amazing 🔥

I like the ominous and vaguely Middle Eastern-sounding riff at the beginning. There was a nice subtle build-up into :14, and the drop at :14 is catchy, if rather minimal. The mixing effects are tasteful and add some flavor to the piece, but I still think the texture could use some more fill here, and the harmonic content could use more variety. Rap vocals would certainly do the trick. Some of the transitions are also abrupt, like at 1:50. Otherwise, the compositional details are pleasant here - I especially like the build-up at 2:38, and the vocals and glitchy elements at around 3:00. It just needs more variety and maybe a more original arrangement. Still, this is a seriously catchy track with some creative sound design. Keep at it, JoeStasi! Thanks for coming out to the NGUAC. ^_^

Mixing, mastering, and balance
2/2
Structure, transitions, phrasing, and variety
.75/1.5
Melody, tonality, harmony, and texture
1.25/2
Instrumentation and sound design
.75/1
Emotion, atmosphere, and catchiness
1.25/1.5
Originality and uniqueness
.5/1
Overall (how do the elements above interact?)
1/1
Composite score
7.5/10

As a brit, this honestly reminds me of some of the underage parties I used to go to. I feel like I haven't heard dubstep in way too long, but it brings a sense of nostalgia to me when I used to hear it all the time between 2009-2012. Totally different from the type of music I make, but it definitely has its place :) Very satisfyingly mixed; you do this genre particularly well. I'd be really interested to hear how it sounds when there's the rap verses added! Good luck in this year's NGUAC finals!

One of my favourites out of the final round submissions. There is a tiny bit of subbass clashing at 1:30 though. But it isn't too noticable if you aren't wearing high quality headphones