ReMix: Secret of Mana 'Ice Crystal Fields Forever'
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- Game: Secret of Mana (Square, 1993, SNES)
- ReMixer(s): Zeratul
- Composer(s): Hiroki Kikuta
- Song(s): 'A Wish...'
- Posted: 2001-07-24, evaluated by djpretzel
Some words have a sound . . . no, I'm not talking about DUNE and the wierding modules and what not, but the fact that certain words, when paired with certain tracks, just click in the right way. This being Zeratul, you might expect this SoM ReMix to be hard-hitting techno, but instead, it's ambient, really borderline new-age actually. In his words: "i absolutely love the original track, that's why i tried to have the remix sound as silent and as slow as the original: this might be my first really non-dance/techno remix. it even lacks a bass." It does indeed. But whatever it lacks, I do know that what it has is the right combination of elements (with the clear standout being filtered, percolating drum sounds) to achieve the same cold, vast exploratory feel that the original did, only much improved. Very nice flow, very controlled - I recommend it.
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the This is one of the best captures of environment I've heard in a
remix for quite a while. I definately get the imagery of expanse
all around, rugged terrain and an ocean of snow blanketing
everything. There's an overall feeling of brilliance and a gradual
melt. It's pretty vivid and expertly done.
The synths sound right out of an 80s sci-fi thriller movie, but I think they are strangely relevant to the theme. The mix is fine on its own production merits, but I think the ambient, immersive details are where all the notoriety belongs.
You really can feel yourself amidst the elements of this mix. For that, I'm hugely impressed. Its meditative electronica at its core, but there is so much more to it than just that. I'm a big fan of mixes like this.
- Marmiduke on July 11, 2009
The synths sound right out of an 80s sci-fi thriller movie, but I think they are strangely relevant to the theme. The mix is fine on its own production merits, but I think the ambient, immersive details are where all the notoriety belongs.
You really can feel yourself amidst the elements of this mix. For that, I'm hugely impressed. Its meditative electronica at its core, but there is so much more to it than just that. I'm a big fan of mixes like this.
- Marmiduke on July 11, 2009
The original is one of my favorite tracks on the OST, and this
arrangement definitely does it justice. Great stuff from Zeratul.
- Dhsu on March 30, 2009
- Dhsu on March 30, 2009
This is creepy o.O;
The sound effects of someone out of breath walking through the snow like it was being recorded through a camcorder and the howl at 0:11 really set a tone of paranoia, bleak loneliness, and soul-freezing emptiness. When I listen to this, I actually feel physically cold.
This is a very well-done mix, but it just isn't my cup of tea.
- 42 on January 11, 2009
The sound effects of someone out of breath walking through the snow like it was being recorded through a camcorder and the howl at 0:11 really set a tone of paranoia, bleak loneliness, and soul-freezing emptiness. When I listen to this, I actually feel physically cold.
This is a very well-done mix, but it just isn't my cup of tea.
- 42 on January 11, 2009
I put this one on repeat for a few times... It's a really great
ambient track (snow fields and the like tend to lend themselves to
that sort of a theme, come to think of it). Some desolation, some
calmness and serenity, is sort of what this mix sounds like it's
going after. Really great.
I can't think of any complaints for it. I mean, it sounds a bit "empty", but given the sense it's supposed to evoke, that should be intentional. KF
- Kizyr on December 3, 2008
I can't think of any complaints for it. I mean, it sounds a bit "empty", but given the sense it's supposed to evoke, that should be intentional. KF
- Kizyr on December 3, 2008
Ahh~ This brings about the great fantasy feeling of Winter. It has
everything from the snow to the icecicles, from the wolves to nice
theme that goes along with it. The piece leaves you in your own
dreamworld of Christmas or Halloween with smooth emotion and
imaginative scenes.
Listen to it. Now. Download it. Or else.
- GreyMage on November 16, 2007
Listen to it. Now. Download it. Or else.
- GreyMage on November 16, 2007
Very evocative imagery in this mix; I love the sounds used and the
processional feel. It really has a great feeling of deliberate
motion that is hard to capture in this style, since there is very
little percussion until the halfway point, and even then, it's not
especially central to the mix.
What really drives it is the chord progression and the slow and steady build of both pads and percussion. This mix is less about a destination and more about the journey, and both the in-game images of levelling up on wolves and expansive RL snowfields easily come to mind.
This isn't a mix that would normally jump out at me, but when closely examined, the quality is apparent. Don't let your groove bias turn you away from this one.
Recommended.
- OA on July 10, 2007
What really drives it is the chord progression and the slow and steady build of both pads and percussion. This mix is less about a destination and more about the journey, and both the in-game images of levelling up on wolves and expansive RL snowfields easily come to mind.
This isn't a mix that would normally jump out at me, but when closely examined, the quality is apparent. Don't let your groove bias turn you away from this one.
Recommended.
- OA on July 10, 2007
Now this is an environment I'm familiar of! Wet snow that gets
pressed down, icicles hanging from cliffs and rooftops, wolves
howling beyond the woods......well, maybe not the last one, but I'm
at least very familiar with snow. Very smooth remix, when the
temperature drops way down below zero, every kind of movement
mostly stops and it's all quiet, like time itself could freeze. The
mellow synths and beats in this remix makes the image in my mind
become more visible, but this remix also helps me relax. This was a
very cool arrangement, literally speaking. Thanks Zeratul.
OH!SPOILERZ!!LOLOLOL :roll: LOLHASPOILER_WARNING!!HO!!?jKGC :lol: :roll:
- Bummerdude on April 14, 2006
MisterBiggler wrote: That and saving Santa. A+
OH!SPOILERZ!!LOLOLOL :roll: LOLHASPOILER_WARNING!!HO!!?jKGC :lol: :roll:
- Bummerdude on April 14, 2006
I think this was one of the first remixes I picked up here, and
it's still a good listen, especially when I'm writing fatty papers
and studying for finals. I love the source tune and this mix a
great tribute to it. Reminds me of all the leveling up I did
against those bloody wolves in that Ice Forest. That and saving
Santa. A+
- MisterBiggler on March 23, 2006
- MisterBiggler on March 23, 2006
All I have to say is thanks for this great remix of my favorite
game!
- Nateconq on February 18, 2006
- Nateconq on February 18, 2006
beautifully done. it kind of reminds me of the movie blade runner.
very relaxing.
- Alianger on August 7, 2005
- Alianger on August 7, 2005
Let's see. A feeling of solitude? Check. Feeling of nature? Check.
Feelings of beautiful scenery? Check. Wolf howls. CHECK! =) <3
This mix. Favorite relaxing mix I have.
- Zenth Relin on March 4, 2005
- Zenth Relin on March 4, 2005
This was the FIRST EVER piece I downloaded from this site, when I
was pointed to it by the host of SNES RADIO, who now won't let me
listen to his radio, don't know why, and after I loved it so much
the jerk... sniff sniff...
ANYWAYS, this piece is haunting. It draws you in with the sound of snow crunching, then leads slowly into a halting version of the Ice Forest. Great piece, even if it's use is pretty much limited to ambience. I would love to hear a piano version of this song from Zeratul. An instant classic that made me go and play the game again.
Zipp
- Zipp on March 4, 2005
ANYWAYS, this piece is haunting. It draws you in with the sound of snow crunching, then leads slowly into a halting version of the Ice Forest. Great piece, even if it's use is pretty much limited to ambience. I would love to hear a piano version of this song from Zeratul. An instant classic that made me go and play the game again.
Zipp
- Zipp on March 4, 2005
I really didn't like this tune at first. Then it started to grow on
me... now I can't see it out of my collection; it demands that you
enter a certain place & mood. At first I thought I knew what
you were going for and that you missed your mark entirely: a nice
ambient techno of sorts that, for me, has too 'saw'-y a lead to
have the original tender sensitivity. Then I gave it a chance, and
it became something a little more, the drum effects are inescapably
not dancy, and that's precisely the point of them... they are like
a marker, a direction for the flow, a bank to your river, and they
are used more effectively than I originally gave them credit
for.
While not perfect, and still a little loud and 'saw'y for my tastes (considering the gentleness of the original), it is a very solid piece. It's different, I like that. It's like a hug from someone that smells just a little more pungently than you'd prefer. I'd like to see more like it.
8.5/10
- Less Ashamed Of Self on August 30, 2004
While not perfect, and still a little loud and 'saw'y for my tastes (considering the gentleness of the original), it is a very solid piece. It's different, I like that. It's like a hug from someone that smells just a little more pungently than you'd prefer. I'd like to see more like it.
8.5/10
- Less Ashamed Of Self on August 30, 2004
Man, I just can't believe the quality of this tune. The remixer has
done an excellent job using the full range of the spectrum- I love
the haunting pads, and the low drops that sneak up here and there.
Just an overall great tune.
- MrNemo on August 23, 2004
- MrNemo on August 23, 2004
patience, my friend. you’re gonna need it while listening to this.
that said, this must be my favorite mix by Zeratul. it’s ironic
since i find true ambient/minimalist music such as this boring. and
yet, it resonates within me to the core. the steady buildup on the
lead seals the deal for me
- DeryckAK on August 30, 2002
- DeryckAK on August 30, 2002
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