Neon-Bard's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Bajo el sol, sobre las rocas]

NGADM Review

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Whoa! Now this is different. Your flamenco-metal approach is something I don't think I've ever heard before. To say that this is different would be an understatement. You are able to switch between the styles so easily...very impressive! The introductory acoustic work is amazing and it compliments your typical heavy-hitting metal style quite nicely when you make that seamless transition at 0:30 (the following portion until 1:06 is great by the way). You did a good job with the mix of the track, every sounds clean (the synth could use a little tidying up, but nothing too heavy).

The repetition of the metal sections were a little hindering to the overall track, but they were still awesome. Although I loved the synth, it sounded just a bit strange when mixed with the electric guitar. The conclusion, in comparison to the rest of the track is a little weak – it just cuts after the main pattern. With a little more build-up and a mix of that flamenco style, the conclusion would definitely shine!

What an interesting track. Keep on rockin' it InYourDreams! :)

Score: 9.5/10

InYourDreams responds:

Thank you for the nice words Neon-Bard! :) I'm really happy you liked it.

[Public Enemy No.1]

NGADM Review

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I was snapping my fingers and tapping my feet throughout the entire track – you have a knack for creating very interesting, snazzy songs! The overall jazz mood was absolutely perfect...no questions about it. In my opinion, the piano/brass combination was the highlight of the track. As stated above, the listener cannot help but bop their head or tap their toes to the expressive style of these instruments.

I cannot believe I am about to say this but...it would have been nice to hear just a tiny bit of a break (or breaks) throughout the track so that the overall mood can just sink in for a second. I agree with Bassfiddlejones when he said that everything sounded “a little hectic”. While this is not necessarily a bad thing, it would have been cool to hear a short, slower jazz section with some soft brass. The percussion, while great, could use a little more mixing.

Great stuff SoundChris, yet another catchy track. Keep it up, my friend! :)

Score: 9/10

SoundChris responds:

Hey there Neon-Bard,

thanks a lot for your nice review. Glad you enjoyed the piece. The NGADM has been a great experience for me and really helped me evolving as an artist. Maybe we will meet again next year?

Best wishes!

[Pride]

NGADM Review

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Well what do we have here? A fantastic track I would say. I think this is one of the more unique tracks in the entirety of the NGADM thus far. You have such a marvellously beautiful voice, I love it! :3

Speaking of vocals, I was really impressed by the 'tribal-like' choirs that backed your own singing - they were fantastic. The lyrics were great and I could easily imagine seeing hazy golden plains or a vast green jungle just brimming with life. The percussion was spot-on, it really sets the proper pacing for the track. Oh, and I just have to say...this sounds like something out of the Lion King (that's a good thing)!

The strings at 1:24 to 1:32 could have been mixed to sound much more clear and vibrant, they had an 'airy' quality about them. Since this was primarily a vocal track, the other instruments seemed to be brushed off to the side just slightly. Focusing on your percussion and those stringed instruments a little more in this track would help create a more 'wholesome' sound. The conclusion of the song was a bit sudden and could have used a little more work , but it was still good nonetheless.

I love this track, keep up the good work headphoamz! :D

Score: 9.25/10

headphoamz responds:

Yay, thank you Neon! ^_^

[This is Not the End]

NGADM Review

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My word...this track is just so rich with detail, soothing sounds, and brilliant melodies. Your introduction is magnificent; I was lost in the wonderful melodic melancholy of it all. The instrumentation and orchestration in this piece is fantastic, and the mixing defines all of the instruments quite clearly (though there were some minor issues that I'll get into shortly). This track is quite moving, and you can hear the emotion in almost every note and chord right until the very end. I love, love, LOVE that sliding effect on the strings.

As others have said, the mixing comes across as a little flat (this could be indicative of instrument and sound choice) and there could have been more variety with those lower frequencies and bass instruments. Also, the chord pattern tends to get just a tad repetitive...but not so repetitive as to hinder the listener's interest in the song.

Well done, ChronoNomad! I love this track and I am looking forward to hearing some more of your work! :)

Score: 8.5/10

ChronoNomad responds:

Many thanks for such a positive review, N-B! I would definitely say it was worth the wait. :)

I put a lot of effort into this piece, and it's nice to know that - even though it ultimately lost the NGADM battle - it still holds a special place in people's hearts. Even I am surprised at the beautiful melodies that emerged during this phase of the competition, and that's how it still feels so often when I compose a new piece of music. The instrument selection was mostly predetermined in my mind before I even started working, but that ended up evolving a bit, as also tends to happen.

Initially, the idea was to simply use piano and cello, which - rather like chocolate and peanut butter - are two things that just seem to naturally go great together. Big brassy instruments and percussion had to sit this one out, but the addition of choir felt appropriately reverent even though I had just used the same one in my previous submission. The music then proceeded to seemingly write itself, which is always a good sign.

Is there a flatness to the mixing? Yes, and I blame that mostly on my lack of experience with the Stereo Shaper at the time. I usually like to leave the piano to its own devices since it pans naturally across the field, but applying that bloody Stereo Shaper just seems to have bastardized the sound. A poor and costly choice, indeed.

Thanks again for the lovely review! Please peruse my musical repertoire at your leisure. ^__^

[Illusion Of Another World]

Wonderful! This track is slightly different than your usual work, in a good way of course. I have never played Illusion of Gaia (strange considering I love JRPGs) but I now have a very good idea of what the soundtrack sounds like just from your rendition.

I was immediately intrigued by the use of your retro chip sounds in the introduction. The melody has a very whimsical aspect about it due to your instrument choice; it is very relaxing. I love the transition at 2:07...so atmospheric and full of depth with that magical pad. I feel as if I am in a dream.

The main melody does get a little repetitive, but you fluctuate between different rhythms and you change things up frequently so there is variety! Other than that, the mixing is well done and everything seems clear.

Great job VGM! Keep up the great work. :)

VideoGameManiac responds:

Thank you Neon! :D
The original music itself already sounds like the style I usually use, so I had to make things a little more different here which was actually pretty fun to do and I decided to make it a bit simple and retroish xd. And yea with short soundstracks like these its more challenging to create variations infact that part at 2:07 was made up by me and isnt even included on the original one xd but its things like these that make creating music fun :D Ty again for your awesome review!

[Asylum]

This track was already fantastic, and with the new additions that you have implemented, the entire song has just become that much more impressive. Everything from the strings to the intricate yet subtle electronic sounds in the background really emphasize the fact that this is a memorable track. The 'lower' end of the track has really been brought out, which of course adds a great deal of depth.

You are certainly right in saying that the build is far bigger this time 'round; it is chalked full of suspense. In all honesty though, my favorite part of this piece lies beyond the build-up and into the conclusion. There's just something so delicate and peaceful about the latter half of the song...it has such a rich atmosphere due to the wonderful dynamics.

I would love to hear more like this BFJ! Keep it up, my friend! :D

bassfiddlejones responds:

Thank you for taking time to check this out! I'm really glad you liked it. I put a lot of emotion into the ending of this piece, so I'm glad it carried through. Thanks again man.

[Terrible Teeth A Terrible Fate]

This track is awesome, it just fits so well with the theme of the game! It loops so well, too! I was off looking at pictures of the game (the game looks great) and didn't even realize that the song had looped. I would have liked to hear a little more variation with the lower stringed instruments, but that's just a very minor detail. As always, the overall production quality is fantastic. I hear no issues with the mixing either.

I should mention that after listening through the track a few times, I can't help but think of Grant Kirkhope's work. Awesome! :D

stunkel responds:

This is first long review I have gotten in a long time. And I'm glad that you thought it looped nicely :3 I agree with you on the variation with the lower instruments, I guess I got caught up in trying to give off that feeling of despair and didn't think to try any other sort of emotion or melodies throughout it! Good call though :p And that Grant Kirkhope comment just made my day :p I'm not sure if I hear it too much, but the thought of that is just awesome :3

Thanks for reviewing man :D

[I Feel]

NGADM Round 2 Review

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This track is chalked full of atmosphere and in an odd way, it is very comforting to listen to. It would work perfectly in a game or film with touches of mystery or a complex and riddled story due to its absorbing and dynamic nature. This track really draws the listener in and compels them to experience a relaxed state of mind, which I really dig. Nicely done with the mixing, couldn't hear much wrong with that at all!

I understand that this song is directly influenced (stylistically) by the downtempo and chill genres, however, there still could be much more variation within this piece. 1:12 to 2:05 is quite 'catchy' at first, but hearing it again at 3:20 to 4:46 with minimal alterations can become quite cumbersome on the ears. The conclusion is fairly underwhelming, and could have used some sort of trailing effect or pad to gradually bring the song to a close...though the piano and strings were a nice touch.

This is a compelling track, and despite being repetitive it is worth listening to. I would recommend this to someone who is enjoying their first foray into the IDM genre. Well done! :)

Score: 8/10

InvisibleObserver responds:

Thanks for comments. Brutishly honest answer is I just copy pasted the main chunk and fiddled with it some and layered in some new sound design stuff. People noticed. :P

[FD - Moontears]

NGADM Round 2 Review

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As per usual, you continue to place me in a state of awe ForgottenDawn. You have the uncanny ability to produce the most unbelievably mystical, atmospheric, and imaginative tracks. I must admit that the title of the track was the first thing to open my imagination. After hearing some subtleties, I decided to turn up my volume a little. I can tell you that I was quite amazed by the different elements of detail you have sprinkled throughout this track. In fact, it was a little disturbing. These little details seem to transcend the idea of fundamental perception and they appeal to something of a primal nature. The 'cinematic' portion of the song was beautiful. I keep getting so many different images of despair and of mystery and mostly of the unknown...the theme could be interpreted in so many ways it seems. The mixing was superb.

While I enjoyed the message, themes, and atmospheric qualities of the track (wholeheartedly, might I add) I wish there was more to the 'instrumental' section of the song. The strings brought about raw emotion, and they do so quite easily, but I just feel as if there wasn't enough. I understand what your aim was, but just a little more detailing with the instruments would have been wonderful.

The track, in its entirety, is so solemn and full of atmosphere that is makes you realize that music is not all about pure melody and composition. Sometimes it is the message and emotion that matter most. Well done, my friend. :)

Score: 8.75/10

ForgottenDawn responds:

Thank you for your kind words. I really have nothing else to add to what you said, other than the fact I try to explore different realms of sound every time, as my imagination can't be confined to just one particular view or emotion. Thanks again. :)

[GM - Dragon Of The South]

NGADM Round 2 Review

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Interesting title! To me, the introduction screams Iron Maiden. Anyway, this is a fantastic piece and I think it is a solid representation of what instrumental metal music is all about. Your skill with a guitar is excellent, I am certainly envious of your ability to play with such prowess. There is so much variation going on in this piece that it is astounding, not one section of the track sounds like the other. I really like how you have incorporated the strings into the latter half of the song, they fit incredibly well. Going back to the guitar, it sounds amazingly clear and every note rings with absolute precision and pitch.

Unfortunately, the mixing could use some work. I loved the addition of the strings, but they held very little power or presence in the song. The same could be said for the bass, too. However, the guitar and percussion seemed to enjoy a comfortable balance in terms of mixing. The conclusion was kind of anticlimactic. I was awaiting a tremendous conclusion, but was greeted with a mellowed trailing of the guitar and strings. Based on the rest of the song, it was like day and night. Other than these nuances, I could find little to nitpick over haha!

Love the song, would love to hear more stuff like this. I am looking forward to your next track! :)

Score: 8.5/10

InYourDreams responds:

Hey Thanks! I'm glad you like it and I hope not to disappoint you later ^_^.
Yeah, I also think my mixing needs some practice as well... My main mixing monitors are some 100 bucks Samson with 2.5' speakers and 1' tweeter. That makes them really crapy for mixing bass... And with the deadlines, it's dificult to find the time to hear my mix in other speakers for comparison before the judging face starts.
But I try my best and I'll get in time :)... at least I hope so