Score: 8

"Hades0013 - The Lament"

submission: =The Lament=

date: July 4, 2008

I personally like this sort of music, and compositionally speaking I find it quite good. If I'm not mistaken it's in Harmonic Minor?
The first thing I noticed about this song is the quality of the recording/composition. Is this a recording of the piano, or is it sequenced?
In either case I would try to either get a better mic, or I'd equalize it in another way. This is due to the fact that the low-end of the mix is completely lacking.
It sounds like you've completely removed some parts of the specter.
I'd really love to hear a violin/viola playing a melody over this though, creating a wonderous duo.
This aside, I do understand how you might want to make the melody simple, as I often have simple melodies myself.

Chris.

Score: 7

"Liau - AirStrike"

submission: AirStrike

date: July 3, 2008

Ok, I'm giving you points for the buildup and melodies, as well as your equalizing. These are all major points that help make the song you have here.
My first issue is the snare-drum, which seems to not be very suited for metal.
The second one is that you should probably have some mid-range pads, strings or something to cover, as it feels a bit hollow.

The guitar was beautifully played, recorded and composed.
I really like the bass riff, it was the thing that initially caught my interest.
I give you a 7/10 (I've grown meaner over the years)
You have my 5-vote though,

Chris.

Score: 9

"First review in a year, give or take."

submission: Castle Crashers The Crusade

date: August 8, 2007

It's not often I hear melodic video-game metal, but it's awesome when done right. Now, I love the melody you've got going after 00:12, reminds me of F-Zero in away. The rhythm guitar seems to be a bit off when it comes to equalizing.
It's not as clear as I would like it to be, but that's really no biggie.
Your quality has increased since I last checked out your stuff, and I wish you all luck in the contest.
9/10, 5/5.

-Chris

PS: I'd love a review on my newest piece ^^

Score: 7

"Darkside555 - Chaos"

submission: **_Chaos_**

date: October 2, 2006

First Impression; "This could be good."

I like some of your idea's, however I feel this tune is far too unstable and just kinda run me down with sound. I like metal alot, and your second part of this was really great, but I'm not the biggest fan of your "second" riff.
It's pretty much an ok tone, could need a bit mixing to make the guitar sound "closer" if you know what I mean.

Your percussionate works, well, works.
It's in all basic well set and everything, but there's just something about this song I can't put my finger on that I dislike about it.
You're still among the best submitters at NG when it comes to the metalsection, but this isn't your strongest piece.

-Chris

Score: 6

"Gooch - Low Key Swing"

submission: Low Key Swing

date: October 2, 2006

First Impression; "Drums are pretty ok"
Ok, To establish some sense of trust here I'll be honest and constructive.

Some of your uses of effects such as delay on the snare were cool, but your melodic lines were really random and didn't follow any known scale (unless you count the chromatic one)

One of the more used setups are (in the following order) - Drum, Bass, Higher Instruments such as Piano/Guitar/Synth.
And it's all really depending on which style you're going for.

This song in particular I feel is more or less experimental ambient, where I would use some more reverb and pads to enhance any "creepy" effect you may be after.

Your Percussionate works are really what saves this song a bit, so I guess the drums are your main instrument (if you have any)
I suggest you download some more percussion samples at www.hammersound.net though, try to mix around a bit with the styles and so.

I can't really complain about the mixing, as this song wasn't complex enough to need extreme amounts of mastering, equalizing and effect-settings.

There's the reverb issue, but that only applies if you are to use ambience mood.
(Remember that this isn't rules that are set, it's more of guidelines that you may, or may not choose to follow)

To summarize; Keep practicing Gooch.
It's great to see some involvement from your side at the Audio Forums, and it makes it a bit easier for the rest of us.

-Chris

Score: 6

"Robox - Simplicity"

submission: Simplicity

date: August 19, 2006

First Impression; "I've heard this before"

First off, The score might seem low and all.
But I'll try to justify each and every score so you won't get offended, and if you want to go somewhere with your music, build on.

First off, The originality was a major bummer, as this is one of the FLStudio preset melodies, with some added things. Even though it's the first time I've heard it being used, it's not your melodic piece.

The clarity was pretty good, but even though it's ambience, you should equalize a bit more.
You can try a bit with either Parametric EQ or EQUO.

I think you caught the whole ambience feel pretty well, but there was little change, as with most ambience. Even though most people stick with the same style overall, there should be more than one pattern being played with some minor changes.

It's pretty well executed, but I see alot more potential in you than this.
And because you really didn't put too much effort into the chord-lines, it's a bit lowered.
I hope you can take constructive critiscm, and are willing to improve on these things.

For any questions regarding technical things at FL, or compositional theory, just PM me.

-Chris.

Wouldn't mind a review or two over at my page :)

Score: 7

"ShadowMan_Kage - Loz & MM Songs"

submission: LoZ & MM Songs

date: August 14, 2006

First Impression; "This has some promise."
Ok, I'm generally a harsh reviewer, but I wouldn't something I believed to be beyond redemption.
There's some points I'd like to point out, in your first song, there was this dark synth that really didn't fit with your mellow mood.

Your second song in there, had just the chords and never actually began with the melodic line.
I think you should work on your transtitons.
As it's overall not a "medley" but just alot of songs put together with some pauses.

I hope you make these from scratch, as that's what would give you the most experience from it.
You have alot of songs in this thing.
Also; You should obtain some better soundfonts/samples, and learn a bit more about sound-production.

I see some promise in you, but you should begin making more originals, and really just get the feel of composing.
Overall; A weak 7 because of the production level.
See some of my audio, and leave a review :)
Always apprieciate it.

For questions, PM me :)

Score: 9

"L_H_W - Endless"

submission: -| Endless |-

date: August 11, 2006

First Impression; "Woah"
This gotta be one of the most underrated songs at NG, it's professionally built up---though sticking with the same theme, I usually do that as well.
Giving the song a more "catchy" feel.

There's this problem with the originality, I feel I've heard it before, but other than that, freaking spectacular.
9.5/10 5/5

-Christian S. (Arbiter)

Score: 9

"L_H_W - The Oath"

submission: The Oath

date: August 11, 2006

First Impression; "Metallica cover?"
One note later; "Nope".
Ok, The harpsichord melody is pretty decent overall, but I kept wishing for evolvement until the flute came in with a counter melody.
The backing of the harpsichord was really great along with the flute. The cello/contrabass also works pretty fine.

I like your legato strings, the melody was well thought of, and fits the theme.
You have several moods in this song, making it very diverse in that context, I liked your percussional works as well.

The organ was a nice touch, but I wished for it to help another buildup--Instead of just fading out.
Overally, It was original, diverse and clear.
I also see alot of effort, but it didn't have this enormous power I seek in the best songs.
It's among my favorites here at NG from now on, but you can still develop.

-Christian S. (Arbiter)

Score: 8

"PitBullJones - Grace"

submission: Grace

date: August 11, 2006

First Impression; "That's one pretty long chord."
At first I didn't really know what to expect,
You first had this chord line which repeated, but when it went back to the main chord (first one), it clipped for some reason---gaining some static making it sound like a sampled thing, for this piece alone I also feel the guitar should have less distortion.

Sounds a bit creepy at some points, but still calm. Because of the harmonic's created by one of the synths.

It's technically a pretty good song, but I'm not too into this genre, so I'm probably not your best opinion. Anyhow--There's this halfly lead'ish instrument that's really underpowered by the guitar, I suggest you turn it up a bit.

The drums---is that FL Stock samples?

Anyways, I'm trying to be non-biasmic, but criticise a bit, hope you dont mind : )

Best Wishes, Chris.
If you find the time to check out my MAC6 Theme, please do : )