This is an Official NGUAC '18 Knockout Round Review

Beginning Comments:

Production / Mixing: The mixing is nice and clean, but the solo violin is quite a bit dry to mesh in the same environment as the rest of the instruments. Everything blended nicely except for those solo violins. They sounded so much closer to the listener. You could have also increased the volume a little bit without introducing any distortion yet, but that's only a minor complaint. Aside from those issues this already sounds mostly like a finished product.

Composition / Structure: The beginning strings had a really neat falling effect. It sets for a nice dark tone. The whole song I could get a sense of storytelling being done here, and since you've made this a "superhero" song, I could see this being used in something like a DC environment where the hero is doing all he can in a hopeless state. In terms of structure, I never felt anything overstayed its welcome, and I liked the development of the main theme. The only thing I notice after listening a couple of times is I would have liked to heard a little more variation with the strings. The constant repetition of the eighth notes I bet would be a bore to the musicians if this were recorded live.

Sound Design: I enjoyed how cinematic it was. The instruments you used were well picked, but a couple of issues I had crept up. Only minor things, like the crash you used I think is a little shallow (even though you tried to hide it). The rolling cymbals were good though. I question the synth you used starting at 0:42. Compared to everything else you have it throws the mood off. It doesn't emphasis the same atmosphere as the rest of the organic instruments you have there. Other than that, everything else sounded great. I especially loved the sounds you used at the end. Those were a nice touch.

Ending Comments: This was a pretty solid attempt. The concepts you have here developed well and allowed a good amount of time to explore your story.

Score:

Production - 0.5

Composition - 0.5

Structure - 1

Sound Design - 1

Replay - 0.5

Total - 7

*Disclaimer - to make judging consistent with other judges, individual category scores are multiplied by 2 to make a total possible 10 points.

I like what you're trying to do here, but somehow the impact doesn't seem to be getting across. The simple melody that the violin plays throughout most of the track is probably the biggest offender - some variation would have sounded nice, and also more short, stabby notes rather than the long, sustained ones you used would have given this piece more of a punch. The drums aren't bad, but for this really high energy moments (1:53, 3:00) you should have some deep, explosive drums that the listener will feel through their whole body. Beyond all of that, this is a good cinematic piece with a lot of energy, but the biggest drag for me was again having that one violin track carrying the same melody through the whole song.

Mmm, quite tasty

Great work, sir!