ReMix: Castlevania 'Wicked Orchestra'
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- Game: Castlevania (Konami, 1986, NES)
- ReMixer(s): Scott Peeples
- Composer(s): Kinuyo Yamashita
- Song(s): 'Wicked Child (Outdoors BGM)'
- Posted: 2000-09-23, evaluated by djpretzel
Mr. Peeples, what are we going to do with you . . . you're too good. You reek of high-quality beats and processing. You're consistently kick-ass. Something MUST be done, some sort of measure taken!! Ahh, but I jest. Surely though, one of the greatest things about running this site is seeing supertalented mixers like Scott encouraged and inspired by the appreciation and feedback. This excellent Castlevania ReMix of the 'Wicked Child' theme has (as usual) a kickin' beat, but is more orchestral than Scott's other mixes, and has really beautiful sounding pizzicato strings that are at once spacious and defined. Check out the original soundtrack over at MERIDIAN, too :)
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the I LOVE THIS MIX. :)!! Catchy, lighthearted (despite the name,)
fends off the demons of boredom and gloom. :smile: What more could
you want (okay, maybe more of Peeples's ReMixes, but that doesn't
count as an answer to this question)?
- Overdriven on March 18, 2010
- Overdriven on March 18, 2010
Sweet. Odd that it had been left to nearly fall into a 404error
blackhole though... FOR SHAME.
- LostChronos on February 23, 2010
- LostChronos on February 23, 2010
The original version of this song was apparently arranged on an
MSX's hardware, though I first heard it on an NES. I originally
arranged it for a Roland CM-32L, which is based on the MT-32's
chipset. I subsequently updated it for a Roland SC-88 sound module,
remapping the instruments to their SC-88 counterparts.While the
sound quality of the SC-88 was obviously better than that of the
MT-32, I didn't really rearrange the song but only remapped the
instruments, including sound effects.
My point is that I created the MIDI file that this arrangement is based on. I recognized its specific rhythm, hitting each element exactly, as the version I rendered from the original NES. This (and my) version actually strays rhythmically (not the percussion, but the rhymth of the bass and melody) from the original, which was intentional.
For those who don't believe me please consult the only references left at the following sites (look for Kevin Fishburne):
http://www.purpleguppy.net/miscvg/Kevin_Fishburne_-_NES_-_Castlevania_-_Wicked_Child.mid
http://taro.lool.net/Game_Music/idx_arcade.html
When I first heard this (OCR) arrangement, I was so happy I couldn't believe it. It was the first time anyone has arranged my music (granted being scored by the Castlevania composer), but when I saw how happy it made others who commented I thought they should know it was based rather closely on my MIDI arrangement. As such I meant to post this a long time ago.
The original song started with howling wind and a thick, heavy church organ thundering chords. That faded predictably to a silence disturbed shortly by a male choral vocal leading in the drums. Following was a quiet harp fading in, doing a few simple notes that lead in the chord progression (earlier reflected by the organ's chords).
Next was the lead melody, bringing out the original frantic nature of the stage with the jumping monkeys/hunchbacks and the platform manipulation (with the castle in the background). I used a lead guitar instrument for the melody in the original for clarity and to separate tonically the old-school organ providing the harmony.
I'm glad everyone likes this song. I'm especially proud because it brings the power of old-school NES melodies to the semi-mainstream. A victory on all sides. ;) I just want to set the record straight.
- eightvirtues on February 22, 2010
My point is that I created the MIDI file that this arrangement is based on. I recognized its specific rhythm, hitting each element exactly, as the version I rendered from the original NES. This (and my) version actually strays rhythmically (not the percussion, but the rhymth of the bass and melody) from the original, which was intentional.
For those who don't believe me please consult the only references left at the following sites (look for Kevin Fishburne):
http://www.purpleguppy.net/miscvg/Kevin_Fishburne_-_NES_-_Castlevania_-_Wicked_Child.mid
http://taro.lool.net/Game_Music/idx_arcade.html
When I first heard this (OCR) arrangement, I was so happy I couldn't believe it. It was the first time anyone has arranged my music (granted being scored by the Castlevania composer), but when I saw how happy it made others who commented I thought they should know it was based rather closely on my MIDI arrangement. As such I meant to post this a long time ago.
The original song started with howling wind and a thick, heavy church organ thundering chords. That faded predictably to a silence disturbed shortly by a male choral vocal leading in the drums. Following was a quiet harp fading in, doing a few simple notes that lead in the chord progression (earlier reflected by the organ's chords).
Next was the lead melody, bringing out the original frantic nature of the stage with the jumping monkeys/hunchbacks and the platform manipulation (with the castle in the background). I used a lead guitar instrument for the melody in the original for clarity and to separate tonically the old-school organ providing the harmony.
I'm glad everyone likes this song. I'm especially proud because it brings the power of old-school NES melodies to the semi-mainstream. A victory on all sides. ;) I just want to set the record straight.
- eightvirtues on February 22, 2010
One of the first songs to ever go on my playlist from OCR, and to
see it not get any love in over 3 years makes me sad. :-(
Excellent beats and layered percussion added to the perfect tempo combine with some decent orchestral samples to create something really compelling. Arrangement doesn't stray too far from the original, but even so, it's a really driving mix that is one of the really early gems of the site.
Excellent stuff.
- OA on October 5, 2009
Excellent beats and layered percussion added to the perfect tempo combine with some decent orchestral samples to create something really compelling. Arrangement doesn't stray too far from the original, but even so, it's a really driving mix that is one of the really early gems of the site.
Excellent stuff.
- OA on October 5, 2009
Love this mix! I'm pretty sure it was the first one that i
downloaded from OCR. Thanks to its amazing quality, the song made
me want to look for more and more mixes. Keep up the good work!
- MajLink on June 11, 2006
- MajLink on June 11, 2006
I like it very much. This was the very first remix which I found on
the net, and after some further searching I finally found this
site.
- Meister Saeru on May 25, 2006
- Meister Saeru on May 25, 2006
although i'm quite new to this site, i've checked out some of
scott's other mixes, i'd have to say this is one of my favorites
and one of the first mixes i listened to when i first checked out
the site, great work on this one, i really loved the orchestra
strings, check out scott's goldeneye remix aka hacker, it's also a
really good one too!
Peace and stay frosty!
- Klub Kid on April 30, 2006
Peace and stay frosty!
- Klub Kid on April 30, 2006
Just wanted to let Scott know that his mix is still appreciated.
:D
I listen to OC Remixes all day at work and I always love it when this mix gets queued up. This is one of the first OCRs I downloaded, it's also one that's kept me coming back for more.
Take care.
- joltmans on May 5, 2005
I listen to OC Remixes all day at work and I always love it when this mix gets queued up. This is one of the first OCRs I downloaded, it's also one that's kept me coming back for more.
Take care.
- joltmans on May 5, 2005
What a wicked orchestra
Mixed with a bad-ass techno drum loop makes it all the better but what I love most is the melody
A better instrument couldn't have been chosen for those bitter-sweet, short, pizzicatto notes
I'm once again impressed by Scott Peeples!
- jordex on March 11, 2005
Mixed with a bad-ass techno drum loop makes it all the better but what I love most is the melody
A better instrument couldn't have been chosen for those bitter-sweet, short, pizzicatto notes
I'm once again impressed by Scott Peeples!
- jordex on March 11, 2005
I'm not a great fan of the eight bit castlevainia soundracks, but
Scott makes it so clear, so crisp, so grand. Kudos to you.
- DragonFireKai on August 25, 2004
- DragonFireKai on August 25, 2004
This is the first OCremix song I ever listened to, so I thought I'd
honor it by posting on this one first. Its what made me decide to
check out this site really. I'll join the bandwagon and say the
pizzicatos are divine. All in all, the best way to describe this
song for me anyways: Its like a (metaphorical) orgasm in my ears.
And I'll leave it at that, because the people who posted before me
said anything else that needs to be said. Simply amazing work,
Scott.
- Chaotic Arbiter on March 24, 2004
- Chaotic Arbiter on March 24, 2004
OH HOLY CRAP! THIS IS
GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Wolf Tooth on March 5, 2004
- Wolf Tooth on March 5, 2004
