ReMix: Metal Slug 3 'Light 'Em Up'

Download MP3
6,266,138 bytes, 5:29, 152kbps

• 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

So, of all the names involved in this flood, Ari's might be the most surprising; his relationship with the judges panel, the overall site, and me personally has certainly had its ups and downs, putting it tactfully. However, for the recent Content Policy discussion, we needed his input, since he has a significant body of work on the site. We talked on IM and I unbanned him from our forums since everything seemed mellow and relatively copasetic, and thus far this hasn't proven a major mistake on my part. My Spidey-Sense tells me that with time and distance tends to come perspective and objectivity, and hopefully that's the case on both sides. Regardless, he's submitted a badass Metal Slug 3 mix, so any past dramarama is really secondary if not tertiary, as there's some musical butt to be kicked.

This mix couples heavy guitar and rock drums with the dominant and articulate synth leads Prot's known for. Check out the digital telephone-esque modulation at 1'27" on the guitarish synth lead for one of many examples of how Ari breathes life into his leads. At 2'12" he adds some ensemble string stabs in to heighten the militant, aggressive vibe; fans of the series should really be grooving on this, as I feel it deeply channels the energy and over-the-top, combative tone of the series. Things drop out to allow for some acoustic guitar bits, then things build back up with some truly excellent drum work - there are tons of fills and breaks here, and every last one of them makes sense and works. Honestly, simply focusing on the drums, from a rock/metal arrangement perspective, is fun, without all the other bits in place. Ari's always been good with drums, but of all the elements that this mix could represent an improvement on relative to his past material, I'd say the fluidity of the drum programming is the best candidate. I just looked him up on IM to see if he wanted to add anything to the writeup, but he seemed engrossed in Portal and HL2 EP2, as many of you no doubt are as well right now, and suggested that there's not much to say about Metal Slug. I agree - it is what it is, being a kickass arcade shooter that revives the run'n'gun mechanics from days of yore with increasingly impressive and imaginative scenarios and artwork. Actually, that's quite a bit to say, and I imagine there's more, but from a gameplay perspective, it'd dead simple: shoot stuff, and don't get shot yourself. Likewise, enjoying this mix should be fairly straightforward for most of you - it's Protricity, it's synth rock/metal, it's Metal Slug, and it's kickin'. Don't need any more info than that!

― djpretzel