Aminet 22/Aminet 22 (1997)(GTI - Schatztruhe)[!][Dec 1997].iso/Aminet/mods/wmr/WMR.lha/wk05.txt

Text File | 1997-10-21 | 93.6 KB | 1,750 lines

WMR (Reviews [week #05])

                            __                __
                      __   |  \   __   ______/  |_
                     |  |  | o \ |  | |     / o | \
                     |o |  |    \| o| |o  _/    | o\
            []=======|  |==|     \  |=|  |/     |   \========[]
            []=======|  |==|      \ |=|  |      |\   \=======[]
            []=======|  |==|       \|=|  |      |=\   \======[]
            ::       |  |  |        \ |  |      | /   /      ::
            :.       |  |  |   |\    \|  | /|   |/   /       ::
            :        |  |  |/\ | \    |  |/ |   |   /         :
                     |  |  /  \| |\   |  |  |   |  /
            :.       |  | /    \ | \  |  |__|   | /          .:
            ::       |  |/      \|  \_|     |   |/            :
            ::       |      /\      | |   __|   |\           ::
            []=======|     /  \     |=|  |==|   | \==========[]
            []=======|    /|   \    |=|  |==|   |  \=========[]
            []=======|   /=|   |\   |=|  |==|   |   \========[]
                     |o /  |   | \ o| |o |  |   |\  o\(mansooj)
                     |_/   | o |  \_| |__/  | o | \__/
                           |___|            |___|

            (Originally compiled and added on December 9, 1996)

                          (last updated 10.02.97)

            -----========================================-----



-----================================================================-----


                                "Submerged"

                   by Numb Lock of Toll Free Productions

                             (16ch IT, 03:43)
                        (tf-sbmrg.zip [464K/600K])

                           [Atmospheric/Ambient]

                                  Samples -----------------.
                              Originality -------------.   |
                                Technical ---------.   |   |
                              Composition -----.   |   |   |
                                  Overall -.   |   |   |   |
                                           |   |   |   |   |
                                           |   |   |   |   |
                                         ====================

              Rebriffer                  100+ 95  95  90 100
              Klaus Flouride              82- --  --  --  --
              Peraphon                    75+ --  --  --  77
              Araneus                     74+ 75  --  70  72
              Mansooj                     73+ --  --  50  55
              CCerberus                   70= 71  78  73  70
              WolfSong                    70= 71  70  68  58
              Red Death                   50- --  40  65  40

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)----------------------========[ WolfSong ]========-----------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

 I can't remember the last time someone's pulled off such an obscure piece
 so well.  There are some recognizable style elements in this song, but a
   good bit of it is experimental sounding.  It's the kind of song that
  *could* have gotten boring very quickly if the composer hadn't been so
                          dynamic in his writing.

   There were many different "sections" in this song, starting with some
string chords, which then slip into a relaxing beat and then go on to delve
into some rave/ambient like sounds, though it isn't long before the rhythm
    picks up a bit and moves into what I can only describe as a rather
 dance/rock kind of sound.  The beat sounds like rock, but the highlights
                                are dancey.

My favorite part of this song comes at a point about three quarters of the
   way through where suddenly, a sharp, 80's synth bass begins to play a
           snappy line that fits just wonderfully into the beat.

  This song is mostly noises.  Usually I don't seem to be able to be too
    impressed with a song that is more noise than notes, but this is an
exception.  There's always a background of noises playing, but at the same
time there are enough notes to get a feeling of what the song is trying to
say, and no matter your point of view, it would have to be something pretty
dark and sinister.  I pictured a cursed and tragic comic book-like hero in
               the alleys of a gigantic neo-punk metropolis.

My main complaint here would be the samples--they really weren't that hot.
 The quality wasn't very good, and there was one car horn sounding sample
that I think the song would have done better without.  Overall, though, I'd
          say that the plusses definitely outweigh the negatives.

  If you're in the mood for a rather gothic sounding rave/dance/rock song
 then you could definitely do a lot worse.  This one gets a thumbs up from
                                    me.

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)----------------------========[ Red Death ]========----------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

This is a fairly ambient tune, but it picks up the pace about a quarter of
     the way in.  The tune shows itself to be a bit on the technically
simplistic side at times, partly through the fact that only one, or maybe 2
               channels are used for one "sound" at a time.

Certain samples (rusty gate, etc.) sounded very interesting and unique, but
  most of the module's problems are centered around the remainder of the
  sample set.  This problem manifested itself early on when only after a
short time, I got sick of some chirping samples, which then, unfortunately,
    continued on pretty much throughout the whole piece.  Also near the
 beginning, it sounds like some of the samples cut out while panning; I'm
 not sure if it's my PC or the tune, but it sounds bad regardless.  Later,
there's a bass solo, which is good, but the bass _sample_ used sounds like
it may have come with the original ProTracker sample disks.  Then there's a
    lead around pattern 12 or 13, whose chosen sample was some sort of
        chirp-squeak thing that I found to be quite poorly chosen.

This could be a much better tune with better samples (again, the ones used
    are unique, but their general quality is substandard), and a little
                     additional practice by Numb Lock.

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)----------------------========[ Rebriffer ]========----------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

 Underwater sounds held up by strings, big stereo moves and luvverly brass
   are some of my favourite things.  This, ol' jaded buddies, is *bloody
 marvelous*!  A wonderful cruise through some of the more underused sounds
in the universe -- all in glorious, brain expanding, blood vessel bursting
                    STEREO!  Yes, folks, it does exist!

 The intro I described above, a little over the top I admit, but how does
the track actually pan out?  The good news is that the beginning is just a
sideshow to the main event.  Make no mistake, this is one SERIOUS entry in
 the WMR chart, just in terms of the production values alone.  I'm certain
 that most of my fellow reviewers will vote the same way.  The serious use
   of stereo throughout adds stunningly effective atmosphere to what is
   basically a simple riff embellished with some of the best percussive
   effects I've heard lately.  Even if you don't like the musical style,
               you'll love the work this composer has done.

 Play loud...  AAAANNNDD (get this...) this is Numb Lock's *first* IT,
        here's a collector's item for you trainspotter types.  :-D

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)-----------------------========[ Mansooj ]========-----------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

The ambient "submerging" opening was interesting but perhaps it went a bit
  long, as did the second section, a sort of weak industrial bit, without
   much happening.  About a minute or so before the end, some funk-style
  guitar work wanders in, noodles around for a while, and then ushers the
 song to its farewell.  This entire song, such as it is, comes off more as
  an intro section to a longer ambient piece, or maybe a long demo intro
(though not really in traditional demo style).  I sat back, closed my eyes,
 got into the atmosphere and it all just vanished on me.  Normally, for an
atmospheric piece to work, for me anyway, it has to pick me up and actually
 take me somewhere before the resolution.  This piece, although I have to
say I liked the overall tone, didn't do that.  Perhaps given the prevailing
 style, it was just too short to do its job, or just meandered around too
                     long to get itself going in time.

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)-----------------------========[ Araneus ]========-----------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

    This one starts off with an effective water sample, followed by an
increasingly dominant Engima-like beat.  A while later, it starts sounding
like the beginning of a good spy movie, as if the main characters (the ones
  who you're not sure whether they're the good guys or the bad guys) were
   building a bomb of some kind in a submarine.  The ending of the song
  doesn't really give much more than this, because it simply fades away,
 probably as the movie pans to a sunny beach where an unsuspecting couple
        are sharing drinks and some musak plays in the background.

This one effectively paints a picture, and is quite nice to listen to.  The
                  title (for once) suits the module too.

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)----------------------========[ Peraphon ]========-----------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

   This song sounds good, however it takes too long to get to where it's
going, and once there it seems to go from a state of anxiety to a state of
 calmness, which fades off into oblivion at the end.  Most of the samples
are quite good, with, perhaps, the synth strings being the high-point.  And
  also, there are constant background sounds which let you imagine you're
   underwater, which, of course, is a plus for this song since its title
obviously implies this should be the case.  Overall, with some sluggishness
    in the getting-going department aside, this is not too bad at all.

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)----------------------========[ CCerberus ]========----------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

Interesting.  Good use of panning...lots of neat effects.  I liked how the
 tempo picked up unexpectedly near the beginning.  I DO wish that the song
  had been developed more, though.  It seemed to me that the melody was a
  little green, and could have been fleshed out a lot more with a little
  extra time invested.  Not a bad song by any stretch of the imagination,
                      but still short of outstanding.

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)-------------------========[ Klaus Flouride ]========--------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

    Water, water everywhere--and it's all inside this mod!  As its name
   indicates, freaky sloshing water-type sounds do dominate this piece,
  although, at times, it does get annoying.  Putting that aside, this is
 quite a moody piece some of the time, a sensation generally brought about
 by the strings, and at other times it sounds quite demo-like--but "happy"
it's not.  A really well done mod--especially around the three minute mark.


-----================================================================-----


                               "Bloodstone"

                                  by Loki

                             (15ch S3M, 03:56)
                        (bldstone.zip [221K/332K])

                        [Experimental/Atmospheric]

                                  Samples -----------------.
                              Originality -------------.   |
                                Technical ---------.   |   |
                              Composition -----.   |   |   |
                                  Overall -.   |   |   |   |
                                           |   |   |   |   |
                                           |   |   |   |   |
                                         ====================

              Klaus Flouride              92+ --  --  --  --
              Quasar                      85+ 85  80  90  90
              Rebriffer                   70- 70  60  60  70
              CCerberus                   40= 46  34  60  38
              Shrift                      40= 45  30  80  35
              Mansooj                     20= --  --  50  40
              Red Death                   15+ --  10  40  30
              Skullsaw                    10+ 10  10  50  10

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)-----------------------========[ Mansooj ]========-----------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

  ?!?!?!  Well, it's been a while since I've felt compelled to give a bad
  review.  Unfortunately, this song (I'll call it a song for the sake of
 argument) just went round and round banging its head, and eventually died
  at just shy of four minutes.  I settled in during the darkly toned and
suspenseful opening, and was still hoping after the tempo picked up a bit,
                 but...it just self-destructed after that.

    This has a decidedly random feeling to it, as if it were created by
committee, and a committee whose members had no clue in what direction the
   other members were heading.  It exhibits much of that wandering piano
 reminiscent of discordant jazz riffs, something I admittedly tend not to
care for.  However, the basic premise of the "dark, dank caverns with death
lurking just around that corner...or the next" is something I like a great
deal.  Unfortunately, this bit attempted to create an aural nightmare which
would be engaging to listen to, but instead, inadvertently created another
                         kind of aural nightmare.

                       Avoid, Will Robinson!  Avoid!

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)----------------------========[ Skullsaw ]========-----------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

    Hmmm, how shall I describe Bloodstone?  How about a slow, plodding
  meandering piece of, oh nevermind.  Big drums, a plucked electric bass
guitar and acoustic piano are the main samples, and to my ears, not sampled
 very well.  Aliasing, scratchiness and a general lo-fi sound detract from
 what little musicality is present.  The overall feel is like the glomping
   walk of a dinosaur.  The percussion is just plain annoying with it's
martial quality and excessive snare drumming.  The worst feature, as far as
    the music goes, is the aimless piano doodling that's supposed to be
  melodic.  Frankly, I can let my pet rat walk around on my synth and get
            something more interesting than what's in this mod.

 I don't know what the composer was trying to achieve here.  The music is
just aimless melodic claptrap.  There is literally nothing in this mod that
   I can compliment.  I guess it's original in its banality.  Now I need
         something to cleanse my palate to get rid of this taste.

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)----------------------========[ Rebriffer ]========----------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

Mmmmm, climb into those brown pants for this excursion into the darker side
  of MOD tracks.  A doomy, dark, intensely 'gothic' track is set up very
  nicely by the intro.  Before long it wanders into some unusual musical
    dungeons with you in tow.  Poor ol' you, in the meantime, are being
   pummeled incessantly by some bone crushing drums that defy all known
                                 gravity.

   Eventually the track slows enough for you to get a breath before the
 composer sadistically rips the offending article right out of your mouth
  with the introduction of the creepiest piano this side of Jaws.

   Do I like this track?  Actually, yes I do.  Although I don't find the
 subject matter particularly enlivening, and the mood and tuning are also
somewhat suspect, the music delivers its full venomous load right into your
aural fear centres.  I guess that shows the talent (?) of the composer; if
                     not the state of their minds....

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)----------------------========[ CCerberus ]========----------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

 It was difficult to tell with this song whether it was the result of some
   really inventive melodic structures or a horribly disastrous lack of
talent.  I'm the kind of person, though, who would rather give the musician
   the benefit of the doubt, just like I would like others to give me in
     similar circumstances, so I'm going to write this review from the
               perspective that all sounds were intentional.

An interesting piece.  Definitely a very dark sound, with the huge, echoing
  bass kick samples that you often find in "adventure" modules.  Lots of
   unusual melodic constructions, fading from very conventional to very
   dissonant.  I feel that the dissonant sounds were somewhat overused,
though, as was the thuderous bass I just mentioned.  Other than that, this
                 module doesn't leave me much more to say.

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)----------------------========[ Red Death ]========----------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

Ugh, dissonance, poorly-tuned samples, and bad percussion and bass tracks.
   Where's the rhythm?  The timing for the notes is off, they don't form
listenable chords, and I can't seem to pick out a melody of any sort.  This
    tune sounds like the tracker had one or two good ideas for a single
 instrument, and tried to make a song around it with whatever samples were
                               lying around.

    One recommendation would be to let others listen to the tune before
   releasing it; this would have alerted the tracker to the fact that it
   frankly, sounds bad and is in dire need of tuning (to say the least).

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)-----------------------========[ Shrift ]========------------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

      Finding this song within itself is quite difficult.  This is an
experimental piece who's fragility is discomforting, and distracting.  I do
  however, love the first and probably only real theme or at least, idea,
 that the "intro" leads into.  This has a Mission:Impossible theme feel to
 it that could be used in any subversive-government film.  Too bad it gets
bent and dumped almost immediately.  The samples are also pretty bad.  The
   author seems admirably humble about his works in the sample-registry
                                  though.

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)-------------------========[ Klaus Flouride ]========--------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

I wasn't too impressed by this mod at first, but after a while I was struck
    with a good case of Beyond the Forbidden Forest deja vu that caused
  incredible waves of nostalgia in me.  Some parts of this mod are quite
discordant and jarring (similar in sound to the Chimera death in BtFF), but
  that adds to the dark feel of the mod.  After listening to this tune, I
have an incredible longing that Paul Norman would come out of the woodwork
              and start making sick and twisted games again.

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)-----------------------========[ Quasar ]========------------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

   Wow.  A very nice, mysterious, fantasy module.  As I listened to this
  module I created in my mind an image of a man on a dark quest for this
 "bloodstone." This module involves the listener with its vivid melodies,
contrasting sequences, and slow-tempo mystery.  Get this module and listen
      to it.  It's singular, highly original, and very well-composed.


-----================================================================-----


                           "The UberFunkMeister"

                               by Alex Noble

                             (10ch XM, 05:07)
                        (uberfunk.zip [294K/683K])

                           [Funk/Jungle/HipHop]

  A smashing mish-mash of funked-up sound, naturally percussive with the
   melodic influence of low frequency medicinal bass.  Returning to the
   slamming sounds of James Brown et al, and mixing in some light modern
                   drum and bass with a hip-hop groove.     [Alex Noble]

                                  Samples -----------------.
                              Originality -------------.   |
                                Technical ---------.   |   |
                              Composition -----.   |   |   |
                                  Overall -.   |   |   |   |
                                           |   |   |   |   |
                                           |   |   |   |   |
                                         ====================

              Fanta C                     76+ 84  78  86  78
              Rebriffer                   75+ 80  70  85  60
              Skullsaw                    58+ 55  60  75  45
              Shrift                      50+ 40  40  55  65
              Klaus Flouride              43- --  --  --  --
              CCerberus                   35- 35  16  33  40
              Nemesis                     16+ 15  15  25  10

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)-----------------------========[ Shrift ]========------------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

 This song hit me in much the same way Pocoloco did (I also reviewed this
   one recently) at first.  The first few patterns were very simple and
   obvious, and were simply being stacked upon in order to build up the
rhythm.  Then sample a sort of pizzicato guitar-like noise came in (sample
23), and thus began my focused dislike of this piece.  However, much to my
 surprise, a pattern or two later (order 6), that threatened to radically
  change.  I loved the totally repetitive bass-line that came in, and the
rhythm flowed perfectly along with it.  For a minute, this actually sounded
like a recordable song.  But then, alas, this piece sunk back into an image
                     of what I had initially thought.

 The author gets varyingly crazy and desperate trying to do something with
    this piece, and just can't muster it up.  Eventually, about halfway
 through, Alex Noble goes briefly insane (reminiscent of MING's Fishbone,
also recently reviewed), causing the song to deteriorate into confusion and
entirely artificial, weakly-contrived rhythms.  Then, towards the end, the
original bass-line is briefly brought back in, carrying in the unclimactic
                                  finish.

 This piece is amateurishly arranged, with little done to consciously move
  it along.  There is no effects use to speak of, and the thematic tricks
                which are used are uninventive and a blur.

 The samples are, in most cases, quite strong.  Most of these samples were
presumably created by the author from funk and possibly jazz songs, and in
many cases are nice and useful.  Too bad they were so weakly applied to the
                                  piece.

This is a good candidate for a remix, because I think it is clear that the
  author has not yet manifested the sound which was alluded to in order 6
                             (the main theme).

                            --- References ---

                  Fishbone by MING ([download]/[reviews])
                 Pocoloco by KimiK ([download]/[reviews])

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)-----------------------========[ Nemesis ]========-----------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

  Now, I'm trying to find something nice to say about this tune, and I'm
failing miserably.  I suppose, that by some stretch of the imagination, one
 could find the drum track slightly pleasing, as it does have a few parts
   that aren't bad.  However, the samples are annoyingly noisy, and with
audible pops, plus plenty of hissing, it makes it somewhat painful just to
listen to them alone.  The song is rife with vocal samples from the master
 of funk, James Brown.  As good as Mr. Brown is, the samples are played to
   death, to the point of wanting to smash your computer up with a large
 mallet.  The bass line is extremely repetitive, and the only shadow of a
melody the song even tries to put forth--unless you count the inane guitar
 sample that plays over and over at the same pitch.  Furthermore, the bass
 is played at the same note successively at many points during the track,
with no volume sliding or porta to notes, or anything, which makes for ugly
sample clicks.  The ending drains the song of any drama it could have had,
  as there is simply a crash cymbal at what seems to be a randomly chosen
spot, and then a few seconds later, the snare plays about 30 or 40 times in
       sequences of 4, decreasing each time it repeats the pattern.

If you're up for 5 minutes of painful, funkless mishmash, go ahead and grab
this tune, but I wouldn't advise it.  Do the sensible thing and move on to
                             the next option.

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)----------------------========[ Rebriffer ]========----------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

Giving me this after having just reviewed Mr. Noble's Steppin meisterwerk
must mean that Boris really does have that cruel streak we've all expected
    of him. :)  [NOW you're getting it!  -Boris]  I even reviewed this
 before, in the early days of WMR (last week almost :)), and if I remember
  correctly, I stated that I merely liked it--probably because it was so
 different.  Having heard a lot more of both Alex Noble and his alter ego
              Euphy Scott, I approached this with fresh ears.

 Ya know what...this is a gem!!  You may not like 'drum n bass' stuff, but
 personally I lap it up with a spoon and this composer has been doing some
 very fine examples of it in the short time he's been releasing MODs.  It
  starts with a vocal sample, a hihat, a great bass line and little else.
 The main theme develops so deceptively it's upon you before you even know
   it.  The weirdest thing of all is the sheer catchiness of the rhythm,
   something you'll be humming in public before you can say "holy hooks
                                 Batman!"

The rhythm is absolutely rock solid, relentlessly nailing your ears to its
demands, weaving this way and that like a track possessed.  All of which is
stunning when you consider that this composer uses very few sounds *other*
 than some great snare samples...oh and that killer bass sound.  Time will
         endear this track to you...take it from one who knows....

                             --- Reference ---

              Steppin' by Euphy Scott ([download]/[reviews])

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)-----------------------========[ Fanta C ]========-----------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

 This is the kind of track I like.  Well thought out and constructed along
  with some little twists and turns you may not necessarily spot at first
                                listening.

It's essentially a percussion piece.  The bass provides most of the melody,
  but Alex has concentrated on producing a complex and listenable rhythm
  track as well.  The piece starts with a section introducing you to the
melody of the tune repeated twice before moving on to the more complex and
   interesting areas.  At about two minutes there's a bridge to a contra
melody and then the author just lets loose with various drum runs and what
for all the world sounds like true improvisation without the mechanisation
           that the tracked format can so easily guide one into.

   The instruments are played well, especially the bass which is "slid"
 nicely.  Also worthy of mention are the voice samples towards the latter
   part of the piece, which rather than just being "used," are played as
            instruments in opportune places in a creative way.

 Overall, I liked it, and whilst not being the most melodious piece in the
              world, can be recommended as quite a good MOD.

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)----------------------========[ Skullsaw ]========-----------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

What a shame this UberFunkMeister is.  There is a germ of a good idea here,
but Mr. Noble just doesn't quite pull it off.  This isn't a bad mod but it
 could have been so much better.  The basic premise here is a dirty low-fi
drum loop (or pattern) as the focal point.  Then there's a walking acoustic
bass that's just too strident and rigid.  There are some James Brown vocal
manipulations that do spice things up a bit.  The overall mood is downtown
              urban hipster hiphop, if that makes any sense.

On my system, the sound quality isn't very good, it's muted with almost no
 midrange.  I do like the effect this has on the drums, but there's such a
        lack of frequencies in this range that it hurts the music.

 This is a good attempt that could have been better if explored more with
         more sample variety and better sound quality.  Nice try.

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)----------------------========[ CCerberus ]========----------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

 Oh boy.  I guess if you want to sit and listen to an uninspired tuba riff
with a ludicrously complex drumline in the background, this is the song for
you.  As a drummer myself, I think I can tell what was going on here.  This
guy figured that he could write a killer drum lick or two using the module
   format, but felt OBLIGATED by musical rules to put in "some melody."
 Sheesh...this song would have been better off as a drum solo, since THAT
   part of the song was actually really good.  I wouldn't waste my time
                downloading this one if I were you, though.

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)-------------------========[ Klaus Flouride ]========--------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

    The sporadic intro melody of this song sounds a lot like the one to
 Basketball (an excellent cover tune) by Bjorn Lynne.  Anyway, it doesn't
seem quite that funky to me...my question is where did the 683k go in this
mod?!?  It's terribly quiet and...unsatisfying.  The only saving graces are
the digitized James Brown samples.  But even they get old after a while.  I
   feel really sorry for Alex when he is faced with the second coming of
                            Mahoney and Kaktus.


-----================================================================-----


                               "Cotton Wool"

                       by Mellow-D of Five Musicians

                             (24ch XM, 05:00)
                         (fm-cott.zip [425K/874K])

                              [Jungle/Trance]

                                  Samples -----------------.
                              Originality -------------.   |
                                Technical ---------.   |   |
                              Composition -----.   |   |   |
                                  Overall -.   |   |   |   |
                                           |   |   |   |   |
                                           |   |   |   |   |
                                         ====================

              Rebriffer                  100+100  90 100 100
              Mansooj                     86+ --  --  85  80
              Raul                        84= 80  85  97  85
              CCerberus                   70+ 70  80  76  76
              Skullsaw                    70+ 70  65  60  70
              Red Death                   70- --  80  65  75
              Shrift                      65+ 60  75  65  65

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)-----------------------========[ Shrift ]========------------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

 This song, all 61 ordered patterns, is really only one idea, and you get
  that after the lead-in intro, about 20 seconds into the song.  It stays
                       with you for the entire song.

 The scattered changes and breaks feel contrived, and carry very little of
   the feel from the main theme.  It seems like the author just cut the
     hugely arranged main theme apart to its simpler and eclectically
 structured rhythm instruments, and let them fly by themselves.  This they
                                do not do.

   The most important aspect about this song, to me, is the relationship
between the overall melody and the arrangement of that melody.  This piece
 uses many acute and specific instruments to pile the theme together, and
 when you take them apart, you see how dependent those instruments are on
  each other.  Without that main theme, there is very very little music.

  Tangentially, this has some of the best use of panning I have seen in a
                                long while.

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)----------------------========[ Rebriffer ]========----------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

   One track that is *immediately* added to my own collection, not least
 because of the brilliant use of homemade samples and a divine vocal track
       delivered (I presume) from the composer and one Laura Rhodes.

 It starts like an old plantation work song before diving head first into
  the rave/dance pool.  The main phrase "cotton wool" carries on for some
 time before a male vocal kicks in.  I am strongly reminded of the work of
 Jah Wobble by this track and seeing as JW is one of my all time favorite
  real-world musicians, I am not going to find too much wrong with this.

   This is an example of how powerful MOD tracks can be and one I cannot
 recommend highly enough for any newbie who wants to see what all the fuss
is about.  We all wade through acres of techno/rave/acid which leaves most
of us cold, but every once in a while, you come across an absolute gem that
         could make it in the real world--and this is that track.

                       Miss this one at your peril.

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)----------------------========[ Red Death ]========----------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

This is probably the Mellow-D tune that I like most from what he's done in
the last couple of years; it's clear that he's one of the premier trackers
             even though I'm not a huge fan of his new stuff.

 The tune isn't the same thing for 62 patterns, and actually changes quite
often (and significantly), which is both unusual for a trance-type tune and
  highly beneficial.  However, the same drum loop is used throughout the
 entire song, which tends to play against the sense of variety elsewhere.

 Some of the samples seem a little scratchy, but are, overall, very good.
The chosen voice samples sound just right, and the soft human female voice
   is really cool.  There's also excellent use of channels, with sounds
seeming to come from all over the place; and then there's the terrific use
                       of effects and volume tricks.

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)----------------------========[ Skullsaw ]========-----------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

Techno-lite with a touch of dub bass.  All done.  What, I need to say more?
 Okay.  Cotton Wool has a dreamy atmosphere supplied by female vocals and
delicate synth pads.  It's propelled by a midtempo breakbeat and dub bass.
   Not much changes through its five minute length, it just floats along
without much variation.  There are a few breaks here and there to break up
                    the monotony, dropouts and dropins.

Though it has been categorized as jungle/trance, there's not a hint of true
jungle here such as chopped up drum loops.  I like the sample set, a little
 bit on the low-res side, but the selection is good.  I like the dreamlike
 quality of the music and samples.  Musically there's not much here, it's
the samples that provide the interest, though I really like the bass work.
                           A nice piece of work.

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)-----------------------========[ Mansooj ]========-----------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

Very interesting, very well done combination of tribal style with a trancey
  feel.  In my experience this is somewhat rare, and since it isn't a bad
   marriage of styles, it gets some bonus in the originality score.  The
 rhythm is somewhat simple and consequently not otherwise noteworthy, but
nevertheless absorbing.  Perhaps it was just taxing my poor little CPU, but
the overall sound quality seemed a bit dull.  Generally, there is a feeling
 of floating relaxation which I find quite satisfying, despite the lack of
variety throughout.  The vocals sprinkled throughout blend in well with the
  music but are unintelligible; no matter.  This is how I like my vocals:
                               understated.

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)----------------------========[ CCerberus ]========----------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

Hmmm...this song had a lot of the good things that I listen for in doing a
  review:  smooth sound, good bassline, good percussion, good balance of
 sounds.  It was pleasant to listen to overall.  However, though there was
 some variety in the patterns, I feel that the overall SOUND didn't change
 quite enough.  I dunno, I just got bored with it.  Don't get me wrong, I
        liked this song, but my mind tended to wander after awhile.

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)------------------------========[ Raul ]========-------------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

This tune, and others from Mellow-D, exhibit a style new to me--one that I
    find interesting.  This one in particular sounds very good, indeed.

   It combines voices, a wide selection of instruments, and a very good,
    varied drum track all resulting in a good melody that is something
                  different from the usual classic stuff.

   The instrument samples are very good, and the speech samples are good
       _enough_ (most speech samples suck, and tend to ruin a song).


-----================================================================-----


                                  "Hate!"

                          by HarleQuiN of SuccesS

                             (8ch S3M, 02:17)
                          (hate.zip [486K/614K])

                          [Hardcore Punk/Thrash]

                                  Samples -----------------.
                              Originality -------------.   |
                                Technical ---------.   |   |
                              Composition -----.   |   |   |
                                  Overall -.   |   |   |   |
                                           |   |   |   |   |
                                           |   |   |   |   |
                                         ====================

              Mansooj                     72= --  --  55  60
              Peraphon                    71= --  --  --  63
              Skullsaw                    60- 60  50  50  60
              FrizFry                     57+ 60  55  65  40
              Klaus Flouride              50= --  --  --  20
              CCerberus                   30+ 52  24  34   4

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)-----------------------========[ FrizFry ]========-----------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

  This song reminds me of the old S.O.D. days, (early 80's) thrash metal.
 It even has a vocal track!  The vocal track, while lyrically immature, is
 clear and intelligible, and it essentially makes the song.  Without that,
 there wouldn't be much merit left, for while the tracking job isn't that
bad, some of the guitar samples, quite simply put, _are_ BAD.  I find that
  the rhythm guitar samples seem to bear no resemblance to a real guitar,
although the lead guitar (solo) is actually pretty good.  The percussion is
average, with a pretty bad mixing job (all bass and snare are on the right
 channel only).  While it's obvious that the tracker dedicated his time to
    the vocals, it's a shame he didn't take the time to sample at least
ACCEPTABLE guitars, or at least have taken the time to rip something that's
SEMI-REALISTIC sounding.  Let's put it this way, My opinion of the samples
      overall is that if not for the vocals, as a group, pretty bad.

If you liked the early 80's thrash metal, check this tune out; if not, skip
                                    it.

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)-----------------------========[ Mansooj ]========-----------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

This is a touching story of a boy and his girl.  Apparently something went
wrong in their relationship which caused boy to hate (I hope that isn't too
   strong a word to describe it) girl.  Boy obviously doesn't like being
idolized by girl.  It is a tragic tale, yes, tragic.  I see the outcome as:
 boy loses it, girl (who has somehow morphed into a female dog) ends up a
statistic, boy goes on to be shot multiple times as he resists arrest while
                holed up in some shack on the edge of town.

  Story aside, this tune was pretty rockin' from start to finish, so I'll
 give it the credit it's due.  Actually, I was pretty well amused by this
 evil little offering, so it provided some value despite the childish tone
                              of the lyrics.

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)----------------------========[ Skullsaw ]========-----------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

         Parental Warning:  naughty words are used in this module.

Hate! is a touching love song, touching like the Klan is.  Actually, it's
  not a bad little hardcore/thrash tune.  Short and, well, not sweet--the
song does the job.  Honest to goodness vocals that are appropriately belted
 out are a standout.  The guitars, on the other hand, sound like they were
sampled from a cheap general midi synth or sound card but even so, I think
everything works fine.  No, it's not an authentic sounding mod, you'd never
think it was a recording of an LA thrash band but it stands up on it's own.

 Well Dick, it's got a good beat and I can dance to it or at least mosh to
                                    it.

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)----------------------========[ Peraphon ]========-----------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

Hate is a word used too often.  But, I can't say that I hate this, I think
   it's reasonably good.  To me, it seems quite a lot like the punk rock
  rebellion of the Sex Pistols.  It's not too often that you see a module
 that has lyrics without the baggage of an obscenely large file size.  The
use of the guitar, bass and drum samples make this song sound pretty good,
though the guitar samples could have been better.  While the lyrics (if you
could call them that) don't call for outright destruction and anarchy, the
hate and death concept is very evident.  If you're overly sensitive, steer
                                  clear.

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)----------------------========[ CCerberus ]========----------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

Sheesh.  Songs like this make a mockery of those of us who like heavy metal
 and rock modules.  I won't even BEGIN to address the ridiculous lyrics in
 this song, since I'm sure others will handle that issue adequately.  The
  thing that killed me was the COMPLETELY LOUSY guitar samples.  I don't
think I've heard electric guitar samples THIS bad in ANY module before!  I
 mean, they sound like ripped MIDI wavetable guitars!  GET REAL!  I can't
 really come up with anything constructive past that, since that gigantic
         problem pretty much consumed my perception of this song.

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)-------------------========[ Klaus Flouride ]========--------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

   This module gets points for creative use of four-letter words in its
    lyrics...but otherwise, it's not that good.  I really haven't heard
 pseudo-guitars this bad since the first mods dating in the late 80's.  It
  tries very hard to be Anthrax/Stormtroopers of Death-like, but the guy
 singing doesn't have the voice for it--Billy Milano he's not, so he can't
be taken too seriously.  It almost makes me want to do an IT cover of SOD's
                        Fist Banging Mania or Milk.


-----================================================================-----


                                "STUPiDiTY"

                              by Zanti of ELQ

                             (16ch XM, 03:04)
                        (zan-stup.zip [257K/520K])

                              [Techno/Dance]

                                  Samples -----------------.
                              Originality -------------.   |
                                Technical ---------.   |   |
                              Composition -----.   |   |   |
                                  Overall -.   |   |   |   |
                                           |   |   |   |   |
                                           |   |   |   |   |
                                         ====================

              Red Death                   80= --  65  80  70
              WolfSong                    77+ 79  52  66  55
              Peraphon                    77= --  --  --  75
              Quasar                      75+ 71  65  80  72
              Mansooj                     74+ --  --  60  70
              Shrift                      55= 60  60  35  60
              Skullsaw                    35+ 35  50  30  25

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)----------------------========[ WolfSong ]========-----------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

                  I think I'll gripe first this time....

  In the song description, Zanti proudly mentions one of the samples used
 that he'd made himself.  It's obvious that he's proud of it because it's
too loud and it's used too much.  Unfortunately for the listener, it's the
  worst sample in the song.  A very grainy, breathy, white noise that he
  compares with a space ship.  The song would have done well to have just
 left this sample out entirely.  Many times it's so loud it covers up the
                                  music.

There.  I wanted to get that out of the way because almost everything else
                      I have to say about it is good.

  You don't hear composing like this everyday, folks.  Especially in this
style of music.  It's so good to hear a nicely arranged dance/techno tune.
   Zanti knew just where to throw in the stops and starts.  The soft and
 heavy.  The loud and quiet.  The beat is very close to perfect, possibly
needing just a little bit of volume variation to make it sound more "real."
 The arrangement of sounds fit in just right and seem to come at just the
  right times (except for the "space ship" sound).  The build of the song
              kind of reminded me of the Mortal Kombat theme.

      This song expresses a kind of youthful vibrancy with a bit of a
"get-out-of-our-way" feel which I think is very nice.  It's quite danceable
 too, and if you don't have a will of iron, you might find yourself doing
                                just that.

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)----------------------========[ Skullsaw ]========-----------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

Game music.  I'd like to end the review right here, but I guess I ought to
    have more to say.  Let's see, the first thing that strikes me about
 Stupidity (I refuse to do the kewl lettering) is the sample quality.  The
 overall sound is lacking in punch, which is something that an aggressive
    techno tune needs.  We have here a basic techno formula:  throbbing
   bassdrum on every beat, hats on the upbeats, a very serious sounding,
    semi-droning, rarely modulating foundation played by weak, lifeless
 sounding synths.  An occasional whooshing sound is heard and synths play
     various arpeggios.  The percussion gets a little busier and some
  natives-are-restless tom-toms eventually enter, but the tune just plods
                             along endlessly.

 Run of the mill race car game music, that's all it is.  I don't like this
             one at all.  Nothing happens, it just is.  Yawn.

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)----------------------========[ Red Death ]========----------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

This is an excellent tune; it's a mix of rock and techno with a little bit
 of the old-school demo style thrown in.  It reminds me faintly of Purple
  Motion, but it's hardly a direct knock-off.  The samples are clean and
  pretty unusual, but fitting, and the song is never boring.  The panned
swoosh samples don't have all of the effectiveness they could, because, in
parts, they get lost amidst the rest of the tune.  The list of effects used
isn't very expansive, but I don't feel the tune misses them all that much.
  I like the fact that the tune has a good melody, if you want to call it
    that, over the percussion, and the percussion isn't repeated for 30
patterns like in too many mods.  I look forward to hearing more of Zanti's
                                   work.

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)-----------------------========[ Shrift ]========------------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

This wants very much to be on the Mortal Kombat soundtrack.  It is the same
 sort of now-cliched dance-industrial spawned by the NIN fad that you can
hear anywhere, including in many recent computer games.  This is typically
  composed, with no surprises, except for the stupid voice samples saying
"woo!" and such.  The tracking is fine, but uses a lot of the same kinds of
  breaks, which literally pause the song for a second every few patterns.
  The samples are pretty good, and the composition is okay, but there is
nothing here that sets this song apart from the hundreds made just like it.
This fad is the sequel to the house/dance movement, and is no different in
                structure or behavior than its predecessor.

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)-----------------------========[ Mansooj ]========-----------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

   An interesting bit of techno with a dancy feel to it.  It maintains a
fairly brisk pace throughout, which of course, is generally a trademark of
  most techno.  As usual, though, there wasn't a great deal of variety in
    this track, but it came off reasonably well...not something I would
   consider in the top class of techno, but it has its good points.  To
  accentuate those good points, I can't come up with many bad points.  In
fact, about the only thing I thought should have been changed was the "bye
 bye" sample, used properly at the end, but which shouldn't have also been
used near the beginning, as it is rather incongruous there and lessens the
                       novelty-factor of the ending.

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)-----------------------========[ Quasar ]========------------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

The module is medium-paced and original, and could almost belong in a dance
  club.  I've heard some of the voice samples before (like the "bye bye"
sample, which I think was originally in the mod Die Again by Deathjester).
 Despite the gratuitous use of voice samples, the module has a fast-paced
 and involving beat, is well composed, fairly well sampled, and is, in the
                  end, interesting, if not invigorating.

                            --- References ---

                   Die Again by Deathjester ([download])

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)----------------------========[ Peraphon ]========-----------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

This is the second Zanti song I've ever heard, and I rather like it.  It's
  a mix of several things, but this particular mixture has come out well.
Plenty of energy in this song, very catchy beat; a piece worthy of use in a
dance club.  There's some very interesting samples of someone going "aaah!"
  and a cool "bye bye" in several places, and at the end.  Give it a try.


-----================================================================-----


                            "Lodge of 3 Globes"

                           by Maelcum of Kosmic

                             (14ch MTM, 04:35)
                         (k_lodge.zip [391K/517K])

                       [Breakbeat Techno/Dance/Acid]

 Another fast Kosmic release.  Well only 'cuz Maelcum demands it. :)  Some
of the samples of this tune are from Necros' "Point of Departure", the 2nd
Progression tune Maelcum has used samples from :), and others are from the
X-Files, and were put to good use might I say. :) Enjoy this, it's catchy,
            and ignore what DemoNews gives it for a rating. :)   [Phoenix]

                                  Samples -----------------.
                              Originality -------------.   |
                                Technical ---------.   |   |
                              Composition -----.   |   |   |
                                  Overall -.   |   |   |   |
                                           |   |   |   |   |
                                           |   |   |   |   |
                                         ====================

              WolfSong                    88+ 80  80  72  78
              Red Death                   77- --  75  55  70
              Peraphon                    74- --  --  --  80
              MING                        71= 70  90  50  75
              Mansooj                     68= --  --  60  70
              Quasar                      67+ 65  70  20  70
              Skullsaw                    50+ 45  50  40  70

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)----------------------========[ WolfSong ]========-----------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

               'Scuse me while I go put out my speakers....

 Are you the quiet type who likes music for its distinctive character and
defined melodical value?  One who prefers to sit and take it all in like a
 fine wine, appreciating every curve and overtone from a comfortable chair
 in a dimly lit room?  If so then DON'T GET THIS!  Because this piece will
 MAKE you dance and you wouldn't want to ruin that distinguished air about
                            you, now would you?

This is the most adrenaline pumping, slam-you-against-the-wall dance song I
   have heard in a long time.  And I mean from anywhere, not just in the
  module scene.  I only wish they played something this cool at my usual
 discotheque.  You think I listened to it and then sat down to write this
 review?  No way!  The first three or four times I was *dancing*!  Anyone
       who could play this song and not dance to it would scare me.

 Ok, it is a bit repetitive.  This is a dance song, that's to be expected,
but it isn't nearly as repetitive as the average dance song.  This song has
been thought out.  No cutting and pasting here, just to take up space.  No
   pattern after pattern of the exact same thing.  There are pauses and
  breakdowns and the music does incorporate new overtones as it moves on.
 And what repetitiveness there is is okay because a true dance song is not
 made for people to ponder over the progressions and scales.  It's made to
get you up off your butt and lose it for a minute or two!  It's not easy to
   pull this off, which is why when most songs repeat, it starts getting
 boring.  If, when listening to a dance piece, you have to stop and think,
 "Gee, I've heard this particular part of the music before," then the song
isn't doing its job.  That's why it's called a dance song.  You're supposed
 to be too busy going crazy to worry about what has or hasn't been played
                      twice or three times in a row.

Nothing to worry about here.  This song is downright primal!  Way intense!
It has everything a good dance song should not the least of which is a beat
 that will blow you away.  Don't think for a moment that I'm deleting this
               one either.  It's staying right where it is.

 Go put some asbestos on your speakers and then go get this.  In the mean
        time, Maelcum...I want to shake your hand!  Very nice job!

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)------------------------========[ MING ]========-------------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

Maelcum, once betitled the official #trax mascot (can´t remember when or by
  whom, sorry) here delivers a massive ravey tune created by the manual.
  Meaning it´s not in any way interesting, but is still a darn nice tune.
Starting with some massive pads and X-Files ripped voices, and then lapsing
 into a nice, aggressive beat of standard measures, it is exactly, down to
         every soundwave, what I was led to expect from the intro.

     It's well done in every way (except in the more abstract area of
originality).  Technically there´s really nothing to complain about, except
for what can can be blamed on his choice of tracker.  Oh well, if MTM makes
 him happy, let him use it, by all means.  Musically there's nothing WRONG
with it; unfortunately, there's not much on the opposite side to make that
                           fact very important.

 It´s big, it´s hard, it´s kinda good, and it´s worth the download, unless
 you´re interested only in cutting edge composing.  Not Maelcum´s greatest
         contribution to the scene, but a swell tune nonetheless.

 There´s a nice picture in the zip too.  Maybe better than the song.  Hard
                            to compare really.

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)----------------------========[ Red Death ]========----------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

All those "Kosmic..." voice samples wouldn't be a blatant plug, would they?
                                    :-)

  Normally I don't like music in this fast techno style, but it's because
tunes of this type are most often too repetitive; but, this one manages not
  to get caught in the "boring" trap.  This is also one of the rare tunes
 that used voice samples in such a way that I actually _liked_ them--they
helped mix things up a little, and added something to create a good groove.
    There's a wide variety of percussion sounds and other little tidbit
 samples, which I also like.  Kosmic is known for good techno/dance tunes,
 and Maelcum does not disappoint here.  Good use of loud and quiet parts,
      and the cool feedback sample really sounds neat in headphones.

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)----------------------========[ Skullsaw ]========-----------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

  Ya got your techno here.  And yer acidy synths.  Ya got yer relentless
breakbeats, sweeps and filtered synths.  What ya don't have is originality.
  "Kick it...and pump it up now!" so says the sample.  Gee, I never heard
those phrases before.  This is just the usual high BPM breakbeat and synth
  fare.  Everything sounds good enough and in the right place, but there
  aren't any surprises.  Except for a short halftime break where the drum
   loop is played an octave down, the mod just goes through the motions.

Lodge of 3 Globes is a techno tune that doesn't break any rules, in fact it
 sounds like it was composed using a How To Write Techno cookbook.  Yawn.

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)-----------------------========[ Quasar ]========------------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

  A very processor intensive, fast-paced, yet lighter than average techno
    module.  It seems generic, and lacks the individuality which would
 distinguish it from the mass of other techno songs.  In fact, it seems so
 generic, it's almost not worth expanding upon.  Perhaps the only specific
  thing of note to mention is that the percussion samples are hollow and
       could stand to be resampled, though the rest are good enough.

 Bottom line:  if you like techno, get this one.  If you don't, it's going
          to sound like every other techno mod you've ever heard.

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)-----------------------========[ Mansooj ]========-----------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

Short acid lead-in to some nrgetic breakbeat, but it left itself like that
  for a full minute before dropping into a hole with some "Kosmic" voice
 samples.  Later it drags itself back out and basically repeats what went
before, though it holds the line longer.  Well, not much can be said about
 this piece since it really doesn't go through many twists and turns, and
 has the same flavor as a million other techno ditties.  Even so, for what
        it labels itself as, it is still decent within its sphere.

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)----------------------========[ Peraphon ]========-----------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

I'm not usually one for this stuff, but Maelcum has made me sit up and take
notice with this little number.  It has a lot of vibrance, energy and sheer
   style...must be Maelcum's talent as a tracker.  Rarely boring, but as
repetitive as this style allows.  The voice samples are a nice touch.  The
   percussion is very well done, and very appropriate; in fact, all the
         samples are very appropriate and of a very high quality.


-----================================================================-----


                             "Lost in a Cloud"

                  by Cardiac of Phantasmal Forces/Statico

                             (18ch S3M, 05:24)
                          (lost.zip [140K/217K])

                                 [Ballad]

                                  Samples -----------------.
                              Originality -------------.   |
                                Technical ---------.   |   |
                              Composition -----.   |   |   |
                                  Overall -.   |   |   |   |
                                           |   |   |   |   |
                                           |   |   |   |   |
                                         ====================

              Peraphon                    79+ --  --  --  --
              WolfSong                    57+ 68  56  50  48
              CCerberus                   52+ 65  43  36  28
              Red Death                   50+ --  --  40  60
              Klaus Flouride              48+ --  --  --  --
              Shrift                      45- 55  45  35  40
              Mansooj                     39= --  --  40  20

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)----------------------========[ WolfSong ]========-----------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

  Yet another piano song.  There are so many of these out there that it's
 hard to tell the difference between them anymore.  It's hard to make them
 stand out unless the composer does something really excellent or radical.

   There's nothing wrong with this song, mind you.  It's just lost in an
 almost endless pool of songs that have been expressed in mostly the same
 way.  The chords are nice and relaxing and it has a mellow beat that fits
                   it well; it's just been done before.

  If this song had had a bit more expression, like piano solos or even a
  good, imaginative melody, that might have given it more of a chance to
                        stand apart from the crowd.

    Something that also might have made it sound a bit better is if the
composer had used more effects to put emphasis on certain parts.  As it is,
it sounds rather two-dimensional.  It says that the song was converted from
a DMF, and since I've never tracked or even heard a DMF, I don't know what
 kind of effect ranges are possible with it.  It could have been that some
                  expression was lost in the conversion.

If you're mindful of your hard drive space or you're like me and very picky
   about your module collection, you might as well leave this one alone.
However, if your criteria for what you keep is that it just "doesn't suck,"
            then there's certainly nothing wrong with this one.

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)-----------------------========[ Shrift ]========------------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

  I am so sick of this piano/string style of mood music, because it never
 goes anywhere, and always uses the same formula (like most house, techno,
  metal and industrial).  This piece is the thematic cousin to STUPiDiTY
  (reviewed elsewhere) because it takes that same simplified formula and
writes music with it.  It is not at all original, or particularly refined,
  and to me, its existence is not justified.  The first half of the chord
change is quite nice and moody, but the second half sounds odd, and breaks
 the mood from the first changes.  The strings are contrived and obvious,
    though the drums are quite subtle and refreshing.  The piled pianos
  sometimes work, but often don't, implying this guy doesn't know as much
                     about pianos as he might want to.

                            --- References ---

                 STUPiDiTY by Zanti ([download]/[reviews])

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)----------------------========[ Red Death ]========----------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

             Lost in a Cloud...a quiet piano and strings tune.

It's a generally clean, if nondescript, tune with a few sample-based problems:
  one of the chords seems a little out of tune; the bass line is a little
quiet; and I can hear a few little clicks here and there.  Cardiac did use
     volume changes pretty well, though, especially on the percussion.

In an overall sense, this tune isn't very exciting, though it doesn't have
 so much repetition that it gets boring for that reason.  It's also pretty
typical in that much of the song is a sustained chord, and there's a degree
of channel bloat.  The end product is something that, while there's nothing
    really _bad_ about it, there's nothing special going for it either.

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)-------------------========[ Klaus Flouride ]========--------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

 This mod was doomed from the start...very few mod authors can do a highly
 melodic piano tune as good as, say, Klisje paa Klisje.  All I have to say
is do an Aminet search on "Ng Pei Sin" or "Prologic 303" and compare *any*
 of his mods to this one, and you'll see why I am so harsh with this one.
  Unlike his fantastic surround sound mods such as Misty Heart, the piano
 playing here sounds like something I had to endure at my little sister's
 first recital.  I didn't like this mod one bit.  Calling this mod "second
  rate" unfairly brings the term "second rate" down to this mod's level!

                            --- References ---

                 Klisje paa Klisje by Walkman ([download])
                  Misty Heart by Ng Pei Sin ([download])

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)-----------------------========[ Mansooj ]========-----------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

Opens with a rather fuzzy piano part picked up quickly by some synths, and
   a bit later by a weak bass guitar.  Already I've noticed fuzzy piano
  samples, some noise in the synth transitions and a somewhat out of tune
bass guitar sample.  Hardly a good start to a five and a half minute song.
I have to say, within the first three minutes I was bored senseless.  This
 reminds me quite a lot of Walls Are Crying which I also thought was dull
and unsatisfying.  I not only would not recommend this, but would go so far
  as to suggest avoiding it, something I generally only do with numerous
                                conditions.

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)----------------------========[ CCerberus ]========----------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

Very pretty song.  I do, however, think that the bass guitar sample should
    have been a lot deeper.  The song, overall, was too focused on the
   high-end.  Also, this song contained heavy use of my Musical Nemesis:
SENSELESSLY-PANNED PERCUSSION!!!  )shudder( I hate that!  And the drumming
sounded like it had been sampled from a Casio keyboard or something!  Argh!

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)----------------------========[ Peraphon ]========-----------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

Very, very mellow, laidback, calming and soothing.  I think it's excellent.
  The piano, background percussion, synth strings etc., make for a rather
aurally pleasing piece of music.  That piano sample is a little clicky, but
 that problem's mostly disguised by the rest of the instruments.  This is
    definitely cloud music, perfect for just sitting back and relaxing.


-----================================================================-----


                               "The Silence"

                           by Purgatory of LEAD

                             (4ch MOD, 02:54)
                      (LEAD-Silence.lha [202K/306K])

                               [Death Metal]

                                  Samples -----------------.
                              Originality -------------.   |
                                Technical ---------.   |   |
                              Composition -----.   |   |   |
                                  Overall -.   |   |   |   |
                                           |   |   |   |   |
                                           |   |   |   |   |
                                         ====================

              Shrift                      60+ 65  60  45  65
              Clones                      50+ 30  50  70  50
              Peraphon                    45+ --  --  --  67
              Rebriffer                   45- 45  45  55  55
              CCerberus                   41+ 28  16  40  58
              MING                        40= 30  55 100  55
              Quasar                      40- 15  25  10  25
              Mansooj                     36= --  --  20  35
              WolfSong                    31= 30  48  75  50
              Skullsaw                    20- 30  55  10  75

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)----------------------========[ Rebriffer ]========----------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

   Tracking and vocal samples (that's what the sample notes say!) by Mr.
 Purgatory himself.  Also stated is that the 'lyrics' are also by Mr. P.,
  although the term 'lyric'; may be stretching the imagination just a wee
                                  bit....

  This is a 4 channel MOD which treads a couple of *very* strange musical
 roads that definitely will not be to everyone's taste.  Once again, it's
  initial theme is the standard Twin Peaks go-to-sleep style with the odd
'lyric' "silence" being thrown in a couple of times for effect.  Suddenly,
 completely out of the blue, the track explodes into a frenetic drum/bass
  thing that falls completely flat.  Mainly, I might add, because of the
                      absolute left/right of the mix.

  A crash cymbal was one of the better samples in the track but it's also
       something that is totally overused in these frenetic pieces.

  I would venture to guess that this composer is new(ish) to tracking and
    needs to look a lot closer at other mods to learn some more tricks,
particularly in the area of 'dynamics,' as this track lacks that particular
 ingredient most.  Most people like mods for the way they *sound* which is
partly samples, but is mainly rooted in the musical knowledge and know how
 of the composer/tracker.  If you listen to the more experienced trackers
  and analyse *their* styles, you can see how they structure the track so
 there are definite 'peaks' and 'lows' making the track a more 'complete'
                                experience.

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)------------------------========[ MING ]========-------------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

                               "Sssshhh..."

 No, it's not Björk jazzing out, although I sure would've preferred that.
 (If you don't know what I'm talking about, you've probably lived under a
rock for the major part of '96.) Instead, it's a mix between light jazz and
                               death metal.

  A mix between light jazz and death metal.  A mix between light jazz and
   death metal.  A.  Mix.  Between.  Light.  Jazz.  And.  Death.  Metal.

                                Holy shit.

Anyway, to describe this song, we first have a soft, silent part, a bit of
  jazzy instrumentation, and a string section, backing up a voice saying
"Sssshhh....silence...." Then, kaboom, rushing into loud, fat, death metal,
with another one of those stoopid 'deepthroat'(?!) voices that plagues this
genre.  Then back to the silence, and again back to the metal, and finito.

  Needless to say, this tune will get a top score in originality from me.
Unfortunately, top scores are not earned anywhere else.  Not by far.  It is
    just not...good.  Neither musically nor technically.  Say no more.

                             Silence, please.

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)----------------------========[ WolfSong ]========-----------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

Ugh!  What does the title represent in this song, you wonder?  Why simple.
It represents your one and only heart's wish about the second you begin to
       play this song!  I was just praying for it to get over with.

     This one is fairly easy to describe.  Take that guitar lick from
 Happy Trails and then send in some untuned Buddy Holly guitar "chords" on
top of that.  And, oh what heaven it would have been if that were the worst
of it.  Suddenly you're assaulted by some heavy drums and a thrashy guitar.
 The guitar was actually semi-tolerable, but it doesn't last long as it's
 cut off so that Satan can shout at you through the speakers about killing
    your mother and slaughtering some small cute animals or some such.

 There's not much to say about this one.  I found only very little musical
    value in it, and what there was made a dentist's drill sound like a
comforting noise.  If I were you I would stay away from this one.  In fact,
                            run for your lives!

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)-----------------------========[ Shrift ]========------------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

    This is a terribly cute little death-metal piece, and frankly I was
 surprised.  You don't hear too many true-to-life death-metal mods, and I
  was glad to find this one.  A bit too drawn out for my taste, but this
 piece doesn't hide anything, so you know what you're gonna get.  I didn't
  really get the refinement of the guitar tracks until I listened to the
   patterns individually, and I liked what I heard.  They show developed
  rhythm, and the samples are well chosen/used.  The drums, however, are
typically boring and uninventive.  I don't know why I associate death-metal
  with crappy drums, but it rarely fails.  It uses nice samples, but most
   sound like something a couple metalheads would come up with on a drum
  machine.  Not at all original, but it certainly has its own flavor and
  articulation.  I really dislike the death-voice vocal samples, but the
                  "silence" whisper is pretty well used.

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)-----------------------========[ Clones ]========------------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

I almost hate to put low rankings on this composition because the theme is
  so suitable to the death metal category--don't break the silence of the
  grave!  The real drawback is that there are only two sections of music
  alternating without any real bridge in between.  The essential musical
 concept and the music itself is good, but the repetition takes away from
 the dramatic contrast and eerie mood the composer is shooting for.  After
 the second rendition of the death/speed metal theme I expected a searing
                  solo of some type, but it didn't come.

While not exceptional death metal there is certainly material to work with
  here, and I encourage the composer to expand the sound foundation laid.
 Technically and sample-wise this is fairly straight forward but technical
  wizardry is not the point of this category of music.  It's all mood and
                         this certainly has that.

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)----------------------========[ Skullsaw ]========-----------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

  Listening to this mod is like looking into a crystal ball, I could see
  (hear) everything that was coming.  The Silence opens with a dark, 12/8
   meter, sparse opening featuring slowly picked guitars and a whispered
vocal.  Then, surprise, thrashing guitars, some moron doing an imitation of
 the Dark Lord of Unoriginality and the drums doing their bombastic double
bass drum thing.  Yawn...why bother?  It's been done to death, so to speak.

   Good points, err, the samples are very good, all of them.  The crunch
guitars, drums and vocal are clean and punchy and the plucked guitar sounds
                                 good too.

   If you like Death Metal, geez, I can't even type those words without
 laughing, then you'll probably like The Silence.  Right now I'm enjoying
                               the silence.

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)-----------------------========[ Mansooj ]========-----------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

 Twang, twang...twang...etc.  A very evil, downbeat tone is sought by this
  tune...but no!  After a minute, we get to the death metal part and its
 silly and overly loud main voice sample!  And then back to the downbeat,
  dirge-like part until about the two minute mark, where we get into some
  better thrash/death metal.  But, it is slaughtered by that stupid voice
 sample again.  To this song I say, "so what?" Had it actually taken just
  the two thrash/metal parts and worked with them, discarding the stupid
  voice sample, and the boring and useless opening/interim segment, this
            could have been something worthy of bothering with.

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)----------------------========[ Peraphon ]========-----------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

  Weird, very weird.  I usually like metal songs, but I just couldn't get
into this one.  The intro needs some anti-depressants--like yesterday, then
  some guy starts chanting something in a mock Satanic voice as the tempo
quickly accelerates.  Not exactly a thrilling bit of music here, and that's
 basically the full layout of this one--it bounces back and forth between
these two rather disparate phrases, instead of ever even making an attempt
                 at anything different to fill things out.

I will say that the samples sounded fairly good, and the percussion wasn't
     too bad, either, but regardless, this just wasn't too impressive.

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)----------------------========[ CCerberus ]========----------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

Hehe, this mod reminds me of the very first songs I wrote using a computer.
    It isn't very good, musically, but it has that undeniable spirit of
 somebody who has just discovered that they can write songs without having
 to actually practice. :)  Several of the samples actually sound JUST LIKE
  samples that I made with the band I used to be in (but they aren't the
same...I checked).  If energy and effort alone could make a song good, this
would have received higher praise than I can honestly give it.  I liked the
    apparent fact that the samples were probably homemade in somebody's
                               basement. :)

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)-----------------------========[ Quasar ]========------------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

This module has a slow, dark, almost mournful tempo which alternates with a
   fast-paced, evil, demonic sequence.  Unfortunately, the two don't go
together too well, and due to the mismatching, the module's sound is hollow
   and primitive.  It module needs more channels, better samples, and a
 composer who is seasoned enough to produce more than the most simplistic
                          melodies and patterns.


-----================================================================-----


                                "YG-Trance"

                            by Brouil of Legion

                             (4ch MOD, 04:06)
                        (ygtrance.lha [267K/401K])

                              [Techno/Trance]

                                  Samples -----------------.
                              Originality -------------.   |
                                Technical ---------.   |   |
                              Composition -----.   |   |   |
                                  Overall -.   |   |   |   |
                                           |   |   |   |   |
                                           |   |   |   |   |
                                         ====================

              Mansooj                     84+ --  --  60  88
              Quasar                      83+ 85  85  90  75
              MING                        83= 88  90  60  80
              CCerberus                   82= 83  83  61  76
              WolfSong                    66+ 66  71  69  76
              Clones                      65+ 40  50  60  70
              Shrift                      65= 65  55  60  70
              JuiCe                       59+ 60  85  --  85
              Skullsaw                    50+ 50  50  45  60

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)------------------------========[ JuiCe ]========------------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

    Duck!  Here comes more of that gurgly, rubbery resonant stuff!  :]

Seriously, at first this seems like another stomping club-techno piece.  It
 meets all the requirements:  pounding four-on-the-floor rhythm, resonant
acid-bass sequences, the obligatory long snareroll, the works!  However, I
can't get rid of the impression that this is, in fact, a demo tune.  It has
    that typical sound of a song that was made to match the effects and
 routines in a demo, therefore twisting and turning in sync to whatever is
   happening on the screen.  This kind of music works perfect when they
  accompany a demo, but as standalone pieces most of them don't manage to
   really catch the interest of the listener, because each sequence gets
 replaced quickly by the next one just as it starts to become interesting.

  There's just too many breakdowns and build-ups, and it all happens too
 fast, giving the song a frantic and disorganised feel.  The exception is
 the intro part (before the beat drops for the first time), which seems to
 last twice as long as it should.  It gives a sort of hesitant feel as if
            the beat isn't sure if it should kick in just yet.

  This could be taken as another giveaway that this really is a demo tune
because many demos have long opening sequences displaying the title credits
before the demo (and the music) really kicks in.  However I can't know for
sure because the author doesn't mention anything in the sampletexts, and if
 there is a demo with this song in it, I haven't seen it.  If anyone knows
              for sure that either is true, let me know.  :]

   To sum things up, this tune would work very well in a demo, and would
probably deserve a much higher mark, but on its own it just doesn't cut it.
The technique and the samples are very, very good, but it doesn't catch any
      interest, which, unfortunately, makes it simply above average.

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)----------------------========[ WolfSong ]========-----------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

 I don't know why I couldn't really get into this song.  Perhaps it seemed
as though it was always building to get to something, but never got there.
     Almost like the entire song was an intro.  I think something that
 contributed to that feeling was that the sound of it was a little hollow.
  There wasn't much of an underlying bassline until way into the song and
    there were often no chord highlights.  Lots of dancy synths though.

Though keep in mind that this is a four channel MOD.  A format that is very
difficult to get a full sound out of.  The composer seemed to take care of
               all he could, but the song just needed more.

  It's not a "bad" song by any means.  The composer did a few things that
brought out some character.  The low, sliding synth near the end was pretty
                  interesting and showed a bit of style.

  This is a dance song that just seemed to have needed more space to work
 with.  The composer did a good job with what he had, but the result still
                      leaves something to be desired.

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)-----------------------========[ Mansooj ]========-----------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

Nifty electro-techno opening.  Quite a lot of variety as well as changes of
tempo, and a great selection of appropriate samples (28 of 'em).  This does
   exactly what it should do:  it entertains.  This, even though trance
generally tends to want itself in the background.  It's obvious the techno
 edge gives it that extra bit that a song like this needs to get reactions
 more lively than just "oh, well it wasn't bad, but there wasn't anything
much to comment about." It isn't amazingly original, but I think techno and
its ilk are about out of possibilities by now, BUT, it takes the style and
does something with it.  There are lots of little things in here that score
 points with me.  This is also one tune that could be worthy of expansion
            into more tracks and use of newer tracker effects.

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)-----------------------========[ Clones ]========------------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

   This really reminds me of Front 242 with a heavy, fairly fast beat in
                                  places.

From a compositional stand point the lead-in creates fine tension.  However
 there are really only two ideas, quiet and eerie with strings, and heavy
with strings, which alternate throughout.  At some point, tonal development
occurs with the introduction of more fat synth sounds.  Overall, the tones
in this piece are a bit reminiscent of the music in some Future Crew demos.
          The ending seems to be an abrupt stop from exhaustion.

The samples, though 8-bit, are some fine analogue synth sounds with a heavy
                         resonance filter applied.

This is fine dance music but could use some more variation or development.
 Overall, it's a good module that could become great with some more work.

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)------------------------========[ MING ]========-------------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

 A really great, solid trance track filled to the brim with 303 snarls and
soothing strings.  Massive sounding, complex and full featured in only four
 channels, it really gives me, as a composer, the feeling that I´m a true
 idiot, who can´t normally even accomplish this with 20.  Damn, I need to
practice.  Anyway, this tune starts with snarls, and continues all through
   the song with constantly changing snarl patterns, backed up by smooth
            strings and well conducted, really addictive beats.

All in all it´s the stereotype of an acid-trance tune--a very nice example.
 Well tuned, well put together and skillfully tracked, there's nothing at
               all to complain about.  This one is a keeper.

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)----------------------========[ Skullsaw ]========-----------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

What we have here is a recipe for acid including all the usual ingredients:
  thumping bassdrum, resonant filter bass, buzzy sweeps and string synth
  breaks.  Opposing 303 melodic lines fight each other as edgy hihats and
                         claps rat-a-tat-tat away.

The 303 samples are a bit on the low res side with quite a bit of aliasing,
though the percussion sounds fine.  The sample set is the usual acid fare.

YG-Trance is a very average acid tune, nothing stellar to mention.  Missing
 here is innovation and originality.  I've heard this all before with more
panache and style.  This one is very by-the-numbers.  It never really comes
                    to a boil instead it just simmers.

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)-----------------------========[ Shrift ]========------------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

 Typically, this style has been abused as much as industrial and house and
everything in between, but this song makes a solid effort to differentiate
itself, using experimental samples and effects.  I think it works.  This is
fun and lively, and although some of its experiments fall flat, quite a bit
of it works.  Lots of fresh and exciting samples, and some interesting and
  inventive effects-use.  It runs on a bit long after a while, and stops
                changing, but up til then, I was listening.

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)-----------------------========[ Quasar ]========------------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

    The module has a fairly fast tempo, and varies sufficiently, always
 introducing a new element into the music to keep the listener interested.
This composer doesn't rely on repeating basic patterns, but adds a distinct
   flavor to each part of the song.  The song, as a whole, manages to be
 spacey, computer-like, and, of course, trance-like all at the same time.
   It's a mixture of several different types of sound and, somehow, the
                 composer pulled it off very effectively.

          /----------------------------------------------------\
)----------------------========[ CCerberus ]========----------------------(
          \----------------------------------------------------/

Often, songs of this sort tend to bore me.  That was not the case with this
one, since it showed both a great deal of knowledge about the 4-channel mod
format, and a good ability to balance sounds and add variety.  I was quite
  pleased with the variations that the author achieved without losing the
overall continuity of the song.  I am frankly amazed that this was written
 in only 4 channels.  A very good piece to have if you're into the techno
                                  genre.


-----================================================================-----


      "