SMJ's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Ante Meridiem]

Getting a melodic doom vibe, kind of like a band called Lethian Dreams, worth a listen as it's quite similar with female vocals over the top. If you want a heavier version check out Swallow the Sun.

I like the intro, quite nice to hear a different texture than straight in with the guitars. I like the bass lines as well, giving them a bit more than the standard sit on the route notes is nice. The cut back to the keys at 2.20 is well placed and a nice break after the double kicks. During the solo it could be interesting giving the bass a few more little flourishes as a trade off with the guitar solo - possible even going as far as a call and response between the guitar and bass.

The outro I feel could have been extended a little, possibly returning to the melodic keyboard ideas at the beginning just to round it off nicely.

Very nice track!

350teric responds:

Thanks for the review, glad you've enjoyed it!

[Aspirations]

Very nice mix, and a heavy song, just what I like to hear.

I'd possible have the vocals down a smidge but thats just personal preference as they feel like they're floating just on top of the mix a bit, and maybe a touch of faint delay on them.

But the song hits like a truck which is the main thing!

nolife1 responds:

Thanks man! I didn't mix the song personally so here's the response of the guy that mixed it (Kieran Smith)
"Listening back I'd possibly have taken the vocals down a db or 2"
also I'm pretty glad it hits likes a truck haha

[It's Snowing]

A very interesting piece - I'd agree with someone below who said it's got a Jeremy Soule vibe to it. Has a nice gradual build in tension and a nice release. I think it could possibly benefit with something in the lower frequencies at 1.24 min mark as just another layer - some kind of slow bass line just to fill it out a bit at that point. But from 2.29 onwards it works as the slow and gradual release from the middle section. Very nice piece!

LawnReality responds:

I'm glad you like it, and I'll keep your advice in mind! Thanks!

[Year of the Sword]

Solid song, with some nice riffs and a good driving feel to it. I like the vocal layering as well with the lows and highs, sounds nice and tight with a nice overall effect.

One thing to maybe play around with would be automating the volume of the guitars up a touch when there's no vocals, so at 1.47 bring it up a touch to match the snare. During the section with no vocals at 1.47 my attention is more in the centre so I would pull the small tapping sections up (1.57) so they demanded my attention more.

Only a small thing really and as i said, really like the vocals and the vocal layering!

TwilightNecrosis responds:

I could have sworn I had automated those tapping riffs up... I may have accidentally uploaded the wrong mix. But if it is right, I'll crank em up a little more. That tapping riff is my favorite thing in the song, so I want it to be loud and proud!
Thanks for taking the time to write an excellent review.
Metal forever!
TN

[Celestial Fantasy]

Sounding good, got some very tight playing and a good mix going on. Only thing I can think of that could help the mix is maybe a bit more in the low, low/mids - the rhythm tracks feel a little thin but that's a tiny point and personal choice. As i said it sounds pretty awesome and does indeed sound very power metal'y and jrpg'y

DanJohansen responds:

Yeah those low, low/mids are something I often go back and forth with, sometimes I feel like everyone are going for those on everything by habit, I like to play arounds with some lighter touches for diversity etc. But the new tune I am working on has that so... yeah it varies from tune to tune :D Glad you dig it though!

[Mumunchies-Metaljonus]

Got to agree with everyone else really. Sounding pretty awesome, and nice job on the mix! Where this programmed drums by the way? And just curious but how where the guitars recorded, through a DI or from a mic in front of a cab? Either way sounds great!

Metaljonus responds:

Thanks! The drums are programmed as always. As for the guitars I recorded them using my podhd going into my usb audio interface. No micing or cabs here!

[Jacobus - Impact]

Nice solid song and some great work on the production side - currently working on trying to get decent sounds myself so i know how much of a pain it is. Can already kind of hear vocals in my head as well, good stuff!

JacobusMusic responds:

Yeah, the work on the production usually takes more time then composing the song.. atleast with me it does. Goodluck man, and im glad you dig the track !!