ReMix: The Guardian Legend 'Naju Overture'
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- Game: The Guardian Legend (Irem, 1988, NES)
- ReMixer(s): Russell Cox
- Composer(s): Masatomo Miyamoto, Takeshi Santo
- Song(s):
- Posted: 2002-10-13, evaluated by djpretzel
Russell's been increasingly prolific and hard to keep up with lately, coming up with some stellar orchestral arrangements and keeping OCR listeners with an aversion to techno and prevalence towards symphonic tunage happy. This is some excessively cinematic (think portions of Willow - strong, beautiful James Horner french horn presence) work that features brass more heavily - I've noticed Mr. Cox has increased the brass content slowly but surely, and with libraries & sounds like these, that's a darn good thing. This actually sounds like a very polished military or upper-ecehlon high school symphonic band at times, esp. with the uber-realistic and super-epic french horn heavy brass section wailing away. This is extremely adventurous in spirit and gives one the true feeling of setting out on an epic quest. Furthermore, it'd not be out of place on the soundtrack to a major motion picture in terms of sound quality or execution. Highly recommended (and for brass and esp. french horn lovers, "super-mega-highly-recommended").
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the This mix sounds a lot like the OST for Zack & Wiki (but maybe
that's because I've spent the past month playing it).
There's some really impressive samples in here that work especially well considering the structure of the piece. To pull of the melodic complexity like this, you need those sounds to be a couple steps above bland.
The level of variation is also terrific, my interest was sustained for the entire duration, but it never felt so unclear that I had no idea where it was leading.
I like that Russell Cox makes qualms for his unabashed orchestral style that strives for the sweeping crests and bombastic climaxes. And that's what's delivered here; no excuses, no regrets. Just a good old-fashioned, big-sounding overture.
- Marmiduke on May 5, 2009
There's some really impressive samples in here that work especially well considering the structure of the piece. To pull of the melodic complexity like this, you need those sounds to be a couple steps above bland.
The level of variation is also terrific, my interest was sustained for the entire duration, but it never felt so unclear that I had no idea where it was leading.
I like that Russell Cox makes qualms for his unabashed orchestral style that strives for the sweeping crests and bombastic climaxes. And that's what's delivered here; no excuses, no regrets. Just a good old-fashioned, big-sounding overture.
- Marmiduke on May 5, 2009
Hidden gem alert!!
When there are so few reviews, but all of them are completely falling over themselves, you know what that means!
Fantastic brass sound even 5 years later, that is knowing how to use your tools well. Some of the sequencing seem a bit mechanical, but the strings and brass are beautiful, and the theme is well represented with a lot of excellent counterpoint ideas.
Fantastic work here, you make it sound so effortless. :-)
- OA on March 27, 2008
When there are so few reviews, but all of them are completely falling over themselves, you know what that means!
Fantastic brass sound even 5 years later, that is knowing how to use your tools well. Some of the sequencing seem a bit mechanical, but the strings and brass are beautiful, and the theme is well represented with a lot of excellent counterpoint ideas.
Fantastic work here, you make it sound so effortless. :-)
- OA on March 27, 2008
This has got to be one of my favorite remixes on OCR. Words cannot
describe how much i enjoy listening to this. Keep up the good
work!!!
- gecko443 on February 15, 2006
- gecko443 on February 15, 2006
Indeed, another wonderful arrangement by Mr. Cox. If I remember
correctly, he also covered Morrowind, did he not? I would
personally love to hear him cover some songs from either Chrono
Cross, Romancing Saga 3, Xenogears, Baulder's Gate, Neverwinter
Nights, and DEFINITELY Suikoden II. In my opinion, some of his
orchestral arrangements remind me a lot of some work done by the
lead composer to the Suikoden series, so it would be wonderful to
hear what Mr. Cox could do for some of those pieces as well. As
always, looking forward to the next piece. Well done, Mr. Cox, well
done. :wink:
Taran
- Taran on December 3, 2005
Taran
- Taran on December 3, 2005
That theme reminds me always of the Zelda two world theme. It has
some similar aspects to it. Anyways, this piece is great. I was
reading Atlas Shrugged when it first came out, and now it will
always be ingrained in my mind as that famous musical piece they
are always talking about in the book.
Beautiful build up here, nice sounds, my only compaint is that it's not long enough. You really could've done more with this than you did. Your Actraiser piece was superior because of this. A solid 4/5
- Zipp on December 2, 2005
Beautiful build up here, nice sounds, my only compaint is that it's not long enough. You really could've done more with this than you did. Your Actraiser piece was superior because of this. A solid 4/5
- Zipp on December 2, 2005
Dang, that sweeping strings and brass part at 1:08 makes me get all
goosebumpy. Are these the Project SAM Horns at work here? What I'd
give to have the money to buy all the SAM brass collections.
*drooldrooldrool* Not to mention the solo ones too.
*moredroolingmoredrooling*
Anyway, this is probably my favorite from you by far, Mr. Cox, though I've never heard the original. Sweeping melodies, lush harmonies, I could go on. I'm...a bit confused at how the snare seems to be panned pretty far left with no reverb, though. Admittedly, not everything needs 'verb on it and sometimes a song is better served to try and take advantage of the electronic aspect of music composing and not be forced into following every orchestral "rule."
All-in-all, my fave from yo so far, just above the Ninja Gaiden piece. Great work.
- OchreJelly on January 5, 2005
Anyway, this is probably my favorite from you by far, Mr. Cox, though I've never heard the original. Sweeping melodies, lush harmonies, I could go on. I'm...a bit confused at how the snare seems to be panned pretty far left with no reverb, though. Admittedly, not everything needs 'verb on it and sometimes a song is better served to try and take advantage of the electronic aspect of music composing and not be forced into following every orchestral "rule."
All-in-all, my fave from yo so far, just above the Ninja Gaiden piece. Great work.
- OchreJelly on January 5, 2005
Utterly superb. If John Williams (or whoever it was that did the
score for the Star Wars films) ever did a rendition of the Corridor
Victory and Naju Approach themes with a full orchestra, I imagine
it would sound very much like this.
That said, it also wouldn't sound too out of place in Robotech or Macross.
- BlueMage on September 7, 2004
That said, it also wouldn't sound too out of place in Robotech or Macross.
- BlueMage on September 7, 2004
This is my favorite mix on ocremix and I'm by far a techno/synth
freak :)
Excellent job.
- flipt on October 3, 2003
Excellent job.
- flipt on October 3, 2003
8O Wow, I remember this as one of my favorite games; this brought
back so many good memories.
First off, these brass sounds kick ass! My goodness if I could only get my hands on such a lush sound I would eat my own underwear!
Russel's style of writing is very evocative, I love it. The brass balance is superb.
The lower strings at around 23 seconds seem a bit out of sync. It gets covered up with the clarinets come back in but still...I felt it disrupted the flow a bit. At 40 seconds with the upper strings it becomes most obvious.
I can't tell if maybe I have a bad recording or not, but I'm hearing a blip at 39 seconds. It's possible that quick note change is doing it, that could be cleaned up. (Assuming it's not just me)
46-58 seconds, what a beautiful transition! The brass countermelody gives me chills.
1:08-1:20 That horn is the BEST orchestral sample I've ever heard. I gotsta get one of those.
The piece is pretty straightforward till 2:30; some nice changes of color and rhythmic variety add to the fun, adventurous march feel. I felt the snare line was a bit stagnant, and could have used a bit more ad lib rolls or maybe some light perc. accompaniment.
Nice ending :) A creative take on an almost all too cliched build. I wish I could say the same for myself (cough icarus cough).
Well dammit Russell how's it possible that I can worship you and hate you at the same time, lol. All kidding aside, you're going to be a great composer writing very important works some day. Good luck. 8)
- Ronyn on July 10, 2003
First off, these brass sounds kick ass! My goodness if I could only get my hands on such a lush sound I would eat my own underwear!
Russel's style of writing is very evocative, I love it. The brass balance is superb.
The lower strings at around 23 seconds seem a bit out of sync. It gets covered up with the clarinets come back in but still...I felt it disrupted the flow a bit. At 40 seconds with the upper strings it becomes most obvious.
I can't tell if maybe I have a bad recording or not, but I'm hearing a blip at 39 seconds. It's possible that quick note change is doing it, that could be cleaned up. (Assuming it's not just me)
46-58 seconds, what a beautiful transition! The brass countermelody gives me chills.
1:08-1:20 That horn is the BEST orchestral sample I've ever heard. I gotsta get one of those.
The piece is pretty straightforward till 2:30; some nice changes of color and rhythmic variety add to the fun, adventurous march feel. I felt the snare line was a bit stagnant, and could have used a bit more ad lib rolls or maybe some light perc. accompaniment.
Nice ending :) A creative take on an almost all too cliched build. I wish I could say the same for myself (cough icarus cough).
Well dammit Russell how's it possible that I can worship you and hate you at the same time, lol. All kidding aside, you're going to be a great composer writing very important works some day. Good luck. 8)
- Ronyn on July 10, 2003
What the hell?! I thought I already reviewed this one, but
apparently, I haven't.
Awesome. Great great orchestral work. My favorite of Russell's. Take his mad orchestral skillz and combine that with the awesome Guardian Legend soundtrack and WHA-BAM! You get this piece of perfection.
One of the few remixes that I actually STILL HAVE ON MY HARD DRIVE.
- Beatdrop on December 4, 2002
Awesome. Great great orchestral work. My favorite of Russell's. Take his mad orchestral skillz and combine that with the awesome Guardian Legend soundtrack and WHA-BAM! You get this piece of perfection.
One of the few remixes that I actually STILL HAVE ON MY HARD DRIVE.
- Beatdrop on December 4, 2002
I was always a big fan of the opening theme to the Guardian Legend.
This symphonic tribute was a well deserved one. Thank you, Russell.
I hope to see this on a "The best of amateur symphonic suite"
soundtrack someday :D
- Narvick on December 2, 2002
- Narvick on December 2, 2002
I love you Russell Cox... :cry:
Now do a Star Fox remix. :wink: :wink: :wink:
- Dicaeopolis on October 19, 2002
Now do a Star Fox remix. :wink: :wink: :wink:
- Dicaeopolis on October 19, 2002
In general, I've liked Russell's arrangements very much, and his
more recent submissions to OCR have only gotten better and better.
This one didn't sit as well with me, likely because I haven't
actually played the game that the music comes from. I think this
overture was a little too busy for my taste; I would have
appreciated a slower more lyric passage to break up the faster
themes. That said, the horns were very convincing, and I'm looking
forward to hearing what else Russell can do with them.
- alslipp on October 19, 2002
- alslipp on October 19, 2002
Yet another orchestral master piece from the great Mr. Cox. Keep
'em rolling. It will be interesting to see how Mr. Cox handles his
next choice.
- Ignis on October 18, 2002
- Ignis on October 18, 2002
This song is definitely great. I don't think I need to say much
more than Russell knows what he's doing when it comes to these
orchestral pieces. Now if only he'd go baroque :wink:
- Ryan8bit on October 15, 2002
- Ryan8bit on October 15, 2002
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