Octamed 6

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Text File | 1995-10-13 | 16.5 KB | 395 lines

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-THE OFFICIAL MED USERS GROUP-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- __ __ __ __ ____ / / i s /_/ M i k e / / R i c h m o n d / //__ \ / /___ _____ ______ __ ______ ____/ /______ ______ ____/ / __/ / / __ // .__// __ // / / __ // __ // ____// __ // __ / /___/ / /_/ // / / __ // /_ / / / // /_/ // __/_ / __ // /_/ / __ /_____//_/ /_/ /_//___//_/ /_//_____//_____//_/ /_//_____/ /_/ trank mast reviews the story so far.... -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-THE OFFICIAL MED USERS GROUP-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Well, here they are. The collected work of Mike `The Ripper' Richmond issued into the Public Domain under the name of `Braindead (the story so far)'. This is apparantly everything he's ever released since October 1992. Because of the sheer amount of modules here, I've adopted the ModSpot style review with each of Mike's modules reviewed in cronological order: RED5 - October 1992 4TO Chris Wright reviewed this baby way back in TI2. Rather harshly may I add. I must confess to rather enjoying it. It's called RED5 by the way, because it contains a sample I'm sure most avid OctaMED lovers have in their collection by now, taken from Star Wars. (yep, I've got it - Ed.) The module is actually supposed to be a tribute to Nigel Mansel winning the Formula One championship so I guess he was driving a RED car with the number 5 the side of it. Is that right? Anyway, despite the name this is a fairly simplistic module but a catchy one none-the-less. It reminds me of the tune to the comedy series Naked Video. There's a `saxy' refrain two thirds through that tries to give it some sparkle using the slide up and down commands, but this fails because of the weak synth-like sample loop. My guess is that Mike didn't discover the vibrato effect `till later on in his career... MARK 61% 1992 - November 1992 4TO Again this was first reviewed by Chris, and at the same time as RED5. Here's what he had to say about 1992: "This is one of those building-on-a-bass-line-type-jobbies, it ain't bad, trouble is, there's not a lot of building going on. The odd laser shot here and there and some bog standard piano sample, but despite its short comings, I quite like it, can't decide why." A clever oppurtunity presents itself here. I need not add to that, just change a few key words: "This is one of those building-on-a-bass-line-type-jobbies, it very bad, trouble is, there's not a lot of building going on. The odd laser shot here and there and some bog standard piano sample, because despite its short comings, I quite dislike it, can't decide why." MARK 30% GRIMBIN Highway to Heaven - November 1992 6TO A nice piano effect pieced together over 3 track creating a repetative chord sequence is what this is. Acompanied with god awful high pitched, screaming guitars. The tune is most irritating and the weak bass gives no relief what so ever over the overpowering piano. A Roadway to hell is what it is Mike. MARK 33% UFO - February 1993 4TO This has a very hard and dark industrial style intro, creating an almost foreboding atmosphere (I should have been an horror writer!) A spidery bassline plays alongside, reminiscent of ERASURE's Super nature. After a few blocks it changes tempo and the main tune begins, and what a decent tune it is. The panflute was a good choice of sample, but what lets it down is the weakness of the sample used in the second verse. Otherwise this is a nice piece of work. The tune and the rhythm being it's strength. (Is there much else? - Ed.) MARK 72% Pump up the Bass - February 1993 4TO This lovely and vibrant little number bursts into life with a pretty condecending (sic - Ed.) bassline, and dancy up tempo beat. I'm not sure about the deliberate off key lead though. I have trouble locking on to liking it. Or perhaps I just don't know enough about music. MARK 69% Synthetic Disco - March 1993 4TO What we have here is a fairly minimal piece of.. music. It's subtle and forgetable, except for a sinister streak of a chorus half way through. The Rhythm is simple but effective and the lead samples sound very clear and precise and it has a certain Kraftwerk feel to it. Not Bad. MARK 65% Synthetic Dreams - April 1993 4TO This sounds more synthetic than the last mod, in a C64 kind of way. It's less minimal than the previous effort and more refined. The tune is also more notable. Mike's made it quite interesting by introducing some curious zombified samples of his own voice, making it quite and haunting little tune. MARK 70% Bermuda - May 1993 4TO A pretty triangle starts this number off, hence the title. Then percussion bullies in with a mouth dribbling springy bass line. The main tune is a saxophone affair, cheered along by trumpet blasts, with the triangle sample lightly mingling with the rhythm track. My only dislike is that although some effects were added to the sax, the actual sample loop is too short, making it dull and a drone. This shows particullary near the end as it drowns and fades. Could of benifited from a better, longer sax sample or a ship load more effects. Nevertheless, its enjoyable track. The bassline I much fancied. MARK 72% Freedom - August 1993 4TO Not much to be said about this one really. Well there could be it's just that I'm feeling a bit..... oh, .......hang on! (4 special brews later...) Freedom starts with a building on a bassline section. After about 4 blocks into it a lovely chorus comes in giving the piece a nice wide sounding appeal if that could be one interpretation. Even the bassline is consistent, like it's been played in a hall. There's a fine piano verse, with a lovely flute playing in the second and we have an instrumental relief halfway through. Text book stuff this. A literally flawless bit of music which might not have you humming it, but great nonetheless. MARK 82% MHOTSHOT Project Blue Book (UFO Part Two) - August 1994 4TO Dreary rainfall leads an evil chorus intro. Then a tempo change pelts it forward and creates a very busy and exciting composition. I just love the tune. It's very catchy as it belts along with un-stopable pace. Even at 3 minutes 47 seconds it seems to be over all too quickly as it ends abruptly. (a bit like this review..!) Can I have a glass of water. MARK 82% MHOTSHOT Dark Portal III - October 1994 4TO This quite powerfull composition was used for the shareware version of a game called Blackdawn2 It's a marching crusade of mod that conjures up pictures of giant neanderthals weilding axes, looting, raping and pillaging. Ideal for for a role playing which I think this just might be for. The tune is bleak and stomps on triumphantly, the percussion samples are its strength, I won't say where I've heard those samples before Mike, but they work well. (I won't either but the `III' is a spooky connection - Ed.) MARK 76% WAC Theme - November 1994 4TO This short and last little ditty was made for an AMOS mag called WAC, hence the title. It's a perky and crispy, using bassy guitar clicks and a lead that does tend to make you cringe somewhat. It's not very long or ambitious. A quick throw away intro is what it is, and I suspect was supposed to be. Not to be taken seriously. MARK 66% Summary Personally what I think Mike has done with BRAINDEAD, the story so far..., is do something that basically, we all could do. That is to make a compilation of our work. His story, if you read the doc file, is not much different to anyone elses on how he was introduced to the wonders of MED and such. However, he has taken things one step further and produced a product, and one well worth a listen to. I would just like to end now by saying what great enthusiasm he shows. Trank Mast 14th March '95 Alive..... .... and kicking! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-THE OFFICIAL MED USERS GROUP-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-