Blacklawn's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Seeing Spots]

Good. I like the synths you used and the fact that there was a certain degree of variability that is lacking in many house tracks. It didn't call my attention as something particularly unique and original, though, but I tend to be somewhat nitpicky about that.

Dylnmatrix responds:

Thanks for the review and my apologies for the late reply.

I'm glad you liked the track for the most part, but I am a bit confused on how it doesn't sound unique to me, because I don't know many artists that use my type of melody. Or was it that I used a similar progression of parts that most house tracks do? If that's so, then I'm not really surprised, as this was only an attempt at making house music and I really hadn't done it before. (Edit: Never mind, I figured out what you meant.)

[Lucid Dreaming]

This is really good! I love the whole surreal feel, and especially enjoyed the chords at the climax. Overall, it was really well done and I enjoyed most of the effects used, with one exception: the glitching at the beginning. It bothered me somewhat as I felt it interrupted the atmosphere that was being built.

Birdinator99 responds:

The effect at the beginning is a vinyl record simulator. I was unable to use the "warping" effect, so I tried to substitute it with some scratches on the record -- the little breaks, or glitches you are probably referring to. I minimized them, but you're right, it didn't flow so well.

Glad you liked the rest, and thank you.

[Amor Vincit Omnia]

Great work. Very atmospheric indeed. I especially enjoyed the vocals introduced near the last minute. The light off-tempo percussion in the beginning was an interesting touch, and so was the speed up.

The problem I see, though, is that I can't imagine this as a battle theme at all (especially for a bullet hell shooter), as I feel it lacks the necessary tension/intensity. It could work wonderfully as an ending theme, especially if it were longer. I would love to hear an extended version that builds up to something even more intense.

Troisnyx responds:

Thanks for reviewing and listening! ^_^

Have you ever heard the softer bullet hell themes that actually functioned as level themes where you were shooting stuff? Touhou had its share of such themes, and for EBF Bullet Heaven, we had the water and desert world themes... I was doing it with that in mind. I'll have to spoil some backstory for listeners to understand the context though D:

Quite funny that you mention 'ending theme', because the post-credits theme actually is an alternate version of this piece! :D Guess you and I think alike on that.

[Jolene (Cover)]

You have a beautiful voice, though it is out of tone in some high notes. The vocals are also a bit loud in comparison to the guitar. With a more proper production and better vocal training, I'm sure you could make some great covers.

hhoulding responds:

i needed to cough half way through haha, and i was worried it would be the other way around with the guitar too loud and vocal too quite. Thanks for your review.

[Cliffhanger]

Instrumentally it's fine, but the vocals seriously bother me (it sounds more spoken than sung most of the time, and it's quite loud in comparison to the rest). The chorus is kinda catchy, though. Definitely could be a really cool track with some work on the vocals.

[Atmospheres ft.Ultrashift]

The drums are a bit loud in comparison to the rest. I liked most of the synths used, but I'm not very sure about the timbre of that synth introduced at 1:03, maybe it would sound better with a stronger bass/lower treble.

TacoMilagroIII responds:

Noted, sir.