[forthemusic.com]

Overall nice job. It is encouraging to hear someone make good use of an LE system. Here are a few things that immediately came to mind. Take them for what they're worth...

1. As a drummer my attention was immediately turned to the obviously sampled snare and the less than subtle room verb placed on it. Maybe try eqing the mids of this sample to make it less of a "stock" sound and dial back the decay a bit, especially when the guitar parts cut out.

2. Again as a drummer, I liked the sample chosen on the kick, but felt that it was maybe +3db to much. Try to tuck it into the mix a bit more without losing it's driving presence. Liked it though.

3. Definetly go back and remaster. This should be numero uno. Your nice sounding track is littered with way to many pops and ticks. If it is because of the levels that you mentioned, maybe go back and group all of your tracks and bring them all down together to give them some breathing room. Mastering engineers like when you do this, so it may work for you as well.

4. I can tell you recorded the guitars because that's what I hear as dominating your mix. In my opinion, lower the guitars in the verse and prechorus. The levels during the chorus sounded really good. Use them as a barometer and remember to mix with dynamics. Maybe keeping the intro guitars loud, bring them down in the verse, bring up slightly for prechorus then climax at the chorus. Rinse wash, repeat.

5. Lastly, the vocals were in my opinion done very well, and tastefully to the song; extra bonus points. My only critique on them is that they sat just a little too far back in the mix. One thing to try, would be to "lower" the guitars and kick drum to "bring up" the vocals. Try this before you push your vocal faders to "+13".

I am sure others will give you more detailed feedback, but these were my initial impressions. You asked, and so there you go.

It was nice to hear someone call themselves a "Noob" and present a song that would show that you won't be one for much longer. Keep up the good work!