by

Glen Metsys
(Metsys)

This is a good song; you earned well above average. Well-balanced mix of bass and background padding, appropriate percussion (not too busy as to cloud the soundscape), decent leads, breaks between choruses, volume dynamics, and welcome chord changes. But I can't give it top marks because it isn't a stunning piece. What would push it to that level? Innovative use of samples, more expression in the leads (pitch twisting, more volume dynamics), more complexity in the bassline, more realistic percussion, and perhaps more voice samples?

Nice, well-arranged intro. Simple, bkg-supporting drumline, though cymbals aren't realistic and might be far better, Too loud leads, but sounds ok. Probably a demotune-aimed melody. Too repetitive. Few mood changes, but the atmosphere created gets cool to the end. Very good for the outro. Nice samples, but kill those #19 and #20 - overused (!) Overally - ok.

The orchestral style is well controlled. Your song is not very original but may please mangas fans. Your style would be enhanced greatly with more personnal samples. This piece is effective, uses good melodies, and great orchestra hits. I would have raised a lot the drums volume. Great intro and ending.

This is a rather typical early demo type piece of music. The melody is not as strong as it could be, and the chord progression drags on for too long. The drums are quite weak, and sound too low. They need to be pitch shifted up one or two semi-tones. The bass could be better too and work with the drums to give the song more kick. The balance of power is too much in the leads. The key change at the end of the tune could have come earlier. Think of new ways to provide a hit. The orchestra hit sample has been used too much, and gets a little stale after a while. (I am speaking generally of use in tracked music). The individual notes in the chords could have had more jumbled panning so it wasn't too obvious that a panning envelope was used. Overall, a standard entry, needs more creativity, and more oomph. The samples are used to death, and could have used a change in lead now and again for some change.

Not very original and new, still OK to listen to. Cymbals got annoying. You should also consider implementing another lead instrument to increase the listener's interest. Generically tracked.