WMR (Reviews [week #06]) __ __ __ | \ __ ______/ |_ | | | o \ | | | / o | \ |o | | \| o| |o _/ | o\ []=======| |==| \ |=| |/ | \========[] []=======| |==| \ |=| | |\ \=======[] []=======| |==| \|=| | |=\ \======[] :: | | | \ | | | / / :: :. | | | |\ \| | /| |/ / :: : | | |/\ | \ | |/ | | / : | | / \| |\ | | | | / :. | | / \ | \ | |__| | / .: :: | |/ \| \_| | |/ : :: | /\ | | __| |\ :: []=======| / \ |=| |==| | \==========[] []=======| /| \ |=| |==| | \=========[] []=======| /=| |\ |=| |==| | \========[] |o / | | \ o| |o | | |\ o\(mansooj) |_/ | o | \_| |__/ | o | \__/ |___| |___| (Originally compiled and added on December 16, 1996) (last updated 09.17.97) -----========================================----- -----================================================================----- "Rise of the Drake" by Grymmjack of Hype (16ch IT, 04:58) (gj-rotd.zip [108K/175K]) [Ballad] Samples -----------------. Originality -------------. | Technical ---------. | | Composition -----. | | | Overall -. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ==================== Peraphon 75+ -- -- -- 65 Rebriffer 75- 70 65 70 65 PanDuh 70+ 65 -- 67 74 Mansooj 67= -- -- 60 65 CCerberus 65+ 52 34 40 40 WolfSong 62+ 64 55 55 52 Fanta C 52+ 55 72 75 50 /----------------------------------------------------\ )----------------------========[ WolfSong ]========-----------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ You know the difference between the sound of someone who's playing a nice saxophone solo and someone who's squeezing it out of their heart? This song is the first guy. There's no saxophone in this song; mostly piano and strings. The composition isn't bad, but it doesn't sound as though there's any heart in it. And it's a sad sounding song. All the more reason it should have some. It always seems to me that the lack of expression of this kind comes from not using effects to their full potential. Every piano note is not hit with the exact same pressure when a person is really playing one. They hit some notes harder than others to give it feeling, to express rhythm and because we're human...we can't do it perfect every time. When a composer tracks instruments in songs like this one without using at least some variation in volume, it turns out sounding computerized and lifeless. The main chord progression is nice at first, but it's repeated through almost the entire song without change. It does begin to speed up slowly after a little while, but it's still the same chords, and actually it seems to eventually get TOO fast. After it's gained its full speed, there's a change for a few patterns, then it goes back to what it was doing before until it eventually fades out. Only the fade-out is more of a step-out. The volume drops in steps until it's gone. I believe this song had good intentions, but just wasn't executed very well. It was almost like a love story written like a technical manual. Remember, if you're a composer, no matter how cool a phrase of music is when you write it, even if you yourself can listen to it endlessly without getting bored, it *will* get tiring eventually to the listener. It's hard sometimes to drop it and move on to something else, but that's important in making the song move along a path and eventually get somewhere...to say something. There really weren't many aspects of this song that were on the negative side except for the expression (or lack thereof). The tracking and mix was fine, though obviously there was a lack of effects used. If this song had been given a little heart and a little bit more variation it would've been a nice piece, though as it is, it's nothing to write home about. /----------------------------------------------------\ )-----------------------========[ PanDuh ]========------------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ Ok, I wake up with a bit of a hang-over, no problem, I'll just pop in this little IT and kick back to some nice tunes. Aaaah, a nice melancholic, beautiful sounding piano-riff starts it off with some ever-so-subtle string accompaniments, and I can already feel my throbbing headache begin to subside. Uh oh, I can feel the thundering chorus coming on, better buckle down...oops, nope, false alarm, maybe it's in the next pattern...(a minute passes)...where the hell is that chorus? (Around the 9th pattern) my headache is coming back, and the only substantial variation I am getting is a speed-up of that same piano-riff. Around the 11th pattern the second pattern sequence ensues, and by this time I am running for the Tylenol. Summary: great-sounding piano riff starts off this mod. The percussion entrance is just a tad too sudden, in my humble opinion, yet it appropriates itself later on. I keep expecting some sort of chorus at the end of every pattern for 2 minutes, before there is some variation, and there are actually only 2 really different patterns in this module. This mod has great potential, if only Grymmjack had added about 2 or 3 more significantly different patterns, I could have envisioned an 85+ song. But in this incarnation, it is too repetitive. /----------------------------------------------------\ )-----------------------========[ Fanta C ]========-----------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ A melodious piano piece, but unfortunately, it's rather cyclic. After the first pattern you've just about heard the whole track. However, what is there is rather nice. The first pattern is repeated over and over with the tempo increasing until just over two minutes when there's a most welcome break into another pattern, and then back to the original pattern, etc. etc. So, it's simple and it's repetitive. The actual melody is quite memorable, well it might be expected after being repeated some thirty times in five minutes, though, and technically it's good. The samples are not outstanding, but neither are they bad. However, one of the piano samples does have a nasty buzz on it which is quite noticeable, considering the style of music--a big downer. If you happen to suffer from instant amnesia at five second intervals, you'll like this. It's a nice, simple track, but some more variation (work) and fixing of at least one sample (the buzzing piano) would be necessary to make it worth recommending. I would urge the author to go rework this one, as the music good. If you, the dear reader, are looking for a good piano piece, give World of Unicorns by Lizardking a listen. --- References --- World of Unicorns by Lizardking ([download]) /----------------------------------------------------\ )----------------------========[ Rebriffer ]========----------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ Piano based MODs used to be the norm a while ago, but they seem to have dropped out of fashion. Here's one then, that's obviously bucking the trend--and rightly so. For those peeanner nuts out there...this one is a beaut. It's (as always) soooo simple it makes your brain hurt. There ain't a lot here folks, other than just well put together samples and a couple of neat touches in the melody department. The coding is kept to an absolute minimum, but the essential quality of the track still manages to shine through. Basically the track is entirely made up of the same run, but...what a run! A tumbling, spiralling waterfall of notes dominate throughout the tune, weaving their way through a solid but workmanlike backing. There's some very odd timing effects where the composer obviously is trying to compensate for the sparseness of the track, but if you can put it out of your mind long enough, you may enjoy this refreshing, oddly engaging track. A candidate for download, if only for that dazzling piano riff! /----------------------------------------------------\ )-----------------------========[ Mansooj ]========-----------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ A very nice, dense, piano opening--which turns out to be the entire song, actually--but with some fuzziness and a bit of sourness here and there (both of these problems could be attributable to the only Amiga IT player I have available, check other reviews). The eventual tempo changes impart a sense of growing urgency, but as I found out by the end, it feels like the target was missed and forgotten. Given that there is very little beyond the nice piano work, this song seems like it could be played backwards and sound almost the same. This spells out the often used and dreaded tagword "repetition." SOME variety, other than mere tempo changes, would have vaulted this tune's overall presentation far higher, but even lacking that, Grymmjack shows talent, and one is led to believe there is likely to be more impressive work to be found elsewhere, now, or in the future. /----------------------------------------------------\ )----------------------========[ CCerberus ]========----------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ Aye, carumba! I started out thinking I was going to really like this song, but then I noticed a few things. For one, the panning settings look like they've been set more to form an interesting pattern on screen than to actually further the music! Every channel has a unique setting, but those settings don't really MEAN anything, and they result in another problem (which I personally HATE in modules), and that is piano channel alternation. A third problem, and this one is probably the most serious, is that the initial piano riff continues throughout the ENTIRE SONG with no variation that I could discern. Okay, man, the riff was good, sure, but not after the twentieth time in a row you hear it! These problems resulted in a marked lowering of my opinion of this module in several areas. /----------------------------------------------------\ )----------------------========[ Peraphon ]========-----------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ I don't believe it...one of the first IT composers I have seen to NOT go insane with channels and sample sizes! This is a lovely, though highly repetitive, piano piece that is incredibly peaceful and mellow in the beginning, but which goes through a dramatic speed change at a point somewhere around the middle. This tempo shift brings the song's tone to something a bit more on the frenetic side. The small number of samples (there are only 7 of them) sound pretty good, but are otherwise unspectacular. Overall, a bit more variety would have yielded a better impression, but this remains a good module nonetheless. -----================================================================----- "The Age of Aries" by Crux of DCC (14ch S3M, 03:09) (aoaries.zip [362K/552K]) [Demo/Light Jazz/Orchestral] This orchestral masterpiece includes everything from waltzes and marches to Arabic melodies and pure cool pop. Just believe your ears, it's brilliant! [Crux] Samples -----------------. Originality -------------. | Technical ---------. | | Composition -----. | | | Overall -. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ==================== Rebriffer 90+ 85 80 85 90 Judex 87+ -- -- 79 85 Mansooj 83+ -- -- 88 75 CCerberus 78+ 85 88 84 88 Wizard 76= -- -- 90 85 Peraphon 60+ -- -- -- -- WolfSong 46= 40 52 80 46 /----------------------------------------------------\ )----------------------========[ WolfSong ]========-----------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ I'll stick with the age of Aquarius, thank you very much. This song is downright silly. If it hadn't been that there was some work involved in making it, I'd say it wasn't taken seriously at all. The first thing I noticed was that the song sounded very awkward. The instruments were quite abrasive sounding and just too "fake" for my liking, and the tracking was pretty rough. A big no no, at least in my book, is the use of guitars or saxophones. Unless you were born in front of a tracker it's going to be very hard to get either of these two instruments to sound anything above nasty. This song made quite a bit of use of a sax, and like in 90% of modules with saxes, it just doesn't sound right. Sometimes a module's lack in the technical aspect can be made up for by the composition itself, but not here. The song was downright nutty. Going from a pop song one second to a circus anthem to a theme from a movie with an Arab riding a camel through the desert. And without even the slightest effort at a smooth transition. It was almost like switching through the TV channels on a Saturday morning. Near the end, it did seem to stabilize into a soft pop song, but right as I was getting into it, it looped back into the silliness. I'm convinced that the composer was possessed by a cartoon character when he wrote this. If anything, this piece is *very* unique. I've never heard anything quite like it before. I doubt anyone's heard anything like it before (unless you're Crux, that is). Let this be a lesson to you all. This is what happens when you wake up suddenly in the middle of the night with several years of repressed childhood cartoon madness coming back to you all at once. If your curiosity is getting the better of you and you feel you have to hear this for the fun of it, (the song actually does have a bit of a "fun factor") please remember to wear your safety goggles. /----------------------------------------------------\ )----------------------========[ Rebriffer ]========----------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ You either have to be a raving egomaniac or stark raving mad to even attempt to make a convincing orchestral MOD. Go ahead! I dare you! Like a lot of real world music, it is intensely difficult to construct a believable track on our lowly trackers. There are some out there who do consistently manage to do the deed and some who pretend to do it. I mean, even a monkey can string together these HUGE orchestral samples and make something resembling music; by way of proof, even this reviewer-monkey has even done it! Making that music piecemeal (i.e. note after note) is, however, the true art of tracking. So, how does Crux fare on that scale? This, ol' chums, is a wizard at work. A truly wonderful example of how to actually put together a *tune*: great samples, a musical sense of humour and some wicked twists and turns. This, my friends, is the dog's dangly bits. Download immediately if you like the offbeat, quirky MODs we brave few all love to death. It even hangs together as a striking example of what can be done with the orchestral format. Excellent work and a very welcome addition to my burgeoning "tracks I have reveiewed and liked" collection. A couple of odd points, though: Crap title (waaaayyy to pretentious for such a great tune), a most abrupt ending (in fact, it just ends mid-chord, which is either a tracker mistake or some other mystical Internet gubbins), and lastly, the instrument pan was severely extreme--absolute left and right; could have done with some movement in there. Don't let anything stand in your way, though, get an earful of this at the very least. /----------------------------------------------------\ )-----------------------========[ Mansooj ]========-----------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ Within the first minute you are treated to a wide variety of instruments and style bits. Crux takes his listeners all over the place, not for long at each stop, but we get a smorgasbord of styles early on. At about the two and a half minute mark it settles into a sort of easy jazz or pseudo-demoish style which loops endlessly around the last several orders. Even though the bulk of this tune could be described as chaotic, it is an intentional, ordered chaos (I'll oxymoron if I wanna), and I happen to like modules that grab me and take me for a ride. However, there are a couple of things I was disappointed with. First, in the little info paragraph provided by the composer, he claims "Arabic melodies" included in this piece. Well, I happen to be a BIG fan of Arabic influences and I detected none. Secondly, for a module of this nature, three minutes just doesn't seem to work. Since the tempo is brisk it just seems as though it ended unfulfilled. Even so, it presented itself as a very good piece of music, but one with room for expansion. (I wonder if anyone else will note a sort of "Inspecteur Gadget" influence in here....) /----------------------------------------------------\ )------------------------========[ Judex ]========------------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ There's a lot of variety in this mostly symphonic piece of music. Each part is generally well done, with most being too short, but being interesting enough to make me wish some of them were longer. The mood is mellow at some parts, yet there are other sections that made me think of being in the midst of a storm or battle. These sorts of contrasts helped make the module really enjoyable. Also helping it along was the fairly strong sense of originality felt throughout, and the brilliant set of samples (really far too diverse a group to describe adequately, just know they're a very wide range with lots of different flavors). I'm quickly adding this to my permanent collection. /----------------------------------------------------\ )----------------------========[ Peraphon ]========-----------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ First of all, despite this module's fantastic sounding samples, this one sounds almost like a MIDI file instead. Is that necessarily bad? I'm not sure. The song sounds very disjointed, as it switches from one part to another, much the same way a committee operates when trying to come up with an idea; they just keep throwing ideas into the centre, work on them a little, then move to something else because the ideas just don't seem to take the desired shape. It sounds too repetitive in too many places as well, which is very unfortunate. Overall, it sounds okay, but it's nothing to get overly excited about. /----------------------------------------------------\ )-----------------------========[ Wizard ]========------------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ Here's a song that doesn't fit neatly into one style category. The rhythm was generally unremarkable, but I really like one particular rhythm section that begins at pattern 10; it has an especially nice beat to it. To counteract the benefits of this nice part, there's a really annoying piccolo which comes in at pattern 31, and which is sorely out of tune with the rest of the notes. From there to the end, it was actually really enjoyable. The end itself, however, needs some serious work. It's an abrupt cutoff that takes away significantly from what could have been a great song. /----------------------------------------------------\ )----------------------========[ CCerberus ]========----------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ Nice song. Really well done. An intelligent blend of several different styles...I think I heard some jazz and soft rock influence in there. This one is written by one of those "demo people," and they almost always know what they're doing, so: this song is worth keeping for a variety of reasons, if for no other than because it's a good database of primo samples! -----================================================================----- "Rave on the Web of Death" by Darkness (5ch S3M, 01:53) (deathweb.zip [237K/287K]) [Rave/House] Samples -----------------. Originality -------------. | Technical ---------. | | Composition -----. | | | Overall -. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ==================== Rebriffer 45+ 35 35 30 40 Judex 35- -- -- 45 62 Quasar 30+ 50 20 30 35 Mansooj 23= -- -- 10 20 Ka'PQat 20+ 20 15 15 81 Mysterium 10= 10 10 10 10 /----------------------------------------------------\ )-----------------------========[ Ka'PQat ]========-----------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ This module begins with a set of standard, mostly minor chords, done with single instruments that were apparently the product of mixing a mournful synth-choir sound, electric organ, and spacey tinkling in the background, one chord after another cutting one another off in the same track without any smoothing of the transition or effects applied. Then a breakbeat is added which stutters due to being cut off on the last beat in order to keep the beginning point in time with the chords. A moment of silence is filled by a whooshing synth-machinery sample I seem to recognize from another WMR-reviewed mod I heard called Factory, then a standard "come on" voice sample followed by a return of the breakbeat now accompanied by an extra-cheezy, bare-bones electric-organ and bass line mostly repeating 2 notes over and over in sets of 4 before moving to the next 2 notes. At some point, a thudding bass drum joins with a retrigging lead-in (not to say that a retrig command was actually used, however; did use what I believe is the only effect in this module, though, fading in with volume control). A snarling amped-stage-whisper of a synth rave lead then arpeggiates in marcato on 3 octaves, then a flat echoing acid sample does a staccato dance on 3 notes accompanied by an aggressive electronic clap on every on-beat, soon joined by the bass thud on every beat. This finally seems to be leading somewhere, into a trance or, perhaps, one might imagine, into an explosion of sound that would fill the 11 unused tracks in this module. Instead, a ride cymbal does a triplet, waits, does another triplet, then abruptly ends the song. The composer, if in possession of much tracking skill at all, showed almost none of it here. The sample quality did sound very good, and in fact I will probably use the rave-lead and acid samples myself. The piece simply seems unfinished, in fact, barely started. Of the 15 tracks, only 4 are used at any one time. It was very (in this case, unless it were to take a new direction, mercifully) short. The mood, from the beginning, is basically dull and labotomized, and when it begins to turn aggressive toward the end, it stops, as I believe I have shown in the description above. I can't say there's *nothing* good about it, but in my opinion, it comes pretty darn close. Perhaps it's just a personal preference, but I think this cheesy stuff can be taken a little too far...scratch that...*way* too far. --- References --- Factory by Mixmaster ([download]/[reviews]) /----------------------------------------------------\ )-----------------------========[ Mansooj ]========-----------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ This seemed very standard, unoriginal and, well, boring, despite the vigorous thumping it spews forth. Right from the intro there were problems. There's a drumloop used in the beginning that just plain sounds out of sync; the sort of thing that is quite easily detectable, in most cases, and which, with a little care, could have been completely avoided. Here and throughout, the generally raw and irritating set of samples helped nothing, and only served to add to the sense of grating and fuel the twitching of my 'eject button' finger. Given that I don't dislike rave to any important degree (though certain variations are nigh on impossible for me to understand, much less like, this isn't one of them), I must admit that if I'd been introduced to rave via this module, I would likely have been avoiding rave like the plague by now. I listened and listened to this module and I couldn't find much of anything interesting within. The composer left no decent hooks to grab the listener and carry them in, instead choosing to let everything slide by in much the same fashion a million other rave modules have done in the past. It seems to me that since the module's length is less than two minutes, and there's nothing mentionable that appears to have utilized any special talent or effort, this is a prime choice for skipping. Perhaps if you really like rave, and don't mind hearing again something you've probably heard ten times more often than I have--give it a shot. You won't die. You may, however, waste time unnecessarily. /----------------------------------------------------\ )----------------------========[ Rebriffer ]========----------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ Judging by the distinct lack of coding work on this track, I can also only assume that Darkness is a relatively new tracker. That becomes ever more clear when the track finally gets going. It's yer standard rave track, loads of "come on!" samples and burbling synths, and as such *should* have been a halfway decent track. It's not, though, and the reasons for this are apparent even to the most tone deaf of us. The first few patterns have the strangest drum loop I have ever heard. I cannot believe that this composer *purposely* tried to make patterns that just don't fit together, so I can only assume that this is the first of many glaring errors in the production process. The main part of the track sounds like Mickey Mouse on acid and I have to say it didn't do anything but irritate. Repeating and repeating the phrase just made it more and more irritating. It's also very short for a rave track (1:56) which suggests to me that the composer is a) new to tracking and because of it, liable to make these glaring errors or, b) not particularly musical or interested enough to put the kind of effort into a track to make it as professional as possible. Either way, massive improvement is necessary for this composer. /----------------------------------------------------\ )----------------------========[ Mysterium ]========----------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ Well to say this song was below-average would be a huge understatement! As usual, everyone thinks they can make techno; so they try and they fail...miserably. The piece remains uneventful, predictable, and utterly lacks creativity. I am a big critic of originality, that is, adding one's personal touch to the gene pool of music, but this piece sounded like every other rave-wanna-be out there. The samples were poorly chosen, the melody did not fit the music, and the music throws itself at the listener, begging to be shut off. Sure we all start making music somewhere, so if this is Darkness' first piece, then there is yet hope! For while the music seemed uninspired, the love of music should drive the composer on. If a bit more originality were added to the song, the piece would improve a great deal. Only time and practice will allow for the skillful use of effects and transition which are absent in this song. In the end, the only positive comment that I can muster is that at least the piece was short. /----------------------------------------------------\ )------------------------========[ Judex ]========------------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ I -swear- I've heard the beginning of this tune in another song, but I can't remember which one. This sensation of the intro having been done elsewhere before seems to fit the rest of the module's effect, since it too, overall, comes off as plainly generic. The rest, however, is much different--it seems to me the author was experimenting with a meld of Christmas music and rave, achieving no particularly desirable result. The melody, such that it was, simply did not go well with the accompanying percussion loop, though that drumloop and the rest of the samples, in general, were fairly decent. After about 2/3 of the way through, the song becomes a more standard rave/techno, but of what special use is more standard rave/techno? /----------------------------------------------------\ )----------------------========[ Skullsaw ]========-----------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ Hoo boy . Errr, how shall I put this? I know. This mod sucks. On many levels. On all levels. The drum loops are not looped correctly, throwing off the timing. The use of the ever popular "Come on!" vocal snatch shows a lack of creativity. Abrupt pattern changes throughout make for an incoherent musical flow. A general obnoxiousness in the music's style make for a truly annoying piece of music. Rave On the Web of Death sounds like a techno band falling down a flight of stairs whilst trying to continue playing their synths and samplers. I must state one good point about this mod and that is that it is mercifully short. Be afraid...be very afraid. /----------------------------------------------------\ )-----------------------========[ Quasar ]========------------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ This is a poor addition to the world of rave. The module is plain, unimaginative, and poorly sampled. The composer apparently thinks that random voice samples mixed with a poor bass track constitutes rave. I will admit that the main melody sequence most curiously reminds me of a similar sequence in Dax' '95 Raver's Mix. In short, don't download this one. It'll only take you 45 out of the song's 112 seconds to press File: Delete. --- References --- '95 Raver's Mix by Dax ([email if you know where to find this!]) -----================================================================----- "Lunar Mass" by Pfister (16ch S3M, 16:25) (lunar.zip [151K/291K]) [Ambient] Samples -----------------. Originality -------------. | Technical ---------. | | Composition -----. | | | Overall -. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ==================== Quasar 86+ 80 85 95 85 Rebriffer 80+ 70 85 80 80 Mansooj 78+ -- -- 65 70 Araneus 70+ 70 -- 76 86 Skullsaw 70+ 65 60 50 75 Nova 70+ 59 -- 60 65 Klaws 50= -- -- -- -- CCerberus 40= 52 40 43 46 /----------------------------------------------------\ )------------------------========[ Nova ]========-------------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ Ambient? Maybe.... Spacey? Yup.... Trance? Most definitely. This is a song that I would like to have playing while I sat on the deck, in the sun, with a drink in my hand. Tranquility central! A few of the most noticeable points about this song are that it has a long playing time and has lots of repetitiveness. Now, many people think that repetitiveness is bad, however, in trance/ambient tunes, if done correctly, it can be a *good* thing. The soft spacey synth tones help enhance the non-drug-induced, spaced-out state of mind. As for the long playing time (over 16 minutes), it too helps enhance the mood because it gives the author a chance to fit more of the soothing, drifting space synth and the occasional light brass patterns into the song. Hesitantly, I admit that I found myself slipping lazily into a calm trance while staring blankly at the screen. This, of course, would be a bad thing if this module was a metal tune but it's to be expected here. I would recommend giving this module a listen because I feel that the author accomplished what he set out to do--to create an effectively soothing ambient/trance tune. /----------------------------------------------------\ )----------------------========[ Skullsaw ]========-----------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ Let me get the obvious out of the way first. Lunar Mass is long. There, now on to the music. It's an ambient piece, though not pure ambient as there is a groove provided by sparse drum programming. Synth chords are held for entire blocks and delicate little synths play delicate little melodies against them. Things develop -very- slowly in this mod, almost imperceptibly so. It does get a bit more aggressive (I use this term loosely) in places, so it's not all sleepybye music. There's not a whole lot of content in this one but it does work somehow. The samples are appropriate, though uninspired, and they are clean. Yes, it's over 15 minutes long but that's the point. I listened to this three times in its entirety and I did find it boring after the first time through, but something like this isn't meant for repeated listenings in a 24 hour period. It's a well executed ambient piece along the lines of Tangerine Dream. If ambient is your thing, this is a good example. /----------------------------------------------------\ )-----------------------========[ Mansooj ]========-----------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ This is not listenin' music--it's more appropriately termed as drifting music. Something to zone out to...something called trancey ambient, or perhaps more ambient than trance (which is fine by me, since I much prefer ambient to trance). At over 16 minutes you'd best intend to let it play in the background and not pay too much attention to the repetition. Still, even with its obvious repetitive nature, its hefty playtime lets it explore a few sub-melodies which, if you're not putting it under a microscope, lends enough variety to a piece of this type to disregard the repetition as a down point. If one judges it the same way they would judge a dance tune, they'd be doing it an injustice since its style is almost diametrically opposed to the intent of most other types of music. I feel it achieves what it sets out to do; something many songs fail to accomplish. /----------------------------------------------------\ )-----------------------========[ Araneus ]========-----------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ This one carries a good solid beat, and is appropriately long. As a slow ambient/trance style, a weirdly attractive synth drones on in the background, giving you something to listen to as the other notes fall into place. As a lenghthy piece, one might half expect it to become repetitive. And it does. Even though I'm not a composer (yet), I bet there are some re-used patterns in this one. Even in the sample description area, the composer admitted that he was sick of this song. I could find two melodic elements in this ambient art: a sample more suited to be a bass sample does perform in places, but it is a strong synth sample near the end which gives a good feeling of power. The melodies do offer some variation, but after it was all over, I wondered why I was so intrigued with this module, one lacking in any large amount of distinctive melody (especially for its length). /----------------------------------------------------\ )------------------------========[ Klaws ]========------------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ Someone's going to kick me for this, but the first thing I think when I hear this is Chuck Biscuit's tune, After Sunset. It sounds way too much like it, especially in the intro. I mean, it's everything! The strings intro, the acid riff, the clap beat for the intro drum pattern, the drum pattern itself, even the acid bass is here! It's almost as long, too (16 minutes vs AS's 20 minutes). Pfister says he was thoroughly sick of this by the time it was done--no surprise! On the bright side, a brass section located about 2.5 minutes into it is added for a short while (40 seconds), then a series of chord changes, and more. The entire thing is just too (BEEP)ing LONG! Setting it at 200% speed in CP (not pitch, just speed) doesn't hurt anything but the drumbeat. --- References --- After Sunset by Chuck Biscuits ([download]) /----------------------------------------------------\ )----------------------========[ CCerberus ]========----------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ In the sample notations, the author of this song says that he's "thoroughly sick of this song now." Dude, no wonder! You went and made your song over 15 minutes long, and on top of that, you made it slow and repetitious! This song was a letdown, because its various strengths were overwhelmed by the damage done via seemingly ENDLESS cut-and-paste hijinks. The melodic structures were good. The percussion was well-done throughout. But man, by the end of the song you never want to hear it again! Oh well. Another one on the scrap heap. /----------------------------------------------------\ )----------------------========[ Rebriffer ]========----------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ Weighing in at a massive 16:32, this must be the longest MOD I've ever seen. To achieve a meaningful song with this length that's good enough to hold yer average MOD listener for the duration is nigh on impossible as this track shows. Really careful moves and a wonderfully spacey atmosphere helps to retain *my* interest for a good 7 minutes, but then I went to sleep.... /----------------------------------------------------\ )-----------------------========[ Quasar ]========------------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ Oooooh. Ahhhh. Still. Silent. Spacey. I like it a lot. This spacey tune shows very good compositional skill, contains high quality samples, is highly original, mysterious, and just plain great to listen to. Its only drawback is that it may take too long to really get started and, for some, it may _never_ seem to get started. -----================================================================----- "In Absence of Minor" by ManChild of fudGe (14ch S3M, 04:15) (mc-absen.zip [164K/264K]) [Light Rock/Ambient] Samples -----------------. Originality -------------. | Technical ---------. | | Composition -----. | | | Overall -. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ==================== CCerberus 94+ 93 85 95 80 Rebriffer 90+ 90 85 85 80 Skullsaw 85- 85 75 85 80 Mansooj 79+ -- -- 70 77 Fanta C 73+ 62 84 80 88 Klaws 52= 60 68 -- 68 /----------------------------------------------------\ )----------------------========[ CCerberus ]========----------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ I've actually had In Absence on my harddrive for quite some time. It's one of my favorite modules, so I'm happy to take this opportunity to review In Absence is one of the strangest modules I've ever heard. It takes the form of ambient music, but it has a more intrusive edge to it...as though it wants to pull you in while you're listening to it in the background. You might start out just playing it as background music, but before the song is over, it will have your undivided attention. This is due to the beautiful combination of tribal drums, synth strings, and heavy guitars that ManChild employs in brilliantly-timed succession, leading you from the gentle trance of a tribal drumbeat to the emotionally striking power chords of a ballad, and then back again. Brilliant. The chord progressions used here are pretty unusual, so it never lets you get your guard up. As smooth as it is, it seems to come in pulses, each stranger than the last, until the song seems to break into a beautiful, yet predictable, melodic structure. Ahhh, dammit, quit trying to figure out what I'm saying. You'll never understand until you hear this song. Download it! This is the type of music that I think everybody should experience at least once, even if they don't end up liking it. /----------------------------------------------------\ )----------------------========[ Rebriffer ]========----------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ ManChild is a tracker I've come across from time to time and always liked the tracks I've heard...this one is no exception. It's heavy, it's industrial, it's rave and it's dance and, eventually, it's none of those things...it's just an MC track. The kind of trackers I prefer are those who seem to stamp their own mark on the tracks they're involved with. MC is one of these trackers. Pick up an MC track and you'll see what I mean. Doesn't matter what the genre is, the general overall sounds and mix will inform you of the *class* at work here. This is a blinding track in many ways, but in particular, the way chord progressions wander from mood to mood...luvverly. Some very lush samples at work here too, the guitars and string samples positively *drip* with feeling. There's a really good breakdown around two-thirds of the way through that has you guessing where the track is headed next and you'll never guess where it ends up!! Nonetheless, a splendid example of a musical talent that always keeps you guessing. It's not going to be everyone's favorite track but most discerning listeners will be well pleased to have downloaded such an interesting package. /----------------------------------------------------\ )-----------------------========[ Fanta C ]========-----------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ In Absence of Minor is a nice little tune that peaks too early. We start in a minor key and, as the tune progresses, move closer and closer towards the related major key, which is where you really want it to be. Then, however, it abruptly jumps back onto the minor key for the remainder of the track. This I found disconcerting; it just didn't make any sense. The best area is the middle section on and about the major key. The lead guitar here is excellent, sounding definitely synthish, but lead guitarish at the same time. Very nice. The style, and some of the instruments reminds me of some Stevie Wonder stuff, such as The Secret Life of Plants; indeed, I'd say a lot of the keyboard sounds were directly related. No bad thing. Technically, there are no problems. The tracking is very good, the samples clean and it's quite original. If it weren't for the strange layout, I'd have very few reservations about it. /----------------------------------------------------\ )----------------------========[ Skullsaw ]========-----------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ Hmmm, this one is tough to categorize. The best I can do is modern instrumental. There's quite a lot that I like in this mod. For starters, the percussion is original and juicy, almost lite industrial in flavor with metallics and big electronic drums. Come to think of it, the rhythm reminds me of mid 80's Prince. These instruments create a smooth silky groove that flows nicely. Next, I like the chord progressions that are played by glassy synths which reminds me of Alan Holdsworth's work. Even the restrained guitar soloing evokes Holdsworth. This is one of the few modules that I liked right from the start. There are a lot of original harmonic and melodic ideas here and the rhythm track percolates with fresh samples. A fine piece of work. /----------------------------------------------------\ )-----------------------========[ Mansooj ]========-----------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ Interesting pseudo-industrial lead in with a slightly dark, or maybe melancholy undertone. I liked the way the guitar lead was brought in by having the melody drop away and then reform along with the guitar. Change of pace a minute and a half before the end to something a little more aggressive, but it doesn't go much beyond a sort of easy/light rock stage. This is a rather difficult one to categorize as it exhibits a bit of ambient along with the relaxing guitar rock lead. Overall, it's quite nice, but unfortunately, it feels as though it had more to do before it finished, and that was after more than four minutes. /----------------------------------------------------\ )------------------------========[ Klaws ]========------------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ Ambient? The rock (distortion/overdriven) guitar gives a counter-argument to that proposition. Bizarre chord progressions are the rule in this song, so prepare to feel slightly--only slightly--nauseous. The composer does have enough sense to keep closing sequences predictable. There's a good guitar riff somewhere around the middle of this tune which would also have served as a much better place to end the song. As it is, ManChild elected to drag it on for 16 more orders than necessary. -----================================================================----- "My Insanity" by BLuRry (14ch XM, 03:39) (b-nsane.zip [375K/546K]) [Atmospheric/Light Rock] Samples -----------------. Originality -------------. | Technical ---------. | | Composition -----. | | | Overall -. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ==================== Peraphon 87= -- -- 90 92 Mansooj 80+ -- -- 90 75 Araneus 74+ 72 -- 77 65 CCerberus 74+ 46 70 76 84 Judex 71= -- -- 80 70 Skullsaw 50= 45 55 45 55 /----------------------------------------------------\ )-----------------------========[ Mansooj ]========-----------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ This is a rather unusual song, and one whose style I find quite hard to associate immediately with anything in specific--it smacks of many influences. Present here is a rhythm/beat on the rockish side, a rather ambient underlayment, some faint demo-style overtones, and a somewhat orchestral feel given breath through the auspices of synthstrings. This mixture is not only unusual, it's pretty interesting too. Structurally, it opens with a kind of thematic movie atmosphere, somewhat in the vein of horror/slasher style flicks, a la Halloween. Most of the tension is brought about via synthstrings and various related voice samples. This basic tone is carried throughout the module's entire duration, and is here and there punctuated by some screeching hawk(?) sounds which lend support to the somewhat eerie undertone. However, upon this basic premise, the real majority influence leans more towards demo/rock and even becomes pop-ish in some spots. Overall, there's not a great deal of variety, and the idea of insanity implied by the title isn't exactly complete, but this remains quite a good, and stylistically original effort, complete with a fairly high quality, varied sample set. Worth the download. /----------------------------------------------------\ )----------------------========[ Peraphon ]========-----------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ The first word that ran through my mind when I listened to this was "different." The best analogy I can come up with is to say that the song is like a forest crammed into a module, then dashed with lighthearted fun, tempered with occasional sensations of lurking danger, spiced with various animal calls, and blessed with excellent piano work. Those animal calls, as well as a few assorted voice samples go a long way towards not only supporting, but expanding the flavor of the song. Having mentioned the sound elements, now's a good spot to point out that, individually, the samples are of an incredibly high quality; and this raw quality also spills over into the care which was taken with making the loop points in the looped samples essentially unnoticeable. This mix is very refreshing, and is one I don't believe I've ever heard the likes of before. Even on just the strength of its originality and sample quality, this one is worthy of far more than just a casual listen. /----------------------------------------------------\ )----------------------========[ Skullsaw ]========-----------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ OoooOOoOoo...spooky. This sounds an awful lot like the music from Halloween or is it Friday the 13th? I forget which one. The main attraction here is a sinister piano part that plays a sinister melody. Well, it's not much of a melody, it's more like arpeggiated chords. Big beefy drums are the foundation upon which the piano and some synth strings do their thing. They do this thing over and over. I have no problem with minimalism or repetitiveness in techno, trance and such, but in this style it just gets on my nerves. The composer is obviously trying to evoke insanity here but the only thing that this piece brings out in me is boredom. My Insanity isn't all bad, though. I do like the short intro with it's maniacal chipmunk laughter and otherworldly speech samples. I also like the synth strings and the way they are phrased, smoothly joined from note to note rather than the typical abrupt cutoffs. Overall, I give this tune a well deserved so-so. /----------------------------------------------------\ )-----------------------========[ Araneus ]========-----------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ Heh, an insane sounding song the first time I listened to it. If the composer had changed some of the samples, and removed the beat, this would sure sound like a good theme song to a horror movie. One sample (heard at the beginning and end of the song) was screwed up (according to the instrument descriptions, it was because of Cubic Player, although playing with IT resulted in the same problem) but the rest are okay. A neat song, a little repetitive probably, since there are only two distinct differences in bassline throughout the entire song. Some muffled voice samples throughout added to the originality. /----------------------------------------------------\ )----------------------========[ CCerberus ]========----------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ This was an interesting song--kinda weird, really. The contrast between gentle sounds of tweeting birds and gurgling brook, and Halloween theme-styled piano riffs was very interesting. It made the song seem more genuinely "insane." However, there really wasn't much compositional complexity in the song, with very few variations in the melody, and brief ones at that. I think the sense of "insanity" could have been better represented if more changes had been included. /----------------------------------------------------\ )------------------------========[ Judex ]========------------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ This quite interesting piece does a good job of being what the author intended, that is, a song that sounds like it would be good theme music for exploring an insane mind. I feel that most of the time, voice samples detract from a song, but they do contribute to the overall effect in this case. The samples are good, in general, but the piano sample in specific, sounds more like some sort of synth. -----================================================================----- "Fall From Sky" by Elwood (22ch XM, 03:00) (elw-fall.zip [322K/621K]) [Demo/Dance] Samples -----------------. Originality -------------. | Technical ---------. | | Composition -----. | | | Overall -. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ==================== Fanta C 96+ 98 98 90 92 WolfSong 96+ 95 97 85 90 Rebriffer 95+ 80 85 70 80 Peraphon 94+ 93 -- -- -- Mansooj 92+ -- -- 70 80 Raul 90+ 94 85 65 90 Red Death 80+ 75 -- 55 65 /----------------------------------------------------\ )-----------------------========[ Fanta C ]========-----------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ First, if you haven't got it already, go download this one NOW. If there's one person who seems to instinctively _know_ how to write, happy, boppy, cheer-you-up tracks, it's Elwood. Seriously, you can't listen to this kind of stuff and not smile. Imagine being on a rollercoaster ride at 200 miles-per-hour, and you'll get an impression of what I'm trying to convey. Fall From Sky exudes fun, style, skill and professionalism. All the trademarks of a great mod. Okay, so it's short at about three minutes, but in this case I don't care. It was designed to be that length. It's as if Elwood worked out what he needed to do, figured how long it would take and then sat down and just "did it." And he did it in a way that makes it sound simple and natural. A lot of Elwood's tracks are becoming classics, and this surely must be one of them. The style of this track is most definitely demo-ish. It's a mod from the old-school, which can sometimes count against tracks these days, but hey, this was composed in '95, so it's okay. Believe me. There are so many instruments, effects, styles and drum rolls thrown in for fun--it's got it all, even orchestra hits which work! You wont have heard much like this before. Running at 140 beats per minute, it's not a slow death march by any stretch of the imagination. Think energy. Think speed. Then think no mistakes, great tune, superb composition and you have an idea of my thoughts on Fall. Has this track any down points at all? Yes, one. Right at the start there is some clicking from one of the samples. Do I care? Nope. Conclusion: You'll listen to this one over and over and over. Promise. /----------------------------------------------------\ )----------------------========[ WolfSong ]========-----------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ Just between you and I (as if this weren't in front of millions of people), this has been one of my all time favorite modules for years. This piece is not only inspiring, it *defines* what a demo song should be. Us reviewers are kind of expected to go into more detail when we think songs are exceedingly good or bad, but when a song is this close to perfect, it's hard to find the words. If you've never heard an Elwood song before, you will be absolutely amazed. This is one truly gifted composer and tracker. Being a demo song, almost all of the instruments are various synth sounds from the punchy backing chords to the flowing, fantasy inspiring leads. If this song's energy could be registered on the Richter scale it would sink a few good sized continents, and though it is rather quickly paced, it absolutely glides through the chord changes and different moods, sweeping the listener right along with it. I have one single, solitary complaint. The song is only 3 minutes long. Most of the time that's not incredibly short, but this song deserves to be much longer! It actually seems much shorter than it is. I'm supposed to be writing this to give you an idea of what the song is like before you download it, but this is one case where I just can't do my job. This song must be heard to be believed. And don't just get this song. Get anything by Elwood you can get your hands on! This song, as well as Elwood's others should be a basic part of every module collection. /----------------------------------------------------\ )----------------------========[ Rebriffer ]========----------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ There are many Elwood fans out there, and I've often had cause to number myself among them, but to be honest, this track isn't one of his best. As usual with this composer, the main things are in place and work well; the samples used are clear and bright enough to cut through, and the coding used shows the material in a good light. Unfortunately, it's the material that doesn't work for me. I do like a good rousing techno tune a la 'classic MOD' stylee, but it can get wearing after having heard the same thing 24 million times. Fortunately for Elwood, this is a style this composer helped to develop so you have to understand there are a lot of people copying him. It's a kind of rote composing these days. Get yourself a few synthy pop sounds, get them looping merrily away and play the damn thing into the ground. What lifts Elwood's material *waaaaayyyy* above the crowd is the way he puts all the bits together--and Elwood surely knows what's what. So although this is far from Elwood's best material, it's a good effort nonetheless, and compared to 90% of the other composers toiling away in this genre, this is a work of art. Certainly downloadable, but only if you like the demo-style. /----------------------------------------------------\ )----------------------========[ Red Death ]========----------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ This song really seems to fly, from an ethereal beginning to a really rapid pace which is present throughout the bulk of the duration. This is vintage Elwood; either you like all of his stuff, or you can't stand any of it. There's a quick dance-techno drum track and a siner lead, but the tune is remarkably full despite the usual stereotypical aspect of songs containing such a drum/siner foundation. The bass and background accompaniment fit well, and the changes in lead instrument work excellently. And finally, the samples chosen are pretty standard but combine very well. This is a good song, but not Elwood's best, nor as good as some of the finest songs by obvious influences such as Purple Motion (his Skyrider tops it, for example). A very close listen reveals some really subtle, yet interesting background accompaniment which shows that Elwood is a talented tracker, enough for him to have earned a good reputation on his own, and enough to prevent him being considered just as yet another FC imitator. --- References --- Skyrider by Purple Motion ([download]) /----------------------------------------------------\ )-----------------------========[ Mansooj ]========-----------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ This little demo-ditty opens with a nice spacey lead heading towards a lively demo style main part. The way Elwood goes about his business in this genre exemplifies what I like about the sovereign style we collectively call "demo." In this case, however, we also get a dancey edge, which in combination, yields an extremely nice, bouncy tune. It's a tight example, with all instruments carefully chosen to lend a hand in building the harmonics and upbeat tone--no wastage--and quality all the way. I had heard good things about this guy calling himself Elwood, but hadn't had the impetus to go and investigate; well, I'm sorry I didn't do so earlier. He ranks right up there with my favorites in the demo-style genre (which I don't consider a bad label as many overly-jaded types seem to; hell, it's what hooked me, and I'm sure many others, into this hobby). As with any module running 3 minutes or less, if it's good, it's too short; if it's bad, that fact is a boon. In this case, it's far too short. /----------------------------------------------------\ )----------------------========[ Peraphon ]========-----------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ A Skaven/Purple Motion-esque demo piece that sounds very nice indeed. No, I think great is a more accurate term. The intro was very interesting, hooking me instantly, and maintaining my attention throughout the exceptionally well done, vibrant, energetic and creative song body. Some of this praise falls squarely on the skill with which portamento was used. The only compositional niggle would be with regard to the seemingly too abrupt ending, but as it had only a mildly detrimental effect on the overall flow, it means little. A single general quibble has to do with the file size to song length ratio. It's, shall I say, lopsided. At 600K, 3 minutes seems rather slim. 110K of that 600 is eaten up by a single sample which gets used very conservatively (maybe twice). Nevertheless, it's obvious that Elwood is a talented composer and I'll be looking for more of his work. /----------------------------------------------------\ )------------------------========[ Raul ]========-------------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ Originally, I didn't like tunes in this style because they're usually all the same as well as being generally repetitive and boring...this tune is different, and Elwood (and Rage) have managed to change my mind. The drum track is the typical disco-rave beat, but what sets this tune apart from the others of this style is the really good melody. Additionally, the samples are sampled at a very high rate and are well selected for this kind of music. Overall, a really impressive tune, of almost commercial quality; very enjoyable if you like demo-style music. -----================================================================----- "Images of Terror" by LioZ of TbK (18ch XM, 04:51) (lz-image.zip [496K/907K]) [Techno/Spacey] Samples -----------------. Originality -------------. | Technical ---------. | | Composition -----. | | | Overall -. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ==================== WolfSong 89- 90 87 92 80 Mansooj 88+ -- -- 80 85 Rebriffer 80+ 85 80 80 65 Peraphon 79= 80 -- 86 95 MING 79= 79 80 50 75 Nova 71+ 70 65 78 68 Skullsaw 65+ 65 70 65 75 /----------------------------------------------------\ )----------------------========[ WolfSong ]========-----------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ I don't think I've ever heard such a delightfully successful mixture of styles in my life. Lying at the heart of this piece is some kind of trance or rave (which, by the way, I normally am not fond of) but as LioZ paints his picture, you'll quickly see that he's doing it in Technicolor! The whispering, lonely chords of the intro might, at first, lead one to think that they have a gothic trip in store, but it isn't long before damp and quiet images are shattered by a swift jungle beat and wide bass synths and you're taken on a real ride! From there, there's no end to the mystery that waits around every corner, but I guarantee you they will be pleasant discoveries. LioZ incorporates almost every kind of popular electronic music today into his wonderfully post-modern epic. I have to say that I could have never predicted what he would do next. Hints of dance, jungle beats, techno and rave, a very distinctly demo style solo. There are even parts where he combines gothic-like chords and voicings with his stomping modern rhythms and most amazingly...it all works, and works splendidly! The instruments seem predominantly to be techno/rave style synth sounds, though, to keep the style varied, some fall out of this group, like some soft strings at the beginning, a demo lead sound and orchestra hits. Sure, the percussion is made with loops, but who cares? It sounds great! I do notice some places and intruments that seem a touch out of balance volumewise, though that does seem to be a popular styling in some kinds of music. I personally think, however, that it would have sounded better with a more popular mix method. Not to say that this minor detail is enough to hinder any enjoyment of the piece. The tracking was of expert calibre and there is no end to the volume and stereo effects used. What does all of this amount to? Style, folks, style! In the song message, LioZ asks for feedback on his style; I say go with it! It's this kind of innovation and stylistic creativity that is the reason music progresses. I can easily picture this composer's style becoming influential in the module universe. Believe me, you DON'T want to miss this song. If digital data degraded, this would be the Beanie Baby of tunes. Run and get it now! I know I'm keeping mine. /----------------------------------------------------\ )----------------------========[ Rebriffer ]========----------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ A Norwegian XM that starts well, its atmosphere building through a dark, moody intro. The composer uses FT well to separate out the various instruments so it sounds clean and well mixed. The sounds used, I found a little same-y; the same ones I've heard a million times. It didn't ultimately harm the track, but it's not the sort of thing that ends up helping it either. This is what you would expect from a very decent, workmanlike module from those pesky Scandinavians. Actually, it's a bit above that, I damn it with only faint praise. It's basically a synth driven piece, the atmosphere being generated by droning strings (aaah, a familiar refrain...) settling ultimately in the more techno area of the musical world. What's interesting about this is the composer's willingness to take chances with some of the breakdowns, one of which is exquisite. It's always interesting to see how other composers tie themselves into musical knots, but here's a composer well versed in getting out of them. Segues, one in particular, as with the breakdowns, being excellent, make or break tracks like this, and the composer obviously bore that in mind. /----------------------------------------------------\ )----------------------========[ Peraphon ]========-----------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ This module is a very interesting mix of orchestral and techno, something which I'm quite sure I've never heard before; therefore, I must give it credit in the originality department. The song moves along fairly quietly at first, and everything sounds like it's working well in a somewhat spacey style, but then the song goes into a rapid, full on techno mode which sort of turned me off a little. However, I think this initial progression and further, befits the title by illustrating very well the terror implied--the lead up, the climax of the terror, the running in fear, and what is presumably the eventual escape...or death. This sense of fear and tension is aided by a very appropriately chosen set of instruments, and ones that are also of an extremely high quality. Unfortunately, the filesize is bloated by a heap of samples that don't even get used--unfortunate both in these terms and because some of them sound like they would have lent something extra to the song. I must admit that I'm intrigued by this song, and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for an intense bit of music with a noticeable storyline progression. /----------------------------------------------------\ )-----------------------========[ Mansooj ]========-----------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ Essentially this is techno superimposed on a spacey, semi-ambient track. I happen to think it came across very well, and it doesn't hurt that I like both forms individually, one moreso than the other, but I sensed a powerful gestalt of the chocolate and the peanut butter which made me take to this track like a fish to water (yesterday was half-price day at the analogy store, so I stocked up). This track begins with a somber synthstring opening which would give the song away as a slow, spacey piece, but after a minute techno/acid jumps in and away we go. LioZ skillfully keeps both major style aspects prominent throughout without losing any of each style's individuality, and without sacrificing any aspects of one for the other. Within the sampletexts, LioZ asks for feedback regarding whether he should continue with this sort of music. Oh, I wish my last interrogation were so easy: yes, by all means. I have yet to hear LioZ' interpretation of his main style, mellow trance, but I'm now looking forward to it. /----------------------------------------------------\ )----------------------========[ Skullsaw ]========-----------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ This mod really threw me for loop. The intro is a "Space...the final frontier" kinda thing with lots of dreamy synths which lead me to think this was going to be a spacey electronic piece but I was wrong. Acidic synths and a frantic drum loop slip in and take the music in a whole other direction. What's interesting is that while the basic groove is techno/acid the dreamy synths still float on top. I really like the first three minutes or so before this mod degenerates into a typical techno outing that modulates between two chords. Then there's a bit of synthetic orchestra a la Synergy and it's over. I'm right on the line with this one, but given that I really like the first couple of minutes I'm going to go with the positive. I would have liked it more if the composer would have stuck with the combination of techno and space music, I think it was an original idea that could have been developed a bit more. /----------------------------------------------------\ )------------------------========[ Nova ]========-------------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ At the start of the song, Lioz establishes a very eerie evil atmosphere through the use of some deep synth samples and another one that sounds like piccolo flutes on acid...well, okay...it's actually a higher pitched synth sound with an echo effect on it, but I like the piccolo explanation better. A little later in the song the author moves to using the higher synth sample as a lead instrument backed by the deep sounds of a bass and cello-like sample. It really is all very spacey sounding. And don't forget eerie. The best part of this song comes up about three-quarters of the way through. After the author slows the mod down he picks it up in a very big way. The drums kick in, the synth literally starts screaming at you and you get this feeling of running from something evil. And you continue to run until--WHAM! what you are running from catches you and you slip into a state of nothingness. And the song is over. Then again, maybe I just have an overactive imagination. /-----------------------------------------------------\ )------------------------========[ MING ]========-------------------------( \-----------------------------------------------------/ Oh, my. Time to get assaulted again.... Not that I really have anything against fast techno tunes with an attitude, but when the attitude starts stealing the show from the music, I think it's gone too far. And Images of Terror has so much attitude it makes my ears bleed. Opening with a bigger-better-cooler-harder riff on sharp synths and pads, and then following the straightest of paths into hard, mildly twisted beats and bleep sounds ricocheting around in the room. Some changes around this theme, with the normal breaks and kickoffs, and the song is ended as expected. Alright, no surprises, but anyway a very well made tune, with good speed and, as I said, full to the brink with attitude. So as a HC/Techno tune, it is outstanding both in enjoyability and, despite the "normal" concept, personal artistry. Well worth the download. -----================================================================----- "Deep Spaces" by Estrayk of Capsule (4ch MOD, 04:56) (Deep_Spaces.lha [457K/685K]) [Demo/Spacey] Samples -----------------. Originality -------------. | Technical ---------. | | Composition -----. | | | Overall -. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ==================== ChroMix 88+ 86 89 79 75 Skullsaw 85- 85 80 85 90 Nova 77+ 75 80 67 74 WolfSong 73+ 80 61 81 57 CCerberus 72+ 84 76 79 82 Mansooj 72+ -- -- 80 72 Rebriffer 60- 60 70 60 55 /----------------------------------------------------\ )-----------------------========[ ChroMix ]========-----------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ Interesting song.... It's got that kind of atmospheric quality that makes it very relaxing, plus some rather spacey synths, all nicely set to some relaxed, soothing drums. It all works very well. The song starts off in a very smooth chord-focused section, then the drums come in along with a standard synth melody. Then a break, followed by another go with a more powerful version of the synth melody. It then breaks into chords and then drums again. Nice. I especially like the job done with the drums. They sound extremely realistic, almost as if there's a guy playing them off a tape. Come to think of it, the entire song is like that. Very well done. Even though this song is pure synth, it all does sound studio produced. The samples sound good, but kind of old-skoolish, mainly because they came from an old Korg...oh well. At least that's better than ripping all your samples like I do. :) Technically speaking, there's no doubt that this guy knows what he's doing. There's really no need to even critique this as he's obviously comfortable with tracking to the point where his music sounds very organic. Overall, very well done. This is a very good example of what tracked music CAN sound like, if the right amount of time and effort is put into it. Good work. /----------------------------------------------------\ )----------------------========[ Rebriffer ]========----------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ Yet another 4 channel MOD, this time from Spanish tracker Estrayk. A very atmospheric start leads into a track that, for want of a better description, tries real hard to be 'epic' but somehow makes a track that has its own peculiar charm. Personally, I don't have any time for the 'space-epic-I-am-deity' plods that surround us in ever-growing piles, but on this occasion, I plead insanity. See, I actually like this track. Sure enough, it's nothing spectacular. It even borders on that very thin line between love and hate, but there is something endearing about it that made me go back and listen to it several times before finally sitting down to write the hatchet j...oops, sorry...review. The samples, it has to be said, could have been a lot better. However, there is a wonderful fat, sassy synth sound that carries the main theme very well and there are sufficient twists and turns in the track to satisfy the most demanding listener. It's a little ponderous, of course, but what do you expect from the genre, right? A good track, then, but only because it takes a few risks and therefore avoids a 'pretentious crap' accolade from this reviewer. A word to Estrayk, though, one of these is bad enough for most MOD composers, I beg you not to make the same mistake twice. :) /----------------------------------------------------\ )----------------------========[ WolfSong ]========-----------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ Okay, this is a MOD and the samples do stumble over each other so let's get that out of the way. It's very hard to write any module with only four channels without that happening. But considering what it is, I'd say the composer did a pretty good job at spreading them out. I found this song to be quite unique. Musically it has the feel of, perhaps, a rock ballad, but its instrument set is full of synthy, dancey sounds. Emotionally, one simple feeling could not be put to this song because it goes through many different moods. I would almost say that the composer went through everything he could while still keeping the feeling of the song. However, as a generalization, most of the song does seem to hold a light, happy vibe. I also found the use of some of the instruments to be quite imaginative. Right now, I'm thinking particularly of a flute that weaves a kind of sub-melody around the chords and the strings that take center stage. Checking this song out would definitely not be a mistake. At the least you'll be in for something that's probably a little different than anything you've heard. /----------------------------------------------------\ )------------------------========[ Nova ]========-------------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ Neat song. Great work for only being four channels. The author often uses many technical aspects in this mod to make it sound both ambient and lively. The technical work includes volume fades, panning, vibrato and others. You really can experience these aspects of the mod at about the two minute mark when the author pulls the song back to a slow drag (dramatic emphasis). Listen carefully to the instruments at this point in the song and you will hear for yourself at least one of each of those aspects I mentioned. There's a well done but false ending about a minute before the true finale, which gives the listener a sense of being in space by pulling back to only a few key instruments. One of the instruments drones on a slow decrescendo while the other does a spacey pulsing noise. Once the author starts the song back up again it creates an uplifting feeling that envelopes you with the sound of nearly all the instruments playing in a final grand harmony. /----------------------------------------------------\ )-----------------------========[ Mansooj ]========-----------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ Generally, this could be appropriately described as a slow demo tune set atop an uptempo atmospheric/spacey piece, but I wouldn't risk a firm position on any one particular style label--it's almost a breed unto itself. One moderate problem stems from this merging of styles and the way Estrayk blended them. It seems like the song has an identity crises due to meandering progressions. I suspect a better result would have been yielded had more care been taken to mesh the component styles seamlessly rather than leaving them as stark as they are. Still, most of it is pretty nice. As a side note this belongs in multi-channel format. I have great respect for the 4-channel set (I'm an Amiga guy myself), but some types of modules just beg for more depth, and this is one that would benefit greatly from more latitude in this area. /----------------------------------------------------\ )----------------------========[ Skullsaw ]========-----------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ This module, Deep Spaces, is worth a listen just for the samples. A giant blown pipe, huge synth washes and Mellotron samples provide a colorful aural adventure. Big drums, a soaking wet moog bass and a vocodered synth are also standouts. Hell, I think every sample in this piece is fantastic. All of these wonderful samples play somewhat plodding and heavy music. Harmonically, it's fairly simple and familiar but the arrangement is the star here. The piece goes through various sections that vary in density and dynamics. Overall, this is a pretty good piece. I highly recommend giving it a listen, it's wonderful candy for the ears. /----------------------------------------------------\ )----------------------========[ CCerberus ]========----------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ Hey, you know, this was a pretty good song! It was pleasant to listen to, smooth without being overly simplistic. A nice balance of stability and variation. I dig that. My only real complaint is that this song was probably limited by its 4-channel format, but considering that, it was done very nicely. I think that with 12 or more channels this song could have really flourished. BUT, I liked it anyway. :) -----================================================================----- "Inevitable" by Twilight of MONO (4ch MOD, 03:53) (m_inev.lha [335K/467K]) [Techno/House] Twilight's giving off some _serious_ good vibes with this hardstepping, longstriding release.. kicking it monostylee. :) [h0l] Samples -----------------. Originality -------------. | Technical ---------. | | Composition -----. | | | Overall -. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ==================== ChroMix 90+ 95 95 80 -- MING 86= 70 80 99 80 Skullsaw 80+ 80 85 80 80 Rebriffer 75+ 65 65 70 65 JuiCe 74+ 65 88 -- 80 Peraphon 56= -- -- -- -- CCerberus 40- 46 52 47 34 /----------------------------------------------------\ )------------------------========[ JuiCe ]========------------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ Another MONO release confirms that if you feel like listening to a 4 channel electronic-dance-style module, you probably won't be dissapointed if you pick up one from this troupe. Anyway, what we have here is what some people call an 'intelligent drum and bass' song. This means it's not just hard breakbeats and an earth-shaking sub-bass. The breaks are slightly mellowed out (but still very fast), and atmosphere and melody is brought into the tune to make it more interesting to listen to. The strange thing about this song is that it flows from part to part, like a demo-style song. There isn't anything that one might call the main theme; it just keeps changing until it ends. It keeps the song more interesting, but on the other hand, there aren't any parts that catches your attention like a repeating theme in a classically structured song would, so it takes quite a few times through the tune for it to grow on you. Finally, a note about originality. Influence (and samples) from Goldie in this song are just too blatantly obvious. It sounds like a mix'n'match exercise performed on a couple of songs from Goldies' Timeless album with a couple of other samples introduced for good measure. It wouldn't be so bad if it were just the samples, but even whole sequences sound suspiciously similar to the aforementioned album. If the samples were used to create different sequences with a different feel, this would've been a very good drum'n'bass tune in its own right. This way it's just a pale shade of what it tries to copy. Original or not, it's still good music, so don't let that last paragraph make you think you'll be disappointed if you pick up this song, because you won't. Like I mentioned at the beginning, if you're into electronic dance music any MONO tune is definitely worth a listen. /----------------------------------------------------\ )-----------------------========[ ChroMix ]========-----------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ Interesting.... I must admit this song has its own sort of attractiveness in its combination of cool mellow melodies and basslines, with techno elements and breakbeat sampling, a lot of which I recognised from The Prodigy. This song definitely receives kudos for being creative. It's is very alluring, while still giving the listener the desire to dance. One thing I should point out was that I completely forgot I was listening to a MOD for a while there, a quality that is very good for a MOD file to have. In the file list, the author claims he had composed this song in total mindlessness. I often find that this is the state in which composers perform their best. :) After listening to this song a few times, I really like it. It sounds great and is fun to listen to, a quality that I look for in music that eventually gets placed in a huge conglomerate of music I have on my drive. High-5 to this composer for creating a very good song that is both well composed and fun to listen to. /----------------------------------------------------\ )----------------------========[ Skullsaw ]========-----------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ If one were to combine house, techno, jungle, drum'n'bass and throw them in a blender, I think this is what would pour out. Inevitable is a mish-mash of electronica, different colors thrown against a canvas. I like it. Hell, there's even a wee bit of ambient that's used as a break. No doubt about it, the main instrument here is a chopped up drum loop, jungle style. The piece starts out with this manic drumming, some tasty dub bass and a housey organ stab. Synth chords join in with some delicate synth doodles that echo and fade. The aforementioned ambient comes out of nowhere only to once again welcome the wild drum parts and a deep round bass. After a bit of this, the synth chords that were used earlier return briefly and the mod ends. Bravo. In under four minutes a lot of ground is covered in this mod. Repetition never really takes hold but rather just enough is used before moving on to other ideas. Jungle/techno/electronic fans should definitely give this one a listen. /----------------------------------------------------\ )----------------------========[ Rebriffer ]========----------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ A 4 channel rave-y type MOD that delivers the most interesting mix this reviewer has heard in a long while. The tune's not up to much, mind you, it's yer standard "get up and dance, yeah" routine but the instruments are so well-placed in the mix, it adds a great deal to the overall effect. It tends to noodle a bit in the middle, almost losing its way before sliding into a great drum/bass workout that is as good as anything out there. I can't say that I *love* this track, but I don't exactly hate its spotty little hide, either. I suppose that could be construed as damning with faint praise but it's not intended. Personally, I find this style is getting a little done to death these days. Same ol' samples, same ol' way of using them, almost. Several things save this track from the great Dreck Deleter, however, the aforementioned mix; the drum/bass workout in the middle section and a really deep, deep bass sound that really should have been made more of. Well worthy of a quick listen, though, you may even get to like it. /-----------------------------------------------------\ )------------------------========[ MING ]========-------------------------( \-----------------------------------------------------/ A tune that, without being annoying, is playing hide and seek with the listener. A tune that is frantic to the brink of total panic. A tune that you won't ever, ever be able to whistle. It's just a big eruption in hectic breakbeats and little bleeps and bloops tossing and turning really trying to shake off the listener. And according to the message in the sampletext, the composer doesn't really take this piece or even himself too seriously. I really believe he should. Inevitable is a real gem. It is tracked with the technical skill of one that has been doing four channel mods for six years (as said in the songmessage), and also with the musical brilliance of someone who's been composing for so long. It is smart, fast and loads of fun, and most important, it is nice to listen to. /----------------------------------------------------\ )----------------------========[ Peraphon ]========-----------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ The module text states that there is no thought as to the structure of the module...how obvious this is. The basis of this module is formed by a fast percussion, an annoying bass line and a variety of overly-repetitive instruments in the foreground doing the same thing, over and over and over. The samples sound okay, but there's a looped percussion that needs cleaning up in the loop point department...it sounds a little bit shonky. This is just too plain and unspectacular to even find much to mention. The end product is one that generates a resounding "it's okay" from these quarters. Not exactly glowing, is it? Well, if you like house-flavored techno, and don't expect too much, there's a download link upstairs.... /----------------------------------------------------\ )----------------------========[ CCerberus ]========----------------------( \----------------------------------------------------/ Hm. Well, this song is a good argument against using the old 4-channel MOD format. It sounded hollow and underdeveloped. Honestly, the author's sample notation was more entertaining than the song itself. Most of this song was fast percussion, and although THAT was fairly complex, it just felt very "blah" through the entire thing. -----================================================================----- "