ForgottenDawn's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Une Nouvelle Chance]

I think that a nice video game would come out of all the nice entries in this gig :) It would be a cool initiative. Anyways, we talked about the track yesterday, I'm reiterating it has nice vibes whether it's 8-bit, fakebit, whateverbit, who gives a damn. It's music.

Thanks for listening to my faint drums tip at the beginning, it does feel like the track is progressing more now. ^^ Good job!

Troisnyx responds:

It worked pretty well, thank you very much. <3 I was trying to imagine how it'd be played, live -- because yes, I do intend to make a live-recorded version of this at some point in the future! -- and I'll still admit that I don't know if I'd go with this particular drum part.

I'm glad you enjoy it. ^_^

[In Love with the Wind]

It sounds good, it feels good.

I liked the variations you applied over the 2nd minute mark, they made the track more lively despite the fucking neighbor ruining an otherwise good composition. A little too anime-ish for my tastes, but that's just me. I think the part where you just went crazy with the progression was the one resonating with me the most because that felt more "you" in a sense. It didn't sound like an anime nor a video game, it was undeniably you. The track didn't really speak to me until that part came which felt as if you were speaking through your piano, free from the influences you mentioned in the description. It is however a more than good tribute, and that's what matters in the end.

LucidShadowDreamer responds:

Thanks a lot, dude!

Yeah, I wanted to have a chromatic baseline in the left hand at some point, and I also wanted some change in the general movement of the melody, and most importantly, to switch up the chords I was using a little bit. I also like the melodies I made for that part, and the return of it, at the very end.

It might be a bit anime-ish, but that is intentional. I like the genre, personally, and I'm pretty sure EtherealWinds does too, so I definitely wanted that feel to the track. Other than that, the medium is perfect for the kinds of emotions that are in the piece :)

I'm glad to hear you liked my performance. I always try to put my heart into my playing, but here especially, it is important for the composition. I definitely wanted to speak through my piano, but I also wanted to save the most powerful expressions for the later parts of the piece :3

That said, there are a few parts where I would very slightly change the melody still. I would've done it for this version already, but that neighbor made it impossible for me to practice more. Still, as this is a gift for someone else, I won't go around changing this version, but I'll play it a little differently at home instead :)

Anywho, thank you for the review!

[Hectic Bells]

Classic steampianist, haha. I'm sure your gift will be well received :')
Just a little short of 90 seconds filled with ordinary madness.

[Christmas Memories - Music Box]

Oh no, not the music box cover songs. Ooooh no. You won't get me this time.
Merry Xmas :')

LucidShadowDreamer responds:

Muahahaha! NoisySundae also made a music box based song just a while ago. We shall take over the world with our use of the Music Box!!! >:D

Merry Xmas :3

[Ambience]

I like the idea :)
The booming bass and electronica elements definitely make me think of Metal Gear Solid. Something stealthy and subdued. I think you've nailed the Ambient part of the track, though I would have personally focused on a less rhythmic output and cranked the creepy textures up, along with the already fitting sound effects you used.
It works, however, and that's what matters! :)

eatmeatleet responds:

thanks!

[Tenebrarius]

Some really nice tune there, it's a good take at the hybrid/cinematic style.
That cello legato is easily the most haunting element in the track, almost breathtaking.

Keep improving and evolve. I'd love to hear more from you two.

LucidShadowDreamer responds:

Thanks a lot! We ended up making something very different from our previous collab, and I'm happy that we did.

You can thank dem0lecule for that cello, as I had nothing to do with it ;)
He is a cello magician. A cellogician.

We will definitely do our best in the future too!

[Sanctuary of the Fallen Empire]

It shows promise as a new beginning.

The choice of those slightly detuned choirs gives an eerie, dissonant feel which contrasts the generally peaceful and laid-back ambiance. Could it be the "fallen" side of the sanctuary? They otherwise give a sacred, almost ancient undertone to the composition. I'm not sure if this contrast was sought on purpose or not, it's something I'd be more careful for your next Ambient piece sound design-wise.

It also has a nice structure. I think it could easily fit in a video game, since it has that potential of being looped virtually endlessly. The last thing I would point out is that Ambient music rarely employs edgy sounds, usually derived from EDM nowadays, and instead generally opts for mellower tones. It's not a rule but usually such pieces tend to emphasize the atmosphere and mood of the soundscape by exploiting each element's timbral qualities.

It's why Ambient tends to sound like a joke when it isn't, it actually implies a profound knowledge of each sound you have. Ambient music lets you dig further into the sound by exploiting the generally tempo-less (or otherwise really slow) nature of the style itself. If there is a melodic component, it's usually a slow evolution. I'd suggest you to keep exploring more sounds, more interesting ambiances and train on how to bring subtlety in your future works. It will be a rewarding experience in the end. ;)

//FD

Noisysundae responds:

I see there's several flaws in it yet you still gave it a 5. Many thanks. ;w;

The choirs (especially the bass choirs at the start) were intended but the opposite atmosphere wasn't. I don't have any experience in making ambient but I do like listening to them a lot. Frankly, my nature is making fast music like DnB or hardcore and this is all new for me.

Yes, I was going to make it a loop but ended up giving it an ending for the purpose of my visualizers on Youtube. I prefer uploading the same version on all site. In those timbres, I did that because many people commented on my older stuff that they lack some frequencies so I tried to find instruments to fill those gaps. Anyway, I'm definitely going to find more new sounds.
Thanks again for taking your time writing this long. I'm very grateful. :)

[Automaton]

I agree, kinda wish we had more time for this little gig but hey, who's complaining? We still get great music :) And your short tracks makes no exception.

Happy Robot Day!

steampianist responds:

yeah it seems everyone is busy on something so far all the tracks for robotday ive listened to lasts for only 2 min.