ReMix: Super Metroid 'Brinstar(DreamsInRed)'

Download MP3
6,213,990 bytes, 6:16, 132kbps

• Trade-in your Games or Anime DVDs!
• OC ReMix Shirts & Merch
• Games:
  • DS | GBA | GC | PS2 | WII | XBOX | 360
  • Imports & Pre-owned
• Anime:
  • DVDs & Merchandise

Well, Xmas has come and gone and the year's almost over. 2002 has of course been a record year for OCR in terms of bandwidth, mixes posted, and most importantly new friends & faces. It marked the debut of the current, database-driven incarnation of the site (aka version "3.0") which was a HUGE step in the right direction, our wild-and-wonderful PHPBB-driven forums, and a whole boatload of fantastic mixes. There were mentions on TechTV and of course EGM, with a bit more mainstream acknowledgement of the "unofficial game music arrangement scene". I could use the phrase "amateur game arrangement scene" but I think 2002 illustrated beautifully just how professional (sounding) and innovative much of this music can be. I won't use this space for any further recap or discussion, but do stop by our forums to reminisce and/or comment on what 2002 was and what 2003 can or will be.

At their best, collaboration mixes can combine the individual strengths of the ReMixers involved to form a whole that could not have been created otherwise. At their worst, they result in schizophrenic, incoherent pieces that unsuccessfully try to meld competing musical ideologies and styles. Fortunately, this Super Metroid ReMix from Cotmm, Beatdrop, and K. Pras falls into the former category. Introing with ambient gurgling and clustered, ominous pads, the basic outline of a rhythm enters around the first minute with a tribal-industrial feel and some trademark Cotmm "interesting static textures". Things get a bit heavier, percussion deeper, with cross-panned bell pads and eventually K. Pras' screaming electric guitar introducing itself with no hint of shyness. Beats pick up with rapid-fire hi-hats and a more techno feel. Each contributing artist was most likely focusing on his respective strength - Cotmm's ambient, unique textures, Beatdrop's beats, and K. Pras' brooding, powerful electric guitar - and it shines through clearly. Things conclude as they began on a primarily ambient note, with percussion and melody fading out very gradually. This is extremely atmosperhic stuff, but it also has some forward motion in its middle minutes and sonic variety with the combination of hard, electronic textures with more organic yet still electrified and energetic timbres. The title suggests a dreamlike quality, which I think the piece has - the gradual intro and outro and the floating, vast soundscape have an ephemeral and tracelike effect on the listener. This could easily be the soundtrack to Samus having a nightmare flashback or something of the sort. Aurally diverse and of considerable, layered depth, this is some heavy shtuff. Recommended.

― djpretzel