Reviews by Eivind Sommersten

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Spellbound - arranged by Bolo

Review by Eivind Sommersten, 07/07/2025

This is a pretty good first remix! It's not an easy SID to get right but the musical content sounds good to me. A few tips would be:
  • Add more layers - the result is a little simplistic because you've basically limited yourself to the same instruments that are in the original.

  • Make it more dynamic - make an intro which builds up to something, then maybe introduce a break and build back up - that is, create a little story. This isn't really that easy to achieve on the SID but you are not limited in that same way.

  • Add atmosphere - the mix is pretty dry, meaning there's very little reverb, delay, panning etc. It could also benefit from some spice here and there, sprinkled soundeffects, more percussion, what have you.

Definitely keep it up, looking forward to your next one!
Technique Outstanding
Artistic skill Outstanding
Nostalgia factor Outstanding
Overall rating Outstanding

PCW-Tune 88 - arranged by Glyn R Brown

Review by Eivind Sommersten, 28/02/2025

What a suprising choice of original and genre from the grand old master, and happily so!

The mix contains lovely SID-sounds and this is a great production overall. It just builds and builds upon the original and is an excellent example of how a relatively simple and short (and awesome) SID-classic can be expanded into a dynamic story, in the end being an addition to the original as well as of course a huge homage to both composition and composer (RIP).

Love the break after about two minutes, what a signature - no problem picking out the artist/remixer in a lineup there! 😊

By the way I also like the audio quality and mastering, I think you've done a good job overall!

I don't want to disregard DMC (https://remix64.com/track/dmc/pcw-tune-88-tribute-to-edwin/) who also made a great version of this SID but I feel this is now the truly modern variant of it!
Technique Outstanding
Artistic skill Outstanding
Nostalgia factor Outstanding
Overall rating Outstanding

TLI Intro 1 (it's kaos) - arranged by Tim Forsyth

Review by Eivind Sommersten, 30/11/2024

Fantastic intro - the piano could be better, NOT because of the performance, which is great, but because of the sound/mix and general feeling. I concede it could be down to personal taste but taking the piece as a whole I would want a softer, higher sound for the intro. It would serve as a great contrast to what's coming (it already does, but would be more pronounced). Love the brass of course - how could I not 😊 When the synths come in and the drop, OMG Tim! Holy crap! Given even more listens I think this might become my new Favorite Forsythβ„’!
Technique Outstanding
Artistic skill Outstanding
Nostalgia factor Outstanding
Overall rating Outstanding

Caer Aisling - arranged by Vandahlia

Review by Eivind Sommersten, 30/08/2024

I love this SID!

I think you did a good job with the remix. The rythm of the SID is difficult to imitate (I have tried πŸ˜…), but I think you managed it quite well. The bridge at 2:13 is also lovely and true to the original, you've succeeded in recreating a song which is technically difficult and somewhat unorthodox both as a SID and as a piece of music.

I wish there was more to the arrangement though - after a very short intro the tune is more or less similar in mood and dynamics throughout. It's not a big problem but I feel there is unused potential here! It also ends a little abrubtly.

I have to say I really miss the rolling bass of the original - to me it's an important part of it.

Overall I absolutely appreciate the effort - it's obvious that musically you know what you are doing. Also, you have great taste in SIDs! πŸ˜‰
Technique Outstanding
Artistic skill Outstanding
Nostalgia factor Outstanding
Overall rating Outstanding

Human Race (tune 4) - arranged by Tim Forsyth

Review by Eivind Sommersten, 22/08/2023

First of all, kudos for the signature change - I think it works really well. It also helps bring out the alternating bass which is perfectly mixed and another standout feature of this remix.

My gripe here is that there is too little variation in dynamics in the overall arrangement. After the bass comes in around 0:30 there really isn't that much change. In my humble opinion this remix would be perfect starting out super softly and saving more of the pomp (like the choir, which otherwise also works well) until the very end.

Otherwise it's really good!
Technique Outstanding
Artistic skill Outstanding
Nostalgia factor Outstanding
Overall rating Outstanding

Ace 2 - Remastered - arranged by Oxx

Review by Eivind Sommersten, 05/09/2022

I really like this - a good take on the original!

There is still a lot of headroom left in the mix though and I feel perhaps the low end is slightly left out and that could be causing it. Maybe just a bit more attention to mastering in general would help here.

There is such tremendous growth in your mixes - in no time at all you will be on top, not only here!
Technique Outstanding
Artistic skill Outstanding
Nostalgia factor Outstanding
Overall rating Outstanding

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