Shadow of the Colossus [UPDATE: 7/16]

[sephfire]

I can't even remember how long ago it was that I first posted a concept for this. Quite a while. Anyway, I'm back on it and tinkering with ideas. This mp3 is pretty much 3 different sections of arrangment tests mashed together. Still, you'll get the idea of where I'm headed.

http://www.sephfire.com/music/snowfall.mp3

I'm sorta surprised SotC has gotten so little attention so far.

[CHIPP Damage]

I agree. Actually, I REALLY want to make a metal remix of one of the battle themes from that game. Which song is this in the game. I couldn't recognize it. Probably because it's been a while since I've played it. I think it sounds nice so far. I want to compare it to the original though. If you make the first Shadow of the Colossus remix, I'll be so jealous. ^__^ I wanted to be first with a remix for this game. But before that, I feel that it's my duty to make the first Valkyrie Profile remix. I can't believe nobody has done anything with that, yet. I definitely support your concept!

[DJ Tetsusaiga]

I LOVE Shadow of the Colossus! I'm surprised as well that no one has done a remix. This sounds extremely well done so far, please finish it. I loved your Rising Falls and this brings back more of the same quality, thanks.

[Karth]

This is that game that's composed of a vague storyline, trippy cutscenes and about fifteen boss fights, right?

SWEET!

...Um, yeah. So I'm not terribly familiar with the source material--point is, I like what I hear. Keep working on it. I'll see if I can dig up the source tune and give a more detailed review later, maybe once there's more to comment on.

Still--really nice so far. :)

[DragonAvenger]

Yes this sounds awesome. Especially since I just watched a friend go through the game and also today listened through the soundtrack. I really like where you're going with this, keep it up!

[atmuh]

Awesome. Keep going and finish this one please.

[DrumUltimA]

man this is chill. I dig it so far. I approve of your concept and am looking forward to a completed package. Only thing is that at :38-:45 I feel like you're about to give me some big bright climax, but it doesn't go where I'm hoping and leaves me a little dissappointed, which I think has to do with the parallel motion in your voice leading of the chords, and the timbral change on the fall that occurs into :45. But that's my only gripe so far.

rock on sir. \m/

[sephfire]

Yeah, that'll be fixed when I get down to arrangement. I'm really just trying to work out individual pieces and sections now. I'll make them flow together later.

Thanks for the comments, guys. (oh and the source track is the Intro music).

[imm0rt4l]

Awesome. Keep going and finish this one please.

quoted for emphasis, great stuff

[Hy Bound]

I really like this a lot seph. I really wanted to do a remix of the main theme from shadow of the colossus, but i guess if anything i'll wait a while :wink: . Keep going, this is badass and is produced quite well already. :P

[sephfire]

Updated. The arrangement is fleshed out, although it doesn't yet flow together perfectly in certain places. More source material is in there too, so if you can't pick it out now, you never will. :wink:

http://www.sephfire.com/music/snowfall.mp3

Still can't decide on a title.

[avaris]

This is too good, sounds like you know exactly where to go with this mix as you polish it up more and more, my 2 cents on this mix is keep on doing what ur doin, and this could be one of the top mixes here

[Claado Shou]

Ooh...a remix of the SotC title theme. With a nice progression as well. Seems like a winner.

Aside from the lack of material, however. Even for something that's supposed to be chill and laid-back, this is bare-bones as all get-out. Of course, you already know that, so...I won't berate you on that aspect. Since the arrangement is nice (and cohesive, more importantly), I guess the only issue is the title...

(any slash marks mean either/or)
"Assassin in the Snow/Wind"
"Into/Inside the Hourglass"
"Whisper of the Shadow"
"(Under/Beneath) The Ancients' Shadow"

Ehh, just some ideas.

~.C.S.~

[BreakTekk]

This gets a little monotonous towards the end(not like, "damn, this is boring," but like "hmmm, this is pleasant, but its been going for a a bit much."), but you're just messin' around, I know. The bells kick all manner of ass. Can't wait to see how this turns out.

[sephfire]

Yeah, I'm feeling the monotony too. The energy just doesn't change much. I'll be working more on the dynamics next. Hopefully that'll help some. Any additional thoughts you guys can provide will be a huge help.

(thanks for the ideas Claado, I like the themes your title suggestions allude to)

[Crabsmasher]

After listening to this mix I want to get hold of the SotC soundtrack and listen to the whole thing. I loved it! I found this song to be very calming and it's the perfect music to go to sleep too. I like that.

Nice work Sephire.

[sephfire]

I'm not feeling the intro either. It's a bit lazy. I'll try and think of something for that too.

[Crabsmasher]

Yeah, I'm feeling the monotony too. The energy just doesn't change much. I'll be working more on the dynamics next. Hopefully that'll help some. Any additional thoughts you guys can provide will be a huge help.

(thanks for the ideas Claado, I like the themes your title suggestions allude to)I could hear monotony, but it really didn't bug me. The music was just so calming that I really didn't care. In my opinion the monotny really isn't that bad.

Of course variation wouldn't hurt either.

[sephfire]

Another update. Tried to smooth out transitions and play with dynamics a little bit. And we now have a title:

Snowfall in Ancient Lands (http://www.sephfire.com/music/snowfall.mp3)

I have some new interesting ideas for this remix, so expect some significant additions within the next couple weeks.

[Claado Shou]

You know what this mix needs? Less synth, more acoustic guitar. You should team up with someone like Geoffrey Taucer or something and have him do some improv, backing guitar. Nothing fancy, nothing complicated...just some good ol' fashioned pickin' n strummin', another layer to help keep the pulse pumping.

Of course, that may not fit into your idea of the mix, but it certainly worked for Death on the Snowfield, so...take that as you will.

~.C.S.~

[BreakTekk]

This mix is purty. I especially liked the sleigh bell in there, and the hand drums(at least I think that they were hand drums) 1:28 to 1:40 created a really chill ambience.

The fact that they were only used for twelve seconds of the song is troublesome, though; they would be much more effective if used throughout, such as the segment from 3:00 to 3:25.

Also, on your main drums, it sounds like you're using a different sample for the second snare hit in the measure(not counting ghost notes, the one on 4). While the softer sound is nice, it may be a little too quiet, and sounds weird in contrast with the first snare hit in the measure.

The intro to this song is masterful. I mean, the whole song is good, but from 0:00 to 1:40 is inspired. You might want to add a measure of just drums at the very beginning, but still, damn that sounds good.

Edit: And for the record, I don't like the acoustic guitar idea.

[avaris]

the deep strings that come in at 2:40 seem to stand out too much. Right idea, I think it would sound better if the blended into the foreground more. Personally I don't know about the acoustic, the sound will either be great or just completely clash. It is def something to look into, maybe do two versions one with the guitar and one without, and then see what the population thinks. Overall this mix is solid, original beat that goes perfect. I really dig this one.

[sephfire]

The fact that they were only used for twelve seconds of the song is troublesome, though; they would be much more effective if used throughout, such as the segment from 3:00 to 3:25.

Good thinking. :)

I'm not feeling the acoustic idea as much though. Not that it doesn't have potential, it's just not the direction I've had in mind thus far. Thanks for helping to inspire the remix title though. :)

[TheLeviathan]

I absolutely love this. You really captured the essence of the game. The atmosphere created in this is truely majestic. Can't wait to hear the next update.

[Lostinthamusic]

Wow this amazing so far.. :o

Not that I would'nt expect it to be. :P

[Rafajafar]

I don't really have any edits other than there were only a few parts I could pick out the song you were going for. Other than that, it's bloody amazing sounding.

[avaris]

bump! started playin this game again and listening to the ost, just wondering on the status of this one.

[sephfire]

Testing some vocal additions right now. Still trying to make the quality fit properly into the sound I've already put together, but it already makes a big difference. It helps the dynamics of the arrangement a great deal.

Rest assured, I'll post it as soon as it's ready. :wink:

[avaris]

nice haha, was wondering wat happened to this. This is one is gonna be nasty can't wait

[OA]

I think so vocals would finish this off perfectly. Great work capturing the mood on this one, I am ready to hear this one finished.

My suggestion for the planned vocals is have them come in only in the second half; I agree witht he earlier comment that once it hits a certain point it doesn't build anymore, and though it doesnt get boring, it could do more.

Keep us posted on the status please, this is a great track.

[sephfire]

Sorry the vocals are taking so long. We're having difficulty scheduling recording seesions. It'll get done soon, I promise. :oops:

[Geoffrey Taucer]

I always love your stuff.

Really pretty soundscape.

Strings are a bit faux at the beginning, but not enough to detract from the mix.

The organ (if that's what it is) sounds really nice. The delicate crystaline leads are very well done.

With the right vocals, this piece could be absolutely amazing.

[John Revoredo]

Well, it's nice, maybe it lacks of some variation. Reminds me a song of Final Fantasy X, don't remember the name right now.
Maybe some rhodes, with a jazz improvisation in the middle could do some good. Nice job, anyway.

[ILLiterate]

I feel like the main drums need to be moving, like in the ending song for Saw

http://ezp.icynipple.net/13%20Hello%20Zepp.m4a

Something like those

[fudgapok]

This is great. Is this still being worked upon, or is it finished?

[ILLiterate]

It's still being worked on, not to mention something I'd like to see fixed is the bells at the intro sound weak/could be better

[sephfire]

Yeah, still in the works. Sorry for such a dry spell in updates. Busy times.

[AfroRyan]

This is absolutely stellar! Awesome stuff man. Personally, I like it just fine without vocals, but if you can make it work, then go for it!

[Joku]

And another month goes by...

[The Unsung Plumber]

I feel compelled to apologize for the length of time my own WIP has remained unfinished. We've been procrastinating on the vocal recording. We plan to do it over the holiday break.


:D :D :D

[sephfire]

Sad, I know. I originally wanted to have it done for a christmas OCR release, but that deadline came and went some time ago.

It'll be finished, I promise. :oops:

[Sable]

I remember when you first posted about this.

I still love it.

Vocals? That's gonna be beautiful.

[Robotaki]

Reminds me of the "Evacuating London" song from Chronicles of Narnia. Good vocals will work really well. ^-^ Excited for you!

[sephfire]

Reminds me of the "Evacuating London" song from Chronicles of Narnia. Good vocals will work really well. ^-^ Excited for you!

You caught me. That track was my inspiration for the whole mix.

[Blackwinged Saron]

nothing but praise. i love it.

[The Unsung Plumber]

Bump.


God, I need more Sephfirey goodness.


Please, just 1 more.


What?


I don't have a problem! I can quit whenever I want!


http://www.ocremix.org/phpBB2/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif

[sephfire]

I know, I know. Bad me. :o

I swear this thing will get done. Really. I hate it being left unfinished as much as you do.

[sephfire]

IT'S ALIVE!!!

http://www.sephfire.com/music/snowfall.mp3

Now featuring the voice of newcomer Ceili softly contributing to the soundscape. We both apologize for such a lengthy delay on this mix. We put off recording for months out of laziness. But I think we all agree it's tim this sucker was finished and submitted.

Before we submit, though, I'd like some feedback on the voice addition. I can't hear it objectively anymore and I want to be sure it's worked in there properly.

Sorry again! (I wish I could change the thread title. Oh well.)

[avaris]

Ooooh right idea with the vocals def worth the wait. Although the first time they come in is a lil loud. On their first entrance IMO they should creap in slowly. The soundscape sounds thicker than before, especially the base and percussion.

2:07 sounds like the vocals appear in the forefront just a second late. Don't know if that's intentional or not.

3:03 was a perfect place for the vocals, that whole section with them sounds awesome.

Overall her voice sounds beautiful and the processing fits perfectly with the soundscape.

4:04 the entrance sounds alil off IMO.

If I were to change anything it would be in sections where her voice suddenly appears, to have the vocals actually start a lil bit before hand and crescendo up into the main vocal part.

Alot of my comments about the timing issues could be due to the fact I've listened to the previous version so many times that anything new or different added to the mix will feel off.

One thing I gotta ask is did u play this by ear or did you find a midi of it somewhere? I've been looking everywhere for SotC midis. Thank you for finishing this one.

[sephfire]

I'll listen through the mix again to watch for those sudden/off-time entrances. And I did it by ear. I couldn't find any midis either.

[The Unsung Plumber]

WOOT!

This sounds really awesome IMO.


Only a few things that I noticed on top of what avaris said:

At the part around 3:00, the vocals started kinda strong, but then they sounded like they were fighting for the top with the instruments and kinda messed with the feeling. I would either turn up the vocals or down on the instruments.


I'll keep it playin the next few days and see if I hear anything else.

[The Unsung Plumber]

(bump)

:???:

uh, whatever happened to this?

[Chickenwarlord]

What ever did happen to this?
Cirque du Psychosis taking over your time?

[Sixto]

Wow, this sounds great. What happened? Gave up on it?

[Liontamer]

Wow, this sounds great. What happened? Gave up on it?

Nah, it's complete. I've got a copy. :-)

[Tenucha]

Woah another Shadow of the Colossus remix?!
How far back had this fallen in the fourms?!!
You got a copy?! Damn!! When might this be released?!

As for the latest update.... I think it sounds great!
I can really hear the source tune in it... great job playing it by ear!
As I have said in numerious other topics... the bass sounds shallow but that is ONLY beacuse my speakers' bass are blown out. Becasue of that I cant totally critique the entire track save for downloading this WIP putting it the disc and hearing it on either my main stereo or in the car.

The womans voice is very enchanting... It's great.
I ALMOST wonder how a male vocal would sound behind her's (very lightly so not to compete and maybe unnoticable as another vocal... like a background... maybe a bit of a delay from hers)... I think of this only becasue of Dorman (sp?). It probably wouldnt sound too good but I couldnt help but think of that.

Anyways It sounds great so I hope to get a copy also ;)

[Liontamer]

Congrats to Dan & Carrie for their direct post. You can check out the finished product at its ReMix page, http://ocremix.org/remix/OCR01586/.

Leave a review for the mix at its Review thread here (http://ocremix.org/forums/showthread.php?t=10105).