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Trek Across the Wastes's itch.io pageResults
| Criteria | Rank | Score* | Raw Score |
| Innovation | #1 | 4.105 | 4.105 |
| Execution | #2 | 4.316 | 4.316 |
| Overall | #3 | 4.096 | 4.096 |
| Listenability | #3 | 4.211 | 4.211 |
| Overall Uniqueness | #4 | 4.105 | 4.105 |
| Composing Quality | #6 | 4.053 | 4.053 |
| Correlation to Theme | #9 | 3.789 | 3.789 |
Ranked from 19 ratings. Score is adjusted from raw score by the median number of ratings per game in the jam.
Link to Streaming Service
https://youtu.be/LbFTtQdB2E4?si=esTREiFvJ-Xr3JHe
Description
The theme of this jam, “The Trek”, turned out to be very inspiring for me. I composed a post-apocalyptic track with electric guitar as the leading instrument. I wanted the listener to picture a landscape filled with memories of the old world: metal junk, long-abandoned gas stations, and crumbling roads. While desolate, this place still has room for feeling hopeful and being free to go wherever you want, as long as there’s enough fuel in the tank.
I imagined trekking across a post-apocalyptic landscape in a broken-down car (what’s up Fallout 2 fans). This mental image helped me zero in on the right sonic palette: organic guitar textures, metallic jangles, and tribal-like drums.
This jam has “Imagination” in the title, so to stretch my limits, I decided to use only my own sounds – no exceptions. I recorded dozens of samples of my electric guitar, p-bass, and even a beaten-down Greek lyra. I used them to create atmospheric pads that served as the tonal backbone of the music. Then, recorded the electric guitar and p-bass parts to glue the piece together.
I also had a cheap marching drum which I abused in my closet with drumsticks and brushes — recording samples from it was so fun that I ended up making two percussive libraries out of it, both of which feature heavily in my submission. I also used a Pringles can and an Ikea candle lantern — don’t ask.
Let me know what you think about the end result!
Screenshot of DAW
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1x6bADIBMMmo28hdjRQJ3BMN5JjU2gPm7/view?usp=sharing
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Comments
This is really nicely done, I quite enjoyed it.
Thank you!
I think this is one of the more unique takes on the theme, I love that you went post-apocalyptic and carried it well instrumentally and compositionally. at 3:25 and onward, I really love the chill tones and drones.
Thank you! I really enjoyed listening to your submission as well.
This passes with full green flags from me, wow!
When you mentioned the use of electric guitar, before pressing play, I expected something quite different from what I actually heard, and you surprised me in the most positive way. Many represent post-apocalyptic scenarios with the usual creepy, desolate drones and pads or even with heavier styles, while you found your unique and original style in that. Top! 👍
Thank you, I'm happy you enjoyed it! Yeah, I was going for something a bit different compared to the more standard guitar soundtracks. It's cool to hear this approach seems to have worked out.
Listening to this, I closed my eyes and imagined looking over a vast, dusty, mostly barren landscape, looking down a long road that gradually fades out into both horizons. Making peace with the emptiness and filling it with a drive to keep moving, to keep exploring, to find meaning in a world where everything's been stripped bare. Easily one of my favorite submissions so far, everything is just so good at creating an atmosphere and the fact that it's all real recorded instruments adds so so much to the character to the world it's describing. Not to mention just how amazing it all sounds both as a mix and compositionally. It's like combining the best of Noita OST's atmosphere with the emotional drive of Risk of Rain's OST. Absolutely incredible work holy guacamole.
Thank you so much for the awesome write-up. I’m really happy that you imagined an actual landscape while listening to the track — this is super valuable to me.
Thank you! I used to struggle with mixing a lot, so it’s awesome to hear that you liked how this one is mixed.
I’m also glad that you felt the post-apocalyptic vibe. I mostly tried to convey it with the drum sounds and the metallic foley elements (and a lot of effects lol).
What a great ambience to get lost in! I might even need some time to form some functioning words, as I stand awestruck and can't stop listening. The clean guitar with those ambient synths and those not so refined club kit is paired masterfully. Somewhat got a similar vibe of Melodysheep (f.e. Humanity's Epoch : ANTHROPOCENE), though maybe not the same sound. Or Maybe even got some vibes of Kai Rosenkranz and the RISEN OST, though also ther not with the same instrumentation :D. The mix is top notch and man the writing and progression are to die for! This is AT LEAST in my top 3 for this jam. Keep it coming and pleas make more of this! I need it ;)
Wow, thank you! The only thing I could hope for is that my music resonates with someone, so I’m really glad you enjoyed listening to it. It means a lot!
I checked out Anthropocene just now and can definitely see where you’re coming from, especially regarding the percussive elements. The Risen OST sounds like my jam, maybe because I tend to enjoy atmospheric soundtracks the most.
Such a vivid picture of a post-apocalyptic journey! Your choice of electric guitar as the leading instrument is spot-on, giving it that gritty, raw energy that fits perfectly with the desolation you’re describing. The percussive elements are really fun! I also love how you’ve focused on sonic textures. Keep experimenting and pushing your boundaries!
Thank you! I’m happy you liked it.
Outstanding! I really like the concept you came up with and the fact that you recorded everything yourself! I could never do that! Talents man! I defiantly feel and see the Fall Out vibe and the post-apocalptic feels. So good. You captured it so well. just amazing submission.
Thank you for the kind words! I’m relieved that the post-apocalyptic vibe comes through, at some point I thought it sounded more like a western lol
Incredibly unique track and take on the "trek" concept. Each section was engaging and it felt like the soundtrack was always evolving despite its longer length. Combined with a punchy mix the industrial-esque track is immersive and fun to listen to. Exceptional work!
Thank you! I’m really glad you found it immersive.
Really cool stuff!
Love the vibe and production is stellar, the cymbalish sound is from the Ikea candle lantern i guess? works great.
Really feeling like recording random items for sounds now 😁, good job!
Thank you so much! It means a lot.
The lantern kinda ended up filling in for the shaker lol. The cymbals are just a couple of ride/crash samples that I recorded long ago from a drum kit.
very fun, It gets your point across of traveling in a post apocalyptic place. The only thing I might point out is have an extra section with more change compared to what you started with to give a bit of contrast, for right now its just all ambienty (which is awesome and I love it) but if you were looking for a direction to take it further thats what I would do. awesome work :)
Thank you for the kind words!