Gave both mixes a listen, the second mix was definitely better on the ears, especially around the first 45 second intro, it sounds much tighter and focused now! I love how "big" it sounds at around the 1:30 mark. Snare still sounds like it could be tighter and snappier, but definitely a great mix!
thanks Drow. I can't seem to take the "room" out of the snare, it's driving me INSANE. i like them to have a little echo on them, but I keep ending up with a snare that sounds like it's being hit from behind the drummer.