Length: 5:48

As for the song itself:

 
So, pump up the volume, I hope you will enjoy my composition!

This piece has been composed with Fruity Loops. If you are interested in the .FLP file, feel free to contact me anytime!

With a title that is a cross between a Bax Symphonic Poem and the titles of movements from Mahler’s Third Symphony, I have to admit that I am out of sympathy with the style of this piece, not caring much for techno or trance outside of the local disco. However the work seems well structured and although the thematic material seems minimal, it is nevertheless melancholic, which the composer intended. Its chief characteristic, which is appropriate for infernos, is that it seems relentless; otherwise I don’t really quite see the relevance to the picture. My main criticism of this kind of piece is that however much facility it shows for the use of hypnotic pounding rhythms, it reveals a paucity of invention and imagination. Personally I think this composer should break out of the straightjacket of techno-trance and try something a bit more adventurous. I suspect he might be able to do so quite successfully.

By: wobbie

This piece exhibited a good sense of forward movement in the accompaniment. Unfortunately, the stiff bland melody line weakened the argument.  The impression was of a journey with little or no danger - there was not enough variety.  The ending sounded as if someone had just poured a bucket of water all over it, and it was out just like that! It was far too abrupt and the feeling of having escaped the flames or found an oasis of safety was not given to the audience.

By: Judge No. 1 (See Notes)

By: Judge No. 2

General

1. Complexity - I don't really know what the song qualifies as: Techno music or rave and whatnot.  But it has some of the same elements as those themes. It was alright in complexity though.
   

2. Instrumentation - The piano was a nice effect. The snare kept the pulse of the song at a nice tempo. However, there was a certain part near the end where it sounded like the piano kept overlapping itself, it was a bit annoying.
   

3. Composition - There was a melody at the end, where it was very recognizable. I liked that, but afterwards, it weirded out on me. Either there was a lack of melody, or it was being (outplayed) by the snares and effects.
   

4. Initial Inspiration - The effects themselves have a nice way of presenting intensity. The piano just (gave me a tour) through that forest.  However, I do feel there was something lacking around this area. It just doesn't feel like you presented the picture well enough.
   
   

Specifics

1. Opening - Nice way to open up the song. Already, it feels quite ambient.
   

2. Middle - The piano is quite special in this area. It's interesting. I enjoyed the pulsations the song gave me. Somewhat heart-throbbing.
   

3. Ending - The piano is over-used around here. I didn't like it that much. However there is a part when the piano plays a melody of some sort, I thought that was interesting. However, I see there is too much going on at the ending.
   

This song is very unique from all the other compositions. It was enjoyable and whatnot, but was very difficult to grade considering its level of uniqueness.

From the composer of: Abysmal Flames

From the composer of: Affordable Wisdom

From the composer of: Blisters

From the composer of: Fate of the Forest

From the composer of: Forest Fire: A Brief Tone Poem for Orchestra

Although such is the style of techno music, I found this piece to be very repetitive.  I found myself unintentionally zoning out at times, which is something I never like doing (when listening to) music.  While there was some variation throughout the piece, I feel that there wasn’t enough to pull me out of the repetitive impression I got out of it.  I think a large factor was that relentless drum beat; (I felt more could be) done to vary the rhythm and add excitement.

The piece was fast and energetic, and I could relate this to the nature of a forest fire.  However, if I were to hear this piece in a different context I would not think of a forest fire.  Harmonically, there is nothing that suggests to me fire or destruction.  In my opinion, something other than techno would better convey these things.

From the composer of: Inferno

From the composer of: Music for Trumpet and Strings

From the composer of: Of Desperation, Death, and Hope

From the composer of: Prelude for Solo Piano

• Harmony: A descending tetra chord gets old fast. You show that you understand triads though)
• Development:  Hmmmm... the transitions / breaks from the pounding rhythmic ostinato are welcomed changes. You definitely have a sense of continuity in this piece as you continually add upon which you state at the beginning. In this sense, the piece is strong. Nicely done.
• Orchestration:  Composing with synth is fun. Texturally, the ending gets a bit mushy. I think if you took the time to work out the harmonies you could have keep the texture busy without it colliding this much near the end.
• Form:  Typical techno form. Starts off with the usual synth arpeggios followed by the pounding rhythm. It works for what it is. In fact, the beginning and end work quite well and the end really feels like an end. That is, it is not too abrupt and it doesn’t come out of nowhere. It’s hard to comment on this though since it is so far outside the musical realm in which I exist.

Musicality [15/20]:

• It’s ok as far as techno pieces go.

Relevance [14/20]:

• I don’t smell burning, do you? Unfortunately techno music does not have a programmatic association with a forest fire. I really don’t think this association works.

Overall Thoughts [C+ / Satisfactory].  Granted, it was a nice change from the film music / game music, but I really disagree that techno suits the fire theme well. 

From the composer of: The Dance of the Clumsy Bear

From the composer of: The Wildfire Suite