Gravey's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[Classical Patterns]

I Like It...

I started playing piano when I was three years old. So despite the fact I'm a metal head, when I hear piano pieces I get really excited. And this is no different.

My only issue, is the patterns seem to be far to similar throughout the entire song. Really it didn't change at all. There were some chord changes obviously, and the melody line was very nice.

But the accompaniment to the melody line was pretty much the same thing throughout the entire song. Now that is ok if you have more going on in the piece. But when it is only a piano and cello, I tend to believe there needs to be a little more variation.

Now I will say, if you can play this live, then you have some skill. But as a composition, it is rather mediocre to an extent. I do however see tons of potential in this. I mean really, there is so much you can do with it on so many levels!

I think you should add more of a strings section. Or maybe just a violin and viola to help out the cello. Or is that an upright bass? Either way, I think a viola and violin would help a lot.

I really do like this a lot as a whole. It is really good, just not great though.

4/5 and 8/10 overall.

-Gravey-

P.S. - If you do any editing to this please send me a pm. I would love to hear what you have done. :-)

FlipWillie responds:

Ah, You found me out! I admit, the "patterns" are limited because my ability is limited. The creative juices only flow for so long, and unfortunately, I have a tendency to repeat patterns in my music. Because of this, I try to keep my songs brief so I don't insult the listener with repetitive music. I may have stretched this one out a little too long.

Yes, I can play the piece live; of course, no cello. I think if you saw the piece, you wouldn't be as impressed with its playing.

Anyway, thanks for the review! I appreciate it. If I make any changes to the song I will let you know.

P.S. I have other piano pieces that I may upload in the future -- if you are interested.

[{B.A.B.} Revolution X]

First Off...

Distorbed there below me needs to get an enima. Because he obviously has a crusty ass if he can't appreciate the sheer beauty of this song. Or maybe he just has sand in his vagina. Either way, he needs to get that fixed.

So, where to start. We both know I like to leave long and well thought out reviews, especially on your pieces. Because they are always so beautiful and in depth.

But really, I just want to sit back and take this one in man. Because this is true epicness. There is nothing I could really say that would be able to improve this piece in any way shape or form.

As always, I'm blown away by the atmosphere you have going on in your pieces. And this is definitely no exception. Just a fucking amazing atmosphere entirely. You have a very unique and special writing style, and I truly love, (and envy,) it. Superb work here my friend. Superb indeed.

One thing I am not 100% sure of is the section starting at 1:38. The horns there are a good idea, but the sound font does not quite fit. They need to be slightly more staccato in that small window of time. I hold you to a much higher standard as you know, so yes I'm nit-picking. But me thinks you like it when I nit-pick your pieces! ;-)

5/5 and 10/10 overall my friend. This is truly a wonder to behold in my ears.

This has been favorited!

-Gravey-

blackattackbitch responds:

Don't worry, the nit-picking is some of the best help I could get, since it helps me identify small stuff that I nor anyone else would pick up :)

I'm glad to see your review, I always love it when you send a review my way cuz your reviews are so well-thought out and so analytical.

Don't worry about Distorbed, his review is just a little reminder that this song doesn't appeal to everyone and that I should still keep working to improve my craft as much as I can.

Yeah, that section at 1:28 was kinda thrown off by my decision to incorporate a flugelhorn and it clashed with the tuba I had decided to use as the bassline. It was a last-minute decision and a bad one at that. Thanks for pointing it out! Someone mentioned it earlier too.

Remember to send me PMs of your new tracks, I love to listen as much as I love to create!

[Leaving a Trail]

Interesting...

From a technical standpoint, it blows. From an ambient standpoint for a game, this could and probably is perfectly appropriate. I would have to play the game where this is incorporated to truly know that or not. But I'm guessing that you, being a smart individual, did well at creating what your friend needed.

Really all there is to talk about is the mix, and overlapping of the patterns. Both of which are pretty much spot on. I hear no lapses in the song. And everything is noticeable in the mix.

It all seems to have an eerie feel to it. I like it actually.

4/5 and 8/10 overall.

-Gravey-

InvisibleObserver responds:

Yes technically it is pretty simple, just a few chords here, and a few there. Simple stuff, but nice in my opinion.

The game it has been used in is a single player ''Myst" like game where you are on your own in a labyrinth and you need to solve a series of puzzles to get out. I've seen the game and it works perfectly, which was a bit of a surprise given I'd made it pre-seeing the game.

Normally mixing/post production is my weak point, so I made a strong effort here, and I think it really shows. I'm quite proud of this despite musically being simple.

Thanks for dropping me another review, I appreciate it.

[<PS> Yism'chu]

Taste The Rich And Fatty Goodness...

This is perfect, considering this songs purpose.

The entire mood and setting of the piece really seems to encompass the style of a Jewish folk song. It has a very danceable quality to it, and that is very important.

The instrument choices are very tasteful. Really, you created a great ensemble for this style of song.

The instrumentation is pretty simple overall. But the flute part is pretty intense and technical. And that gives it that intellectual integrity I want in my music.

And the mix is just about perfect. I really can't think of any way to improve on it.

5/5 and 10/10 overall. Wonderful job here bud!

-Gravey-

PenguinSam responds:

Thanks! I really apprecicate that!

Being Jewish myself, I know what good Jewish Folk Music sounds like, and Yism'chu is one of the best! and I agree, the danceable quality is very important.

And speaking about the ensemble, I almost chose a larinet instead of a flute, but it couldn't play high enough to be heard over the ensemble!

I'm glad that you enjoyed! Thank you!

<PS>

[Reaper's Sonata]

Hmmm...

This is very soothing, yet eerie at the same time. Especially in the beginning.

I like the different instruments you used in this song. They create quite an interesting mix for this particular song. Although, I'm not crazy about the vocal part. It seemed a bit out of place if you ask me.

I'm not sure I like how it loops. It really seems to be a bit shaky there. And this is far to short to be a full song. But since it is in a flash, I'm gonna take this as what was asked of you. Probably for a particular scene I would guess. If so, then it makes sense. But you should make a longer version of it as well if that is the case. Make it into a real true song.

Everything seems to be in really good balance. Although, the lack of a low end makes me slightly wary. But every now and then it is ok to be top heavy. I do believe this to be one of those cases.

I like this, but I'm not quite sure I love it. ;-)

4/5 and 8/10 overall. Really nice work here. Depending on the animation, this sounds like it would fit very well in a flash scene.

-Gravey-

[Titanium Assault]

Wowzers Sir!!!

Epicness is what this is. Simply put, this is awesome in every shape, way, and form.

The guitar riffs are so badass. You have a great way of writing guitar parts. They are pretty intricate and detailed, but not overly so. They are still easy to follow, which is always a good thing.

The bass really adds so much to this song man. And that is so rare in metal. The bass is what really makes this song have that real "punch to the ovaries" quality I love in metal. It really creates depth in this song. Great job on the bass, and creating it's overall sound.

The drums are pretty sweet. I really like them a lot. Not only the mix of them, but the overall sound is pretty good as well. I like the quality of the kick. It is really fucking punchy man! And everything is completely audible, and still in it's own place. Wonderful job on the drums man.

The vocals are perfect for the style of this song. TheBardOfBlasphemy's voice fits this sound perfectly, and in every way. I hear a mix between Dez Fafara, (Vocalist for Devildriver, and formerly Coal Chamber,) and Mikael Stanne, (Vocalist for Dark Tranquillity.) His voice just seems like a very unique mix of them and their styles. And that is meant as a compliment my fine sirs!

The solos were really good. But they really didn't make me fall back in total amazement. Don't get me wrong, there wasn't anything technically wrong with them. They just didn't strike me the way some other solos have. But in the grand scheme of things, the solo isn't really the most important part. At least not for me anyways.

The overall mix of this is simply perfect. I'm not sure it could have been any better. Not only did you get a good mix, but you created different aspects with the vocals. Having them panned at areas, and fading them in and out as well. That really created some cool effects on my ears in places.

Overall, what can I say? I love it man! Great fucking job you guys!

5/5 and 10/10 overall!

This has been favorited!

[These Walls]

Interesting...

I like it, to an extent. It is pretty brutal and straightforward, and that appeals to me on a certain level.

The guitars are not overly complicated, but then again aren't the easiest I've ever heard either.The squeals during the riffs really make me smile. I really like them a lot. And I really enjoyed the style of distortion you used. Really in your face, and has a real death metal flavor to it. Went with the vocals and drums nicely.

As for the vocals, very cool man. I really like them a lot. Brutal and to the point. Very nicely don.

The drums are decent as well. But I think the snare could be something more. I'm not sure how, maybe when EQ'ing it raise the high end a tad? That might be what I think is missing. But really I can't put my finger on it. The snare just seems a little dead sounding is all.

The overall mix is alright, but you should raise the kick a tad bit. It is a little light in the mix in areas. But that is just my opinion. Take it or leave it as you will.

4/5 and 8/10 overall.

-Gravey-

Ieatleviathan responds:

hey thanks man we are looking to re-record and stuff but yeah if you liked it you can check out more at http://www.myspace.com/withhellcomesw ar

we are look for a new drummer :( oh well lol

[Lutharian]

Nifty...

I like it.

the guitars have a really cool groove to them. And the riffs are upbeat and straightforward, which is good for the type of song you are going for.

Now the solo I'm not so sure about. I'm not trashing your skills on the guitar, but I'm not sure it all fits well with the type of song you are creating. The first half of the solo didn't do it for me. The second half after ths choir break did though. That half of the solo was a lot better.

The drums are ok, but could be better. Not a lot to say on them, except EQ and compress them some. Then raise 'em up in the mix a bit. ;-)

The synth lead it pretty cool, but isn't loud enough in the mix. But that leads me to the biggest issue. The mixing. The guitars are WAY to overpowering in the song. They drown out all the upper register stuff in this song. I would lower them a tad, then EQ the song. And when EQ'ing the song, I'd raise the mid to high ranges a little. That should really help out the overall mix a bit.

But really overall, this is pretty good.

4/5 and 8/10 overall. I liked this bud. You should make some more in the future. :-)

-Gravey-

Xanmar responds:

Thank you for the criticism. I have no problem admitting that I'm terrible at mixing, and I agree with you completely. I also had no idea how over saturated the bass was either. I'm actually going in to the studio tomorrow to test out new ways of mic-ing an amp.

Yeah, also no argument about the drums. Total Reason sound bank, and straight midi step-sequencing there, and an 8 bar loop. I would record the drums myself, me being a fairly decent drummer myself, but again, everything I directly record ends up sounding muffled.
Thanks.

[Master Sword]

This...

...will slay any faggy Zelda fanboys the moment they open this in a window. Too bad we can't watch the bloodshed though. :-/

I really like this man. Once again, there is a Mnemic groove in the guitars in areas. Very fucking cool. You really should create some odd time signatures in those sections as well like they do, as well as Meshugahh. You really seem to have a way of emulating those bands in areas.

Then come sections like the one around 1:40. Completely odd and different, and doesn't really fit the rest of the song. Yet, I still like it. Very cool sound you created with dissonance. Then kicks back into that Mnemic/Meshuggah groove. Really fucking cool on so many levels man.

Too bad you can't record vocals for this stuff. Vocals are really all this needs. Some better drums would be nice, but we discussed that in a previous review of mine. So I shall not hold it against you twice.

BUT! One thing you CAN do, is raise the kick in the mix. ;-) It be way to quiet! I can't hear it at all really. I mean literally, I couldn't hear it at all. And the kick is really important in metal, as well all know. But this is still bad ass!

5/5 and 9/10 overall. Very nice work here bud!

-Gravey-

PenguinBomb responds:

Hah, this review is so review-like that it's hard to respond to :D And yeah, mnemic/meshuggah still permeate my style a lot. And the bass drum! I have such a nasty habit of getting the drums just the way I like them befoer I begin recording other instruments, and then once those are recorded in excitement to put the track online and stuff I always forget to balance everything in the mix. I'm gonna take it slower in future songs. As always, thanks for the awesome reviews :D

[Hero's Bottle (Complete)]

Man...

This is pretty sweet!

I really like the upper vocals. I really enjoyed the upper melody lines in the vocals, but I'm not crazy about the rest of them. Whoever the vocalist is, you or Crucified, sounds a little too much like Metallica when singing in your natural register. And I hate to be a hater, but I truly hate Metallica with all my heart and soul. BUT! The upper register stuff reminded me a little more of Priest in a way. Not exactly, but in a way. So kudos to you for that! :-D

The guitars are awesome. Really relaxed on the riffs, yet they are pretty cathartic when the volume is pumped up loud enough. I think you could make the distortion a little harsher personally, but that is a subjective thing. So I'm not gonna hold it against you at all.

The guitar solo was very appropriately written for this song. I love the duet going on in the solo. How you recorded it twice, but not the same. Reminds me a lot of a band I worked with in the studio called Screaming Death. The guitars are very similar. So it kinda takes me back to the good ol' days when I was still in school and had a studio at my disposal. :-) Overall, I love the guitars.

The drums are pretty tasteful. They sound like they might be live? Like real drums is such a treat here on Newgrounds. And these really do sound authentic. But I could be wrong. Overall I like the drums. They fit the song very nicely.

Really there wasn't much to complain about in this song. Really nothing at all.

5/5 and 10/10 overall. I really enjoyed this bud!

-Gravey-

Bad-Man-Incorporated responds:

Thank you for the review!! Really glad you liked the song. Crucified did all the vocals. I only joined in on the "standing broken" and on the first chorus.
The man is a beast. He'll have something new on his page, with both of us vocalizing.
Glad you like the guitars. I tried many different styles of distortions. I have about 10 copies of this song in different distortions. In the end, I had to choose this one, for over all feel. It was kinda therapeutic to me as well.

The guitar solo was also something I have a few hundred copies of, before I decided on the harmonics one. It just followed the soft break, better than the others.

The drums are not live. But thank you very much!! I worked really hard on them, and will be doing the same for next songs that come out.

Thank you for the awesome review, and support!! Do you have any of your old bands songs?