MetalRenard's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[FD - Plaenitude]

Hi! I was a replacement judge for NGADM round 1 and this is my review of your track!
I scored mixing and composition/arrangement separately so I'll explain here what score I gave you and why. 8/10 in my scoring scheme is "Great", 10/10 is exceptional. To get 10 the piece needed to go beyond expectations, to have a unique sonic quality and present an original aspect (or several) in terms of composition.
_____
What an intro...! Distinctly atmospheric in style yet memorable all the same. I enjoyed the choice of sounds you used in the intro a lot, in fact in my notes when giving this piece of music a score I wrote "Flawless intro". The second part of the piece which introduces the electric guitar didn't live up to my expectations after hearing that great start so you lost a point there. It was somewhat repetitive. 9/10 in composition.
On the production side of things I gave you 7/10. There are a few issues with the mix, for example around 5:00 there are dips in volume because things got too loud or you misused a compressor. To fix this you may need to rework the EQ a little to make sure the guitar isn't competing with the other instruments too much, or maybe increase the threshold on a compressor somewhere. Also I found your distorted electric guitar tone a little lacking, it didn't have much character or punch.
You gained points thanks to the creative use of sounds in the intro and the fabulous clean guitar tone.

8/10, great work, very enjoyable!

ForgottenDawn responds:

Thanks for your review, I'm quite surprised to receive this now that we're halfway of round 2, but it was an enjoyable read nonetheless. I agree in that whereas the technical department needed some more work, the atmosphere and the composition value compensated the somewhat uncertain parts of the piece.

[Dreamyard]

Very impressive. Some issues with compression (maybe too loud, I dunno) at times (notable around 1:20 with the kick drum making the other instruments stutter) but otherwise fantastic work!

Kor-Rune responds:

Thank you for your ear, I turned it down some!

Thanks for the review dog!

[Star Blade]

Good job!

DuttonsaysHi responds:

Thank you! ^^

[The Festival]

What can I say? The master has done it again!
Fantastic work, catchy melodies, perfect mixing, great feel, beautiful instruments, I couldn't help but smile while listening to this, especially that end part.
For the flute in this you might be interested in Embertone's "Jubal Flute", it would fit perfectly! Check it out. :)

Step responds:

Wow man, thanks for such high praise!

I'm thrilled that you liked this. I heard that flute and it sounds excellent; I wish I could buy it but I don't have a credit card and the debit card here in Malta isn't compatible anywhere else. I really need a flute like that though; there are a few in Ra but I've used them too much, and as I'm sure you'll agree, with instrument samples, the more the merrier.

Thanks for the review, it made my day!

[Snakes live on]

You have one of the best heavy sounds on NG, you know?

PirateCrab responds:

Hope so bro, and I only aim to go heavier!

[Shatter the Walls of Hope]

I wish it was longer because I loved what you have so far. Do you plan on finishing it?
-1/2* because it's not finished and I think you should work on getting it done! ;)

PirateCrab responds:

Y'know I've always wondered if it's worth finishing this song, I just never really bothered and abandoned it. I might just go back and produce it to higher quality ;)

[Xena's Ruin WIP]

New "fan" inbound. :)

PirateCrab responds:

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay :D <3

[Monsieur Blacksky]

Awesome sound! Could do with a little melody in there or something, but good mixing solid riffs.
If I'd had the choice I would have pushed you through to the next round of NGADM but sadly I didn't get the opportunity since I'm only a replacement judge. I think you deserved a spot though. ;)

PirateCrab responds:

Ahhh many thanks dude I wish I had a spot! The only reason it's lacking melody is because I'm currently working on vocals from a singer/screamer I've got in contact with. That'll be uploaded here once it's done :)

[My Requiem]

You're going to want to get more control over that drum kit (mainly the kick drum) but I liked it anyway. Good transition from metal to piano, wasn't expecting that but I feel like the track's unfinished somehow...
What happened to the guitar? T-T

[aPsyche]

I could imagine this is films. It sets the mood without being overpowering and it has an interesting vibe. It lacks some kind of evolution from start to end so it could have been shorter, or you could have introduced a melody somewhere to fill in the gap. I'd love to hear a subtle clean guitar melody drowned in reverb over this backing.

sakesensei responds:

If i'm not mistaken the song is in Am, so there's no progression at all. Also it's really simple on purpose to provide some hypnotic feeling.
Check the B-Side of this song here:
https://soundcloud.com/pedrobona/bepsy
I believe you might enjoi it.
Thanks :)