Blacklawn's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Mr. Straightface - Game Over]

Cool buildup in the beginning. This is pretty well mixed, and I like the bass a lot. It is, however, slightly repetitive. Around halfway in the track, I think it would be a good idea to try using a new instrument for the main melody, just to add some variation.

[Mesmerized]

The rhythm confused me a little at first, but I guess there's nothing really wrong with it. The dissonant synth pad was a little strange. Other than that, it's well mixed and has a nice atmosphere, though some of the pads seem to be somewhat overwhelming. Maybe you should tone the reverb down in some of them.

[Elusive Truths (RX3 Remix)]

I think your version works really well! I especially liked the synth you used as a replacement for the fast parts of the piano, as well as the intro.

AeronMusic responds:

True. It was quite hard to make a synth sounding well for the fast parts of the piano. Some sounded quite awkward. But I agree it sounds good now.
Thanks for the comment! :D

[Omega Point WIP]

It's very original, definitely.

At first, the heavy panning of the instruments makes it a bit hard to listen, but it gets better as the song progresses.

I think percussion of some sort would really improve this track.

I'm a bit confused, though: what was the mood you were trying to create with this song?

DexiAntoniu responds:

It's based on the portrayal of Geth in Mass Effect 3 ( a synthetic, A.I race who were waged war on by their masters and who, then, drove their masters off their planet and secluded themselves) and their question on the definition of "life". It originally was titled "Slave Uprising", but as I wrote more on it,
it became more about the journey towards infinite intelligence, about the Omega Point ( google it).

So it's really about a sort of awe, and a feeling of power, but in a more mysterious way, not a grand one.

[Minotaur's Labyrinth]

I already liked the original, but you really managed to improve it. The different elements of the melody are much easier to identify and blend together well. For some reason, the comment I made on the other about the "generic" feel doesn't seem to apply here... I guess the simple fact that you changed the instruments made it sound more unique. Maybe it's a personal problem I have with chiptune music: it's very easy to make it sound generic because it's so limited. Just a personal thing, though.

GamekrazzyProduction responds:

Ha no problem! ;)
Thanks for taking the time to review!

[Nuclear cathedral [Piano]]

Very nice! A short and emotional piano piece that doesn't sound generic. Good work.

Calamaistr responds:

If you like this you should listen to the 8bit original :)

[Don't Go]

I do enjoy experimental tracks like this. It's actually pretty normal for an experimental track, but I guess that's because I'm used to making some chaotic and messed up experimental tracks :P.

The one thing that bothered me, though, were some of the high notes which felt very strange. Some notes were also dissonant, but it was probably intentional.

MockOff responds:

Guess you could call it experimental pop :P I just didn't know which genre would fit best.
Not sure which high notes felt strange though?
The piano chords at the end were dissonant at the end intentionally if that is what you were talking about, yes.

Thanks for taking the time to listen!

[Devestation]

Interesting and atmospheric intro. The buildup was alright, but felt quite repetitive after a while. It gets better once the new instruments and melodies are introduced, though.

I think you made good use of time effects in the vocals, too, and the mix is pretty well done.

Overall: a good track, but a little repetitive for my taste.

CANDYdisturber responds:

Thanks a lot for the review ^_^

That seems to be the main complaint people have on most of my stuff; seems I obviously need to really start paying mind to that

[Deadly Maze]

Nice. At first, I thought this was an arrange of a Final Fantasy song XD

The high notes seem a bit loud in comparison to the rest at first. The melody itself felt a little generic, too, but it's not bad.

GamekrazzyProduction responds:

Well I suppose you can say a lot of melodies nowadays are generic... especially if they are in video game music. As for the Final Fantasy element.. All I can say is dumn luck there.... After all I am a huge fan of the classic Final Fantasy's. Thanks for the review Blacklawn!