1. Dig up
   handknit
2. Liminal Cavern
   Atmospherium
3. Down the Gullet
   Koekepan

handknit, I liked how quirky this one was. From the clapping rhythm to the evolution to this ambient piece was a real journey and I enjoyed it.

Atmospherium for the really developed backing track that also had such good soloing on top.

Koekepan for the really heavy bass and the filtered drums, it comes together really nicely.

1. searching for the end
   coloradoweeks
2. Fun in Caves
   Barley
3. Hole My Mind In
   Arcana

I made this song in a cave!

1. awaken sleeper, and from this crypt return
   cotmm68030
2. Down the Gullet
   Koekepan
3. Deep Dark
   christopian

great tracks everyone!

1. Deep Dark
   christopian
2. Passage To The Afterlife
   Misael.K
3. Endgame Cavern
   obScene

@Misael.K - This is the dark side of Christmas lol.

@Arcana - They shouldn't, but when you have a theme of this calibur you have to make some executive decisions.

@Misael.K - Part and Partial to the whole concept ;)

@Arcana - No, your not the only one to think that lol.

@Misael.K - A continuation maybe?

@CotMM - Just when you think you've seen it all....

@Misael.K - Well caves aren't usually dry are they XD

@CotMM - I'm reminded more of Klaus Schulze to be honest.

@Misael.K - Everything is wet lol.

@CotMM - Accidental Stereo Separation haha.

@Misael.K - I hope so. It costs so much money to even have a Christmas it better be worth it lol.

@Misael.K - Or maybe it's the running water in the photos, that kind of gave it away lol.

@HandKnit - That sounds like the name of 2 new C418 tracks haha

@Misael.K - That and i followed the images.

@JH Sounds - I thought you said Nick Cage then lol.

@Coloradoweeks - Lotta names thrown around lol.

@CotMM - Interesting observation. The Hellraiser movies are amazing, it does sound plausible.

@Misael.K - Were back to reality now...

@Handknit - Thanks, i like it too.

@Everyone - Thanks for the kind words! Lots more to reply to than i thought, and i ended up laughing pretty hard at some of your comments lol. Anyways....

Now then...

TheVideoGamer - This track is a continuation of my Christmas Suite, in which i make a track in parts that hopefully contributes to a wider piece of music. The goal is to fit something small into a bigger context essentially. In this case because the theme required it (For me), i ended up doing Dark Ambient music, complete with running water (To simulate the wet cave), deep pads, as well as creeping chords to make it more soothing. It's also got some tubular bells because why not. It's not the most complex of pieces, and it is minimal, but i like the results, and i hope you do too.

Lyra_183 - Great title. Your lyrics are pretty strong in this. Your acapella set us up for the perfect punk rock beat. Someone should get in on it lol. Good job!

cotmm68030 - You know this whole compo could be just straight up Dark Ambient week lol. The big difference is this is heavy, compared to my light chord based material. Almost sounds like some kind of windstorm or something. The textures are kind of pretty, to say this is noise like music. Very thick, and psychedelic like. If my track is the road to freedom, then this is freedom achieved lol. Even though there isn't really any chords or melody in this, it does feel calming and soothing, it's actually pretty great, loved it a lot, awesome work!

Koekepan - Some dirty modular beats here. Very bass heavy, and deep done in a deliberate and cool way. It's got a really nice bassline in this, very theme fitting. It's a little hard to comment on this one. I like the drum sounds a lot, and the mix is not as weird as i thought it was gonna be, but it is also quite bass heavy, which i like and don't like at the same time. I also feel there could be more melody ideas, to account for the drum heavy stylings. Torn on this one, so while this could have changed on a different day, as of now i'm saying Good Job. Sorry dude!

DarkShadow - Sounds like an alarm clock lol. The chords are quite chromatic. You really do go to town on the saw synths and chromatic melodies don't you? Personally not my cup of tea, but good job though!

Barley - That is a cool guitar sound. Both hazy and lo-fi. It actually sounds like were in a cave, but with a bit less reverb. I like the chords in this a lot. It's got such a great guitar tone and melody. Drums are sadly quiet in this, and some of the guitar lines are a tad bit blurry for me, but it could be deliberate. I did think this is one of your better tracks for sure (Minus a few things), however whilst taste is personal, i'm afraid it's going to be a good job. Sorry dude!

JH Sounds - 2 Chord JH les goo! Let's see how far you can take it. Well there is one more chord snuck in, but sometimes you just can't help it. You've utilized 2 chords pretty greatly here. The extended phrasing is a lovely touch, and really makes it unexpected. You keep things on our toes, to say it's 2 chords. The backing vocals are also a lovely touch. It's such a fun catchy tune, well done!

Coloradoweeks - That intro makes it sound like it's live wow. This is not something expected from you, but i'm all for it! Colorado metal would be a lovely idea. Granted there isn't vocals in this, but the chugging was super fire, and the drums were powerful! I don't know if this is sequenced or not, but damn it was a super dirty piece, lots of lovely guitar licks. Awesome work!

Atmospherium - Ooh you going 5 minutes now? You really giving us this long epic pieces. The augmented chords here really make it mysterious sounding. That guitar solo is amazing! It's a perfect guitar tone with lots of sick bends. Drums are kind of a mix of IDM, Dub and EDM Trap. It also seems like you went the 2 chord route too. I can kind of tell why it's 5 minutes. Don't get me wrong, the track is super fire, but i feel like it's you noodling over 2 chords, it can be a little on the repetitive side (I relistened to it, and i felt like i was a bit too harsh on the comments there). And i'm kind of the person who gets dub music, so i am trying to be understanding here. The idea is great here, so i don't know. I ended up relisting, and i ended up liking it a lot more, so maybe i'm being silly. After much delegating, i ended up giving you it, as i found something really interesting about the way you've played the solo over the chords. Well done!

Handknit - Handclaps! It fits your name perfectly lol. It's got some seriously cool rhythms here. Synths are cool, almost space like. I like the chords a lot, the way you've manipulated the synth is super cool! The clap samples don't seem to make a return, so i am unsure about why you used them. This is honestly my favourite track from you to date. You've got some really cool space like synths, that are both relaxing and strange at the same time. I love the sound design here, and the melody ideas (It's a lovely mix of experimentation and relaxation). I love the syncopation here, you've got a great rhythm going on (Not too loose, but not too mechanical). I could listen to that idea for hours. Welcome to the Awesome section dude, it was a great track! Awesome work!

Dex - RAWWWWKK. This is some very punk esq music. For some reason i'm reminded of Pat Benatar, but with a heavy metal approach. Honestly i'm not far off, the chords totally give me that vibe. The guitar work is pretty great too, super dope playing. Whole thing is a ton of fun, great mix, well done!

Misael.K - I love the chords here, it's got a mix of space reverb and light distortion to really blend the cave aesthetic in this. Kind of psychedelic, with a bit of a cool chorus like effect. I find it interesting the main melody is the background element, and the background mallets are the main focus lol. Maybe not intentional, but it sounds pretty great. The 2nd beat is lovely, but a tad bit unnescary for me. The first beat was fine as it is, you could have kept that going. Still doesn't change how lovely this track it is. Loving the chords and melody, you have such a knack for taking a chord progression and making variations out of it within each minute. Just such beautiful stuff, enough for me to pick you on the 2nd spot. Incredible work!

obScene - Lots of deep percussive and metallic sounds in this. I am reminded of a Gamelan. The melodies are icy cold, which is perfectly fitting for the cave. Time signature changes were crazy and fun. Drums kind of give it a Middle Eastern flair to the sound, whilst also retaining the atmosphere. We also have a bit of 8-bit chiptune influence here. Such a lovely weird blend of genres and style. Abrupt end, but just lovely stuff, amazing synth work here, enough for the 3rd spot, amazing work!

Christopian - Welcome back dude! This is one hell of a weird chord progression, but if you know me i am a huge sucker for weird (If done right). This is some crazy granular stuff going on, mixed in with some intricate note choices, making for a strange exciting listen. Almost cinematic in nature. I love how it consistently builds up into an array of effects from a cool chord progression. Turning nothing into a full on atmospheric synth experience. It was sooooo good i picked you for the top spot. Excellent sound design, incredible work!

Arcana - That's fine you don't always need to write lyrics to make killer beats. I do like the sounds in this one, great drums. It's kind of like your on top of a cliff singing at the top of your lungs. The vocals are centre forward, and the chords that follow are a little on the interesting side for my liking. I feel it has potential for mixing, the vocals are forward, and tad bit pitchy. But i do appreciate when you have little time to sing, so all is not lost. Good job though!

Top 3 - Christopian, Misael.K, obScene.

It was hard deciding between Misael.K and Christopian, both were amazing. So this could have changed on a different day.

These entries also deserved a spot on the list:

cotmm68030

JH Sounds

Coloradoweeks

handknit (This one was really good! I so wish it was on the list)

Awesome - cotmm68030, JH Sounds, Coloradoweeks, Atmospherium, Handknit, Dex, Misael.K, obScene, Christopian.

Needs Work - Lyra_183, Koekepan, DarkShadow, Barley, Arcana.

1. Liminal Cavern
   Atmospherium
2. Deep Dark
   christopian
3. Light at the end of the tunnel
   Dex

Atmospherium: delightful weirdness.

christopian: powerful buildup.

Dex: solid.

awesum: Arcana, Atmospherium, Barley, christopian, coloradoweeks, cotmm68030, DarkShadow, Dex, handknit, JH Sounds, obScene.
good: Koekepan, Lyra_183, TheVideoGamer.

1. Liminal Cavern
   Atmospherium
2. searching for the end
   coloradoweeks
3. Passage To The Afterlife
   Misael.K