FightingSeraph's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Dragon Ball Z Inspired]

I am going to be honest with you.

I never found you to be a good musician at all, though it is obvious that you do know how to sing. However, I will try to be fair.

Sound design: This is possibly the only thing that this has going for it. You did a good job on the piano, timpani, and strings. You know how to handle VSTs correctly, and that is probably one of your few merits. Unfortunately, the instrumentation, while well done, is unfitting for something like this.
Vocals: To tell you the truth, I never found your voice to appealing at all. However, it is obvious that you know how to sing, which is the only other thing that justifies your reputation. As for the lyrics, they're the same as the stateside intro, but I'm not a lyricist so I really can't criticize.
Composition: Seeing this is a cover of the intro, I can't really fault you for following it to a T. However, the tempo for this is unfitting for a song that is supposed to be intense. I understand that you wanted something slow and ominous, but it just doesn't complement this at all. Please listen to Gwar, Infected Mushroom, Texas Faggot, Andophoria, Penta, Hypnotic Mushroom, Simon Posford, Cannibal Corpse, Slipknot (their first two albums I might add), Dying Fetus, or KMFDM.
Other: I may be harsh at times, but will acknowledge that you have the basic skills. On the other hand, it would be best if you went in a different direction.

What I did like:
-Well-written for the most part
-Well sung
-Nice use of classical instruments
-A different type of cover song.

What I didn't like:
-Annoying vocals
-The soundset and tempo didn't really complement this.

Overall: To tell you the truth, I have no right to give you a zero, but am sorry that a five out of ten is all I can give you. I sure as shit know that your fan will hate me and what not, but felt that serious honesty was sorely needed. (2.5/5)

[>Green Rain<]

Very deep for a minimal house song.

For a first minimal track, this is great and kudos for not making it monotonous. Why hasn't anyone else reviewed this? Well, it looks like I have to do so...

Sound design: I really like the theramin effect that was used throughout the entire song, along with the wind, lead, and percussion. Speaking of which, it isn't often that the low and high toms are heard in electronic music these days; That was really novel. Oh, and you made that vinyl pop sound good.
Composition: For something minimal, I really like how it gradually built up. While I'm usually into songs that are a bit faster and a whole lot more intense; I also enjoy slower music as long as it is done well. Of course, what made this shine was the melodies that kicked in at the 2:10 mark. They represented the darker, more sullen tone that you were aiming for perfectly. Why isn't this rated higher?
Other: Not much else to say.

The Good:
-Original
-Nice percussion variety for a minimal track.
-Good sound design
-Nice composition
-Nice atmosphere
-Good Rhythm

The bad:
-Nothing really

Overall: A ten from me would be most appropriate. (5/5)

ChineseCommando responds:

Thank you so much for your review! To be perfectly honest, some of sound effects such as the vinyl pop were completely unintentional, as they were likely by-products of my software and I didn't have much knowledge on how to get rid of them. But, if you enjoy them, then it is a good thing! While I appreciate that you like the melodies, I think that this song's best part was the climax that came in around the 5:00 mark, when the updated melody and clap came in. Anyway, thanks for the review and I hope you'll check out some of my other works!

[Gliese]

Great, but this is more like Acid Jazz than Techno.

For an old song, this is pretty cool! I wonder if you still have your music program that you used to make those songs?

Sound Design: This doesn't really sound like techno at all, but you obviously have the ear for sound design. For an acid jazz track, this is well-done for the most part. However, I noticed static going on in the background. For future tracks, consider looking into Equalization.
Composition: For an old song, the composition still holds up. I mean, this is pretty catchy and the buildup is amazing.
Other: Aside for being in the wrong category and minor static, there's nothing wrong with this.

The Good:
-Original
-Great sound
-Nice composition
-Catchy

The Bad:
-Not techno, but acid jazz
-Static in the background

Overall: Here's a nine from me. (4.5/5)

[Psykotik Epiphany]

Not bad for something so short!

As a fan of both hard rock and psytrance, you managed to pull this one off quite well.

Sound design: You did a great job on the synths and tuning your guitar without it veering off into industrial territory. (And this is coming from an industrial fan.) Plus, the percussion was also swell.
Composition: It isn't easy arranging all of that without it turning into shit. Your guitar playing was top-notch, the synth composition is lovely, and kudos for not overdoing the soundbytes unlike some people who use them.
Miscellaneous: Were you inspired by The Browning's music by any chance?

[+]
-Original
-Nice mix of styles
-Clever use of soundbytes
-Great sound
-Excellent composition
-Splendid guitar solo

[-]
-Not much really

Overall: Here's a ten from me. (5/5)

[Wave]

Sweet!

At first I was expecting classical instruments leading into a slow, undulating breakbeat and three crazy basslines. However, you've shown a surprising amount of restraint when it came to the Dubstep part. (I have nothing against that genre.) Now, let me comment on this...

Sound design: You did an excellent job with the piano, violin, and soundscapes. Plus, I liked the hint of dubstep in there without it being too dominating. As a fan of both classical and electronic music, the combination of styles worked well on your behalf. Oh, and good job on the EQ and mastering.
Composition: I can really hear this being used in at least two or three submissions on here because you composed this quite nicely. The melodies definitely have an upbeat, sentimental tone to them, which was what you were going for. Other Dubstep fans might be baffled by the lack of the breaks and basslines, but at least you were creative.
Other: Not much other than this will definitely be a quality contender for Dreams of Splendor.

The Good:
-Original
-Well composed
-Judicious use of a dubstep element
-Nice, sentimental tone
-Great sound design
-Reasonable filesize

The Bad:
-May bewilder dubstep fans

Overall: Flaming Fedora, how would you like a ten from me? (5/5)

[Civilized - DJ Harlock]

Excellent blend of Goa and Hard Trance.

Ok, maybe it's just Hard trance due to that meaty beat, but it's definitely a winner in my book. This is one of your best songs so far, and I'll explain why...

Sound Design: I already mentioned that powerful kick used, so commenting on that would be redundant. Of course, the clap and hi hat were also beefy, but not to the point of drowning out the kick. The synths were well-programmed and had a sound akin to Goa, which is good thing since I'm a fan of that and Psytrance. In addition, you made a good use of a soundbyte without it being too dominant throughout the whole song.
Composition: While I dislike the three-and-a-half second delay at the very beginning of this song; you have some very nice melodies going on here. The lead was appealing and the arrangement had a nice sense of flow to go with that rhythm. It's always great to hear actual melodies in electronic music unless they sound like shit.
Other: It takes a delicate hand to mix two or so genres of music together and have something cool; anyone else would have done a crappy job.

The Good:
-Original
-Great melodies
-Nice combination of styles
-Excellent sound
-Judicious use of a soundbyte.

The Bad:
-The very short delay at the very beginning was a bit jarring.

Overall: DJ Harlock, you have made another great trance song to grace NG. Here's another ten and have you considered making a tutorial on DnB or any Deep genre? (5/5)

DJHarlock responds:

I should consider it, thanks Seraph. I'm sure you've seen over the years I definitely have my own little Deep Vibe nitch going on, and I should give some insight on helping expand others in their style :)

[Vision (TimmyDope)-Trance]

Amazing!

I have to say, this definitely has the feel of older trance songs that were made in the late '80s to the late '90s. Before Ableton Live, what were you using to compose your music. (Just curious) Anyways, on with the review...

Sound design: As said before, the sound has the feel of older trance songs, which isn't easy to replicate. However, you did a great job on programming all of those synths and the snare used was very powerful. Oh, and clever use of a wood block. It's not surprising that more people don't expand beyond the usual Kick-snare-clap-Hi Hat except when making Dubstep or House.
Composition: This definitely fits the melodic label quite nicely and I was enjoying this all the way. The use of layered melodies was very nice, which kept things interesting and catchy. Maybe you should consider collaborating with various animators, game designers, etc.
Other: Nothing else that I can really say other than it's interesting to hear a throwback to older, darker trance songs.

What I did like:
-Original
-Great sound
-Sweet melodies
-Reasonable filesize
-A throwback to older trance songs
-Clever use of a wood block

What I didn't like:
-Nothing really

Overall: Another ten from me would be appropriate and have you considered making the following:
-Classic Techno (E.G. Kraftwerk, Juan Atkins, Derrick May)
-Darkpsy (Penta, Hypnotic Mushroom, Cosmo, Orca)
-Psybient (Yaniv Shulman)
-Darkstep/Neurofunk
-Tech Trance
-Gabber
-Ambient Trance
(5/5)

[Dark ambient project]

Were you influenced by Xorcist?

I think you got something interesting here though it's not pure ambient, but still great.

Sound Design: Interesting take on the whole Industrial Ambient fusion genre. While the drum beat prevents this from being a pure Ambient track; what you did with those are pretty good. Oh, and clever use of sidechaining for the soundscapes. I think you got that dark sound down to a T.
Composition: It was obvious you weren't aiming for something melody driven considering this genre, but your use of effects compensated for it.
Other: I can see this being used in either a game or a movie and know some people who can use your musical talent. (ex: lilg)

[+]
-Original
-Great sound design
-Nice mix of genres
-Versatile
-Clever effects

[-]
-Not much in terms of melodies

Overall: Deshiel, I'll give you a nine for this. (4.5/5)

DESHIEL responds:

I uploaded another version which was supposed to have melodies aswel.
ended up only melodying the intro :D

Thanks for your review man its great but very unexpected :D