It was simply brutal. "The Voice" US Season 9 Live Playoffs week 1 is over, but not without some shocking elements. A total of 12 contestants were sent home on Wednesday, which means only half of them remain in the competition.

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Eliminating 12 contestants based on one performance is harsh, and some of the contestants you have been rooting for could be out of the competition. Two artistes each from the four teams progressed to the next round based on audience's vote, and coaches Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani and Pharrell Williams were allowed to select an artiste of their choice to round up their respective teams with three members each.

The saddest part of the "The Voice" US 2015 Live Playoffs week 1 was the manner in which so many talented artistes — half of them, to be precise — were eliminated. Several talented singers who viewers looked forward to hear more from are now out of the competition.

Ellie Lawrence, Viktor Kiraly and Regina Love from Team Gwen, Nadjah Nicole, Ivonne Acero and Morgan Frazier from Team Blake, Darius Scott, Celeste Betton and Riley Biederer from Team Pharrell, and Blaine Mitchell, Keith Semple and Chance Pena from Team Adam were eliminated on Wednesday.

The show, however, will go on despite all the disappointments. The remaining contestants will once again perform live next week in hopes of advancing to the next round.

Here is the complete list of the 12 finalists:

Team Gwen

Saved by America: Jeffery Austin, Braiden Sunshine

Saved by Gwen: Korin Bukowski

Team Blake

Saved by America: Barrett Baber, Zach Seabaugh

Saved by Blake: Emily Ann Roberts

Team Pharrell

Saved by America: Madi Davis, Evan McKeel

Saved by Pharrell: Mark Hood

Team Adam

Saved by America: Jordan Smith, Shelby Brown

Saved by Adam: Amy Vachal