Holy...
I agree with David. I may be new here, but I like to browse A LOT! You really have improved from your old works and I would love to see more masterpeices such as this!!! It makes you feel as if you are on an old war torn battlefield marching in with the rest of your army then charging to collide head-on with each other! At least that's the feeling I get. :)
Hello James! Sorry for the delayed response. I've never been good at keeping track of reviews, and the new system doesn't help. Grawd.
In any case, I owe this competiton a lot. Facing great guru's like DavidOrr, WinterWind-NS, MusicalRocky, Arbiter, and so many other great artists, had driven me to several sleepless nights, just training, and practacing. Thanks to this energy, i've been able to take many leaps and bounds.
The imagery which you saw is of course, a valid, and epic one. I love the war torn field scenes. Quite moving.
Thank you for your review, i'm glad you liked it!
Wow!
Man, if there is ever a "most improved" award, you'd definately deserve to get it. You've improved leaps and bounds these past few months- everything is balanced better, clearer, and you seem to have a better overall understanding of how the orchestra fits together.
First off, a question. What drums are you using? I love the samples, they're extremely powerful and crisp. You use them really well!
Second, a suggestion. At 0:41 I believe you have parallel motion in a manner in that sounds awkward (Jumping from a B dim to E minor). It does fit the atmosphere set by the piece, but it may be something you want to take a look at. Other than that, I don't really have any suggestions.
Third, a congrats. You've got a really good shot at the competition! Even if you don't pull the winning prize, you've made more progress than any one else I've listened to on Newgrounds in a long while.
Keep up the astounding work!
Hey David!
It took a while to get used to using headphones over earphones, but with only roughly a week passed, i'm already able to do more with them then I was with the years of earphone use! I can't wait to get me some slick speakers someday!
The drums in use are as follows *All from East West Orchestra by the way!*
- Taiko Drums *that stick clicking sound*
- S Wagner Bass Drum
- Roto Toms
- Timpani Hits
- Head slamming against wall *not really in song, but dents were planted everywhere!*
I know exactly what you mean at 0:41. I personally liked it better like that, the jump in my opinion added just a little extra spice!
Thanks a lot David. Coming from you thats a real compliment! Like most contests I did it for the experience. Fighting against you, Winter, and Rocky, has really pushed me several nights! I am grateful to have had this oppurtunity! I'm glad you liked it!
HOLY HELL.
This is unbridled FLAWLESSNESS. It sounds so epic, like something from a hardcore story-driven fighter.
I think we have a winner. If only it were longer...
The original intention of this song was to be significantly longer to be honest. However after talking with a friend who produced some tracks himself, I realized all of his loops were hanging around the minute mark. It came to our attention that the loops should be smallest in size, whilst retaining as much impact as possible. The contest is intended to be an online arcade game, so to make super long loops, reduces their chances of being used, as that means more waiting to play. it's a fast paced game, why make it a long download?
Thanks for the review RaNcID! I am probably going to make an extended mix one day, but that day is not today! I'm glad you liked it!
cool song
makes me think of pirates.......make it longer.....
There will likely be a extended version, however it serves the purpose it was made, so there is no rush for it. Thank you for the review, i'm glad you liked it!
Huge effort here! :D
You said in your news post this was a MAC entry, so why am I not surprised? :D I'll jump right in and start reviewing right away.
Not really too much to comment on, I like what you did with the choir in the first half or so of the song. Makes it nice and ominous. >:) I really like the way this song is structured! :) The percussion is very well-done, too, it adds a lot to the song.
The one thing I don't like, however, is the buildup at the end of the loop, which sounds like you're trying to make this song sound like one of those movie trailer soundtracks at their climax. :P A little more effort could have gone there - you tried but it was missing a little something that made it fall flat there, unfortunately. It kinda stood out of the song that way. The rest of the song was brimming with effort - this had it too, but not nearly as much. Of course, if the movie trailer feel might not have been what you were going for there, but even then it still could have done with a bit more effort.
That aside, though, I have to say this is a serious contender to be reckoned with in the MAC! I wish you the best of luck in the contest, Maestro. :)
Storytime now, though it'll probably be a short one since this is only a minute long. :P What's more is that, exciting as battlethemes are to listen to, stories end up being a bit cliche for my tastes. :\ Aah well, I'm trying to be original.
The sun glares harshly on two swordsmen in the center of a battlefield. All soldiers around them have fallen, and they, the leaders of their armies, wait for their opponent to make the first strike as they circle each other.
They realize that there is no good or evil - they are simply fighting for their own side. They realize the other's cause is as worthy as theirs, and that the battle is virtually a tie already and their fight here is meaningless if they wish to serve their own country. Yet they continue to circle each other.
Tension builds, and as they circle each other they realize only one between the two of them will live. The last thing they will see is the victorious gleam of their foe's sword. And still they circle.
That's all. And, whaddaya know, if you go back to the first paragraph, it loops too! :D How many people have done THAT before? ;)
Great song, Maestro, I enjoyed it! Keep up the great work, and good luck in the MAC. :)
Ah i'm glad you mentioned the percussion Karco, a lot of time was spent on them this time. For a brutal punishing theme the percussion is what makes or breaks the piece. Without them the song sounds incredibly flat and lifeless. Enough to the point it makes me laugh, and shed tears of shame.
Of shame Karco!
The climax at the end was not really intended to sound like a trailer, and i'll be honest here, I got the idea to try something like that after listening to Hans Zimmer's Pirates of the Caribbean 3rd OST "Drink Up Me Hearties". Somewhere in that song, alongside many other songs, he has a very powerful build up. Though my build up differs, and honestly doesn't convey as much energy, I felt the method would be a convinient way to loop. Whether that was the case or not is obviously debatable.
and Hah! I've never seen anybody write a story that loops XD. An infinite cycle of walking in circles, I can picture it now! The seasons, the weather, all cycling with them!
In any case, thanks for the review Karco, always a pleasent read! I am glad you liked it ^^.