ReMix: Raiden Trad 'Gallantry (Nobility of Spirit Mix)'

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It's taken awhile, but we've finally got a good Raiden ReMix - shmup fans rejoice. Considered sort of a benchmark/landmark/archetype for the vertical-scrolling shooter, Raiden had a big influence on the genre and inspired a lot of clones. It's still some good, classic stuff after all these years - sure, those fancypants Psikyo games might have hot anime gals and ten-thousand bullets on screen at the same time, but it's all an extension of the basic formula that Raiden went a long ways in establishing. Rayza's just da guy to handle this project, too - he starts off with what sounds like an orchestral mix, with military snare patterns, timpani, cymbal roll, bells, and strings, but half a minute in we get a good techno beat going with a stable bass pattern and a triplet synth bit on top of that. Chord changes at 1'12" and not too late afterwards some string pads enter, the liquid analog main lead synth picks up, and a clear kick / open hi-hat drum line takes over. Rayza doesn't sit there too long, though, and breaks for a bit, gradually layering in some more interesting drum work with an elaborate stereo kit that's good stuff. Ending outros by reincorporating some of the same orchestral bits from the beginning, and works well. I would have liked to hear the orchestral element play a more consistent role, rather than being (somewhat) relegated to a round-robin start/finish occupation. However, the quality drum work essentially adds the same thing - variety - to an already solid foundation. Rayza knows how to mix, so there's nothing sticking out in that department, and in general the piece has a smooth, analogue quality that's easy on the ears but still got some juice. Recommended.

― djpretzel