Retro CreaTbJ's Reviews

Technique, Arrangement, Composition (9/10)

Throughout the module, various channels alternate between different instruments and functions very fluidly. There's also a "oriental choir-ish" section that has a really cool sound, with two overlapping channels that play the same melody, slightly delayed, in differently panned channels, thus achieving a very full sound. Pitch bends and vibratos are all well used. I don't think there are many particularly interesting techniques. The piece stands out more for the memorable, driving and energetic composition than anything else, although there are some cool uses of arpeggios.

Development (9/10)

The volume levels are all perfectly balanced. Although the panning is limited by the PAULA's hardware, fleshbrain manages to get some cool sounding stereo effects with techniques like echo effects in two differently-panned channels.
The samples are very well made and chosen. Despite the fact that there are no more than 14 different samples in the tune, it manages to sound colorful and varied. The percussion sounds very powerful, although I've seen cleaner drum and kick samples in the Amiga. I really like how some samples (specially percussive ones) are repitched and used within different contexts, thus resulting in very different sounds.

Creativity (10/10)

Everything said in the "technique, skill level" section applies here. I honestly think it's a really creative, memorable piece with a very distinct vibe. It's very well structured and keeps you engaged all the way trough.

Enjoyment (9/10)

Troughout the whole piece, various simple, clear and overall great, catchy melodies seamlessly flow through each other. There's some really cool contrast between the majority of the tune and the aforementioned calmer choir-ish section. I must admit though, the way the tune loops... could be a bit better. I think it would have actually worked better to have a satisfying conclusion than a mere loop, considering it's such a long piece.