1. Snowstorm
   DDRKirby(ISQ)
2. The Ground Folds
   nukage
3. standpoint
   ashka

The strings in DDRKirby's really elevated that to first for me

1. The Red Cloaked Horseman and its David lady
   DJohn
2. Erosion
   Barley
3. Behind The Funny Rocks
   Arcana

I'm on a horse

1. Snowstorm
   DDRKirby(ISQ)
2. The Winds of Eternity
   TheVideoGamer
3. In Barren Land
   JH Sounds

DDRKirby - Once again, amazing and deep soundscapes. This one definitely resonated with a cold, otherworldly feel. Loved every minute of it.

TheVideoGamer - Intense trance track, like the fierce winds of a distant gas giant. The high energy in this one was great.

JH Sounds - Super catchy, with good lyrical work and great vocals. Made me think of a Cowboy Bebop ending theme or something. Deep and soulful. Great work.

1. Snowstorm
   DDRKirby(ISQ)
2. The Folded Ruins
   Atmospherium
3. The Red Cloaked Horseman and its David lady
   DJohn

1. standpoint
   ashka
2. Parallel Planets
   Suzumebachi
3. Snowstorm
   DDRKirby(ISQ)

@Arcana - The pesky second that got away!

@Misael.K - I've done so many illegal things by now, it's practically normal lol.

@CotMM - If only, that would be easier haha.

@Arcana - The whole thing is 150bpm. The kick is designed in a way so it would be very aggressive, yet not in the way, kind of thing.

@Suzums - It wasn't mean to be 3/4 initially, however the main ostinato was in 3, so i ended up building it around that, hence the time signature.

@Arcana - Bum Tiss Bum Tiss.

@Atmospherium - Haha that's so funny.

@Misael.K - Same, it brings out some really great new musical ideas.

@Xanthos - Now with extra untz!

@Misael.K - The riff at the beginning is played throughout. None of the notes changes, and the only thing really different is the layers of the same riff, on different instruments. The notes remain for the whole 6 minutes. Things become different with the addition of a chord progression, and different synth layers.

@Arcana - Trance and other EDM relies on motivic ideas than complex chord progressions/basslines. Same with Techno. You don't often hear a Saxophone/Guitar/Synth/Piano player go crazy in a solo, over a techno loop, it's often unheard off. Instead it's 1-2 bar loops are slowly morphing over time, which is kind of what this piece is about. The chord progression never changes, the main ostinato never changes, but the dynamic layers and synth sounds do.

@JH Sounds - To the 2nd Dimension!

@Xanthos - Journey to the centre of the earth.

@Arcana - Just wanna point out, the sidechain was completely unintentional. That was a natural symptom of the kick sound and the mixing. Listening back, it was a much better addition, but at the time i wasn't really thinking about it, so it came naturally.

@Misael.K - Trippy.

@Arcana - All the UNTZ!

@Everyone - Some very weird and spaced out gifs this week lol.

@Xanthos - I guess we have a lot of trance pieces this week?

@Misael.K - Music budget ran out lol.

@Everyone - Thanks for the kind words!

Now then...

TheVideoGamer - The main bulk of the piece is a synth ostinato that is played in 3/4, which gets morphed throughout. The notes don't change nor does the sound ever drop out, instead it's layered with different synths playing the same thing, as kind of this cold bell. Everything slowly builds up, including a chord progression on strings and piano, as well as a lead solo in the middle, which is looped a few times in different registers. The drums mostly stick to kick and hi-hats, whilst the piece gets developed. The whole thing undergoes more minimal changes, whilst still retaining the synth motif and chords. It's really the dynamics and synth sounds that really change, in the form of modulation. It was really me keeping the whole thing cold. Glad you liked it anyways!

Lyra_183 - I don't know the show i'm sorry. Great singing, would work well in a beat. Good job!

cotmm68030 - Apart from me, your probably the only one i know off who consistently strives for the 6:00 mark. There are exceptions to the rule, but more often than not you seem to be hitting a consistent stride. The coldness of this piece, reflects the theme extremely well. Like this is what i imagine when i see these images. Yeah the images are more fantasy, but they mostly reflect the ice cold landscape. It's really got that lovely textures, which i don't know what they are, but they rattle in my headphones back and fourth, i love it. Love how it really builds up at the end, this is awesome stuff. Awesome work!

Atmospherium - All the arps. Very retro 80's mixed in with that sweet industrial noise. The Theremin like sounds are very cool. Like really coool. It is a loud waveform, but i feel it's all intentional, like that's the selling point of the track. The Theremin does get a bit much personally, that's where i feel it goes into a bit too loud territories (Despite me liking loud music). However the idea was pretty great, so you did give me some things to think about when ranking this one. Good job!

DarkShadow - Ooh this is more of a Dubstep like piece from you, compared to your fast manic hardcore. It of course is never short of time signature weirdness. The mix is a little off in this one for me, but good job!

Nukage - Aww snap, only 1:26? So that's like a 40 second build-up, and like a 40 second drop. The idea is awesome, you do such awesome dubs n wubs, but 80 seconds is not enough dubs for me to digest bro. It just feels incomplete, like a trailer or something. Good job tough!

DDRKirby(ISQ) - Sweet chilly pads, lots of that classic DDR production. The chord progression in this one is especially fire tonight. It's got a lot of cool spices in this one. Some cumin, some paprika, some garlic powder, some ground ginger, and salt and pepper. All jokes aside this is just another lovely piece from you. I don't know what your secret is, but you mix soo good, like everything blends together soo well. Nothing else to say, it's amazing. Awesome work!

InedibleTrout - Some really cool synth noodles. Not much for 30 seconds, but you gave me some sweet sounds. Good job!

Barley - That's an interesting tone. So much it wants to be the star of the show. Forget the rest of the instruments, I'M THE STAR!! I'm the guitar, i take centre stage! Your voice is super powerful, you've really mastered the art of a good metal vocal. Drums are pushed down again i'm afraid. Good job though!

Suzumebachi - Strings! Some historical drama like strings, with lots of that sweet cold melodies! The dynamics on the strings are....outstanding. The chords are awesome, well actually incredible, but the dynamics on the strings are really the best part, they sound soo natural! Like it could actually pass off as a convincing string section. 1 minute is not enough lol, i need moar! No but all jokes aside, this is amazing, which is to be expected from a man of incredible harmony. Incredible work!

Misael.K - Is this where all the Covid variants go to vacate after a long week of infecting people lol. I love the synth sounds in this, feels like a mix of sci-fi and jazz, but with that wind blowing effect for good measure. You have a favourite synth sound you use for the lead, it's become a common thing of your tracks. Love the retro drum sounds, the whole thing has a atmospheric tinge to it, it's actually weirdly beautiful. Super catchy stuff, awesome work!

DJohn - Deep bass notes, very unnerving pads. This is your day where you provide us with some of your more abstract work. The vocals are wooow, both the spoken word and the singing. I could never sustain a note for that long, so cleanly! The metal parts are in the back a little for me, but the melodies and singing was just...amazing. Small mixing is overshadowed by it's awesome idea, so well done!

Dex - Nice dry piano noodles. Really tasty fills this week, really has a lot of cool syncopation in the drums. Really liking the build-ups, goes from this simple piano ostinato, into a vibrant funky rock like piece. Guitar work is fire as always. Yeah it's not the one thing that pops into my head when i think of the theme, but man i was really finding it hard to critique this, it was soo good. Well done!

Ashka - The master of excellent ambience returns with....surprise, surprise another outstanding track. No seriously, i'm not joking how do you do it!!?? It's very warm and weirdly emotional, and just calming. The mix is soo incredible too, like it all blends together like ear candy. Like you think this would be bias talking, but it's not. It's like you keep having this secret sauce you use, that just makes your tracks incredible! I want to know what it is!! It's just outstanding omg.....

Xanthos - Lots of sweet synth modulations, it's very juicy sounding. I love the way drums are mixed. It's got a lot of sweet FX on each hit, kind of like a mix of trap and some kind of IDM/Dubstep hybrid. I don't know how to describe it, but it's very unique. The whole thing has a very mechanical sheen to it, done deliberately which i love. Like Sci-Fi mountains. Glad i could play it from ThaSauce, i was worried there were problems and i'd have to skip it. The FX really makes this track for me, it's super cool, lovely developments. Well done!

Arcana - Modular time? Les goo. Really liking the chord usages here, rather than opting for a simple motif/loop. You always go for some sweet effects on your vocals. It sounds like were deep in the forest or mountains, it's great. The synth lead is very harsh, kind of took me out of the moment. Ruins a lovely idea, but that doesn't mean the track is bad, just not my cup of tea. Good job though!

JH Sounds - Nice beats, more electronica than last time, but with a string section. Great lyrics, your lyric writing is always top notch. Nothing really to say, it's a ton of fun, well done!

Top 3 - Ashka, Suzumebachi, DDRKirby(ISQ).

I'm sorry if my list is a little predictable lol.

These guys are also deserving of a top spot on the list. It's hard choosing only 3:

cotmm68030 (This one was the most theme accurate, i was sad i couldn't add this to the list.)

Misael.K

DJohn

Xanthos

Awesome - cotmm68030, DDRKirby(ISQ), Suzumebachi, Misael.K, DJohn, Dex. Ashka, Xanthos, JH Sounds.

Needs Work - Lyra_183, Atmospherium, DarkShadow, Nukage, InedibleTrout, Barley, Arcana.

1. The Red Cloaked Horseman and its David lady
   DJohn
2. standpoint
   ashka
3. Snowstorm
   DDRKirby(ISQ)

great strange geological features week everyone!

1. Planet Omicron Eta Gamma
   Misael.K
2. Behind The Funny Rocks
   Arcana
3. The Folded Ruins
   Atmospherium

🪨

1. Behind The Funny Rocks
   Arcana
2. standpoint
   ashka
3. The Winds of Eternity
   TheVideoGamer

Arcana: one of your best works so far. Keep it up!

ashka: lovely movements.

TheVideoGamer: this feels just right.

awesum: Arcana, ashka, Atmospherium, DarkShadow, DDRKirby(ISQ), Dex, DJohn, nukage, Suzumebachi, TheVideoGamer, Xanthos.
good: Barley, cotmm68030, InedibleTrout, JH Sounds, Lyra_183.