

My favourite entry this year. 10/10

Darren
Darren
5 years ago

Really standout entry from Hungary this year. They really have sent some really good entries to the contest in the past few years. Especially since their return in 2011.
This should qualify easily from semi 2, (it’s one of only 3-4 good entries from that semi). Hope it’s places high in the final though. 7/10

Lagead
Lagead
5 years ago
Yaa
Yaa
5 years ago

I love this AWS act with a passion! I love everything about it and for a lot of reasons! When I first checked what Hungary is up to this year I was shocked, happy and a little envious! Then I started listening it and then I couldn’t stop! They fill me with joy, passion and deep emotions! The performance in Amsterdam made me laugh so hard, half the views are mine! This has to qualify or ‘ll be heartbroken! P.S. Sometimes when I want to play AWS I put Romania’s entry first, it’s about suicide and it’s also called Goodbye,… Read more »

Hsinaps
Hsinaps
5 years ago

This is my fave this year <3

Please
Please
5 years ago

some people need to understand that just because you don’t enjoy a certain genre of music, doesn’t mean is bad.this is an example why.the song is awsome, has energy and is not in your face metal type. i think this deserves a 7/10 .

Caroline
Caroline
5 years ago
Reply to  Please

It is my genre, but I totally dislike this screaming session that you call a song.

Tyson
Tyson
5 years ago
Reply to  Caroline

The screaming part is like 15 seconds long, genius. The rest is singing.

Caroline
Caroline
5 years ago
Reply to  Tyson

The whole chorus is screaming, not singing.

Blackquill
Blackquill
5 years ago

This is the epitome of not just what Eurovision needs, but what the whole music world needs, the kind of songs that defy the gatekeeping climate, and still tread new grounds regardless of what everyone says.

As for the song itself… do I even have to say anything? I’ll just give it a 10 out of 10 and leave it at that. Viszlát to all the gatekeepers. (That word means “Goodbye” by the way)

azaad
azaad
5 years ago

People talk about how unique this is, which is mostly true…but that final chorus key change proves it’s still a Eurovision song.

Sabrina
Sabrina
5 years ago
Reply to  azaad

Well pointed. It’s funny how this is an unusual entry on the contest and has a key change, while Australia’s is clearly written for Eurovision and doesn’t have one!

Yaa
Yaa
5 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

And Australia is i the same semifinal and will go through while Hungary is struggling! Life is not fair!

TK
TK
5 years ago

Fark yes!!!!!! Love this! Not typical Eurovision and a good representation of post hardcore.

I think this will do well. The non-traditional fandom tend to like this that go against the grain and the authenticity of the act, the fact it stays true it’s genre really shines through.

That said, I totally get why some people abbhore this song and the genre. It’s never going to tickle everyone’s pickle. But, I chuffing love it.