Nice job Jonathan! Nicely written piece. The only thing I was missing just a bit was articulation in some parts, maybe what you were referring to when you said you needed more bite. That would have given a tad more instrumental separation. But then again, you wouldn’t get the distinction I’m speaking of with the string section being further in the distance, created by the verb and overhead mic positions. It’s all personal taste though and what you wanted in the mix is what counts.
What are you using for the vocal stabs?