ReMix: Marathon 'The Forerunner Mix (Alpha)'

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Once upon a time, Bungie developed a little game called Marathon that injected new life and style into the then DooM-dominated FPS genre. Of course, we all knew where that ended up heading, but today happens to be the 13th anniversary of Marathon's release. And who says that's unlucky? Newcomer Nick Singer sure doesn't, as he gives us not one but two Marathon mixes. Normally we wouldn't accept double submissions, much less post them back to back, but since these are companion mixes that happen to coincide with an important title's anniversary, it seemed the thing to do. Mr. Singer writes:

"The first track uses the theme "Leela" from marathon and mixes it with various motifs and rhythms from the halo soundtrack, mostly from the theme 'Covenant Dance'. The second is based on "Chomber" from Marathon and "Under Cover of Night" from Halo. No samples from the originals were used. I'm not good with names so I've just been calling them Marathon Mix 1 & 2..pretty lame I know...

By the way I'm a composer from London Uk working freelance for film/TV and trying to break into the game industry, more info on my website if you're interested."

Apparently Marathon is coming to XBLA, which should be interesting... perhaps they'd be interested in these pieces, which also smartly incorporate Halo material, as Nick mentions. These are both shorter arrangements, but they develop nicely and have a VERY cinematic flavor to them. Lower pizzicato strings blend seamlessly with modulated synth bass, as strings run back and forth and icy synth atmo sweeps over the sonic tundra. At 0'56" a stronger downbeat enters, with a drilling, filtered glide synth pattern, which gives way to more ambient material and ethereal pads, which then in turn build back up to a release, after which the arrangement exits on a chilling, distant note. It's exciting stuff, and you can easily picture it being used in any number of film/television spots - Singer's roots definitely show - but it'd also be appropriate in a video game setting. Vinnie agrees:

"The incorporation of the two themes in this song was smart. The Leela progression was slightly extended and provided the backbone for the first half of the mix, and it seamlessly led into a phrase from "Covenant Dance". The intro had a few modified takes on this phrase which helped tie everything together thematically. The connection to the source was not always overt but it's definitely there for the first 1:56 of the song. The arrangement was also imaginative, using an atypical set of instruments. I loved the shift in rhythm emphasis at 0:39, which made the song sound more like a waltz. Production was immaculate; this is a fantastic song on headphones. Instruments are crisp and clear, and there are countless details for those who listen closely, all woven in smoothly. Very nice work."

For all practical purposes, you could think of this as a Halo mix that incorporates Marathon, or vice versa, but it's cool that Nick is highlighting the less popular of the two, while successfully integrating more recognizable material from its offspring. I certainly would have loved a bit more exposition, and perhaps some solo work, to make the entire thing seem more songlike, but you definitely still get a feeling of traveling, complete with outset, journey, and eventual destination, so while not lengthy, it's linear and narrative, which compensates. Great stuff from Mr. Singer, who I'd love to see (and hear) working in the game industry, based on these pieces.

― djpretzel