This is an NGADM Round 1 Review:

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What really struck me most about this track is that it is incredibly easy to picture what’s happening here. I can imagine planes zooming overhead, the grim look on the faces of soldiers, the red-stained ground on an otherwise grey canvas. I can hear the gunfire and artillery in the background (nice touch). Very powerful imagery, all thanks to your performance; I had a lump in my throat by 1:00. The trumpet sounds so justified in this piece, and yet it makes the listener so upset and hurt because of the imagery that is brought to the mind. The strings sit firmly in place to support the trumpet, with heart wrenching passages playing throughout. What a powerful atmosphere that you have created!

The best word that I can use to describe the buildup and conclusion of this piece is fleeting. It seems that everything is going to culminate into a swell of trumpets and emotion, but it tapers off instead. In some ways, I really like how you presented it because, let’s face it, conclusion in war doesn't exist. It’s actually quite poetic if you think about it. Continuing on, there seems to be a bit too much reverb and ‘space’ on that trumpet. While I think this works well with the theme of your piece and the images that it helps conjure up, less reverb would give your already amazing trumpet playing a nice boost. Also, maximize the expression of those great strings! Turn them up a notch (but not too much) and balance them out so they don’t sit in the background with the sounds of war.

You put a lump in my throat that will likely be there for a long time! That definitely means that you've accomplished your goal. Excellent work! :)

Score: 7.25/10

This is an NGADM Round 1 Review.

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Real instruments... that actually sound GOOD! Massive props. I am extremely fond of your trumpet. It sounds very expressive and swells beautifully at parts like 2:21. You really doused it in a lot of reverb and in a way it kind of washed it out a bit too excessively, but regardless of that, the fact that each note reverberates so much makes it sound very distant and opens up the track, giving it a very large valley-like sense of space. It really helps the atmosphere tons even if it is a bit excessive. Speaking of which, your atmosphere and mood are just splendid. This has a very well-defined, patriotic and majestic kind of vibe and the fact that you're using a real instrument elevates it to a highly authentic and expressive piece.

Now for the bad points I need to mention. I feel like this lacks motion. Apart from the ending with the swells and thick string accompaniment, this track retains a flat dynamic, and sounds somewhat monotonous. The melody is constantly developing and changing, while not being particularly profound, which gives off the impression that this is less of a structured melody and more of an improvisation, even if this may not be the case. I think you did a wonderful job representing the trumpet's expressive capability and creating a delightful ambience, but this lacks the movement and dynamic/melodic complexity I was hoping for, making it ultimately a somewhat unsatisfying listen. It's memorable for what it is, but it could be so much more!

Anyway, I still love what you did with this piece. You created a genuinely moving and emotional track, and for that you deserve credit!

SCORE: 8.2/10

I feel like play Medal of Honor and watching Saving Private Ryan now. =)