ReMix: Super Metroid 'Kindred'
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- Game: Super Metroid (Nintendo, 1994, SNES)
- ReMixer(s): pixietricks, zircon
- Composer(s): Kenji Yamamoto, Minako Hamano
- Song(s): Maridia Rocky Underwater Area
- Posted: 2008-08-07, evaluated by djpretzel
Andy writes:
"This mix was produced for the bLiNd "Get Well" project - we wanted to pick a source that could be interpreted with a dark, atmospheric vibe and have room for vocal parts. Maridia 1 fit the bill - it's creepy, minimal, and atmospheric already. We developed the arrangement together, doing the entire mix from planning to mastering in the span of a single 48 hour marathon session (sleep included, of course). The end result is similar in style to one of our other collaborations, an original called "Red July" from Jill's debut album Origins. Other inspiration also came from Oceanfire's "Xenosphere" mix, which is a favorite of ours.
Andy did the production, incorporating many atmospheric synth elements like the deep bass sweep and twinkling choir pad, along with heavily processed electronic percussion. This set the stage for Jill's vocals, which stick to the melody of the source in the verses, but then become wholly original in the chorus sections. Her lyrics are loosely written from the perspective of Samus, exploring deep into an alien world filled with ruins, completely alone.
We also added a little something mainly for bLiNd, but any fans of his original music might pick up on it too. In the second chorus, we quoted the melody from "The First Day", a popular original trance track that Jordan produced along with Leifo as part of their group, Vega Projekt."
You may have already read about Jordan's illness and the Super Metroid album Shariq organized to lift his spirits; DarkeSword summarizes:
"When I heard about Jordan's illness, I thought it'd be nice to do something for him that only a community like ours could do. You always hear about how keeping a person's spirits up helps with their recovery, so I decided that maybe Jordan would like to hear a load of remixes from his favorite game, Super Metroid. Granted, we've already done a great Super Metroid album here at OCR, but this was different. This was specifically for an artist who's given us some really phenomenal music over the years.
I'm happy to say that the community rose to the occasion - veterans and novices alike - and we ended up with 28 tracks. I'm also happy to say that Jordan expressed to me that he really enjoyed the album, and that he's been doing better. I just want to say thanks to everyone involved and thanks to Jordan for some great tunes over the years. Please stay tuned for a public release in the coming week or so."
I must say, it was very classy of Shariq to arrange all of this. While I unfortunately didn't have time to contribute myself, I'm really proud of this community for coming together and contributing to something that was focused solely on raising a sick ReMixer's spirits. Jordan's given us amazing, free music for a LONG time, and paying him back in this fashion when he could certainly use the lift is indicative of how much he means to us, but also how much the community means to all of us - were I not a masculine, chiseled example of testosteriffic manliness, I might even get a little teary-eyed.
Still, even given the inspiring, feel-good context, we wouldn't be posting a mix from the project unless it was good. In this case, it's another bf/gf collab from Andy and Jill, so there shouldn't be much doubt... even with a 48hr. gestation period, these two can put together some great stuff. In this case it's new-agey ambient vocal material with some trance/industrial overtones. Andy mentioned Oceanfire, which I hear, but I also see a bit of Sephfire in there, too. The melody is a bit more chromatic/minor in the verse than most of what I've heard from Jill, while the chorus is more familiar & also doubles up the vocal with a nice harmony. It actually reminds me of an anime ED... no specific track, maybe something by Kanno or Yuki Kajiura or something. The lyrics might sound a little elementary when read without music, but - as with so many other songs - they take on a different life when sung in context, and are totally appropriate to the arrangement.
All in all, this is a great vocal Super Metroid mix from zircon and pixietricks that came out of an inspiring and thoughtful act on Shariq's part; it's the result of a chain of events that is really unique to this community, and represents it well. Here's to their inspiring effort to lift bLiNd's spirits and to Jordan's continued recovery!
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the - Lint on May 2, 2009
The final chorus is just amazing, as all the pieces come together.
An incredible combination of talent.
- glasfen on February 20, 2009
- Daishi231 on January 20, 2009
Talking about Jill's voice, it's actually an interesting variation, as this has to be the darkest atmosphere sounding ReMix I've heard from her yet, and she manages to keep the dark, wet, tense Maridia atmosphere superbly.
That is, of course accompanied by zircon's simple and airy, yet very effective composition.
It's amazing this could've been done in 48h, and it's still one of my all-time favorite ReMixes!
So to sum it all up: This is an amazing ReMix! Period. :-D
- Vitor Machado on November 5, 2008
I frequently listen to New-Age songs on an internet radio site, and they have come to be one of my favorite genres. When a song achieves a full atmosphere, sublime ambiance, a terrific core melody, *and* solid vocals along with plenty of well-placed swells and an irresistible presentation, it very easily becomes one of my favorites. This song can compete with some of the professional pieces that I've run across and enjoyed, and that is saying quite a bit.
As for constructive crit. I really can't think of anything to say except that I would love to hear more like this. Lyrical remixes are rare, with everything being techno or trance. Its possibly because its hard to make a decent lyric to match the songs' feel, but you've nailed it. I think if there is anything to criticize, it would be something technical that I wouldn't be able to recognize or suggest.
Yeah, registered solely for the purpose to post feedback on some of these awesome remixes...:razz:
EDIT: Ahh, I did find something to criticize. I think the ending was a little abrupt, the last tone cutting it off was fine, but it came too soon after the lyrics. It should transition smoothly into the ending tone and never transition out if that's the effect you are shooting for.
- JEV3 on October 30, 2008
Antipode;460686 wrote: Oh! My bad, I forgot about this feature.
I also tagged the MP3 itself with the lyrics in the comments field.
- Liontamer on October 6, 2008
Antipode;460675 wrote: Any way we could see the lyrics (if they haven't already been posted somewhere)?
1. Go to the writeup page.
2. Click the "lyrics" tab.
3. Lyrics.
- Liontamer on October 6, 2008
And this was a really well-done track! It sounds very professional and pixie's singing is flawless as far as I'm concerned! I also really liked the synths used for the main melody-line. This really isn't my kind of music to be honest, but I really enjoyed hearing Maridia covered. And even if the style isn't my particular cup of tea, it was executed fantastically - which is to say you took Maridia and changed the elements of the original style to perfectly fit this kind of music and make it something new (which is probably what Platonist was talking about too - it doesn't have the Metroid feel anymore because of its direction).
Any way we could see the lyrics (if they haven't already been posted somewhere)?
- Antipode on October 6, 2008
super metroid is my favorite metroid and i usually bounce like crazy to everything from it... so this is really odd to me :|
i'll keep listening to your colabs anyway.. because im not a prejudiced guy :!:
- Platonist on September 29, 2008
adj.
1. a. Dazzlingly beautiful or magnificent.
b. Characterized by magnificence or virtuosic brilliance.
2. (Informal) Wonderful; delightful.
- OzymandiasVolt on September 28, 2008
The first chorus left me unnerved (fittingly, I suppose) as it seemed like there were tones missing which later presented themselves in the second go-round. Crazy good.
- glasfen on September 24, 2008
- CaptimusPrimus on September 19, 2008
Nobbynob Littlun;451635 wrote: Hmm is there a version without vocals? I don't have a problem with them, I just am greedy and want two versions of the same song :PI second this. This song is really great, but... I have a personal disliking of songs with lyrics. It would be fantastic if there was a "lyricless" version of this song available.
- Stellos~Core on September 19, 2008
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