ReMix: Ultima VI: The False Prophet 'Gates of Creation'

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Newcomer Potshot aka Sam Allen of Perth, Australia gives us some more Lord British tunage - an Ultima 6 ReMix to keep our Ultima 4 ReMix from days of yore company. This is what I'd refer to as "light" techno - not danceable, and not hard enough to where it gets into a serious groove. Almost like ambient with a beat, though the melody does have form to it. Judges had differing opinions, but I think CotMM summed it up nicely: "I'm digging this one.. I like a well balanced minimal mix.. I think this has a nice soft sound to it.. It's hard to pull off a nice minimal track that doesn't sound empty. I think this does that." - and I'd agree. Sparse, maybe, but not empty. The mix is very clean, everything's exposed, and there's a nice juxtaposition between smooth synth timbres and patches that have a bit more edge to them (Pulse Width Modulation is in full effect). I especially liked the cross-panned distorted FM synth that comes in intermittently. This is the type of mix that doesn't kick your ass or leave you with your jaw agape at its conclusion, but that did involve some arrangement and is just solidly constructed. Good BGM shtuff from Potshot.

― djpretzel

Discussion: Latest 13 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
Well, given the gentle acoustic nature of the source material, I can understand how appropriate it would fit in a more chilled setting. And it does somewhat with the gentle chimes and pads used to carry the melody, but by the time that loud pulse synth comes in, I thought for me the mood is somewhat killed off, but it might've been seen as more of an artistic direction.
What seems to be my biggest qualm though is that for me the melodic and bass components aren't even on sync with the rhythm-based synths and drums, which to me I found it really hard to even keep in rhythm while listening towards it. Couple that with the randomly layered bell at the end, and I would've thought the structure for this one feels somewhat amiss for me.
So while the production actually isn't bad for 2002, what seems to be missing for me is the execution, especially in regards for timing. Hence, I don't feel really keen about this one, unfortunately :(

- Rexy on December 14, 2011
Happy to see this here as I've had a craving for Ultima music lately!
Despite some repetitiveness, this is a really catchy and enjoyable tune to me and will fit in great with my music collection.

- Otakatt on December 5, 2010
Interesting mix - however, I felt this was too short like many of the mixes back then. It takes a bit too long to develop into the main thrust of the mix as well, which probably is part of the problem here.

- Bahamut on October 2, 2009
very good stuff, definitely worthy of addition to the dungeon-grinding playlist on my mp3 player (is it bad that I have one of those? >_>) . Look forward to reviewing your next.

- justinj212 on January 17, 2009
Sounds like good dungeon-crawling techno to me (I haven't played Ultima 6 though--but I was under the impression that this was one of the opening/creation screens). It's not terribly complex, but then again it doesn't need to be. The synth/bells are a good touch throughout, although they might make it a bit unworkable as background music in an in-game context.
Overall, pretty good. Minimalist and simple, but good. KF

- Kizyr on December 9, 2008
The mix is a very quiet piece. I think the bells make it perfectly aligned to be a holiday-season piece. The drums accent the synths and vice-versa in a mellow techno beat.

- Lint on December 7, 2008
This is a catchy remix. DJP has it right, it's not danceble, but a minimalist techno. I'm liking it. More people should check this one out.

- DragonAvenger on December 14, 2007
I've had this in my playlist for a few years now, and I like it a lot, Though im not sure how many liberties it takes with the source material, it's overall enjoyable, if not a bit repetitive. The synths used through out are nice, but I'd prefer the beat to be a bit harder, as right now it's sortof just the middle of the road.

- OA on May 3, 2007
Not the best as far as sound quality goes but somehow it has its own aura. Still, probobly nobody around that is going to read this since the last reply in this little corner of the forum was in 2003.
the old mixes need a little more respect.

- Dark Vagabond on March 18, 2006
Yummy thick synth! Everytime this mix plays I cant help but wave my fist in the air in time with it! Sometimes I subconsiously turn the stereo up to full right before it hits. I love it!
The last half of the mix is a bit blah though, could have used some spicing up. All in all worth having if you are a fan of trance at all, though it is not driving enough to be good dancable trance, it is great for sittin at home with your favorite inebriant.

- esden9 on March 19, 2003
Wow, what to say about this piece... Sure, it's not the greatest piece i've ever heard on any level, and yet, there's something undeniably musical (If that term is understood here) about it... It's strangely addictive... nice job potshot

- Ebonyks on October 24, 2002
It's too close to the original. I LOVE the original music, I had hopes that this would feel like the origianl, but not BE a copy of the original. Nevertheless it's still fairly good.

- linuxmixer on October 23, 2002
Ultima 6 'Gates of Creation'
Potshot has given us some really sweet electronic music that sends musical vibes right down through my bones. I really love that syth, but the those bells (or whatever,) sound like they are over echoed or something. Great work anyways Potshot.

- Ginnsu on October 20, 2002