Neophyte-Ronin's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Dragon Skin]

The Synth

The "synthesized" aspects of the song make it sound... I don't know, flimsy. That's what I use to describe the song. This one could use more than a little work.

It also hurts when the riff sounds very close to "Decisive Battle"--part of the Final Fantasy VI soundtrack. This is the sort of fluffy stupidity that deflates all seriousness and gives power metal a disdainfully bad name.

However, I can envision (hear?) a remastering of the initial few moments of the track--or sections of the track--and creating slick video game loops out of them. If anything, the music lends itself to an arcade feel that would be ideal in an action game of old school nature, say a run'n'gun Metal Slug or Contra clone. I know the recent game "Infiltrator" utterly lacks a musical score, which sort of deflates its appeal since you sort of expect some kind of background music in a run-and-gun!

In any case, this needs to shed more than its skin to achieve greatness. The drum samples, for instance, need to match the loudness of the guitars, and beef up the bass. That can always use some boosting! If anything, shelf this baby for a rainy day, then list all the mistakes you hear and correct them one-by-one. It isn't like this song has no potential at all. It couldn't be defined as power metal without that.

Kor-Rune responds:

Wow, yeah, I just now noticed how lame the bass aspects are volume-wise to this song.

But I'm not sure anything can give power metal a worse name than Dragonforce, lol.

Thanks for the fantastic review, we need more people like you as reviewers!

[When The Time Comes Instrmntal]

If I had a sister...

...I'd grant you full range, boy.

This song is THAT good.

In its current state, it is definitely a background music piece, especially in a Flash production. In its projected full version, it'd be the music during the credits. Either way, it's win-win for you. Also, this song is actually well-mastered, and that is often an obstacle for many musicians at this site, when their material sounds cloudy and noisy, therefore useless in a Flash. And of course, beyond Flash, this thing sets out to become an effective piece to listen to when you need something in the background to listen to... something DECENT.

Again, if I had a sister, you could fuck her and I wouldn't whine about it.

Kor-Rune responds:

Haha, thanks man. I still have many mastering problems, but this one went a little more raw, easier, and light-hearted with the production.

I just wish a decent vocalist would come along so I could have the full version and this one as some background music, best of both worlds with a strong melody and chord progression.

Thanks for the review!

[The Rapture - Monolith]

Brutal, Psychotic, and Lovely

Compared to some of the tracks produced by your group, this one sticks out as well-produced... that is to say, your talents shine through a good recording of tracks. This can be considered the definitive demo for your group.

Now, if I may ask, could you post lyrics? Like all black metal, you can't possibly get around the power-metal-high-pitched-operatic-and -then-back-to-doom-metal-growl sort of stuff that your vocalist expertly provides. At some point, there will be something missing in translation, hence a request for lyrics to be posted isn't a horrible one. Surely you can understand, from a fan who utterly enjoys the song enough to bother asking?

Hail Satan. Actually, fuck him, he owes me cash and he'll never deliver. Fuck him in his goat ass, motherfucker.

Eternalreich responds:

Lyrics? no problem ill have them soon and send you a pm.

[The Paladin]

Wait a Minute, What the FUCK?

Exactly why did people hate on this one? I mean, you're crossing into Weird Al territory when you take somebody's song (in this case, a Kenny Rogers song) and redo all the lyrics to suit your intentions. This is one of the really good WoW spoof songs I've heard. It doesn't matter if you're vocal chords aren't behaving perfectly, because I've seen the "That's the World of Warcraft that You Play" song on YouTube and I believe THIS SONG IS FUCKING BETTER!

3.00 / 5.00 (+ 0.017)

Who had the fucking audacity to Zero-Bomb this one?

SkyMarshall responds:

Haha well you made me laugh at least. And yup, first time ever this has been over the 3.00 mark. Thanks for that :) The fact that at least you "understood" the whole idea of this thing, makes me all warm and fuzzy inside. So thanks for the little motivational boost ... and ofcourse the 10 =) Appreciate it!

[Fragger]

Excellent Work

I always enjoy someone who delivers a sense of humor in anything he or she creates. This is one of those moments.

Keep showing up with this stuff dude.

SkyMarshall responds:

Thanks man =) I do treasure that 10!

[Spring Me From Hell (preview)]

3.93 / 5.00 (+ 0.078)

Don't worry Mr. Bad Man, we'll drag this motherfucker out of Zero Bomb Hell. The title certainly fits. We're all doing the best we can with our RESPECT clicks, all of us (if not then we can use their heads as stepping stones across Purgatory's lava).

In any case, this is faintly reminiscent of early metal before thrash became a defining attribute. You could say it's the equivalent of the Load/Reload era of Metallica, but most people would consider that an insult. Not every song needs to be impossibly fast or lacking the original attributes of psychedelia that pervaded most of our progenitors.

Devastus is right about the drums. I understand that, being new for you, they're sticking out of your songs of late. What we'd give to hear from a drummer who submits material around here, swear to God....

Still above and beyond most of the Two-Girls-One-Cup fans' metal submissions, though. Continue destroying civilization as it continues to displease the lot of us.

Bad-Man-Incorporated responds:

Haha, thanks for your support and review, man. I'm not a huge fan of the "garbage can" snare for sure. I've already reverted to trusty and true for the final music. :D
I've never really been a speedy player, I like the slower drudgy bone crusing riffs, myself. :D

Again, thanks for the kick ass review, man.\m/
You line the fuckers up, I'll smash the skulls.

[Funk Ass Motherfucker!]

More Blues & Country than Funk....

...But I don't give a shit so long as it loops and sounds seven-eighths toward absolute coolness.

That's because most assholes only get halfway to absolute coolness.

Excellent job, asshole!

Bad-Man-Incorporated responds:

Man if you could have seen me rippin it, with that fucking "sharpie magnum" as my slide...that would raise it to absolution, my friend.

Woo..

Thanks again\m/

[Mac8 - A Long Time Ago]

Nice Work

Pooling into emotional veins isn't exactly emo... or well, neither intrinsic nor exclusive to the genre. I thought emo by definition exaggerates emotional sentiment to the point of being ludicrous melodrama even with insignificant things. Frankly, I can do without most of that stuff receiving radio play. On the other hand, I prefer musicians who are able to communicate with their music rather than trying too hard to be clever. I also enjoy musicians who routinely release even the dorkiest material. In essence, I deeply respect the sheer chutzpah you have in spades (and clubs, because hearts and diamonds always deserve a firm routing).

The only complaint I have is simple: ditch the drum loop. Honestly: you can get away with making really pretty music by minimizing percussion to light cymbals, a mild triangle, or a tambourine that isn't struck, only stirred and not shaken. This drum loop actually competes for attention--attention that's strictly meant for the mellow guitar. I can imagine a complete removal of the drums and this song would fare better.

It's only a suggestion--no need to follow through; it is quite good as is--but take it from a guy who listens to his mother prattle on about folk music for hours on end: some ideas stick to the psyche... and in the eardrums (no pun intended). Of course it went without saying that this is fluid and lovely, which is rare coming from you.

Keep rocking.

Bad-Man-Incorporated responds:

Thanks very much. Folk music!? They still have that?! OMG. I hear ya.
The drums were really added last minute to "cover" the annoying buzz from my shitty fucking amp...as I really wanted to record more from an amp on this...than direct.
But then.."BUZZZZZZ" FUcking fuck. So I threw in the hat and snare thing. You are definitely right. I'd love to redo this, but I'd have to remember how to play it. And I closed that part of me, for now. haha.

Thanks again for another kick ass review.

[In a World of Shit demo]

Okay, the Chainsaw and Screaming Just Started

I would have just given you a 9 without that.

Of course, that also nixes my ability to clip it in Audacity for use in an actual video game in Flash. I intend to conjure something up as I've yet to make through with my promise to Bad-Man concerning the BBQBeefBurgerMan Game I had in mind. Throwing out your back and not being able to sit in front of your computer for long periods of time without excruciating pain can do that to your lead time.

In any case, this World of Shit demonstration you have is pretty slick and evil, like Black Mage when he was King of Hell for twenty minutes. To achieve that level of rocking has got to give you incentive to tough out your stay at Newgrounds because a 3.50+ batting average is still something to be proud of. They can't all be 4.33+ you know.

This has Five/RESPECT written all over its cancerous shell. Continue fucking everyone's moms like it's goin' outta style!

Demon-Slayer12 responds:

Thats inspiring dude, but the thing is that I know I've accomplished a lot, but it seems now that my popularity has nose-dived because of my absence and everything I submit gets shit on. It really bums me out to not see all the reviews I used to get, and all the downloads and shit, even though I didn't make my best attempts to respond to them all, I still loved reading them, but i guess maybe people were getting sick of telling me how awesome I am hahaha! Btw, all my tunes should be 4.33+ in my opinion (yeah, in my own little fucked up world) except for a few of my very old tunes (which I think were really awesome at the time) Thanks for the kickass review man, glad to see some people still care :D its people like you that make me come back man, cheers!

[pt 1. of new song-Metaljonus]

Excellence

Well, I have listened to this through and through and I keep wondering when you are going to finish it. I swear the lengthy acoustic intro is just the proper intro to an excellent cinematic action sequence, but without the other two parts, this piece can only go so far. I already have a general understanding about where to take it... but seriously... all I can say is: finish it.

Take it as a compliment when someone says that; they insist on hearing a little more!

Metaljonus responds:

Thanks for the kind words man! but my comp crashed and lost alot so I can't finish it. it fucking sucks but I want to rewrite somethings in the next 2 parts but it will take some time. thanks again!

-Mj