Topic: Vamprotector OST - Metal vs Metal/Orchestra

[BMC_War Machine]

Hey folks i need your input.  As some of you may know, Darkman and I are both back on Vamprotector exclusively now, and in the BIG downtime we had since the last time we buckled down on this my recording methods have improved 10 fold, so with that said i'll be remastering the OST. 

So, with that said, which would you all prefer for the main theme of the OST:
Straight up metal remixes of the songs or metal/orchestra combo's?

To start this off, here's 2 examples:

Bloody Juncture (Metal)
http://www.mediafire.com/file/dnjuhl7gecz45dj/Bloody_Juncture.mp3

Bloody Juncture (Metal/Orchestra)
http://www.mediafire.com/file/1ebfz51rn1j3tc2/Bloody_Juncture_orchestra.mp3

Any and all feedback is welcome and much appreciated guys! 

[kaonstantine]

Bloody Juncture (Metal/Orchestra) hands down. It sounds more epic and more Castlevania-esque. I feel it invites you to explore the level more than the Metal version does. Don't know if this would be the case with the rest of the soundtrack.

[Briraka]

I feel symphonic metal works better. However, I think the mixing needs work as the backing guitar and drums over power the main melody.

EDIT: Scratch that, I listened to it more and it's fine.

[BMC_War Machine]

Thanks for the input fellas, keep it comin 

[Chernabogue]

Metal + orchestra all the way. Your production improved a lot, buddy!

[BMC_War Machine]

Metal + orchestra all the way. Your production improved a lot, buddy!

Thanks dude i appreciate it!!!  it's due to improve even more over that as well, i recently picked up a new guitar VST called Bias FX that basically turns your PC into a swiss army knife for guitar amps and effects and it is NOYCE 

[darkmanx_429]

FYI, I think I need to throw out some clarification on the poll, the theme of this game is not SOTN with it's musical cue's. It's definitely is inspired more by a traditional Contra title hence, the Metal Vs. Meta/Orchestra. Not to say that some tracks can contain orchestra spots in the songs. Hope that clears any confusion up!

[BMC_War Machine]

Here's another track for you guys, metal + orchestra as well:

"Fear Falls"
"Cross a Fear" from RoB + "Waterfall" from Contra

http://www.mediafire.com/file/giv5pu7ol3dcuxy/Fear_Falls.mp3

[piscesdreams]

I'm honestly really torn.  I think I err on the side of the orchestral version though.  For me, I guess it all really depends on the mood of the level and if it is more Contra-esque or Castlevania-esque.  All the tracks in this thread so far are good in their own right and are actually some top-notch arranges.  Sidenote, you should do a remix album of Castlevania tracks and go through distrokid to publish that shit because your production skills have drastically improved.  I could make a few mixing critiques on levels but it's very, very minor nitpicky things.  Not that I am an expert on mixing anyway.

So, to summarize, why not give the player the option to do both straight metal and orchestral also?  But if I had to choose, I'd say orchestral.

[BMC_War Machine]

I'm honestly really torn.  I think I err on the side of the orchestral version though.  For me, I guess it all really depends on the mood of the level and if it is more Contra-esque or Castlevania-esque.  All the tracks in this thread so far are good in their own right and are actually some top-notch arranges.  Sidenote, you should do a remix album of Castlevania tracks and go through distrokid to publish that shit because your production skills have drastically improved.  I could make a few mixing critiques on levels but it's very, very minor nitpicky things.  Not that I am an expert on mixing anyway.

So, to summarize, why not give the player the option to do both straight metal and orchestral also?  But if I had to choose, I'd say orchestral.

Dude, THANK YOU FOR POINTING OUT DISTROKID!! I'd never heard of it before but I'll be setting it up next weekend for sure!! As for the critiques, feel free dude, any and all input is welcome   

[Belmontoya]

I would suggest going stage by stage and letting the feel of each level dictate what style of music you use.

Nice work!

[BMC_War Machine]

I would suggest going stage by stage and letting the feel of each level dictate what style of music you use.

Nice work!

Thanks dude  i'm thinking about making some stages more orchestra influenced and some less, that way we get the best of both worlds 

[BLOOD MONKEY]

Thanks dude  i'm thinking about making some stages more orchestra influenced and some less, that way we get the best of both worlds 

That sounds like a good idea. More aggressive/fast stages go heavier on the metal, while the calmer stages bring out the orchestral sound.

[Corpsecrank]

The metal/orch version just has so much more life to it and also fits castlevania style stuff so well anyhow. My vote is def for the metal/orch version.

However I also want to mention that mixing both style couldn't hurt at all. If you choose when and where to use each style it could really make the whole thing feel a lot more dynamic. I would use the metal/orch for say levels and general stuff but then go straight metal during intense action or boss fight for example.

Suggestions aside though just want to say how bitchin those example tracks you posted are and also that as an audio freak and fan of both styles the quality is amazing. Keep rockin dood

[VladCT]

Honestly, I'd say tie it more to the environment of the stage itself, like say straight metal for ruined city landscapes, metal/orchestral for castle areas and stuff like that.