ReMix:The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past "Lost Dark World" 6:29

By Long Dao

Arranging the music of 2 songs...

"Dark Mountain Forest", "Dark World"

Primary Game: The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (Nintendo , 1991, SNES), music by Koji Kondo

Posted 2008-02-10, evaluated by the judges panel


VERY impressive debut ReMix from Long Dao; he's been around awhile, but this is the first submission that's rock solid. Actually, it's beyond rock solid, venturing into territory that I personally wouldn't hesitate to label "pretty damn awesome." The ReMixer writes:

"This remix was inspired by not only the Dark World theme of Zelda but also the Lost World theme from Jurassic Park. I always found some sort of similarity between the two themes, and eventually decided to embark on the wild journey to remix the two themes into one. I had some help from my friend Jeremy Robson during the process. I eventually finished around April 2006, but got too lazy to upload it until now."

Before I talk about the mix, I wanted to point out a couple changes we've made to the site recently. You'll notice we've added composer icons to our master list, filtered lists, and individual detail pages. My hope is that this will help familiarize everyone - myself included - more with specific composers by putting a face with a name. I definitely learn visually, so I know it'll help me out. This is just one of a number of changes we've been making lately - exciting times! Now, onto the music... Long Dao's put together an original, compelling arrangement of a well-known theme - a challenge in and of itself - and done so with some pretty slick production values. From the outset, the dramatic percussion definitely gives you the Jurassic vibe he mentions, and the overall style is very cinematic. I overuse this adjective, I know, but it's the most appropriate word, so while I could peruse my thesaurus or try to concoct elaborate metaphors, it's better to call a spade a spade. And what a spade it is - LD's arrangement is substantive, at six and a half minutes long, and uses its time well, developing nicely and covering vast territory with broad strokes. There's subtlety here, at times, but the dominant motif is more aggressive, action-packed composition; Link's clearly having trouble with some hungry velociraptors, and Mr. Dao is happy to score it. Basically, this could have bypassed the panel, but we needed to check for similarity to the cited JP OST. Shariq writes:

"There's Zelda all over this, but we had to make sure. Good thing my sister is such a John Williams fan. Jimmy, I'm also in a state of WTF @ JP4. Anyway excellent work capturing the style of the score and developing the themes. I really enjoyed this a lot; this is how Zelda orchestral should be done. ;)"

Awesome stuff; a fresh take on a classic theme from a new face is always a good thing, and I'm psyched to see what Long comes up with next.

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
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Crulex
on 2024-01-01 16:50:35

That Williams influence was felt and heard, I enjoyed the dark world sections the most. Some points seemed off at times though I can't properly articulate how, but nothing ever remotely took me out of liking it. Not bad at all.

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GravitySuitCollector
on 2011-05-01 02:31:36

I really enjoyed this, although I have some issues with the last third. :? The transition around 4:47 felt off, especially with the (I'm guessing the instrument) plucked violin family (the lowers, the wood resonance is too much for it, imho). The felt the melody and the volume were off a bit, too ( the whole melody thing carries on afterward for me; I'm not loving the note/chord choice). Then, after that, I felt the lower brass to be a bit too distorted, and the tempo modulation reminded me of brakes being pushed and released. Not very pleasant. This might just be my opinion, as I myself don't have much training in music, and my tastes are a bit of a grab bag (what's in is in). I still enjoyed most of this, the intro and body of it are fantastic. :) *download*

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HarmonicSonic
on 2011-01-28 23:42:58

Absolutely the best rendition of the Dark World theme. Possibly the best rendition I've ever heard of any Zelda music. The original theme was very triumphant and bombastic, yet most people seem to want to make their arrangements/remixes of the theme more subdued and reflective. There's nothing wrong with that, of course - I like several of those arrangements, too, but it's wonderful to hear the theme brought back to its roots.

I also like some of the changes made to the melody - particularly the variation of the melody and the chords in the intro. I'm glad the Jurassic Park thing wasn't too overt. I didn't hear it specifically, but I definitely felt the Williams influence in it. (I was also getting a little bit of a Jerry Goldsmith vibe - did anyone else notice that?)

There was only one spot that kind of bothered me (though it's hardly worth mentioning.) At 3:44-3:57, in the transition to the Mountain/Forest theme, the music felt just a little hollow there. I think it was intentionally done that way, but I thought it made the transition a little awkward. But it's a very minor thing, and once the theme gets going, it really comes in strong.

But, overall, a fantastic piece of music here. I'd give it at least a 9.5/10. Also, what software was used and how much does it cost? Because I want it! If that's not a live orchestra, it's the most realistic synthesis I've ever heard.

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Marmiduke
on 2009-01-31 01:53:18

I'm actually surprised that the heavy John Williams influence didn't last too long. Obviously the beginning is very stylised in conjunction with Williams' Jurassic Park score, but I really liked how it wasn't pigeonholed into being a gimmick piece. It really comes into its own, with the great interpretation and the really successful samples used. All in all, I wouldn't describe this as 'Williams Does Dark World', I think there is little overall connection except quotes and basic influence.

It's always great to hear these tunes made uber and realistic; the melodies are two I won't ever forget after dozens of hours spent in the Dark World/Death Mountain areas. Hope there's a lot more to come.

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Ryu2Wolf
on 2009-01-06 21:17:28

I can see a lot of work here but needs to be internalized a bit further. The drive to the climax fights with the game's original melody in the beginning. The softest part of the song is a little confusing but your drive back up towards the end gets much better. I really like the harps playing too. Nice touch.

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Lucentas
on 2008-12-06 19:29:14

Very interesting take on the source material; not as coherent in arrangement as I had hoped, but a nice attempt nonetheless.

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Steffan Andrews
on 2008-10-12 04:22:43

Arrangement and orchestration is very cool for about the first minute - I can definitely see where this was going with the allusions to the Jurassic Park score (it being one of my favorites, I know it well.) Unfortunately the substance of the track for the remainder seems to wane and wander a bit. But excellent effort all round!

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Monobrow
on 2008-08-23 19:32:12

Just listened to this again. This song is damn good. You guys should hear the UNCUT version haha.

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Rom Tom
on 2008-08-02 13:23:45
Am I the only one feeling "The Final Countdown" at 0:38?

Nope.

And.. Awesome job on the song, Mr. Long Dao :D

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MaCe
on 2008-07-29 09:08:43

wow good quality stuff ,what program is he using i wonder...8-O

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pokezel
on 2008-04-15 13:55:40

Am I the only one feeling "The Final Countdown" at 0:38?

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polar-
on 2008-02-28 19:32:57

Well-made piece, though it's a little too interpreted for my taste at some points. I'm probably going to get shot for this, but i actually hate it when someone change the main melody with the classic "take-the-last-tone-and-bump-it-up-one-note" formula. The later interpretations of the melody was great though.

Overall, very high quality stuff!

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Martin Penwald
on 2008-02-26 16:12:01

Great stuff. I like how the themes were arranged, and the way the mix picks up speed and energy in the second half is wonderful. Especially digging the section from 4:17 on. Very powerful ending starting at 5:42.

My only gripe is that the section starting at 4:47 is much, much too short. I'd have liked to hear more of that.

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senseiireland
on 2008-02-15 17:09:34

Is that the Castlevania 2 ending them I hear at 4:00? :)

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eppy
on 2008-02-15 01:27:46

If this song had a gender, I'd merry it, rape it, tap that twice around down town, and then loop her in my infinity of halfway 8 loop.

Long Dao. Great? Or Greatest?

Personally, I'd choose the latter.

Long Dao is the greatest

InbeforeIBFT.

Sources Arranged (2 Songs)


Primary Game:
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (Nintendo , 1991, SNES)
Music by Koji Kondo
Songs:
"Dark Mountain Forest"
"Dark World"

Tags (3)


Genre:
Cinematic
Mood:
Instrumentation:
Orchestral
Additional:
Time > Duration: Long

File Information


Name:
Legend_of_Zelda_A_Link_to_the_Past_Lost_Dark_World_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
6,305,017 bytes
MD5:
ca4111628eef58b7726b13fd27901f1b
Bitrate:
128Kbps
Duration:
6:29

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