Alpan Aytekin: +|+++|+|+| (6) Josh Taylor: ++|+++|+++| (8) Omri Lahav: ++|+++|+++|+++|+++|+++| (17) Wade Friesen: +| (1) HoboKa: ++|+|+| (4) Dj Mokram: ++|+|+|+| (5) ------- Abadoss ------- First place: Omri Lahav Honorable mentions: HoboKa and Alpan Aytekin ------- Dead Chicken (Josh Taylor) ++ ------- Alpan Aytekin - This one seemed the most unique to me with, though it seemed to follow a similar pattern with the rest. First place: Alpan Aytekin Honorable mentions: Dj Mokram ------- shpena ------- Omri Lahav - I really enjoyed it over the others, the sound was crisp and the melodies were well done, really transported me to the setting. First place: Omri Lahav Honorable mentions: Dj Mokram ------- HoboKa ++ ------- Alpan Aytekin - Whilst this is a pretty f***ing sweet track, it doesn't quite fit the theme for me. Also on a side note, the lack of release for the strings and voices really hurt the feel. It may be due to the Polyphony amount, not sure. Back to the main point of my review, it feels more like an exploration or a mystery tune, due to the lenghty notes, abstract atmospheric effects and and the odd chord structures. This is still a pretty decent track, regardless. Josh Taylor - Nice starting. Ack, the trumpets are kinda dissonant and the chord stuff is pretty (o_O). I'm not sure what this track is trying to convey; hehe, seems like half of the tracks I make. Also, this doesn't feel very dark-age like. More medieval. Better luck next time, and be sure to keep on composing! Omri Lahav - YES, YES, YES oh god I think I creamed myself. Wow, just wow. I'm unsure of how to critique this, because this track demonstrates stuff beyond my skill level as a composer. Suffice to say that your song/compo/track fits the theme like a crack-cocaine. Grats Omri =D Wade Friesen - Cool starting. Oooo Spanish influence, viva la sexy!! Err...but how is this Egyptian? Wait wait wait - I hear it!! 0:55 and up, WOW. How do you mix Egyptian with Spanish?? However you managed to pull it off, it works, lol, grats man. Over all, great composition, nice progress, in fact it's very progressional, much like the other tracks in this compo. ANd the piano break down at 2:18...it gave me tingles, that's rarity for me. And the lightning-ending...nice touch! 5/5 mate Dj Mokram - Hmm, yet another experimental, atmospheric track. This is down my alley! Unfortunately, this isn't very Pharoah-Returning-esque :'( Still, you get major points for making such a unique and funky track. Impressive, nonetheless. And that bassline is mm mm. The 2:10 and up part is epic, y'know, this reminds me of Castlevania, lol. But for THIS theme, this track doesn't really cut the cake. Sorry man. First place: Omri Lahav Honorable mentions: Wade Friesen ------- Calvin He (Cryora) ------- Alpan Aytekin - Very good arrangement. Some melody would have definitely improved it, but other than that, great job. Josh Taylor - I like the fanfare sound in the beginning. What I would have prefered to hear is more instruments, including some percussion, to help spice up the piece. Omri Lahav - Very authentic instruments and style with respect to the ancient Egyptians, along with a good choice of modern elements (such as the distortion guitar). I love the synchopated rhythm. Wade Friesen - You have a very nice beginning going there. The middle sounds like it could be developed more. I like the change in meter, a very good strategy for making pieces sound more exciting throughout the entire length. My own criticism is that at some parts, it is not always fleshed out enough. HoboKa - You did a very good job. The harmony at some parts could be improved to make it sound better. I also think the melody could use a bit more soul or personality. Is it just me or does most of your pieces sound very similar (example: Kung Fu Finale and SpaceTavern)? Dj Mokram - Great intro. The follow up is good, but then it starts sounding kind of menacing, which doesn't really put the image of a Pharoah returning. First place: Omri Lahav Honorable mentions: Alpan Aytekin, HoboKa, and Dj Mokram ------- Dj Mokram ++ ------- Alpan Aytekin - I had trouble deciding who to put first between Omri's & Alpan's song. Both are almost in the same category production-wise. This piece definitely has a more Stargate-ish feeling to it, which mind you, is a very good point. I had no problem with the 'not-so-melodic' approach, as it would have felt less appropriate and maybe more cliché/game-ish, as seen in the other entries. The piece has a lot of atmosphere, and I liked the voice+bassdrum section at 1:11 that introduced the epic last part of the song. Only drawback was the strangely abrubt ending: why no fade-out in the last seconds? Omri Lahav - Ambiance was definitely in phase with the oriental setting of the compo. The mid-eastern instruments were used really well, like I've rarely seen it. The begining almost sounds like it would belong in a God of War soundtrack. Percussion is also on mark, with nice darbukas patterns. Flute & strings melodies are solid, yet enchanting, and transport you far away. Guitar and piano are used with subtility, yet add a lot to the whole. And the addition of electric guitar at the end was totally unexpected, but refreshing nonetheless. Good amount of attention to the production value also. First place: Omri Lahav Honorable mentions: Alpan Aytekin ------- Omri Lahav ++ ------- Josh Taylor - You're the only one who hasn't fallen *entirely* to the middle eastern music cliches (which most of the others try to imitate in a rather unconvincing manner). First place: Josh Taylor ------- Mtlbro ------- Josh Taylor - I like the theme and arrangement of this piece, not the best samples, but the best writing in this competition imho. More FX could have been used, however, and production qualitity gets an NI (needs imporvement). That's not to say the peice sounds bad, quite the contrary, but my attention approaching the 2 minute mark started to diminish, 100% due to sound quality. Had the music been justly produced, this track would be a very stand-out song in the competition. But you get my vote.:))))))))))) First place: Josh Taylor