ReMix: Crystalis 'Calming the Angry Sea'
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Cool - this site needed a Crystalis ReMix, and now it's got one, courtesy of Ryan8bit, who gave us a crunchy Monkey Island ReMix a couple months ago. This is more reserved, but very well done. It's still heavily guitar based, but this time around there's no distortion and things are rather mellow. A bass and from what I can tell three to four discrete electric guitar parts are essentially it, save for the ambient ocean effects used in the intro & outro. Ryan got some comments on his SoMI mix regarding the guitars being a bit out of control - though there's certainly a human touch to the playing and rhythms, I'd say everything's more refined here, and it reminded me a bit of Steve Pordon's great FF6 Mystic Forest piece from a while back. The strumming at 1'22" is a nice touch, adding some variety of playing techniques. Despite being entirely guitar, like Steve's mix this feels like a very complete - both sonically and compositionally - piece. The ending is very abrupt, and does catch one off guard, and will certainly raise a few eyebrows. Given the overall quality of the piece I have to think it was entirely intentional, and I don't get stuck up on endings like some, but it's worth mentioning. Other than that, a lyrical, well-mixed, guitar-laden arrangement that I enjoyed and which should please Crystalis + genre fans alike. Recommended.
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the I know Ryan could really spruce this one up nowadays, as there are
some technical issues hampering the mix, but the arrangement idea
is so good, it's been a favorite of mine for years despite them. My
main concern is some intonation, and some tone choices, but I still
love the idea of this one.
Very charming, it has become dear to me. <3
- OA on March 16, 2009
Very charming, it has become dear to me. <3
- OA on March 16, 2009
the song has considerable technical issues (as in instrument
handling) that have been pointed out here before. I needed not
mind, but actually, the composition is rather thin. While the
ambient sea sounds fit the piece well, the melodic development is
not really interesting enough to carry through the mere 2:30 for
which the remix lasts (harmonically its quite straightforward as
well). The ending is the weakest point with the guitars abrubtly
stopping, which does not work for me since we're quite in the
middle of something, expecting 'verse' or outro but not the
performers just dropping dead by a heart failure.
- maelkashishi on December 8, 2007
- maelkashishi on December 8, 2007
This song would be amazing if the production didn't hurt my ears so
much. It may just be my speakers though.
- Amaranth on May 23, 2006
- Amaranth on May 23, 2006
Once.. I was looking for the soundfiles of crystalis. I couldn't
find any until I got this web site. I don't know why I choose this
song for my first try. Wow!.. I was really amuse of the complete
different point of view from the original song I quickly recall in
my mind. I found it very nostalgyc.. and even.. (yes.. pretty
silly..) I cried with the song. I even write a poetry-like thing in
my msn space, inspired on this version. (is in Spanish). I think
It's an excellent remix. not matter what other people would think.
Thanks a lot for made it Ryan!
- Thórel Eladan on September 13, 2005
- Thórel Eladan on September 13, 2005
I have to wonder why I really like this song.
The sound quality doesn't seem that great, the melody doesn't appeal to me (don't like the original tune either), and it's a bit minimalist, which I usually don't like.
For some reason, though, I can't help but download this song and put it on my playlist. O_o? Collectively, it just sounds right somehow. Although I don't like the seagulls.
- Kejardon on January 9, 2005
The sound quality doesn't seem that great, the melody doesn't appeal to me (don't like the original tune either), and it's a bit minimalist, which I usually don't like.
For some reason, though, I can't help but download this song and put it on my playlist. O_o? Collectively, it just sounds right somehow. Although I don't like the seagulls.
- Kejardon on January 9, 2005
Ryan, I love it. I'm a huge Crystalis fan, and this song just swept
me up in memories of the game. You really hit home with this one,
so keep up the good work, and bring us some more Crystalis power!
- Kapuran on July 6, 2004
- Kapuran on July 6, 2004
The first time I listened to the song I thought how wonderful it
was, and how refreshing. The fact that it's not techno, house, or
whatever with bunch of drums and stuff going on makes it original
and cool. It's absolutely beautiful. Does everything have to be
complicated to be good? I think not.
After reading all of the reviews I was really surprised at the level of criticism for such a beautiful song. I began to question myself and my original take on the tune. I just played it again, and again I find it wonderful. Maybe everyone is just too into faster music to appreciate the art of this song. Even my wife, who knows jack about games, really likes the song. I wouldn't change a thing about it.
To Ryan8Bit I would say don't let a little criticism shake your artistic vision. Listening to it makes me want to break out my NES and pick up a copy of Crystalis on Ebay. It was always one of my favorite games.
- jwhyrock on April 18, 2003
After reading all of the reviews I was really surprised at the level of criticism for such a beautiful song. I began to question myself and my original take on the tune. I just played it again, and again I find it wonderful. Maybe everyone is just too into faster music to appreciate the art of this song. Even my wife, who knows jack about games, really likes the song. I wouldn't change a thing about it.
To Ryan8Bit I would say don't let a little criticism shake your artistic vision. Listening to it makes me want to break out my NES and pick up a copy of Crystalis on Ebay. It was always one of my favorite games.
- jwhyrock on April 18, 2003
I thought that this mix was very fitting to the name "Calming" The
angry Seas, because this is a very soothing mix. Nice and soft,
just makes you want to relax. Love it.
- AlwaysAlone on August 23, 2002
- AlwaysAlone on August 23, 2002
The guitar arrangement is soothing...at the start, probably not
intentionally, you duplicated the 'tone' of the non-distorted
guitars in that duet that Ozzy Osbourne did with Lita Ford in the
80's...."Close your eyes forever" or something..must be a
chorus/reverb setting? -it's on the first guitar heard in the
song:) At :52 there's a pleasant dual guitar harmony going that
fits in perfectly and continues...reminded me of the style used in
the opening/closing shots of that Clint Eastwood movie
"Unforgiven." Unfortunately the harmonied tremolo picking (single
string at a time per guitar, I don't think it's 'strumming' across
multiple strings but correct me if I'm wrong ;)...the higher note
is more centered in the mix), that comes in later wasn't as
impressive and was slightly distracting: I felt it should have been
a slightly stronger, more consistent strumming (controlling the
volume of a stronger strumming at mixdown as opposed to doing it
partly via a weak strumming)...guitars tend to lose their tone when
you strum too softly (and it's harder to keep a consistent rhythm).
The piece has a consistent feel overall and made me want to try the
game which I'll surely do.
I wish there was more 'real instrument' stuff like this on overclocked...I enjoyed listening to this soothing piece.
- goat on August 20, 2002
I wish there was more 'real instrument' stuff like this on overclocked...I enjoyed listening to this soothing piece.
- goat on August 20, 2002
I found this to be a great remix, especially after I started
playing the game =D. It's amazing how the liking of a song can
increase when you know where it's from :lol:
Anyways, I usually grade according to appropriate rhythm, appropriate soundfonts, overall effect... you can see how this song would create a problem with those grading types...
I think that he kept the tempo pretty stable, especially for playing guitar without any backing beat. I think he did an incredible job, the song definately gives a soothing effect (which I presume he intended), and I think that hey definately put a lot of effort into this piece. I don't know if it was particularly difficult to play or not, but I think he did a good job.
~dj carbunk1e
- Xaleph on August 14, 2002
Anyways, I usually grade according to appropriate rhythm, appropriate soundfonts, overall effect... you can see how this song would create a problem with those grading types...
I think that he kept the tempo pretty stable, especially for playing guitar without any backing beat. I think he did an incredible job, the song definately gives a soothing effect (which I presume he intended), and I think that hey definately put a lot of effort into this piece. I don't know if it was particularly difficult to play or not, but I think he did a good job.
~dj carbunk1e
- Xaleph on August 14, 2002
Ryan8bit throws in some very gorgeous effects over on this
song.
The well played guitar and bass make it sound just natural, and give it this good feel. Although i cant really comment on how faithfull it remains to the game, im going to say that im sure this remix was indeed was well done.
Although the sound is a little bit low quality, and tends to get a little bit on my nerves, this still remains a very good piece, a good download and worth its time
- TheWired on August 11, 2002
The well played guitar and bass make it sound just natural, and give it this good feel. Although i cant really comment on how faithfull it remains to the game, im going to say that im sure this remix was indeed was well done.
Although the sound is a little bit low quality, and tends to get a little bit on my nerves, this still remains a very good piece, a good download and worth its time
- TheWired on August 11, 2002
This is one of my very favorite remixes. Brilliantly arranged and
executed. It's appearing in my playlist quite a bit, too.
Ryan8bit- love it. would love to hear more like it.
The lack of drums doesn't detract from the "feeling of confidence." It's actually really nice to find a piece where the remixer was confident enough [i]not[/i] to add a drum track. I detect no lack of confidence here. It is as great as it aspires to be, and achieves the mood it aspires to as well.
As to the ending- on the first listen, it did sound a bit abrupt, but after a few repeat listenings, it really does sound like it fits.
- Captain Red on August 9, 2002
Ryan8bit- love it. would love to hear more like it.
The lack of drums doesn't detract from the "feeling of confidence." It's actually really nice to find a piece where the remixer was confident enough [i]not[/i] to add a drum track. I detect no lack of confidence here. It is as great as it aspires to be, and achieves the mood it aspires to as well.
As to the ending- on the first listen, it did sound a bit abrupt, but after a few repeat listenings, it really does sound like it fits.
- Captain Red on August 9, 2002
This is an awesome mix. If you've heard the original and played the
game, you know this is an awe-commanding movement by Ryan8bit. If
not, though, or if you're a little short in the imagination and
philosophy side, I'll explain.
(Note: these are my views and do not necessarilyreflect the mind of the remixer)
In the game Crystalis, the Angry Sea is a sea with an alter in the center of the western half. There is a HUGE waterfall, and ther are monsters and whirlpools everywhere. The Gold Statue was taken from the alter, and so of course "the gods are angry," as the saying goes. When you place the gold statue on the alter (you gotta find and fix it first), the whirlpool blocking any travelers' way is removed. Thus the sea is calmed.
The original music ( http://www.zophar.net/nsf Track 4 of the NSF unfortunately it cuts at the end of the loop) was intense (as much as it gets on the NES) and sounded angry. This remix compliments that mood, replacing it with total and complete serenity. Indeed, one may well expect "the gods" to go out of their way to ensure safe passage to all travelers.
The instruments are great, and the extramusical idea of calming is excellently portrayed. That, and it reminds me that the original Crytstalis had GREAT MUSIC (a true masterpiece), and the Gameboy version should be burned!
- BluefoxIcy on August 9, 2002
(Note: these are my views and do not necessarilyreflect the mind of the remixer)
In the game Crystalis, the Angry Sea is a sea with an alter in the center of the western half. There is a HUGE waterfall, and ther are monsters and whirlpools everywhere. The Gold Statue was taken from the alter, and so of course "the gods are angry," as the saying goes. When you place the gold statue on the alter (you gotta find and fix it first), the whirlpool blocking any travelers' way is removed. Thus the sea is calmed.
The original music ( http://www.zophar.net/nsf Track 4 of the NSF unfortunately it cuts at the end of the loop) was intense (as much as it gets on the NES) and sounded angry. This remix compliments that mood, replacing it with total and complete serenity. Indeed, one may well expect "the gods" to go out of their way to ensure safe passage to all travelers.
The instruments are great, and the extramusical idea of calming is excellently portrayed. That, and it reminds me that the original Crytstalis had GREAT MUSIC (a true masterpiece), and the Gameboy version should be burned!
- BluefoxIcy on August 9, 2002
Thanks, I appreciate the input. I actually did have a metronome
going so I wouldn't lose the beat, and when I posted this in the
WIP forum, no one seemed to think there should've been drums or
anything (which probably would've given it more of that confident
feel).
As for the opening, it's hard to hold out those last notes before you move on to the next one. Sometimes sliding is a sacrifice of the game. I've heard worse on some professional acoustic guitar CD's.
But thanks, I'll try and keep that confidence thing in mind while I work on my next mix.
- Ryan8bit on August 7, 2002
As for the opening, it's hard to hold out those last notes before you move on to the next one. Sometimes sliding is a sacrifice of the game. I've heard worse on some professional acoustic guitar CD's.
But thanks, I'll try and keep that confidence thing in mind while I work on my next mix.
- Ryan8bit on August 7, 2002
*cracks knuckles* hmm, okay
Before going into any details, I just want to lay across my basic points - I don't feel a consistent tempo in this piece (leads and rythym tracks will slightly wander, etc) and there's just no consistent tone in the guitar playing either. Embellishments/trills/etc will either be barely audible or sound very fret fartish. While this isn't going on 100% of the time, it's going enough enough to make a glaring difference to me.
First, at :05. String/fret noise during arpeggiating. Not sure if it's not holding down the fret enough or right handed muting gone bad, but either way it don't sound purty. Again, you hear it at :09. The note doesn't end naturally, and sounds very strained/amateur. Whenever you change positions (I can tell by the fret slides), the tempo stutters a bit and loses its place slightly.
In terms of the part with the lead - the timing's pretty much okay, but there's more of a problem with tone now. I get a little nervous listening to it, since a lot of the notes will just sound like they're not played with confidence.
I can write a lot more if you want me to later on, but I have a cold and it's hard to sit up and think coherently write now (have a nasty flu of some kind).
- Roger on August 7, 2002
Before going into any details, I just want to lay across my basic points - I don't feel a consistent tempo in this piece (leads and rythym tracks will slightly wander, etc) and there's just no consistent tone in the guitar playing either. Embellishments/trills/etc will either be barely audible or sound very fret fartish. While this isn't going on 100% of the time, it's going enough enough to make a glaring difference to me.
First, at :05. String/fret noise during arpeggiating. Not sure if it's not holding down the fret enough or right handed muting gone bad, but either way it don't sound purty. Again, you hear it at :09. The note doesn't end naturally, and sounds very strained/amateur. Whenever you change positions (I can tell by the fret slides), the tempo stutters a bit and loses its place slightly.
In terms of the part with the lead - the timing's pretty much okay, but there's more of a problem with tone now. I get a little nervous listening to it, since a lot of the notes will just sound like they're not played with confidence.
I can write a lot more if you want me to later on, but I have a cold and it's hard to sit up and think coherently write now (have a nasty flu of some kind).
- Roger on August 7, 2002
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