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The Hallows's itch.io pageResults
| Criteria | Rank | Score* | Raw Score |
| Overall | #11 | 4.000 | 4.000 |
| Jam Theme | #11 | 4.077 | 4.077 |
| Accompaniment | #13 | 4.231 | 4.231 |
| Melody | #19 | 3.692 | 3.692 |
Ranked from 13 ratings. Score is adjusted from raw score by the median number of ratings per game in the jam.
Explicit Content
Methodology
DAW: Garageband
Plugins: Alchemy, BBC Symphony Orchestra
Equipment: my old Yamaha midi keyboard
Soundcloud link is on the project page!
I don’t know all the proper music terms for the techniques I used, but when I saw the theme, I knew I wanted to do something atypical. Rather than focus on trying to make a “spooky” song, I tried to create something atmospheric. The song opens with a series of dark chords meant to lure in the listener, before the rhythm changes up a bit. I added drums to make the song more active (it’s a boss fight after all) and strings to add to the tension and overall bravado of the track. Then comes an ambient(ish) section with an organ, meant to represent the approaching presence of the enemy’s power/influence. The following section with the synth and discordant piano represents the struggle between sanity and insanity, as the enemy plays mind games with the protagonist. But the protagonist keeps fighting, leading to the chorus’s reprise.
As for the kind of boss I imagined for this fight, I think I’ll to leave it mostly up to imagination (our individual minds can come up with such gruesome things), but I’ll just say it’s a spectral presence that rules over the mindscape. The boss battle takes place in the creature’s domain (which is what the song is named after).
Per the usual, specific critiques would be most helpful, especially on mixing. Thanks for listening to my submission!
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Comments
Awesome interpretation of the theme! The concept of a boss with psychological attacks is with worth exploring on it’s own!
The production tricks used here really sell the “insanity” element. I particularly liked how you panned the synths as a way to play with user’s perception of left/right.
Thank you! Psychological horror has always been interesting to me so I love playing around with the concept. Creating a song that captures what mind games might feel like was a challenge, but it was lots of fun :)
Even before I read your explanation, I was imagining the player to enter a domain, lair or plane of some sorts, approaching the boss before the encounter really starts. I loved the blend of drums, arpeggiators, ambient drones, rising and falling synths (and the chaotic piano of course), all bundled into an engaging and driving piece. Great job!
Thank you!
Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed the new experience 😂
Very cool stuff! I haven't heard many other submissions really utilize an ambient sound while also keeping the energy for a boss fight, so that was great. I also really liked the panning you did with the synths and bassline, really filled the stereo image. Awesome work!
Thank you!
The ambient nature of the intro sets the space well for the Hallows area and sets the mood for a great boss fight. I absolutely love when the bass comes in and is bouncing back and forth from left ear to right ear and back. This is such a creative way of demonstrating the mind games that you reference in your description. The acceleration of the drums makes it feel like we are kind of sliding into the battle as if we didn’t realize that it was a battle at first. My second favorite part of your composition (after the panned bass notes) is the warbled cluster piano notes that come in at 2:15; this is such a cool way to show chaos and more mind games! While there is not a melody that I am left humming at the end, I think that is super appropriate for this type of battle track. What I was left with at the end was a feeling of the atmosphere of what I just heard - I felt like I was in the mindscape. This would be very cool in-game! Overall great work and thank you for sharing!
lol I’m sure my piano enjoyed me mashing random keys chaotically too. Thank you so much for listening and for the great feedback! :)
This is such an interesting track! I love the Detroit style minor chord pattern. It helps give a dark sinister vibe but with undertones of melancholy. It makes me think about what kind of story you could tell about the boss you're fighting and how they might have ended up as a spectral presence.
I also love the melody. It reminds me of this old plug and play Batman game based on the 2004 cartoon (deep cut I know😅). The intervals just remind me of the darkness and gritty atmosphere of that game. Also big up to the BBC Symphony Orchestra by Spitfire I love that plugin.
Another cool thing was the synth arp in the background. I think it helps drive the track and fits the otherworldly vibe.
In terms of mixing (and I often fall into this a lot), I would say when making tracks on the gloomy side be sure to use EQs or Exciters to boost the highs a little as the overall mix can become quite dark but overall I think you did a good job on the mixing and balance.
Fantastic work!
Thanks so much! Admittedly I don’t know much about mixing and I usually just end up tweaking stuff until it sounds alright or until I get burnt out 😅 I’ll try to keep your advice in mind since it’s always good to learn new techniques :)
One thing I really love about this song is how it moves. It really feels like you're constantly taking us to new places, without it being too chaotic and disorganized. It's very to the point and I really like that. I could definitely imagine this being an intense but drawn out battle with a boss, especially in some sort of techno-horror RPG kinda setting. Great job!
Thank you! Giving this song momentum was something I worked pretty hard on, I’m glad it paid off :)
What a mood!
I love the atmospheric feel at 1'30".
The glissendo with the organ is fantastic. This is clearly boss music.
Thank you!