ForgottenDawn's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Particulate Matter]

This was one of the tracks that originally piqued my interest when checking the entries for this Layer. I think it's an intriguing take on drone music. It definitely has that suspended feel, with an airy, yet uncanny—even morbid, juxtaposition of textures. The way you manipulated orchestral samples to create this controlled dissonance is inspiring. I don't think it would sound out of place in a documentary film.

[Lament Of Dissolving Angels]

You belong to that rare breed of musicians who pour a great deal of time and effort into the presentation. You take your time writing a short story, make sure the imagery fits your vision, and all these elements then combine to conjure this haunting, almost demonic portrayal of an otherworldly realm beyond human comprehension. I do believe you are a master of apocalyptic music at hour zero—as the catastrophe unfolds. I think that's what makes your ambiances feel so vivid.

[Anti Matter Propulsion]

It's pretty decent, honestly. I see it as more of its own thing rather than trying to fit it in a box. It makes me think of Metroid and similar dark sci-fi settings. It wouldn't be out of place in an 80's sci-fi film either. It just has that soundtrack quality to me, and if you ask me, storytelling is just as important as setting the right tone and atmosphere for your vision. In that sense, then I would consider this a highly cinematic, synth-driven piece. Overall, I was not disappointed in the slightest. It's a solid effort regardless of label-related semantics.

[To Destroy The Altar NGAIC Layer 4]

This is so thrashy, I love it. I can only try to imagine the type of vocals that would fit along with this. I also wasn't expecting the Slayer-like guitar solo at the end. Short, chaotic, balls-to-the-wall, black/death metal meets grindcore speed and aggression. That's War Metal to you. Solid effort.

[NG Audio Portal 20th Anniversary Collab]

This sounds really great all the way through! Congrats on everyone for producing this mammoth of a project. Long live the Audio Portal.

[NeverEndingStress(NGAIC layer 3)]

This is what I would probably put in a "frag music" playlist while blowing heads off in any 90's/early 00's first person shooter. It just has that kind of balls-to-the-wall "I do what I want" vibe for me. Really tasteful offset on the percussion there, too, I love tiny details like these. Nice job. 👍

[Blaze Of Beheaded Fungi]

The Cure - A Forest / Joy Division - Disorder flashbacks all over while listening. I love the driving pace of this. I think you've nailed the genre; it's such a fun piece to listen to. Production is also spot on, as it sounds convincingly 80's enough to me, down to the gated verb on the snare drum and overall thin and slightly trebly mix. The track just flew by as I was writing this, so I'm just gonna say that you did a really nice job putting all of these different elements together.

Mechanical-Head responds:

I haven't heard those songs in a long while actually, but I surely had my era when it was all i listened to hehe.

[Blemish]

Yes!! More chill music. You love to hear it. I dig the raggae-like groove. It makes for some subtle head-bopping. Songs don't need to be overly complex and layered in order to work and this is a perfect example of how well simplicity does its job without sounding intrusive. It just flows. You put it on loop for as long as you need to, and that's about it. Certified solid 👍

[NGAIC 2023, Layer 3 - F I F T H S H I P H O M E]

I love how the music fits the artwork so well. It has a dreamy, chill vibe and it fluidly moves from one place to the next without sounding stiff or boring. I must have left looping it in the background three or four times while writing this. This definitely provides a nice break from all the soul-crushing metal I've heard so far, haha. Elevator music for the soul and elevating music for dreamers. Bonus points for fulfilling the 13/4 time signature challenge. Thanks for sharing!