12mo ago

Working on metal music for a potential Doom/Hades type game (fast pacing) - I'd like some feedback.

Sketch is a music & audio production studio based in Montreal .

I've previously composed for different project, video, play, etc. but never for a game. I got an opportunity and they asked me to send draft of metal tracks so I recorded a few things overs the past 2 weeks. I'm looking for any kind of feedback that could help me. In you opinion, are these too fast, slow, complicated, simple? What are you favorites? I'm more of a casual gamer... Please try to stay constructive with you comments, Reddit will take care of the bashing. Thanks!

6 comments

I listened to the first 4 tracks, and skipped around the rest to get an idea of the content. Lots of good stuff!
Great job mimicking the tone of Hades' music. It has a fantastic OST. Korb also wrote Bastion's OST, which is worth a listen, too.
In your soundtrack, I think there needs to be more balance between the "wall of sound" harmonies vs. lyrical melodies. IMO, the best game soundtracks are the ones you come away from humming a theme, and I struggled to find one here.
I think "Through Asphodel" is a good example - melody kicks in about 2 minutes in. From what I heard (which wasn't everything, admittedly), you have the background metal sound figured out, but I think you’re missing that soaring melody in some of these.
Just my two cents!
- That is super usefull, thanks! I wasn't sure if I should just keep the tracks more ryrhmic/repetitive since its for a game bur after reading your comments, I might add a lead guitar track on top of the rythm. Cheers!

Can for sure hear the Hades inspiration.
Really liked Thanatos and Zagreus tracks, felt like they were the most interesting.
I did not care for Persephone even for an ambient track it was dull but that’s probably just personal opinion.
The only thing I really did not like at all was the break in Tartarus around the 2:17 mark, lost all momentum for me.
If you are still open to inspiration you might consider checking the Persona 4 Arena OST out, specifically The Junes Hero, A Pure-Hearted Beast, Seeker of Truth, The Wandering Wolf and Shadows of the Labyrinth.
Anyway good work mate, keep it going and I hope at least one thing I said was useful to you.
- Thanks a lot, I really appreciate. The tracks you mentionned are pretty much my favorite too so I will probably send those. Nice recommandations too. I heard of the game but I'm gonna make sure to check that ost!

In general they r pretty good, the only thing i can think needs improvement is some performance issues(?). For example, in the song Hades at the mark 1:06-1:07 the drums sounds like they stopped for no reason, i don't really know whats exactly but that sudden hiccup is the only thing i really noticed.
Hope that helps u.
- It does help, thanks! I'm aware of those issues indeed. Those are drafts, I havent spend more then 2-3 hours on each tracks so I need to fix things on certain tracks if I deceide to submit them. Thanks for pointing that specific error in Hades. Cheers!

6 comments