ReMix: Secret of Mana 'Return To Elysian Lands'
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- Game: Secret of Mana (Square, 1993, SNES)
- ReMixer(s): Nigel Simmons
- Composer(s): Hiroki Kikuta
- Song(s): Angel's Fear
- Posted: 2004-05-13, evaluated by the judges
"If you find yourself alone, riding in green fields with the sun on your face, do not be troubled -- for you are in Elysium, and you're already dead!"
Though the above is really just an excuse to quote a cool line from Gladiator that only bears a passing connection to this mix's title, that film's soundtrack (by Hans Zimmer) does have some vague similarities to this excellent title theme orchestral arrangement of Secret of Mana from Nigel Simmons. This is a lush composition, at times epic and others soft and intimate, and does a good job of working with the classic but relatively minimal original theme and using it both overtly as well as subtlely, embedded in transitive progressions and spliced into the beginnings and endings of phrases, with good counter-melody and harmony. The deliberate nature of the mix at times makes it less 'exciting' than many might prefer, but there's bombastic climaxes aplenty circa 2'40" or thereabouts that should jolt you out of any zonage. Some of the cymbal crashes in the section immediately following seemed a little lonely/isolated, but I like the low strings coming in very strong afterwards. The ending is... a bit odd. I think I would have gone for more closure, using a different progression to give more resolution to the end of the phrase rather than using the same one that appears throughout the arrangement. As is, the conclusion here is a little abrupt, and leaves a sense of tension still in the air; that's certainly a feel that can be intentional and can work, but I'd like to have seen something a bit more challenging, as the piece itself does some very interesting things with the melody and deserves an equally interesting resolution. Regardless, this is the Mana title theme done up in full symphonic regalia and sounding pretty sharp. If they made a Mana film, this could easily be the overture that introduces the setting and to which initial credits are rolled, and has a beautiful flow to it. A competent, impressive, enjoyable arrangement of a classic theme from Mr. Simmons.
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the Strongly Recommended.
- OA on June 9, 2009
Bummerdude;105837 wrote: Agrees with pretzel and Rimfrost, this can as easy as pie be the music to the movie of this game.
Agreed. This is worthy of being on the big screen, and I can't believe this mix has been hidden away in the archives of OCR for so long.
Very calming, peaceful, deep and complicated, sweepingly majestic, very awesome and a must download. Awesome indeed. :-)
- 42 on January 28, 2009
- Kozmo on April 17, 2006
This is gold.
- Bummerdude on April 16, 2006
Nigel Simmons wrote: Hey, thanks a lot! I don't know if you'll ever see this, but hey. :D
Bumped it for you :wink:
Excellent song btw. I was moved by it also..it could have fit in a movie soundtrack anyday.
- RimFrost the Tourianist on September 24, 2005
- Nigel Simmons on April 9, 2005
Not to mention that it loops flawlessly. Put the song to be the only one on the list, and set your player to repeat. It's just... wow...
Awesome job, Mr. Simmons.
P.S. I'm now a Red Mage. :wink: Better than an Eggplant Wizard, anyday.
- Angelus Laminarum on April 3, 2005
But I am sure glad I didn't. This, like many of my favorite tracks, took more than a first impression for me to fall in love with it. Once I listened to it more, it grew on me, and I realized that the different, more minimalist tone was not a fault.
I like to listen to this mostly when I am drifting off to sleep, and it's very moving. Especially at 1:13 all the way to 2:00, and then at 2:59 to 3:13 it just gives me a very serene feeling and I envision the most beautiful things. It gives me a feeling not unlike the kind you have when you are looking at someone you have a crush on. A feeling of longing and admiration, of utmost beauty.
It's very smooth, mellow, peaceful and dreamy, and that doesn't make it bad. I love that it's more minimalistic, I love the chords that drift in and out like gentle waves. Remarkable work. Great job. I recommend you listen to it a bit more and try to be detached from other things when you do if you did not like it at first.
- Wallace Guyford on November 3, 2004
- Namnesor on September 1, 2004
- MrNemo on August 23, 2004
I could imagine this done to a fully animated opening with a quality so high it'd put Studio Ghibli to shame. Bravo, man.
- Keii on June 17, 2004
Ork Estral wrote: I'm using the Vienna Strings samples and a bunch of Miroslav.
That would explain why the strings sounds so good. My only wish (can't really call it a complaint, this song is too pretty sounding to complain about) is that there was more brass in it so that we got more of a full orchestra sound as opposed to the string orchestra with some woodwinds. Either way, this is really good.
- tgfoo on May 24, 2004
it loops quite nicely. maybe thats why the ending is so sudden?
- Nasenmann on May 22, 2004
- Anonymous on May 20, 2004
..i love it too!:)
- Xatos on May 19, 2004
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