SoulSecure's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Futuristic Artifact]

Sounds great man! It's a short and fun song. The percussion is strikingly good. Hope you win!

satanicpotatoe responds:

Thanks SoulSecure!!

[AIM - Operation Fleshhunter]

This is really good, could be slight bit more hook reliant if you know what I mean, but the lack of vocals snuffs it a bit for me. I was like "alright here come the vox" and then it didn't happen. I read your description afterward and I totally feel you on being pressed for time.

I don't really get the correlation of the song to the art, but this may be solved with lyrics. I feel this way simply cuz I think the scene presented is more mundane than the song lol. Like I imagine beepy boops and anticipated orchestral, but I think you're looking at it more like they're very actively doing something. Will be on the lookout for your completed cut.

LD-W responds:

So how I've approached AIM projects over the last couple of years once I've found some artwork I definitely want to work with would be to trial out different tone palette's and atmospheres until I feel as if I've got something which connects with the artwork on a more raw/visceral level than other experiments.

My overall thoughts on the artwork in relation to the track was more of a violent cinematic concept of 'Automation control operatives, operating a swarm of mechs and weapons platforms to violently subjugate humanity' kind of approach. With the Martial Industrial inspired intro section over the first 83 seconds being a direct representation over that atmosphere, while the rest of the piece when the Industrial Metal kicks in being more representative of the 'actions' of the control operatives and the incredible level of violence taking place from their actions in the outside world.

It is annoying that I couldn't get vocals properly recorded on time, although I got them half-done to a sub-standard level in a hurry, hence why I ditched them haha. I did recently move again to lower my general cost-of-living for now (I'm slowly saving up for a mortgage), although the downside is that I don't have as many time-slot opportunities to be able to get vocals done. Something I either have to throw a tenner to the local recording room to let me do loudly on the weekend, or plan it when both the neighbors are out!

Thanks for checking the track out!

[AIM 2021 - open field skirmish]

This is pretty sweet man. I think it captures the scene pretty well, although I listened to it before looking at the picture and after and I had a flashback to Drakengard on the PS2 on my first listen.

It is a bit repetitive, but if this was in a videogame for a scene like this you probably wouldn't notice. My only other issue really Is that the cymbals are way too loud. I didn't know like if you were gonna bring em in real loud like that and then fade em back a bit for the next parts, but they stayed that loud.

I can totally hear a synth solo over this in my head, would be totally rad.

Great job man!

[Raindrops & Thunder]

Not a bad little tune. It could use some high harmony on a staccato synth near the end for progression's sake. I like it. Has a nice beat.

[A Stroll Down St Pancras]

It's not my favourite from you but this sounds like a lot of work that reminds me a bit of Michael Jackson (no offense intended) and while normally these instruments in these tones would be slightly jarring the idea of emulating buskers makes it all make sense.

It's a little muddy with reverb in the lower register. I had to learn myself that too much verb is a thing so I'm speaking from experience here :P

I don't have time to do a big review right now, but just want to encourage you to keep going!

[Riverchord - Rising Tide]

Pretty realistic sounding. Your pizz strings have too much 'verb on 'em in my opinion. The song also sounds compressy in a negative way, maybe ease up on that limiter slam?

As per the composition, there's really nothing wrong with it. Except the end is so abrupt.

Good work!

[mechana]

Reminds me of Sega Genesis music for some reason.

[Dark Recess]

Nice man, this is the kinda stuff I like to hear coming through the portal. Got a Halo one and two vibe with a trip hop sound. Could totally see this being in a flash video (or whatever they're gonna be called after flash dies).

It's got this chill, but kinda epic vibe with also a night vibe, but it makes me think of big vistas even though it's called Dark Recess.

What's your string synth? Sounds like the default FL soundfont player string font. I actually use that and like it myself if that is what it is, so no worries :P

Anyhow, great job!

SomebodysHero responds:

Thanks for the feedback! i have omnisphere so yeah! uh! thank you

[À cause de l'ombre ~ version définitive]

Oh man that chord at 02:35~ That was so good right there, what is that a 9 chord or dim or something? Perfect spot for it. YES you did it again at 05:47! Those vocals with the freq pass on them that come after that point are fantastic, same as the kind of thing I love to hear in lounge music.

0/5 no massive dubstep drop >:( NAHHH JK this is great man. I could see how this would be a great middle track on an album with a big song after this. Love all the 'simple' or you could say 'retro' synth work. Your vocal style here works very well with the instrumental. I could pick on the way you EQed your vox, but you could do the same to me :) I mean really, vox EQing is so subjective and most of the sound comes from our own voice and the microphone used and the distance from it anyway.

No I really don't have anything to legitimately add, I think it's good the way it is. Every time in the song that you have the freq passed vox is my favourite instance of vocals in this track.

Troisnyx responds:

The chord at 2:35 was Emaj7. 😁 Thanks for the kind words, I'm glad there are parts in this song that you've notably enjoyed.

[Stranded on Juniper Island]

Hey man, just wanted to drop some encouragement on you. Love this track in particular. It's so chill, I could see this in a mystery game where you're on an island and you can hear waves in the background and the protagonist in sandals running around with footstep sfx.

Hope this gets picked up for a game! Good work!

Tapestoppa responds:

Thanks man!