Dwelling of Duels: Free Month (March 2025)

A nice calm start to kick off this LP. Guitar is really smooth and has good tones, and the soundscapes help to accentuate the feel as they come in, but they do start to overpower the guitar a bit. Vocals are a nice touch, they are layered in really nicely. The backing vocals could be brought up a touch as they blend into the soundscapes a bit too much. Percussion is a very nice touch, it’s balanced into the mix pretty well.

Dopequeer

Game(s): Celeste

Immediate mood change to some nice thick chords. Guitar has a really good distortion sound to kick this off. Snare is maybe a touch too sharp, but not enough to be distracting. The drums overall could probably come out a touch more though, they feel a bit behind everything else in the mix. Really gets nice and thick around 1:55 – the atmosphere gets nice and heavy without feeling like it’s drowning. Drums really could come out more in the areas where everything else is thicker though. Vocals are a nice touch coming in around 2:50, though sometimes the lyrics are a bit hard to understand. Mood change at 5:01 is handled greatly, and I feel like here the drums come into better balance. Great job anon

The real trigger was the friends we made along the way

Game(s): Chrono Cross, Chrono Trigger

As I said in the chat, these are both games I’m spending a lot of time with in orchestra right now so I definitely can comment on this source material. Love the solo vocal with light guitar openings doing Scars of Time, before the mood change at 0:52 heading into the Chrono Trigger main theme. Gets nice and thick, and the drum fill is very graceful. Synth tone is chosen well, but sometimes the backing synth/guitar gets lost a little bit. Heavy bass drum gets slightly distracting for the few measures that it’s pretty heavy, not sure that fits quite right. Love the suddenly quieter section, and love the drum groove there too. Love the guitar tone at the ending, though the sudden abruptness of that shift hit me a bit. Ending is nice and clean though – good work anon

It's About Time

Game(s): Chrono Trigger

Sax and brass central right here to open up, this is going to be fun. Synth, drums and bass lay down the groove right away and it is niiiiiiicce. Sax solo is impeccable, and balanced really well, and the backing brass is balanced beautifully as well. Drums are a bit staticcy during their solo and the toms sound slightly dead, not sure if they were clipping or just the filter kinda gave them more of a punch then needed. Would like a little more of the Bari Sax during the full winds section, but the rest of the winds are balanced really well, though the alto solo (or EWI?) coming back in could have been dialed up a touch more too. Sax coming in hot (in a good way) – at 4:40, this section is weaved really well together. And man that soloist just keeps wailing to the end, though at some points the synth backing gets lost a touch too much – but brass is still coming through ok. Great lungs at the end there holy cats soloist. Overall, I think this still is my favorite track for the month but definitely got a few more quibbles on some post-prod issues that could really clean this up on my second listen through. But still – amazing job anons, this hit the spot)

Zealotry Supreme

Game(s): Chrono Trigger

Nice and synthy here, get the feeling of the clock ticking during this one with the initial rhythms. Bass is popping nice and loud, but the synths could probably come down a tick. The hemiola rhythms in the middle are definitely fun. This is a fun proggy trip, would have loved to have seen this one extended a bit so it could have been a main, especially as this felt cut off right at the end.

Dragon Quest Is So Sad

Game(s): Dragon Quest, Dragon Quest III

I like the low flute, but feel like some fuzziness is coming through on its microphone that is decently audible – it may just be too loud in the mix against the backing guitar? Flute balances back better when the harp comes in, and the harp is balanced really well. The immediate volume change at 1:37 is a bit distracting, the strings and horns come in a bit hard, but then it rebalances pretty well. This was overall very beautiful anon, I think just some better balancing – especially with the flute mic, could really kick this up a notch

Fairweather Spaceman

Game(s): Dragon Slayer: The Legend of Heroes II

Very nice and airy synth tones here. Backing strings are also a very nice touch too, though then the transition to the main section is slightly abrupt. However, everything is balanced well, don’t find anything that’s separating too much from the pack. Though the solo guitar could come up a bit more, but the tone on it is really nice. The balance works better though when the guitar is in unison with the synths. Not sure if it was my headphones too but I felt like it panned hard to the left around 1:40 and reverted back near the end. Overall though, this was a nicely balanced track and very enjoyable

Blue level

Game(s): F-Zero X

I love the concept that this was going for, interesting idea to mash up Big Blue with I’m Blue. I think though the I’m Blue vocals and themes are drowning out the Big Blue cover a bit too much, which makes this track slightly cluttered and disjointed. The guitar sounds really good, and the drums are balanced. When the vocals cut out and the pure Big Blue solo this track definitely rocks a bit – and drums are going ham in a good way. Bass during the second I’m Blue section definitely rocks as well. Overall, I do really enjoy what this was going for – I think just some of the ideas ended up being a bit too disjointed, and when Big Blue really wanted to accelerate the I’m Blue sections just clashed against it a bit too much.

Doomed Wasteland

Game(s): Fallout, Fallout 3

Initial soundscapes definitely give that Fallout wasteland vibe. Like how the VO makes this feel like its a narration for the game itself. And then wow, heavy thick chords from the guitar, bass, and soundscapes. This piece is the definition of t-h-i-c-c, much chords, such wow.

Joe Nova's Meteor Crater

Game(s): Final Fantasy VII

Nice grungy tones to kick this one off, though some of the initial drum fills feel slightly disjointed here. The drum hits also feel slightly off against the rising theme of the FF7 battle music. Stabilizes more as the vocals come in, and the vocals have that nice grungy feel with the effects on it. Later on though I feel like the melody drowns out a bit against the drums and the backing rhythms. Drum fills also feel a little excessive again near the end and feels like time slips away a bit during them. Overall, this was a cool concept and overall strong playing, just some additional balancing and maybe time adjustment on the drums would have helped here.

Lost in Thoughts… and Time… and Direction… You know, I Think I'm Just Lost (All Alone).

Game(s): Fire Emblem Fates

I really like the direction this track goes in. Very nice synth solo to start , though the gap between the solo ending and then the vocals coming in feels a bit too long. Vocals are balanced really nice, but bass probably could come back a touch and the drums could come up a bit more (they also sound maybe just a touch too dead). Keys probably can also come down a touch and the guitar could come up a touch more. Winds balance in the second section is pretty good, but maybe could come up a touch as well. At the tutti sections vocals could probably be enhanced with someone else singing some harmonies to help bolster the soloist. Brass and winds really pop in the last section, really helps to bring out the feel for sure. Like how the ending dips down to just the vocalist and keys – and here we have some nice vocal harmonies. I really love this concept anon, just maybe a few tweaks to the arrangement and a few balance tweaks would really have sent this to the next level

A Quick Nap For Makoto

Game(s): Getter Love!!: Chō Renai Party Game Tanjō

Music box tone on the keys is very appropriate here. Love the addition of the strings as they come in too. Balance here is very crisp, and given how I imagine this to go, nothing is super overpowering – nice and quiet yet everything is audible. This was a nice little break in some of the heavier tunes, a really nice atmospheric take. Good job anon – I didn’t really have much to nitpick in here, this was very clean

Phantasy Cafe

Game(s): Golden Axe Warrior

Really loving all the latin percussion on this – gives the groove of this being in a nice summery Latin cafe somewhere. Both guitars are very clean, the rhythm guitar could probably come up a touch more in the mix but overall this is very smoothly balanced. Really good solo guitar playing, even as it gets complex it stays very clean. Really lovely anon

Good Riddance

Game(s): Hades

Once again, really some good acoustic guitar playing. Vocals are also really solid. This does feel like a close 1:1 cover of the original, but this is very well performed. Balance feels fine to me, both guitar and vocalist are clearly audible without one overpowering the other.

Ebb

Game(s): Jusant

Holy acoustic streak Batman. Though that mood changes quickly, really like the bass drum helping to drive the beat here – loving that acoustic rock feel. Mood thickening up at 1:00 is really swell, just enough extra layering to keep this moving. Strings and drums coming in at 1:35 really help set the mood for the next section. The drums keeping this switching between 6/8 and ¾ is a really fun vibe, I appreciate that a lot. Everything coming back in at 3:15 really helps to drive this piece to the end, especially as the intensity keeps building in some of the strings. Drums almost go too off the rails, I think any more active in this ending section and they may have overpowered too much but you held back the right amount. This one was a fun journey anon

Bonkers!

Game(s): Kirby: Triple Deluxe

Well the vibe of this tune fits the name for sure, this is one frantic burst of proggy energy. Everything is pretty balanced here, nothing is competing for attention too much. Love the lowering of intensity at 1:05, it still stays interesting but its nice that it gets dialed back a bit. Solo line here could be a little louder. Seamless transition into the next hurry up at 1:30, felt very smooth. Again, really nice smooth transition to the lowered intensity at 2:26, even as it builds back up right again. Really smooth anon, really smooth

TooTing out a last minute ALT

Game(s): Kitchen Sync: Aloha!

Toot toot! Doot doot! Nice backing ukelele. Always a fun little jaunt

Boos on the Loose

Game(s): Luigi's Mansion

Feels like Luigi went back in time a bit with this arrangement. Main solo guitar is very well done, but feel the backing instruments (especially the bass) could be brought up a bit (especially when the bass has some of the fun walking lines). Great technical playing from the guitarist. Would have liked to see if this one could have developed a little longer, but overall great work anon.

LOFI Boos on the Loose (Luigi’s Mansion Main Theme)

Game(s): Luigi's Mansion

Boos on the Loose, but now with more static and less definition!

Stormblind

Game(s): Mega Man X

Back with some nice thickness, really good distortion on the guitars to start. Drums and backing rhythms are balanced well, but could use a little more bass here overall. Really clean tone for the guitar solo/duets as they start coming in around 1:10. Overall, this is a very clean arrangement, and for the most part balanced well.

In Memoriam

Game(s): MegaRace

This one is very active, with all the electronic drums, electric guitar, synths, and soundscapes. Honestly so much it feels like there are a few ideas bouncing around its hard for me to isolate on the main theme. However even with that its not disjointed, I still feel the flow the piece is trying to direct me to. The mix is fairly balanced considering all that is happening here. Personally would have preferred a more concrete ending rather than the fadeout, but thats more my style. This was an interesting journey, hope to hear more from you anon!

The Fountainhead, the Fool, the Horse, and the Blacksmith

Game(s): Might and Magic III: Isles of Terra

Back to a tavern feel here. Acoustic guitar and accordion are fun instruments to do the trade offs with. I feel like the backing instruments could be brought out a touch more, the solo instruments are drowning things just a bit too much. Especially the tambourine considering its helping with the rhythm could be a bit more present. Exception is between 1:30 and 1:40 the whole note droning is a bit too loud and actually covers up the moving parts there. Overall though good trading off between the acoustic and the accordion – helps to hammer the phrase shifts easily

Once More, Into the Storm

Game(s): Outer Wilds

Very nice atmospheric setup given the game choice before coming in with the instrumentals. Love the traveler theme being passed around as the build happens into the first phrase. Really good techniques from the acoustic player. Really nice feel when the drums and the shaker come in around 1:40, helps to build without being overpowering. Drums could come up a touch more in the mix when everything is in, I hear it when the drums are more active but they fade away otherwise. Though on that converse sometimes the drums just get busy enough it pulls me away from everything else. I hear the vocals coming in somewhere after the 3 minute mark but they definitely get swallowed up, would love to have those pumped up in the mix more. I do love after all the high intensity it lowers back down and ends on a quieter note. This was a really great concept, and mostly well executed – just some additional mix changes and few post-prod tweaks will give this one great life

The games is over Mr. Pfalanx

Game(s): Phalanx

More heavy thicc chords. Would have loved a little more drums here considering how thicc everything is. Much heavy, such wow.

The Beginning of the 34518 Trainer’s Journey

Game(s): Pokémon Red & Blue

Very nice journey beginning, solo guitar is strong but again would love some of the backing rhythms to come out more. Fun little tune though anon!

March of the Strukelele

Game(s): Quake 2

More Quakelele! Now with extra bass and tambourine! And soundscapes! Great playing anon! Honestly I would have loved this as a main too.

Affectionate Moment

Game(s): Radiant Historia

Very beautiful piano playing here, definitely has that romantic feel to it. Left hand is doing a good job of driving without being overpowering, and the lead in the right hand rings out nice and clearly. Very clean performance anon!

Thanks Again, Roxy

Game(s): River City Ransom

Always enjoy a bit of a skit to get a tune started, its a nice change of pace when executed right. Loving the vibe, synth makes this feels like we’re in a 80s police/detective drama. Bass and drums are balanced right against the lead, not overpowering but audible to a point they are distinct. Loving the fact the bass gets a nice solo here, bass solos are underrated. Rhythm guitar is a touch too loud with the distortion, that could be pulled back a bit to balance with everything else. Slightly abrupt ending here too, but it at least gets a little headway with its transition into it. Fun tune anon!

Cooked By The Book

Game(s): Runescape

Very nice light and airy opening, very orchestral overture-y like. Then like the the shift to the irishy style jig – flute is very well balanced. Drums and backing could come up a touch, but not too much. Like all the different aux percussion here. Mood shift/transition is a bit too sudden, would have liked more of a lead in here. In this section drum cymbals can probably come down a touch, but otherwise balance with the solo instruments and the backing is good. Really loving the choice of a marimba as a backing instrument near the end of this second section. Guitar feels a bit overpowering as it does the shrieks but then it balances back fine. Guitar solo tone is great in the third section, but would like a little more bass as its going. Though this balances up a little later – the back half of this third section is impeccably balanced. Like before, transition into the last section feels very sudden, but the techniques by everyone here is great. While I nitpicked this one a bit, its because its a great arrangement and was wonderfully well performed, just a few tweaks here would really help this one excel

SaGa Frontier 2 Remastered, baybee

Game(s): SaGa Frontier 2

Nice piano playing, very enjoyable little tune

#tfw you go into an ALT with no arrangement or plan, unlike the gang

Game(s): Scooby-Doo Mystery

Uh oh gang, Scooby needs to be on the case. Nice fun acapella arrangement, I would actually expect this to be in the TV show – Rockapella meeting Scooby Doo. Love this!

Those Kids in Horteka Are Screwing Around With the GD-ROM Again

Game(s): Skies of Arcadia

Nice 80s pop vibe here with those synthesizer tones. Bass voice feels a little too echoy or staticy, but I guess it works with that 80s style vibe. Drums start off ok but they start becoming a bit too overpowering in the second section, almost drowning out some of the other backing rhythms. Some of the sustained notes at times also overpower the bass voice, making it hard to feel the groove at some points. Overall this was a fun one, but balance issues at points held it back a little bit

Chemical Plant Zone but it's a Sonic Adventure 2 Action Stage

Game(s): Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Yep, this feels like Chemical Plant Zone meeting City Escape. Not sure I like the sound chosen to do the main initial lines from Chemical Plant zone, but like the backing brass – and the guitar solo is very clean. Drums are very nicely balanced considering how active they are going. Love that octave jump on the last solo around 1:40 – adds a nice touch. Very nice anon!

El erizo del río

Game(s): Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Soundscapes help to accentuate the beach vibes that comes in with the instrumental (ukelele?). Love the bongo playing, and love the flute as well – though the flute could come up some more in the mix, I honestly struggle to hear it a bit. Same with the bass, it took me a while to realize there was a bass throughout. Vibraslap is always appreciated! Vocals are well balanced, and flute is a bit better second time around – though it does get then buried again when the vocals come in. Really digging how the latin percussion here meshes with the instrumentals. This one was very fun, and I really enjoyed all the percussion on this one. Great work anon!

And Guide You Through

Game(s): Spiritfarer

Somber tone right off the bat here, piano and clarinet really help this melody to shine. The two are balanced really well together, feels like a nice accompaniment at a recital. Great technical work on the pianists part for sure. Really like when theres the switch and the piano takes over driving the melody for a bit, very nice and somber. Very beautifully done anons.

Call Valence

Game(s): Street Cleaner 3

Is calling valence like calling Saul? This does feel like a nice TV infomercial to call somebody, fun idea!

Winds of Change

Game(s): Suikoden II

Really nice soundscapes to open up here with the woodland like sounds. Flute cuts through immediately, and has good tone, before the rest of the woodwinds join in. Can’t recall if we’ve had a woodwind trio here before, but I really like this. Oboe feels a little more behind in the balance compared to the flute and the clarinet – I know they tend to punch through more but it still could be brought up a bit more when everyone is playing. Bassoon helps to accentuate more as it comes in, bringing the nice bass voice to this woodwind group. This is a really lovely and well performed arrangement anons, know it may not be everyone’s cup of tea but I really enjoyed this.

哥吉拉的葫蘆絲 – Godzilla’s Hulusi

Game(s): Super Godzilla

Fun little dance ditty for Godzilla, love the woodwinds and drums balance. Player has some clarinet chops for sure. Nice job!

Leyenda und Labyrinth

Game(s): The Legend of Zelda

Was the hi-hat as a click intentional? After that though, nice guitar groove to get us in – really liking the groove that was chosen for this arrangement. Great guitar chops from the anon, bass is pretty well balanced but the drums feel slightly too active (mostly the cymbals) and almost distract attention away a bit. Would have maybe chosen a slower samba beat or something slightly more subdued on the cymbals TBH. Guitar solo is very technically well done. Transition to the new groove at 2:25 was very well done, love the addition of the claves as aux percussion. Digging the intensity as the piece arrives at the end, even as we lower it a bit right at the ending. Fun ride!

Overture to Salvation

Game(s): The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

Such great piano playing to kick this off. Really enjoy getting a nice classical style arrangement in here, always enjoy when these pop in. Really good balance with the violin and the piano, feels like a nice chamber accompaniment here. Great arrangement and great balancing here anon – I don’t have much else here.

The Truth is Over Here Somewhere, I Just Had it a Second Ago

Game(s): The X-Files: Resist or Serve

TWMM returns! Dang it Mulder, you have to be careful! Otherwise one day the gov’t will truly come after you. The truth is out there, but they dont want you to get to it.

Spine of the Disco

Game(s): Transistor

Now here’s a funky beat! Drums and guitars are in good balance, but if there is a bass it should come up a bit more. Vocals are balanced well over the instrumentals, especially when the harmony comes in – that helps to punch it through. Really like how the drum groove helps to drive this tune without being too overbearing. This one is short but sweet, and really well balanced. Fun tune anon!

Helicopter Vaporization Feel Good Tune of the Year

Game(s): U.N. Squadron

This one jumps straight into it. I do think right away the drums feel slightly off the beat, and are also a bit too loud given everything else happening in the mix early on. Guitar tone is really clean, and pops out right over everything else. Synths may be able to come up a touch too. Second guitar solo when its lower in the range feels like though it actually gets a bit drowned out for most of it, but then overpowers a touch by the end of the solo. Ending solo also gets drowned out a bit too much by the guitar distortion and static, I had to strain a bit to hear it through. Despite the balance issues, this is a very fun ride, the synths help to give this a nice bubbly feel, and everything keeps driving on, just adjusting some balance would really help this one be amazing.

Beware the Forest Mooncats

Game(s): UFO 50

Main acoustic guitar rings out really nicely, but the backing one is drowned out just a bit – I can tell its helping to push the rhythm but its just not super present in the mix IMO. Great technique by the guitarist, this is definitely an involved solo part. Really great soloistic playing here, and really love the tone of this piece, just bringing out that rhythm backing a bit more would really help overall.

We All Kinda Suck Actually…Together

Game(s): Warframe

Damn, love this acapella opening. I get some Hadestown vibes right here with how this opens. Vocals are really well lined up, love how the extra oomph is there on the beginning of each verse. I also really enjoy how each verse gets louder as extra oomph comes in from extra voices. The higher voices though could be brought out more in the last unison section, the lower voices drown them out a bit too much so it was hard for me to initially hear the higher voices. Bass voice at the end – whoever you are, you are amazing. I really love this adaptation anon, just giving a higher balance to the high voices for that one section would have made this amazing

Tentacle Blues

Game(s): X-Men: Children of the Atom

This runs right out of the gate, but I feel like the transition from the opening to the first section was just a bit sloppy. After that though it rebalances out well – voices are well balanced and that synth tone absolutely cries 80’s X-Men to me. Drummer is going ham, but also keeping it well balanced with what else is going on. Nice clean tone on the guitar for the solo. Drums may get a little excessive during the second guitar solo, but then it balances back down again. Love that slowdown into the ending, gives the end of the LP a nice dramatic finish. Great job anons

Naop

34 Reviews

Give Me Some Time(to get moving)

Game(s): Blast Corps

What a perfect song to start a month (and a listening party). I wonder if anon was counting on the fact that no one submitted a track from a game that starts with “A” or “B”. Maybe they figured it’d be “oops, all Chrono”? Anyway, this isn’t something I’d expect from a game called Blast Corps. It’s epic yes, but also calming and somewhat silly. It’s not something I’d listen to outside of DoD‘s context, though.

Dopequeer

Game(s): Celeste

Those distorted guitars grabbed Makoto’s attention right from the start. This is the sort of gloom she enjoys, those long and chonky riffs. The punk-styled singing only adds to the enjoyment, she says it reminds her of Bauhaus. This was an easy pick for her this month, without even knowing it was a Celeste track (which she always seems to love). Fuck.

The real trigger was the friends we made along the way

Game(s): Chrono Cross, Chrono Trigger

The way this entry got swapped with the next one in the listening party made perfect sense. We all sighed along anon there. However, this entry stands on it’s own two feet, and it’s an excellent way to represent Chrono (the birthday boy). Melancholic, epic and well executed, loved this arrangement!

It's About Time

Game(s): Chrono Trigger

I wish I could give you the “Toma Chango tu Banana” award, anon. But alas, we’re not in Wise Month anymore. You worked hard for that gold, you totally deserve it. This is what Pink Floyd would have sounded like if they were instead a jazz band, through and through. Top marks all around, congrats to you and your collaborators.

Dragon Quest Is So Sad

Game(s): Dragon Quest, Dragon Quest III

The hiss in the flute recording is the only thing holding this track back. However, I’m extremely grateful to anon for covering “Heavenly Flight”. That shit inevitably brings a tear to my eye, I hope someone plays that at my funeral. So yeah, I agree, Dragon Quest is sad.

Fairweather Spaceman

Game(s): Dragon Slayer: The Legend of Heroes II

I love the guitar and bass here (although it might be just a tad loud at times), as well as the drum samples and “soniquesque” synths. Such a retro sounding track, with lots of cool ideas. I’m not familiar with the source at all, though.

Blue level

Game(s): F-Zero X

As well executed as this “Big Blue” cover is, its shitpost energy is off the charts. And it’s practically the only shitpost in the main entries, so it sticks out like a sore thumb for me. Perhaps it’s just that the mainstream song this mashes up saw so much playtime throughout the 00’s, that I grew absolutely sick of it. In any case, do take my bias with a grain of salt, anon.

Joe Nova's Meteor Crater

Game(s): Final Fantasy VII

Oldschool DoD style in a Final Fantasy 7 song? Where has this anon been? The times, they are a-changin’. Anyway, I get that the reverb in vocals and overall low quality might be a conscious choice to emulate the specific style. So maybe this is shitpost #2? Hard to tell, and I better not make any more assumptions.

Lost in Thoughts… and Time… and Direction… You know, I Think I'm Just Lost (All Alone).

Game(s): Fire Emblem Fates

Nice to see this source get coverage! I like the vocals and the arrangement has some really interesting ideas. However, the playing and overall quality seem a bit lacking to my untrained ear. I think I enjoyed the organ and brass the most, but I wasn’t a fan of the drums.

A Quick Nap For Makoto

Game(s): Getter Love!!: Chō Renai Party Game Tanjō

Probably the deepest of cuts this month, and lovely as can be. Heartfelt and enjoyable throughout. Albums when, anon?

Phantasy Cafe

Game(s): Golden Axe Warrior

Lots of reverb! I like what the percussion is doing, but I think it’s drowned at times. Still, an enjoying and easy going take. Not familiar with the source at all, but I’d bet this takes it in a new and acoustic direction.

Good Riddance

Game(s): Hades

I will never get tired of this anon’s voice! The guitar playing sounds a bit green, but not bad at all. It might seem like a 1:1 cover, but I enjoy the rawness of the performance.

Ebb

Game(s): Jusant

This track is something else. I know of Jusant, but I have never played it or listened to its soundtrack. Yet, this entry has hit hard for me. Initially, it reminded me of Roadwarden‘s minimalistic soundtrack by Nick Roder, which was one of my favorites from 2022. But it quickly turns into a much more lush and epic journey, with the use of multiple instruments. It builds up and pays off like no other track I’ve heard this year. Thank you anon, you’ve made my days better. This has Mega Mixtape‘s undisputed gold this month.

Bonkers!

Game(s): Kirby: Triple Deluxe

My boy anon keeps manifesting medal worthy solo entries out of thin air, and in record time too. It’s like he said: “here’s all the different synths I can muster, take them all in this epic flurry of inspiration and PROG. Also, you’d like a side order? Here, take some amazing new sampled percussion that I came up with today, because it fucking RULES”.

Boos on the Loose

Game(s): Luigi's Mansion

Did Louie Zong joing DoD? Is Luigologi getting released soon? Amazing arrangement and improvisation! I loved the guitar plucking that almost sounds like the coin sound effect from the Mario series. Impressive work emulating this style anon, you are very talented in your instrument(s).

Stormblind

Game(s): Mega Man X

Finally, some friggin Mega Man X representation after, how many months it’s been? 10 LONG MONTHS. Thank you anon, this one definitely proves that there’s always room for new ideas in a Storm Eagle cover. Loved the arrangement and playing, I’m so sad I ran out spots in my top picks.

In Memoriam

Game(s): MegaRace

This is another metal track I can get behind! Who needs to know the source when the music is this good? My only complaint is the fadeout ending, everything else is top notch. Despite knowing who anon is, my guess is he collabed with someone.

The Fountainhead, the Fool, the Horse, and the Blacksmith

Game(s): Might and Magic III: Isles of Terra

Folk entries have been on the raise, and I can definitely get behind that. I love the accordion, we need more accordion. All the performances sound good and natural to my untrained ear, and I love the change of pace in the second half.

Once More, Into the Storm

Game(s): Outer Wilds

This feels like the perfect track to come home to after a hard and arduous day. Definitely mimir material, even if it gets intense at times. An incredible journey with excellent performances all around. Medal worthy, if you ask me.

Affectionate Moment

Game(s): Radiant Historia

Are we getting more pianist participants? Anon delivers another excellent candidate for my mimir playlist. Lovely rendition, short and sweet. I hope anon continues to enter DoD going forward.

Thanks Again, Roxy

Game(s): River City Ransom

I doubt the voices are directly from a game, so extra points for the voice acting. I’m familiar with the games, but I lack in-depth knowledge of the characters, so it kinda goes over my head. Without the voiced intro, the track actually feels short. The blend of metal and chiptune is interesting, but once again, I think its quality is not quite there yet.

Cooked By The Book

Game(s): Runescape

What a wild ride this is, it’s all the genres in one track it seems. We’ve got folk, cumbia, metal, you name it. Reminds me of my homie TheManPF and his versatility. However, I thinks tracks kinda overstays it’s welcome and at times feels more like an experiment than cohesive concept. Transitions are just ok, and perhaps I lack context from the source to fully get where this is coming from, but I can tell this could be hard pill to swallow for some folks. Don’t get me wrong, I loved how it incorporates so many styles and sounds. But I think the most solid segment is the proggy and metal one we get at the end.

Those Kids in Horteka Are Screwing Around With the GD-ROM Again

Game(s): Skies of Arcadia

Anon provided context regarding the voice samples, so I can get that out of the way. I wasn’t a big fan of the execution, but the arrangement is interesting enough. I think that a synth-heavy arrangement is transformative enough, since the source is originally much more folk oriented.

Chemical Plant Zone but it's a Sonic Adventure 2 Action Stage

Game(s): Sonic the Hedgehog 2

I’m not quite at the point of saturation with this source, so I welcome any well executed or interesting covers. This one has it’s own flare, but remains pretty straight forward. Still, it’s an enjoyable take. The synth in particular is right up my alley.

El erizo del río

Game(s): Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Great sound design and performance all around. Anon brings their best game with this Spanish-sounding take on a classic. I like that you settled for a single source with this. Also, superb singing! I’m hoping we hear more from this vocalist in the future. Can I get a copy of the lyrics anon?

And Guide You Through

Game(s): Spiritfarer

Lovely performance in this duet of piano and clarinet (I think?). I’m somewhat familiar with this game, but I have yet to play it. However, I do know there’s an inherent melancholy to it, so this entry feels appropriate.

Winds of Change

Game(s): Suikoden II

I love the sound design here, as well as the rainstick or whatever that subtle percussion is. Woodwind performances are delightful and really enjoyable. Suikoden music still eludes me to this day, but this would be breathtaking to see live.

Leyenda und Labyrinth

Game(s): The Legend of Zelda

This entry is definitely groundbreaking! Why has no one done this before? As I mentioned in the listening party, anon has probably listened to “La Negra Tomasa” by Caifanes. I get that impression from the last half in particular. But a latin and cumbia inspired take on two of the franchise’s most iconic themes seems like a missed opportunity by the last 2+ decades of VGM.

Overture to Salvation

Game(s): The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

This is exactly how this source should be played, always, haha. I don’t know if it was anon’s intention, but the violin really takes me back to the Link’s Awakening rearranged soundtrack for the switch.

Spine of the Disco

Game(s): Transistor

I was not prepared to hear my favorite Ashley Barret song with a male singer! I love that the arrangement went for a very different vibe, and I love the distorted guitar. The vocalist seems to have had a hard time with some of the notes, but I wouldn’t be 100% sure. After all, I’m no expert.

Helicopter Vaporization Feel Good Tune of the Year

Game(s): U.N. Squadron

As I mentioned in the listening party, I’m only familiar with this track because of Ian Cowell‘s “MagicIan” album. It a great source, but I don’t feel that this particular version brings much to the table. The performance is great though, specially the drums. The guitar improvisations is ok, but it sounds at odds witch such a structured and upbeat source. Does that make any sense?

Beware the Forest Mooncats

Game(s): UFO 50

Such a sexy track! I wish I was back at the beach sipping piña coladas and listening to this entry. Sounds like anon improvised quite a bit over the source, which I love. But I might be wrong.

We All Kinda Suck Actually…Together

Game(s): Warframe

I simply cannot believe this anon’s vocal range. Give us a whole a cappella album, I’m begging you! Such a clean recording and amazing use of layering. It friggin sounds like your voice is coming from inside my brain.

Tentacle Blues

Game(s): X-Men: Children of the Atom

Holy hell! This sounds like it belongs in a CPS-2 board, and it even manages to sound like the pioneer spatial audio tech QSound. This rips, shreds, fucks, and all other superlatives I cannot think of. I’m not familiar with the source at all, but for a while there, it sounded like Chrono Trigger. Is it just me?

TheManPF

46 Reviews

Give Me Some Time(to get moving)

Game(s): Blast Corps

Legit album opener vibe, the guitar playing is pretty tight, this is the kind of chord progression that I would play very sloppily. Background synth pad fits great but it’s a little too loud over the guitar. Always a sucker for vocals but not a fan of how they’re mixed in this, needs a lil more balancing in the EQ and compression to really fit that soundscape and achieve maximum vibes. Really love the concept though, it’s somewhat simple but heartfelt and I appreciate that you went for it.

Dopequeer

Game(s): Celeste

Anon you better go patent that shit right now cuz that is a BANGING band name, it fits the style of the song super well too. I get the idea behind that guitar tone, maximum fuzz, but it feels very thin for the style, it has all the distortion but it lacks the mid/low end to make it feel that THICCNESS. Bass itself could be louder too, as could the drums, I think you’re very close on nailing the guitar tone, once you get that down it’s a matter of rising those bass and drums and you could break a wall down. The vocals are on point, both in delivery and mix, it has that lofi distorted quality that fits the vibe perfectly, it reminds me of something but I can’t put my finger on it. This would go crazy in a live show with an amp tower.

The real trigger was the friends we made along the way

Game(s): Chrono Cross, Chrono Trigger

That intro is full of love. I don’t know if it’s intentional, but the vox in the intro sounds a little too understated, like you didn’t want to wake up the people in your house, I know it’s supposed to be soft but it lacks a little bit of control. :48 hit me like a sack of bricks, awesome sound, I like how you adapted the source, it’s kinda slow but energetic at the same time, which is super dope, really nice synth sound. Lead guitar sounds great also, drums hit hard. Awesome arrangement.

It's About Time

Game(s): Chrono Trigger

Cool fanfare intro. I love the super slow vibes on that groove, simple drum beat, slow bass line, staccato e-piano, yep, it’s time to jam. The drum sound in particular stands out to me, it’s so fucking tasty. Something about the drum sound sticks out to me when it’s left alone in the solo, like it’s too dry? It works great with the rest of the band though. I’d hate to say that this drags, but… yeah, it drags a little, I know it’s the kind of song where you got a really effective groove and then just go ham on the jam for a good while but it keeps that same vibe for a little too long for my taste, mostly in like the 2-4 minute range, love how it develops afterwards though, especially with the insane sax solo, everything from the 5 minute mark right until the end is magnificent, it’s like you practiced all your life for this moment and you nailed it.

Zealotry Supreme

Game(s): Chrono Trigger

Banger winner banger. We don’t even get alts anymore. It’s just mains part 2.

Dragon Quest Is So Sad

Game(s): Dragon Quest, Dragon Quest III

Something about the way this is recorded/mastered is off, checking the soundwave it’s not even that loud, but I still hear mad clipping as if it were? Maybe the gain on your mic was excessively loud when you recorded, it would be worth to check that out. Arrangement is simple but effective, the combination of woodwinds and harp is something that should work with no issues and for the most part it’s done well, I like the reverb you chose that makes it sound like it’s happening in a church, although the mixing could use a few tweaks, mainly the quietness of the harp and the loudness of the woodwind in the direct recording. Very cool arrangement, would work well in an actual videogame.

Fairweather Spaceman

Game(s): Dragon Slayer: The Legend of Heroes II

Intro is cool but it lacks a little something to get me really excited for that buildup, once the full band comes in it sounds INCREDIBLY tasty, all of the tones here are molded to perfection, from the snare sound to the bass tone to the clean and lead guitars, and it all grooves and fucks with 0 reservation, these are the kind of tones I strive to achieve. I could do without the first 20 seconds or so, but everything else is lovely.

Blue level

Game(s): F-Zero X

I’m an idiot, I heard this in the LP first and it took me until now to notice the DABA DEE DABA DIE melody in the piano in the background. I’m a fan of those vocals, very well mixed and upfront in the mixing. I have absolutely no familiarity to the vgm source so I have no idea how it plays in this so all I hear is a metal version of I’m Blue by Eiffel 65, and honestly I don’t mind that at all. Really love the mixing, it has great guitar tones all around and the vocals are crisp and nice. I have no idea why you decided to mash up these two sources but I dig it.

Doomed Wasteland

Game(s): Fallout, Fallout 3

This sounds like a jmr song, actually you and jmr should collab. The DIRTIEST fucking sound, get this on a live show, I think I just shit my pants.

Joe Nova's Meteor Crater

Game(s): Final Fantasy VII

Not feeling the mix in this one, kick sounds too clicky, drums in general lack a lot of punch. rhythm guitar is too mono for the style, for this style of music you’d prefer to have those double tracked. No reverb/delay on that lead guitar makes it sound way too dry. I dig the vocals though. This sounds like some Sex Bob-Omb shit.

Lost in Thoughts… and Time… and Direction… You know, I Think I'm Just Lost (All Alone).

Game(s): Fire Emblem Fates

Ah yes Roronoa Zoro’s song. E-piano playing is super lovely, the panning throws me off a little though. I don’t know this source so the vocals came out of nowhere for me, damn, DAMN, there’s something I love about this. Ok so the vocal performance is tender as hell, and the panned e-pianos give this so much groove, I really dig this. On the other hand, some parts of this feel juuuust a tad off-beat rhythmically which affects my enjoyment slightly. Mix in general is awesome. Verses are catchy as hell. The brass showdown 3/4ths of the way through is fantastic, great climax. This is another one that would go SO hard live, great job.

A Quick Nap For Makoto

Game(s): Getter Love!!: Chō Renai Party Game Tanjō

The almost cumshots all over the place are KILLING ME, did you choose this source on purpose??? Arrangement rocks, you make good use of all of your arsenal throughout and develop it nicely. The music box/piano thing sounds a little too muffled in comparison to the rest of the mix and it could do with some EQ tweaks to make everything blend better. I’ve never been this edged in my life.

Phantasy Cafe

Game(s): Golden Axe Warrior

Waking up in the morning getting ready to work in my cafe downstairs, either that or the start of a save file in a Zelda game. Love the acoustic sound and I like that it’s double tracked, you know what you’re doing, I wish the recording was a little crispier though, a little bit more highs on that EQ or just a better isolated room to record in. Good touch on that percussion. You set out for a specific vibe for this one and you achieved it, well done.

Good Riddance

Game(s): Hades

That’s a PRISTINE acoustic recording, that’s how you do it. Vocals front and center, excellent performance both in the vocal expression and the guitar playing. This is another one that goes for something simple but perfects every single corner and detail. Awesome job.

Ebb

Game(s): Jusant

Great deserty acoustic vibe, what guitar is that? It doesn’t sound like any old acoustic guitar. Appreciate the groove in the kick but it’s a little too quiet. The dynamics on the acoustic guitar are good, and I like how it switches to double tracked once more instruments come in, that’s good mix decision making. Fucking cellos???? I kinda wanna hear the source, lots of vibes here, but follows a good arrangement flow, dynamic playfulness all over the place. Something about the drums is not entirely clicking with me, I think they sound a little too distant. I like that it keeps the deserty vibe the entire time.

Bonkers!

Game(s): Kirby: Triple Deluxe

Good loud mix, exactly what you want to hear in a DoD Listening Party. Lots of fucking groove on those drums, I like how rhythmic the keyboard playing is to keep me moving my head. Bass hits me in the face. I like how it keeps CHANGING too, there’s so much going on and you’d expect to come back to a motif at some point but no it just keeps going, heh, bonkers. Keyboard solo is GOTTA GO FAST crazy. You could’ve cut that at 2 minutes and still have a winner of a track but you kept going because of course you had to.

TooTing out a last minute ALT

Game(s): Kitchen Sync: Aloha!

Thank you DoD for once again bringing to my attention a game title that I would’ve never heard of anywhere in the world in a million years.

Boos on the Loose

Game(s): Luigi's Mansion

Acoustic recording is not as crisp as I’d like and it lacks a bit of compression to make it really punch, you can kinda feel the peaks of the recording whenever you play louder and harder. The soloing is ABSOLUTELY BANANAS, I think it’s easily the single most insane acoustic playing I’ve heard in this competition, my god.

LOFI Boos on the Loose (Luigi’s Mansion Main Theme)

Game(s): Luigi's Mansion

Hell yeah lofi turns down bit rate.

Stormblind

Game(s): Mega Man X

I never actually heard Snowblind so if it wasn’t because of the title I wouldn’t have realized this is a Black Sabbath mashup. Great intro, great crunchy guitar tones and I love how it doesn’t shy away from starting hard panned to a side. The sound after the drums come in is exquisite, very crunchy and loud in a good way, it’s POWERFUL. Drum sound works pretty great for this, but I’d make it hella louder. Awesome doomy sound all around, playlist keeper.

In Memoriam

Game(s): MegaRace

This one’s a doozy. LOTS of things going on. The combination of electronic drumkit with those fucking low chugs hit me in the face. This is fast and crazy in the best way, and there’s a lot of awesome cool wacky sounds that keep this very interesting and fun throughout. The mix is almost there, all the tones are good I think, but at points there’s waaayy too much going on and things fight for space, which makes it difficult to understand what’s going on (especially with an arrangement this crazy!). I think you can take this up to 11 easily with some mixing tweaks, but as it stands, it’s still a pretty fucking enjoyable listen, lots of ear candy and awesome performances, and the arrangement keeps me on my toes the entire time. Unapologetic fadeout ending, FUCK yeah.

The Fountainhead, the Fool, the Horse, and the Blacksmith

Game(s): Might and Magic III: Isles of Terra

Never heard of this Narnia sequel. Greatest example of how you do acoustic recordings right, EVERY RECORDING in this sounds clean as HELL. Great compression work and acoustic sound on wherever you recorded in, you know what you’re doing. The performances are exquisite, everything is played with a lot of precision and finesse. I also love how everything is spaced out SO well in the mix, I hear everything on all sides of the audio spectrum and everything is clear as day and nothing fights for space. Dare I say, this is perfect.

Once More, Into the Storm

Game(s): Outer Wilds

Love how you started this, this is made by someone who played the game FOR people that played the game. Great vibes right off the bat, mixing balance might be a taaad muddy, probably a result of too many things going on, nothing too bad. Lovely acoustic guitar playing. I think the ambience pad in the background is sticking out to me, it actually fits this well but it’s mixed in a way that interferes a bit with the rest of the arrangement, it’s not out of place, I think it can be EQ’d further so that it doesn’t compete too much. Love the attention to detail in the arrangement, I hear you percussion! So great. It’s interesting how loud and powerful this manages to get with mostly acoustic instruments. Arrangement is a damn A+, mixing is almost there, I think there’s a lot of little things you could do for extra clarity, but that doesn’t detract from how greatly enjoyable this is.

The games is over Mr. Pfalanx

Game(s): Phalanx

Someone is not afraid of COMMITTING I see. Good thing I brought my brown pants.

The Beginning of the 34518 Trainer’s Journey

Game(s): Pokémon Red & Blue

This is the exercise DoD gives you when you’re learning to play guitar, you’d get along with EndlessRepeat.

March of the Strukelele

Game(s): Quake 2

Doom metal but it’s an undistorted, unapologetic ukulele instead of a guitar. Honestly it works so well. The sound is legitimately really well achieved. Get that shit on a main already.

Affectionate Moment

Game(s): Radiant Historia

Beautiful piano sound, I’d say tone but it sounds WEIRD now. Very tasteful playing, good use of the range of the instrument and dynamics. No nitpicks for this one, maybe tweak the snare???????

Thanks Again, Roxy

Game(s): River City Ransom

I’ve got problems with the intro, as an ESL, I’d appreciate a lyric sheet! But I don’t have one!! The voice recordings are not clear enough for me and I’m not familiar with the game either so it’s hard for me to follow what’s happening. It also takes a little bit too long, considering the song is pretty short and the dialogue intro takes a whole 40 seconds. The voice acting is cool though. I’m gonna be real, I’m not huge on this arrangement, the synth patch is a little generic and the beat is veeery repetitive. Rhythm guitars sound a little out of place, it doesn’t really have to be, arrangement-wise, but I would choose a different tone, this seems to be more fitting for an indie/drone tune which this song doesn’t really remind me of. I like the snare though!

Cooked By The Book

Game(s): Runescape

Another doozy. This starts off really strong, the percussion in particular has me sold, lots of cool pirate vibes. The percussion!! Hell yes!! Winds are fantastic too. The rising choir patch throws me off a little, mostly because of how it keeps going from quiet to loud too quickly. My god the assortment of instruments in this, how many people do you have here? The percussion keeps being my spirit animal. Awesome groove at 2:25. Was NOT expecting the change at 2:35. There’s so many cool ideas happening in this one, and it’s a quite long song, it could be EVEN LONGER with how much you have cooking, it almost feels like you had a ton of sources to work with but you didn’t give enough time to each. Each individual part of this sounds fantastic, but the transitions are abrupt and gives it a jarring feeling every time the style changes. If you gave each section a little more developing time and took the time to make the transitions more seamless, this would be a timeless classic for me.

SaGa Frontier 2 Remastered, baybee

Game(s): SaGa Frontier 2

SaGa fans 0.23432546 seconds after watching the Nintendo Direct:

#tfw you go into an ALT with no arrangement or plan, unlike the gang

Game(s): Scooby-Doo Mystery

VIDEOGAME MUSIC BABYYYYYYY The acappella actually goes hard though.

Those Kids in Horteka Are Screwing Around With the GD-ROM Again

Game(s): Skies of Arcadia

I actually really dig that lead synth patch, I’m a little torn on the synth bass, it has that FARTY quality to it that sounds really neat but it’s lacking the low end punch for some reason. Overall keyboard playing is great, drums are a little autopiloty, and some of the ambience pads might be too much for the mix and could be tamed further. Keyboard playing has me sold, give me your fingers, this sounds like it was fun to play for you.

Chemical Plant Zone but it's a Sonic Adventure 2 Action Stage

Game(s): Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Drums go crazy hot damn! Great snare sound nomnom. Those rhythm guitars are fucking awesome too. This does exactly what it sets out to do, what a banger, you could probably slip this right into Sonic Adventure 2 and it would work perfectly. A little short but you’re not here to pretend, you’re doing something and you’re doing it RIGHT.

El erizo del río

Game(s): Sonic the Hedgehog 2

“Río” in this particular context is funny cuz this sounds much more like a sea tune than a river tune. I loooooove that ukulele, more of that please! Oh mannnnnnnnn, excellent vibes here holy crap, the percussion is incredible, the vocals add so much flair, the bass performance is bananas, the flute! So much attention to detail in the arrangement, such clarity in the performances, this is a whole winner in my book.

And Guide You Through

Game(s): Spiritfarer

Interesting chord progression, sounds very mysterious. Very tender clarinet performance, I don’t know much about woodwinds but this sounds to me like someone who is very good at their instrument. We got so many duets this month, and the piano + clarinet combo here is doing things to my heart, helps a lot that the arrangement is well done and the mix is crystal clear.

Call Valence

Game(s): Street Cleaner 3

valence is spelled with a lowercase v thank you very much. I hope you actually gave him a call, or a text, at least. vah-lens

Winds of Change

Game(s): Suikoden II

Hah, the background sfx are lovely, they add so much to the atmosphere, it makes me picture a bunch of hooded guys performing a ritual in a circle in the middle of a jungle. Very ballsy arrangement, I think a solo woodwind has a very easy potential of getting a little exhausting considering its nature as a loud melodic instrument. Taking that into consideration, this does a great job at keeping things interesting the whole way both for the performers and the listeners, and it’s a very interesting arrangement choice. I think either the playing or the mix could do with some quieter sections for contrast and have a bit more of a dynamic curve, which would help the arrangement greatly, right now I feel like each performer is playing at their loudest most of the runtime.

哥吉拉的葫蘆絲 – Godzilla’s Hulusi

Game(s): Super Godzilla

Yeah that’s a hulusi alright, yup.

Leyenda und Labyrinth

Game(s): The Legend of Zelda

I don’t know about that random cymbal keeping time at the first few seconds, feels very at odds with everything else that comes after. Oh man arrangement in this one fucking ROCKS. It’s so funny too, I’d expect this source to be really overdone, and it is, but I never heard it like this??? Great way of taking a known source and turning it on its head, really great adaptation. Tones in general are masterful, a nitpick I’d give is I think it has too much compressed reverb, the amount of reverb works but it sounds like it’s bouncing back after hitting a limiter and makes it sound a little too cramped. HELLA nitpick though, arrangement rocks and the performances go hard, easy one of my favorites of the month.

Overture to Salvation

Game(s): The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

Nice piano playing, very virtuose. Not sold on how the arrangement develops, there’s an intro, then a switchup at 10 seconds, then another switchup at 22 seconds? It feels like it changed songs entirely in a short amount of time. It also feels oddly rhythmic for a song that has no percussion, if you’re doing a piano+string duet I feel like it would be a lot more effective to go for a more loose performance. There’s a lot of talent on those performances (the piano in particular is crazy), but the arrangement itself is not very exciting to me, it feels maybe a little too straightforward.

The Truth is Over Here Somewhere, I Just Had it a Second Ago

Game(s): The X-Files: Resist or Serve

THE TRIUMPHANT RETURN, you have no idea how much I missed these, it was about fucking time. I wonder if Mulder’s addiction to porn and his obsession with aliens have any overlap, just a thought. I didn’t know Peter had Prince uf Fartness locked up in his basement. I don’t believe for a second this is the end THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE the music is really nice though.

Spine of the Disco

Game(s): Transistor

Bass + rhythm guitar combo tone is a winner for me, super thick ass sound. Drums sound quite good, I could do with a slightly beefier kick to help the thick tone in everything else. Oh man this is catchy as fuck! I really love how the chorus hits. Vocal is well performed but I’m not sure if the mid-low register works as well as I’d like for this song, I think I’d either go for a higher register or a raspier, edgier tone if you’re going for low, the vocal recording also sounds very mid heavy and not very well eq’d which clashes with the rest of the instrumentation. All in all this fucks, into the playlist it goes.

Helicopter Vaporization Feel Good Tune of the Year

Game(s): U.N. Squadron

Tasty bass tone and crazy good drum sound and performance. I’m not feeling the guitar tone in this, which is making the mix overall hard to follow and enjoy. I think there’s a really good source and arrangement in this and you’re mostly doing really well, but I’d suggest playing a little more with the guitar tones and mixing and find a balance that would make the melodies and chords clearer, it would make this so much more enjoyable.

Beware the Forest Mooncats

Game(s): UFO 50

Bass solo song! Really well done for the concept, you’re playing really well with the range of the bass so you can have different sections playing at once and have them all feel distinct. I think the melody could be mixed slightly differently to have it stand out more as a melody, right now it feels a little too mid heavy, everything else sounds great and it’s well spaced out.

We All Kinda Suck Actually…Together

Game(s): Warframe

I will say, the way you mixed this is very interesting for an acappella, I can tell that there’s a FUCKLOAD of different singing stems you’re using at the same time in that humming intro, which gives the sound a bit of a synthetic feeling, probably the result of all the phasing and the way that’s panned. I’m not sure if I like it or if’s even intentional. :30 sounds a lot better, two vocal stems, panned left and right, rock solid vocal performance, FUCK yeah. The low register part is insane, I have a low register myself but I don’t remember if I can get that low, that is impressive. The way the arrangement slowly adds more and more voices is cool as fuck, and makes me appreciate the use of multiple stems a lot more as it climaxes. Very simple tune with very simple instrumentation, but this shit SCREAMS confidence, you’ve got a gift, and you’re putting it to good use, and you’re damn sure you don’t need anything else to sound good.

Tentacle Blues

Game(s): X-Men: Children of the Atom

STANK FACE FOR DAYS. Fucking impeccable mix, awesome clean rhythm guitar sound, hard hitting drums, nice lead horns busting it right in my face. Yup boys and girls, looks like we’ve got ourselves a banger. I love the wah effect on those rhythm guitars. This does everything right, if I had to nitpick something, there’s a section like 3/4ths of the way through where it feels like there might be too much going on in the mix and it loses a tad bit of clarity. I don’t care though. I like how it ends with the tempo slowing down, the LP started with a good album opener, and this gives good album closer vibes.

Additional Info

Banner Art: Pokérus Project

About Dwelling of Duels:

Dwelling of Duels is a monthly video game music (VGM) cover competition. Competitors anonymously submit redone versions of game music and the entries are voted upon by the community. Entries must comply with the rules, briefly put as following:

The song must follow the current month’s theme
The song must be previously unreleased
The song must not be shorter than 2 minutes
The main instrument must be played live