1. Malevolent Stare
   TheVideoGamer
2. The Fourth Floor
   obScene
3. Spectre
   DDRKirby(ISQ)

TVG Really captured al ot of halloween vibe. There was a story, there were great FX, the sound design was strong. I really liked this one. The only complaint is that it was a slow fade out ending - would have preferred an ending that was more definitive.

Second I liked obScene's instrument choice and overall spookiness. Organs really make it work so well. It's so evoking.

Third DDRKirby got this with a really great bop and the trance gate does a great job setting a mood too.

1. the ghost of costumes past
   coloradoweeks
2. linger
   cotmm68030
3. Repeating Ghost
   bjkmenu

1. The Fourth Floor
   obScene
2. linger
   cotmm68030
3. Dead
   THEGREATDESTROYER22

I ended up replying to comments of Discord, so this is irrelevant. On to the voting!

TheVideoGamer - This track is me returning to a style i haven't made in a while, Dark Ambient. It's a full on sonic journey, that is not only unnerving, maybe even frightening, but also quite textural, with very little in the way of melodic ideas, unless you count the 4 note pad that occasionally makes an appearance. The track is not for the faint of heart, it's meant to evoke the feeling that someone is watching you, someone is behind you. It's not a calming piece whatso ever. Bulk of the sounds are created through heavy processing, whether it's to textural synth presets, drum hits either from On-Shot sample packs of breakbeats, or white noise. Towards the 3 minute mark i decide to pick up the pace and introduced a thumping kick drum that acts as essentially the non stop pulse, maybe even close to a beating heart. By the 5 minute mark, i increase the volume and distortion, to the point where it becomes this thick full blown crunchy mess. It's a neat way to end the piece, and it prevents it from being too repetitive. All in all i kind of like this, it's theme fitting, and it has a lot of unique ideas from me. Glad you like it anyways!

THEGREATDESTROYER22 - Ooh that is a very cool drum sound, it's a good polyrhythm thing going on. I really dig the thick beats, sounds very NIN, which is perfectly on brand for you. Vocals are dark and moody, and has a really nice room tone to the whole thing. Loving the switches, this is actually super theme fitting, and honestly, one of my favourites from you, because everything just fits in it's place. Soo good it was the 3rd place spot, amazing work dude!

DarkShadow - Whilst i really like your style, and it's definately groovy, you are really riding these super crispy basslines, that if i have to be blunt, kind of destroy my ears. It's tends to sound like it's full on clipping, even if the waveform itself doesn't give that indication. It's a little bit much for me, if i have to be honest. I do dig the 2nd half here, it's not often DarkShadow decides to breakdown into a really cool sub motif, instead of nonstop synth action. Normally i hear fast and frantic, for it's entire minute, but no this was different. Not my favourite from you to be honest, but it was a lot of fun, good job!

cotmm68030 - Of course i'd find this music from you in a theme that is practically a cool album cover for a Goth Metal band lol. You have all the relevant textures there, and the really cool reverb usage. Whilst i don't hate mine, you clearly do the Dark Ambient stuff better than me. All i'm known for is making gabber, even when the track is not actually gabber haha. This is a wonderful representation of the theme, which i mean come on, it was expected, but i am definately not complaining, it's lovely stuff. Lots of deep textures, great dynamic shifts, and a lot of really lovely fade in and fade out type of sounds. No jumpscares unlike mine (Or at least people found it to be a jumpscare), it's actually kind of chill, in a cold way. It's definately not music to fall asleep to, but it's also not something that really jumps out at you. It's unsettling music. Towards the 2nd half, we get some really faint melodies, that sound like they were produced with some kind of squeaky metal door. It's not prominent, but you do notice them. If the melodies were stronger, it would definately dilute this experience, so i am glad it's just a background element. Honestly you can tell i love this, it's theme fitting (In the highest degree), and obviously the sound design is top notch. Absolutely love it, so good and theme accurate i picked it for the 2nd spot. Incredible work!

Suzumebachi - Warbly piano, that's a nice touch. Sounds like a vinyl record gone wrong. Some parts are quite pretty, and some are definately not. It's proper scary music, coming out of a haunted house. Yes it's very dissonant at parts, like seriously dissonant, but it's kind of the point. I'm not expecting happy go fun time music, regardless if it's major or minor. As you can still make some what happy music with minor chords. I want me to feel like something is off, or i am scared. But what i also love is that you know what chords to use. You didn't just place random notes onto random chords. You clearly selected the chord that matches, and that's what makes it even more special. The arrangement of Happy Birthday was also an beautiful touch, especially since we know who's it is. Happy Birthday Starla! Is it for everyone? Who knows, but i definately subscribe to this theme fitting goodness. If there's a 4th place this would be it, it was just awesome stuff. Amazing work!!

BJKMenu - I really like the mix of synth and funk rock. It's quite happy for the theme, but i must say i really dig that guitar tone, this is sick. Your playing reminds me of Blonde, it even has the structure and chords. The little pauses before each loop is funny. Eeep. Not what i subscribe to when i look at the images, if anything this is kids music (Which sounds kind of harsh, but it's actually a good thing), but it's done exceptionally well. Even if tracks don't fit the theme, i can still award it a vote based on how well it's done, and honestly it is up there. The organ section was also great, almost made it more brighter and more pronounced, and that ending was creative and amusing. Just lovely stuff! Whilst not fitting to the theme in my opinion, it's still absolutely voting worthy, awesome work!

updlate - More warping guitar! This time you went heavy on the warping, it sounds like an alien. But what makes it interesting, is that you slowly decrease the warping, effecting bringing in a lovely chord progression played on a piano, and a nice (But perhaps a little loud), fill into a very dirty beat. It's got that lovely mix of hip-hop and breakbeat, it's soo good. Not long you switch it up into Drum and Bass, because why not, but as i'm expecting a drum and bass drop, you go immediately back into hip-hop breakbeat territories. The 2nd half was seriously dope, that synth string section and arp really adds something to this piece. Lots of lovely developments for mostly 4 chords too. Is it scary? Honestly, no. But damn this packs a punch. Amazing ending where you go back to as we started, but with a warp out. I just love this, definately voting worthy, such a shame i couldn't pick it for the list, but i could only choose 3. Amazing work!

DDRKirby(ISQ) - Straight into a thick kick. Lots of great diminished chords, this is not happy music at all, however it's also not short on funkiness. Lovely synth chords, and great bends on the melody. That syncopation is killer! Even if i'm not visibly scared or uncomfortable, i absolutely love the grooves and switches. It's definately sounds like a DDRKirby track, but there's a lot of cool ideas thrown in, that sound different from you. Even tried to replicate the sound effects of a ghost, which actually turned out to be better than expected. This is just amazing stuff from you, and definately worthy of a repeat. Absolutely voting worthy, and was bummed i couldn't pick you. Amazing work!

obScene - This theme seems perfect for you. Especially since you are known for heavy cinematic strings, which of course this has plenty. It is quite the tonal piece, but yet you don't feel shame it throwing in some intricate notes that really adds to the dissonance in an overall tonal piece. Lots of lovely changes, and deep piano notes. This is definately an unsettling piece, you've achieved the scariness, and it relates to the image very well. The melodies are catchy too, you are the master at cool cinematic style music. Ending was abrupt, probably didn't have time to let it fade out, and surprisingly unlike other tracks of yours, there isn't really any major dynamic shifts, just mostly instrument changes, which kind of works to the themes advantage. It's creepy and unsettling, which the theme really needs. I loved this for sure, it's an amazing piece, so amazing and theme fitting it was my number one spot. Super frightening, incredible work!

Dex - That's ok, as long you made something in an hour. I mean normally we would share something outside of compo, and use this to make a piece in compo. I remember distinctly loving this piece, when it premiered in 2hts, because it was definately a little different from Dex. It's also extremely happy, and has a lovely melody. Yeah this is definately nowhere near the theme, but to be fair, if it's a really great piece, then sure, why not. The fill before the violin part was super satisfying. Honestly this is just a lovely piece, enjoyed it in 2hts, and still absolutely enjoy it now. Although not made for the compo as such, it's still voting worthy it's that good. Awesome work!

Eva - Ayy it's been a while, welcome back! This is some cool punk rock kind of vibes. It's got lot of sonic textures going on, it's not a typical punk rock track at all. The drums are very airy, but kind of crispy, the guitar is not strong, it almost sounds like a background element. The acoustic stuff is also cool as well, it adds a bit of interesting texture to the track. The vocals are definately there, i can clearly sense a bit of singing, however it's soo buried in the mix, it's nearly an instrumental, but in this track, i can't really tell how much is intentional, and how much was accidental, so who knows. I mean it's definately got a lot of really cool sounds, but i do feel it's ripe for expansion and finesse. Largely in the form of a clear electric guitar part, and a vocal part. But i dug the rest though, a lot of fun, good job!

Coloradoweeks - Great piano and strings, this is Dupa Lipa stuff wow. if you added the Elton John lyrics, it would definately sound like Cold Heart. The bassline is super juicy, i am a big fan. The vocals are incredible as always, even with my comparisons you still knocked it out the park with a banger. The vocals are not too loud as well, sometimes you tend to put the gain too loud, leading to a bit of a overtly distorted vocal, but this one was just right. I almost though it was going to be 4 chords throughout, but towards the end you go for a full on switch, and i am here for it. Really adds something to the piece.. Even though i said the vocals weren't too loud, they're moments where i feel your singing too close to the mic, but this is more of a room tone thing, than a loudness thing. I mean at the end of the day, i could say any sort of criticism, and it still wouldn't diminish how good this track is. It's just a sick banger from start to finish, definately worthy of a vote, awesome work!

Arcana - Lot of lyrical pieces this week. This is kind of a Reggae inspired piece, but with a nice melody, that is kind of blues inspired. The vocals are....lovely, wow this is actually a really lovely mixed vocal! The piano can be a bit upfront at times, but it doesn't ruin the track. The nice vocal adlibs in this were a lovely touch! All the woo's add a lovely bit of harmonic freshness to the sound it's great. This is one of your strongest tracks today, everything was just perfect, i could easily vote for this, awesome work!

Misael.K - Wow these are some really great chords. Very jazzy, and kind of mysterious. C Major is great, but when you add the seasonings you really make it magical. The vocals are lovely! Super clear and concise, and fits the piano exceptionally well. There can be cases where your vocals are so quiet, that it makes it hard to decipher, but this is at a lovely level. Super moody, and really goes so well with the piano. Not scare sure, but my god it's extremely catchy. You really went to town on these chords, damn. Absolutely loved this, extremely amazing chords and singing, really catchy. Such a shame this couldn't be on the list, but my choices were based on theme accuracy and how scary it was. This is still absolutely worthy of a vote. Amazing work!

JH Sounds - Alright late entry les goo! I'm probably one of the few to give late entries a shot, and already i really dig this! It's got a great piano line, quite deep, and a sick vocal with some sick effects! Goes super well with the piano. Great cover, lots of lovely moments, honestly it's worthy of a vote, even if it wasn't made on time. Awesome work!

Top 3 - obScene, cotmm68030, THEGREATDESTROYER22.

My choices this week, were mostly based on the ones that were the most theme fitting, and the ones that made me the most uncomfortable. It was hard picking this time, because my god so many of these are certified bangers.

What's more astounding, is that EVERY SINGLE track in the Awesome section has the absolute right to be on the list (Ignoring the ones receiving the vote) This has never happened before. Every awesome entry has the power to be voted on. These are as follows:

Suzumebachi (I absolutely love this, if there's a 4th place this would be it. I almost went with you for the 2nd spot, but then i thought, nah it's not making me visibly uncomfortable (Aka unsettled) as such. Still absolutely voting worthy though)

BJKMenu (Amazing grooves!)

updlate (I absolutely loved this, one of my favourites from you to date. So wanted this to be on, but i ended up picking the most theme accurate entries. Still soo good)

DDRKirby(ISQ) (Another incredible entry, that i was dying to have on, but couldn't because i only had 3 choices. This is amazing, and soo god damn funky!)

Dex (This is definately voting worthy, but not fitting to the theme at all, which makes sense since you didn't even follow the theme lol)

Coloradoweeks (This one was a banger also, regardless of my ramblings! So sad it can't be on)

Arcana (Best Arcana entry in a while, absolutely voting worthy!)

Misael.K (The chords and melody are soo good, this is just another amazing entry i wanted on the list! But alas i didn't pick it because it was chill and groovy, and not even remotely scary. My entry choices are based on scariness and theme accuracy.)

JH Sounds (Relistened to it again, and i think it's worthy of a vote. Alas i can only pick 3)

Awesome - THEGREATDESTROYER22, cotmm68030, Suzumebachi, BJKMenu, updlate, DDRKirby(ISQ), obScene, Dex, Coloradoweeks, Arcana, Misael.K, JH Sounds.

Needs Work - DarkShadow, Eva (Sorry guys for singling you two out. But unfortunately, I guess it's how it was meant to be. Doesn't mean your track is bad by the ways, it just means there is a lot of potential to be had!)

1. A Ghost
   Misael.K
2. Happy Ghost Day Question Mark
   Suzumebachi
3. Otherworldly Encounter
   upd|ate!

I went with gut feelings with the rankings. Songs that will stick with me and have a certain magical element I can't explain. The theme was easy to follow, so.

misaelk song was emotional and well produced, good singing.

suzum song had great sounds, simple and effective use of chords, good ending. I actually downloaded the suzum song to my phone and let it repeat for a cool effect.

update song got the nod over three other potential third placers: ddrkirby, colorado, arcana.

If I voted on other criteria, such as production, thevideogamer would be first place, but I usually don't vote like that. cotmm would be 2nd, and obscene 3rd.

1. The Fourth Floor
   obScene
2. the ghost of costumes past
   coloradoweeks
3. New Reign of the Spooks
   Arcana

obScene: spooky spooky spooky.

coloradoweeks: spooky spooky.

Arcana: spooky.

awesum: Arcana, bjkmenu, coloradoweeks, cotmm68030, DarkShadow, DDRKirby(ISQ), Dex, obScene, Suzumebachi, upd|ate!.
good: eva, THEGREATDESTROYER22, TheVideoGamer.