Dwelling of Duels: Katajun Month (February 2025)

We’re starting OBSCURE. That’s a catchy synth ostinato. Saxes do a lot of heavy lifting. Odd mastering, feels a little mid-heavy but also kind of intentional? It sorta fits the vibe but also I dunno. The vibe is really catchy and dancey. I love how much weird noises this has filling the soundscape. Clean guitars! I think the overall mix could be cleaned up and eq’d further for clarity but the arrangement and playing are excellent.

Love Pump (Slowed + Reverb)

Game(s): 3-D Body Adventure

Exactly what we needed more of today. Yeah, real mature guys.

Absolute Power

Game(s): Baldur's Gate 3

B E E G rhythm tone. Really good guitar tones. Drums need a lil more power in it and have everything hit your face. Bass does the job. You focus a lot on the guitars, which is good when you have such a tasty guitar sound. Lots of metal chugga chuggas. It gets old after a while, I don’t know this source (or any this particular month, for that matter), but arrangement sounds pretty straightforward all things considered. I think it does a fantastic job for anybody looking for Baldur’s Gate metal covers specifically, but personally I want something a lil more hmmmm personalized I guess? Some of the transitions could be polished too, especially when it just suddenly shifts in tempo. Very good work regardless.

Hamsters R Us

Game(s): Baldur's Gate 3

Very odd tone, it sounds kinda chuggy but also a lil too bass-mid heavy, also consider using a noise gate, you can really tell when there’s a single coil humming noise inbetween the staccato notes. Drums are a bit weak for the style, especially the toms. Once everything kicks into gear at 0:40 the guitar tones now sound very fuzzy, kinda like a static wah pedal. Are you double tracking your rhythm guitars? VERY recommended if not, they’re a must for this style of metal music. Riffs are mostly pretty cool, but arrangement-wise there’s not much else going on other than the guitar riffing, which can make the song feel static.

Betrayal At Campfire

Game(s): Betrayal at Krondor

Great concept, exactly what I expected from the title and wasn’t disappointed. That acoustic guitar playing is SO tasty. I don’t know what instrument is playing the lead which is interesting. Very good mix. That acoustic rhythm playing is what ultimately wins me over though, I wish it was louder. Oh is that whistling??? Very good technique but questionable mix, it’s way too loud and in your face, I’d suggest lowering it a bit in volume but also cutting some of the high frequencies with an EQ, it’s a shame cuz the technique is crazy good.

Cave’s Story

Game(s): Cave Story, Portal 2

I like that variation on the Want You Gone riff on the rhythm guitar. I’m a fan of that synth patch. Guitar playing is neat but I’m not a fan of the tone at all, very fuzzy and it sounds just slightly out of tune and it bothers me. The voice clips are charming, I love the robotic voice in the middle in particular. Guitar solo is great but again I can’t get over the tuning. Cool arrangement but sounds ever so slightly rushed.

Crime of Visual Orange

Game(s): Cyber Block Metal Orange

Porn game porn game. These tones are also porn for the ears, excellent tasty tones all around, great guitars, great bass and great drums, this is how you do it. The arrangement progresses nicely too with some elements coming in and out, I really appreciate those synth bits. Some parts of this feel hella Power Rangers. The panned leads sound like they’re played REALLY well but also they’re kinda buried in the mix, when you pan them to the sides so you need to bring them up to compensate. Guitar solo at 3 minutes is also very quiet. Overall an awesome song that needs its leads to be brought the HELL up. I’m not even gonna bother to point out THAT part.

It’s a great day for golf

Game(s): David Leadbetter's Greens, Jack Nicklaus' Turbo Golf

These are cute pianos and synths anon but sorry I hate golf.

UNATCO Makes a Dollar, I Make a Dime

Game(s): Deus Ex

It’s time to take a shit on the company’s dime. Interesting soundscape, I think there are cool sounds happening but the bass in particular needs to be brought up to help it keep a solid groove, I can tell the bass is there but it’s not bassing enough, a beefier kick wouldn’t hurt either. Oh the synth solo in the middle is beautiful. Piano tone right after sounds lush as well. In general I think this is an interesting arrangement that needs a little bit more oomph on those base pillars (bass, drum kick) to really get it going.

Warm Primordial Blackness

Game(s): Disco Elysium

The start of this sounds DE as FUCK right out of the gate, this is someone who knows the game. When I made my own DE arrangement, I didn’t include voice clips because I thought they would be cheating, as it does here cuz I ADORE those voice clips. The desolate clean guitar fits this so well as does the subtle distortion buildup, which is very masterful by the way especially when it transitions into distorted guitars, really good use of saturation. With this soundtrack I didn’t really expect a metal arrangement but I’m here for it, the title fits this so well, this is what I feel when I drink myself unconscious. Spot on Cuno inclusion. Spectacular arrangement, favorite so far, but I’m very biased.

Abort, Retry, Fail?

Game(s): Doom

Where are you playing this anon WHERE ARE YOU PLAYING THIS. Is this like a fucking shortwave radio or something?? Whatever it is, it’s incredibly unique.

Duke Against The Zerg

Game(s): Duke Nukem 3D, StarCraft

I’m gonna be stinking of reverb today. The intro was so relaxing, I should’ve seen the next part coming after seeing the sources listed. This caught me SO off guard you have no idea. It’s good to have you back, friend.

Marina’s Room

Game(s): EVE Burst Error

Oddly quiet mix. It’s also very dry, slap some reverb on that thang. Appreciate the very live key playing but I’m not loving that synth patch, it also sounds too loud in comparison to everything else. The backing instrumental feels very barebones.

Big Whoop

Game(s): Escape from Monkey Island

VERY piratey. It’s also VERY loud and VERY compressed. Lots of cool instrumentation happening and very fun happy vibes, the vocals especially are a great touch, exactly what a pirate song needs. Very cool arrangement with lots of love and care put into so many different performances going on at once, I just wish it was less overcompressed.

…And There Was Light

Game(s): FTL: FasterThan Light

Ooooo NASA samples! This takes me back to the Space Cadet arrangement I did a few years back. Tasty buildup. This is a VERY cool sound, in a way it sounds super unique and weird but it’s also dreamy and heavenly, really love this. There’s a lot of big reverb everywhere which helps add to that dreamy sound, it also makes things muddier and each element is harder to grasp individually but I can look past that in favor of the style. Guitar solo is lovely. Very stand out entry, so far all my favorites have been the dreamy reverby ones.

Malia’s Loa

Game(s): Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers

This sounds like a Cuphead song right out of the gate, okay yes it’s the brass, but it’s also the unique mastering that gives it a bit of a 1940’s sound. Is that a freaking tuba? I don’t know brass but I hear a VERY low horn in there. Mixing is a bit muddy but it’s mostly ok, except when there are several instruments playing at once and taking the same space, around 1:15 in particular it felt like everything was too cramped. Very tasteful performances from all instruments. Amazing arrangement, needs just a tiny bit of extra polish on the mix so that the instruments don’t fight for space too much.

GP2 the G.O.A.T

Game(s): Grand Prix 2

Oh I love me that pop punk rhythm tone, hellll yes. Drums could come up a bit in the mix, but I like the playing and the fills. Lead playing has the key to my heart. I think the arrangement in general could do with some more bits to munch on, the lead playing is good as fuck, but whenever it’s not there the song feels kind of empty with just the drums and the guitar riffs.

Nostalgia

Game(s): Guitar Pro 5

Still using it to this day 😎😎😎😎 I turned that shit off though.

Grudge in the Sludge

Game(s): Hover!

Oh wow holy hell, the groove in this is immaculate, wish it found its way to the mains.

Get That Bread & Skunny (shareware version)

Game(s): I Am Bread, Raptor: Call of the Shadows, Skunny: Save Our Pizzas!

That piano playing is so groovy and fun, the tone reminds me a bit of some Undertale songs, although I wish it was less dark and more bright. I’m not a fan of some of these synth patches, most of them sound pretty basic and lifeless (especially the fake brass ones), but I do like the playfulness of the arrangement and how dancey it feels and makes me shake my legs. Cool percussion too. There’s a bit of a nostalgic sound in general in this one for me.

Interview with a Dweller: We ♥ Katajun

Game(s): Katamari Damacy

WE LOVE KATA WE LOVE KATA. I love the background music so much, it has that flair of cartoon show background music that makes it so funny.

It’s My Fucking Blaster

Game(s): Kero Blaster

Now this is a bass and a kick I can hear, fuck yeah. Drums are nice and punchy. Love the harmonizations on the leads and the synth arpeggios in the background and the claps every now and then, really cool attention to detail. Something about the mix/master isn’t clicking with me, it’s a little bit too middy but nothing dealbreaking. Lots of fun playing.

My Twin Brother Made Me Crossdress as Him and Now I Have to Make a Song for Dwelling of Duels in Only 33 Days!!

Game(s): Ladykiller in a Bind

What are these games?? Oh it’s porn. Interesting sound, VERY reverby, like extremely so. Very distorted too, it kinda feels like I’m in a live show. The lead guitar is somehow very clear amongst all the noise, but everything else kinda entangles together in a way where I can’t really tell what’s happening, I can kinda hear some subtle vocals in the background? I’m not too sure. The guitar solo at around 2:30 is so bright it kinda hurts my ears especially in this mix. There’s something cool happening here but the mix is making it hard to enjoy for me.

Introducing: The Poop Stars

Game(s): League of Legends

It’s been a looooooong time coming for a LoL cover, is that fucking Korean? The production here is insane and I love whoever is singing this shit, it sounds incredibly professional.

Let’s All Go to the Countryside and Have Ourselves a Race

Game(s): Lego Island

Oh very unique sound right away, the percussion rocks, and those guitar slides made me think it’s a lap steel but also I’m not sure it is? Very fun eccentric shit, it almost feels like Wynona’s Big Brown Beaver. Very country sound, very fitting, but also you’re crazy. Guitar playing makes my fingers hurt. I’m not sure what to say of this one just yet and it might need to grow on me but I can tell it’s well done.

Doh-ba-di-dou- dawww ( a not so sexy cover)

Game(s): Leisure Suit Larry

OOWWWWWW YEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.

Explosions In Arcadia Bay

Game(s): Life Is Strange, Minecraft

MORE REVERB, man lots of reverb this month, was it secretly Cory month? I love how the dry clean guitars contrast with the reverby background, it almost sounds like an emo song. It also kinda reminds me of like, drone music? Like some Boris shit? There’s a clear repetitive motif playing on the left side at all times but instead of feeling tired, it feels more like a trance, kind of hypnotizing. Very relaxing music. Reverbed solo in the second half feels anticipated, like it’s the only logical step. Then it gets full Brand New in the last stretch where it kicks into gear. This might be a little too long for this kind of piece and it may not stand out amongst voters but fuck it, I love this, there’s something about its simplicity and the crispiness of the instruments that really appeals to me.

The Funhouse Dance

Game(s): Lil Howie's Fun House: The Great Word Adventure

It’s Christmas now. Mix is really crispy in a fun way. Was not expecting this at all, it’s so fun but also such a curveball. Vocals are fantastic! Great performances and perfectly mixed, they’re all crystal clear and well distributed in the sonic space. What a trip of a song, the fact that there’s so many singers helps so much in keeping things fresh throughout. Really bold entry but generally really well done, I wish I was invited to this.

WHEEL OF FAITH 20XX

Game(s): Loop Hero

Is that VST guitar? Somehow it works really well for this. Really like this synthy heavy sound.

Although the Sky

Game(s): MINDWAVE

The grammar in that title is throwing me off. Oh now that I started listening to it it makes sense. Great vocals, super catchy melody and backing, very happy and fun! It has that pop rock vibe that’s super enjoyable, and the way the vocals are delivered and mixed fits this so well especially with the harmonizations. Having these kind of super tight pop song structures in DoD is super appreciated (by me), especially with some vocal goodness. This is gonna be hummed along to for years to come.

Under a Summer Moon

Game(s): Oregon Trail, Oregon Trail 2

Man y’all got NO BRAKES on the unique shit this month. What a curveball. Were you going for a ritualistic vibe? Very well accomplished if so. The intro is great but it’s super cool how it progresses into a fuller sound, not what I expected from the intro but it sounds cool regardless and it’s well transitioned. Lead playing is awesome all around, especially with this assortment of instruments.

Come to DoD [Full]

Game(s): Putt-Putt Saves The Zoo

Not gonna critique this as a main since it breaks anon but I’m gonna say I loved the original version of this tune a whole lot and I also love this one (:

Get Kill Ratio’d

Game(s): Quake 2

Oh that is DIRTY god DAMN. That intro got me with the nastiest stank face. This is unapologetic heaviness and I respect it for it, listen to that fucking Drop Z guitar. It gets kinda Mick Gordony at points with all the synth glitches and low chugs, and the transitions are making me do all sorts of faces. HEAVY BASS TONE. Man, it just keeps surprising me, fantastic job.

Ragelele

Game(s): Quake 2

Oh man the title doesn’t disappoint, it’s like ukulele metal, reminds me of those silly METAL WITH BANJO videos from Rob Scallon. Is that fucking Caught in a Mosh??

Ukillele

Game(s): Quake 2

Ditto.

The Death of What Was

Game(s): RollerCoaster Tycoon

You thought we were done with the vibes??? HA HA HA. You’re lucky the looped palm muted guitar in the background sounds really nice cuz it keeps playing the same thing, but it works as an anchor for what happens over it. Vocals are very passionate. I like how there’s a few leads that are echoing the vocal melody which brings a nice weight to it. Of course it builds up to heavier things later on and it sounds like a natural progression, although I’m not a fan of the snare sound here, it sounds a little too weak for the style, the playing however is awesome. We’re back on my post rock bullshit. The arranging chops here are nuts.

Cozy Crystal Castle

Game(s): Runescape

Sounds pretty cozy to me. That piano patch is beautiful. The string arrangement in the background is super tasteful. I think some of the harmonies on the e-piano could be better balanced in the mix so it doesn’t sound too busy but also it’s not too bad. Really dig the peacefulness of the arrangement.

He Had No Choice…

Game(s): Sally Face

Cool arpeggions on those clean guitars, I really like the tone there. Drums sound live but they’re also a little too quiet. Very cool source for this style of slowish rock, tones are generally good and the playing is neat, arrangement doesn’t do a whole lot to catch my attention but I dig the guitar soloing and the progressions feel out of a mystery show, which I guess fit the game.

Necromancide

Game(s): Soldat

Those industrial drums HIT. Is that live playing??? That middle portion is bananas. Fun heavy main worthy track.

In the Vacuum of Space, No One Can Hear You Clean

Game(s): Space Quest

Oh yeah loud and heavy, hit me. Rhythm tones are just where they need to be, lead tones are good but a lil buried. Not a huge fan of that snare, it sounds super rattly and bright to me? Which is odd for this style. Mix might need a lil bit more polish, some parts sound like they have a lot going on at once and it’s hard to place what I’m listening to. The energy is definitely there though.

The Spacebar

Game(s): Space Quest 5

Love where this is going right where it starts, jazzy and rich in instrumentation, dunno about the length, but we’ll see where it goes. Upright bass steals my heart. Drums are laid back in a great way. This sounds like a great song to play live, you could probably noodle for even longer than 7 minutes. I don’t think I even have to mention that the playing is magnificent, oh man XYLOPHONE SOLO slides right. The percussion here mannnnnnnnnnnnnn, you CHEATERS. As I feared this goes on for a lil too long, but it’s a solo showcase so it makes sense.

זום גלי גלי

Game(s): Spectrum of Hybrids, The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, The Smoke Room, Thinkin' Things Collection 2

That acoustic sound is crispy and beautiful I want to take a bite out of it.

Kyle Katarn – Intergalactic Man of Kick-Assery

Game(s): Star Wars: Dark Forces

Always love hearing live melodic percussion. Once again I feel I’m back in the 1940’s, it really feels like a soundtrack to an action-drama black and white film, not sure about Star Wars though.

Saving Private Raynor

Game(s): StarCraft

Another heavy one. Great guitar riffs, that’s a super catchy harmonic minor melody, the time signature changes are very welcome too, the synths on top of the guitar are ALSO very welcome, they make the sound stand out a lot more. I like how the melody is interchanged between the guitar and the bass. Guitar leads are nuts but very buried. Not a fan of that transition halfway through, voice clips as an excuse to switch between sources has become a little old for me, if you’re gonna make a medley at least work on those transitions! (EDIT: not a medley apparently, transition criticism still stands though). Piano sounds like something out of Smash Melee. Lots of ear candy here, and it’s a good example on how to keep your arrangement interesting, although it kinda gets to the point where it feels like there might even be too much happening.

Ghost on the dance floor

Game(s): StarCraft

Lots of voice clips tonight. Interesting drumkit choice. This is mostly well done but I’m undecided on this combination, the drumkit sounds good on its own but when mixed next to the bass and the rhythm guitars it feels like it doesn’t have enough power to carry the song. Guitars either have too much reverb or they’re not spaced out enough in the stereo field, 1:40 in particular feels like a wall of noise, I’m not exactly sure what is happening there. I think there’s a lot you can tweak in the mix to make this hit harder, but main gripe here is the lack of double tracking in those rhythm guitars, mono rhythm guitar is gonna sound a lot duller for this style of music, slapping a bit chorus on the leads to widen them more in the mix wouldn’t hurt too.

Gonna Show You How I Use My Joystick

Game(s): Terminal Velocity

Bass tone FUUUCKS. There was a lot of vibes on the first half of this setlist, now there’s a lot of metal, this feels right at home with the previous track, lots of very similar sound choices and mix. Tones in general are well done and hit hard as they should. Riffing is great. This is very well done and the production is on point, although for this kind of metal you really have to do something unique for it to stand out among the others for me.

The Game

Game(s): The 7th Guest

Guess I lost. That descending progression sounds super familiar to me. Ooooohhh strings!! Love the contrast it brings to the sound. Mix sounds a little busier than it should. Drum mix is alright but it sounds a little on autopilot. Hands down favorite part of this is the strings, they just steal the show every time they show up and make this sound a lot more vibey than it would otherwise be with all the heavy metal instrumentation.

World Class Crazy Computer Cru

Game(s): The Adventures of MicroMan

This feels like an industrial take on that one riff from Crocodile Cacophony. Groovy as fuck.

Time Keeps on Slippin’

Game(s): The Journeyman Project

Synth vibes now! Not a fan of that snare, it’s lacking a little bit of body. Another very vibes-focused, but I feel like it’s not doing enough to hold my attention, if you want to go for vibes you need richer textures or a stronger melodic hook, right now it mostly feels like it’s going through the motions. The drums keep playing a fast but static groove, whereas I think it would work so much better with something slower paced.

Back on that Cyber Grind

Game(s): ULTRAKILL

This has some shoes to fill after everything I heard about this one so I hope it hits me right in my fucking face. Oh man those drums are HARD as FUCK. VERY heavy sound, but done in a VERY right way, the distorted Doomy chugs are so good next to all the glitchy synths, it REALLY delivers on that heavy electronic sound. Mix is impeccable, zero complaints and then some. It just gets better and better, incredible job anon, you win this time.

FUTURE BLOOD MACHINE

Game(s): ULTRAKILL

It was about time we got Ultrakill covers because apparently the soundtrack to this fucking ROCKS. This keeps on that electronic metal vibe and hits just right. The lead guitar might be a liiittle too bright in the mix and hurts a little but the mix is otherwise solid as diamond, and it provides just as much heaviness and drama like the last track. This is the kind of heavy metal track that you push loud as fuck with confidence. DAMN. Badass work.

Sharkman Whips the Llama’s Ass

Game(s): Wacky Wheels

NO BRAKES ON THE METAL TRAIN. Oh we’re not in the Ultrakill block anymore? Fucking hell. So much good heaviness achieved, and it’s fast and frantic in a great way, I feel like I got in a rollercoaster 3 tracks ago and it hasn’t stopped. Sorry that I’m out of words by this point but pretty much every good thing I pointed out in the last two tracks applies here, it’s like you arrived at the perfect time.

Yet Another DEPARTURE From Muralla Town

Game(s): Zeliard

That’s a huh, interesting clean tone, it’s a little too twangy, I really like the background elements though, sounds very spaghetti western. It gets way too reverby afterwards, I can’t tell what is happening at all in this mix, it’s also a touch too loud and bright. Metal part feels better balanced, though that lead tone doesn’t cut through that mix well enough. Bass and drums do a great job and so does the rhythm guitar, and the lead playing is overall pretty great, I just think the tone could be tweaked a little further. Is that a fucking horn??? Not what I expected at all, it’s a little buried in the mix and could come up both volume and eq-wise. Guitar sweeps are insane. Horn and guitar duo is EVEN INSANER. Took a bit to get there but you’re doing very cool things.

Additional Info

Banner Art: Nate Horsfall

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