ReMix: Ninja Gaiden 'Death of a Legend'
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- Game: Ninja Gaiden (Tecmo, 1988, NES)
- ReMixer(s): Russell Cox
- Composer(s): B.B., Keiji Yamagishi
- Song(s): 'Requiem'
- Posted: 2002-12-05, evaluated by djpretzel
Ninja Gaiden . . . orchestral? Sure, it had a slower, pensive theme, so why not? Though Tecmo's classic ninja platformer may conjure up sonic images of rushing, upbeat NES chiptunes to most, Russell's focused on the more intimate side of NG with this arranged, reticent piece. Though I *really* am not sure about the transition at 1'31" (somebody set up us the keychange!), all the other pieces of the puzzle are here and, in typical trptcox fashion, evocative and lush. There's a beutiful solo towards the end, over lyrical harp runs, and the whole enchilada ends with a bassoon solo takin' it out - quite effective. But some of the transitions, in particular two of the three keychanges, do feel a little forced and/or rushed, which isn't usual in Russell's work. It's a testament to his abilities that the piece is still so enjoyable and a strong ReMix, and I still recommend it without hesitation. It's less fluid and a little less coherent than some of Mr. Cox's other thematic interpretations, but still a great orchestral piece in and of itself. It also brings something new to the Ninja Gaiden ReMixes we've seen thus far, exploring the unexpected (at least for me) more sedate side of the game's OST. I didn't really recall this melody from the game, but looking back it's pretty strong and definitely deserved some attention. RC's given it that attention with a good ReMix that, while a little shy of his own high benchmark, is a worthwhile download nonetheless.
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the Awesomely emotive. I love a mix that can tell a story without
stating a thing. There's a sense of grief, tragedy, hope and the
inheritance of power brought to life through the very fine
orchestration.
Yeah, it gets pretty manipulative with the constant upping of key, but it does progress the narrative of the piece. If the track were extended to a full movement, things might sound much more seamless.
The beautiful section at 2:44 with the harp proves that the theme doesn't need the big sweeping key changes to be touching and effective. But as I stated, things are gained as well as lost from them.
I love this mix. It's one of the few that really put me in a creative and interested mood, which is something I cheish very much.
- Marmiduke on May 31, 2009
Yeah, it gets pretty manipulative with the constant upping of key, but it does progress the narrative of the piece. If the track were extended to a full movement, things might sound much more seamless.
The beautiful section at 2:44 with the harp proves that the theme doesn't need the big sweeping key changes to be touching and effective. But as I stated, things are gained as well as lost from them.
I love this mix. It's one of the few that really put me in a creative and interested mood, which is something I cheish very much.
- Marmiduke on May 31, 2009
this remix is awesome, especially at the 1:30 and 2:00 marks. great
orchestral work. i never even had this game but found a video on
youtube of its ending and loved the music. also im makin a music
video with a techno remix of the NES version of the song, which is
almost done - thats what brought me to this site. your version gave
me some great ideas!
- Enertron on April 2, 2008
- Enertron on April 2, 2008
This remix is so beautiful, and I don't understand what's the
problem with the key changes. To me they sound perfectly natural,
and serve to give the piece a more dramatic feel. The one at 1:31
sort of "wakes you up" after a rather dreamy section, and the one
at 1:57 indicates some action is going to take place.
Of course, changing key can seem a rather "lazy" way to make transitions between different parts of a piece, but in cases where it's executed with such skill as in this song I don't see why it should be a problem.
- Larryboy on August 22, 2005
Of course, changing key can seem a rather "lazy" way to make transitions between different parts of a piece, but in cases where it's executed with such skill as in this song I don't see why it should be a problem.
- Larryboy on August 22, 2005
This is a song where Ryu Hayabusa's (The main character of Ninja
Gaiden) father dies! This is a very good remix, and when the
world's only dragon dies, I, "Video Game Master" dies, play this in
my memory!
- Mahjong No OujiSama Yoshi on November 18, 2003
- Mahjong No OujiSama Yoshi on November 18, 2003
This is a Truly amazing piece.
It is one of my favorites, I send it to all my friends.
I know this is morbid, but it would be my song for my funeral.
Keep up the Teriffic work!!
- bluebeetle on October 3, 2003
It is one of my favorites, I send it to all my friends.
I know this is morbid, but it would be my song for my funeral.
Keep up the Teriffic work!!
- bluebeetle on October 3, 2003
Wow. Just... wow. That's all I can say. I was madly obsessed with
this game when I was 10, and this remix does complete justice to
it-- not only to the music, which was brilliant for an 8-bit game,
but to the cinematic quality and drama of it, however much it might
pale in comparison with today's games. This is the kind of music
Tecmo should have had if they had the foresight to make NG into a
proper franchise (what the heck were they thinking, not doing
it??). I'm listening to it again, and it still amazes me.
- Anthea on April 19, 2003
- Anthea on April 19, 2003
I am not a musician, so my ''review'' might be hilarious to those
trained in music theory. However, I loved this track, and I wanted
to add my 0.02 euros.
I have a strange fetish, and tracks/songs with the words ''Death'' or ''Funeral'' etc. in their title always prompt me to download them. And I wasn't disappointed. Very good emotional track, and the synths (I guess they are synths) emulate pretty well an orchestra (well, better than some neoclassical rock bands that use synths anyway).
Oh, and it reminded me very much of the love theme from Attack of the Clones (Star Wars Episode II), aka Across the Stars.
- batvader on April 15, 2003
I have a strange fetish, and tracks/songs with the words ''Death'' or ''Funeral'' etc. in their title always prompt me to download them. And I wasn't disappointed. Very good emotional track, and the synths (I guess they are synths) emulate pretty well an orchestra (well, better than some neoclassical rock bands that use synths anyway).
Oh, and it reminded me very much of the love theme from Attack of the Clones (Star Wars Episode II), aka Across the Stars.
- batvader on April 15, 2003
Great remix!
I like the key changes... forced or not, it's different and stands out among the crowd. Although Russell would probably cringe or laugh at the thought, the transitions made me think Days of Our Lives or some other daytime soap.
Melodramatic is the perfect adjective for this track, and once again Russell has a fantastic sound.
Great mix Russell! I'm glad you not only remixed your remix from vgmix, but you put in those transitions. The original was dramatic and full of real feeling (and rather awesome), but this one stands out, and in my opinion it's a breath of fresh air.
____
Oh yea... having watched Romeo & Juliet recently with my girlfriend, it definitely sounds like the original composer borrowed for this track.
- darklich on April 1, 2003
I like the key changes... forced or not, it's different and stands out among the crowd. Although Russell would probably cringe or laugh at the thought, the transitions made me think Days of Our Lives or some other daytime soap.
Melodramatic is the perfect adjective for this track, and once again Russell has a fantastic sound.
Great mix Russell! I'm glad you not only remixed your remix from vgmix, but you put in those transitions. The original was dramatic and full of real feeling (and rather awesome), but this one stands out, and in my opinion it's a breath of fresh air.
____
Oh yea... having watched Romeo & Juliet recently with my girlfriend, it definitely sounds like the original composer borrowed for this track.
- darklich on April 1, 2003
Russel Cox is, quite simply put, probably my favorite ReMixer on
OverClocked ReMix. I was raised on orchestral music, mainly
classical, and have harboured a love for orchestral works in
general ever since. And so when I discovered this fellow's work, I
immediately fell in love with it and hold his ReMixing abilities
over any other that puts forth their work on this site.
Though I have never played the game Ninja Gaiden, it does not take the experience of a thing such as a game or a film to enjoy the themes from said game or film. "Death of a Legend", Mr. Cox's take on a theme from Ninja Gaiden, starts off with either a clarinet or an oboe (I really never can tell) with string backup until the strings break in and play the theme for maybe half a minute. The tone of the song changes then, and the oboe/claranet reenters in a higher key along with the strings. After the end of this section begins a section in which there is a much more film-like quality to the piece with brass backup and a bass drum providing a beat. This section ends and leads into some low key strings and then a lone flute with a harp in the background. "Death of a Legend" combines sadness and a sort of resolute determination and just a touch of triumph, if a musical arrangement can be described in such terms: a very emotional piece. It sounds like it could be part of a soundtrack to a film and, from personal experience, I know that it would make and makes smashing background music while reading (and good background music, in my opinion, is required for the full enjoyment of a good book). Since I first wrote this I have used it as background for the Lord of the Rings during the trek to Mordor, and it fits perfectly: sad, depressing, hopeless, and yet the tiniest glimmer of good on the horizon, a shaft of sunlight peeking through the clouds. (I'm a hopeless Tolkien nut; so sue me.) As with all of Mr. Cox's arrangements, this is a first-class ReMix and is worthy of downloading by all means.
- Jimmy the Lip on December 20, 2002
Though I have never played the game Ninja Gaiden, it does not take the experience of a thing such as a game or a film to enjoy the themes from said game or film. "Death of a Legend", Mr. Cox's take on a theme from Ninja Gaiden, starts off with either a clarinet or an oboe (I really never can tell) with string backup until the strings break in and play the theme for maybe half a minute. The tone of the song changes then, and the oboe/claranet reenters in a higher key along with the strings. After the end of this section begins a section in which there is a much more film-like quality to the piece with brass backup and a bass drum providing a beat. This section ends and leads into some low key strings and then a lone flute with a harp in the background. "Death of a Legend" combines sadness and a sort of resolute determination and just a touch of triumph, if a musical arrangement can be described in such terms: a very emotional piece. It sounds like it could be part of a soundtrack to a film and, from personal experience, I know that it would make and makes smashing background music while reading (and good background music, in my opinion, is required for the full enjoyment of a good book). Since I first wrote this I have used it as background for the Lord of the Rings during the trek to Mordor, and it fits perfectly: sad, depressing, hopeless, and yet the tiniest glimmer of good on the horizon, a shaft of sunlight peeking through the clouds. (I'm a hopeless Tolkien nut; so sue me.) As with all of Mr. Cox's arrangements, this is a first-class ReMix and is worthy of downloading by all means.
- Jimmy the Lip on December 20, 2002
Sounds like it belongs on the Kenshin OVA; this is great orchestral
work. Strongly evokes emotion, somber yet stirring. Like the death
of a Legend. Good Stuff!
- Marduk on December 13, 2002
- Marduk on December 13, 2002
Nice to see it was actually different than the one at vgmix.
And someone said it sounded like Romeo & Juliet. Yes, it is very similar, as I said before and was ignored, and I wonder if the original composer just borrowed the tune.
One thing that kind of bothered me was how one of the notes was kind of changed... the first three notes of the song (I thought) weren't the same length, (not all quarters or whatnot), but rather a quarter, a quarter-and-a-half, and then an eigth. It definitely made the song, but perhaps it was Russell's intention to take it out for a more orchestral piece; the notes I suggested might be better suited to a sort of slow rock, which the original does do.
And one question about certain string samples: Is it always appropriate for sequential notes (the kind played more rapidly) to have a volume swell from the start? To me, it just sounds a bit off.
Other than that, I think this was a decent mix, although I was hoping for something more from Russell.
- Ryan8bit on December 11, 2002
And someone said it sounded like Romeo & Juliet. Yes, it is very similar, as I said before and was ignored, and I wonder if the original composer just borrowed the tune.
One thing that kind of bothered me was how one of the notes was kind of changed... the first three notes of the song (I thought) weren't the same length, (not all quarters or whatnot), but rather a quarter, a quarter-and-a-half, and then an eigth. It definitely made the song, but perhaps it was Russell's intention to take it out for a more orchestral piece; the notes I suggested might be better suited to a sort of slow rock, which the original does do.
And one question about certain string samples: Is it always appropriate for sequential notes (the kind played more rapidly) to have a volume swell from the start? To me, it just sounds a bit off.
Other than that, I think this was a decent mix, although I was hoping for something more from Russell.
- Ryan8bit on December 11, 2002
I loved this remix, but I tend to agree with DJPretzel about the
key change at 1'31". It kinda broadsided me. The other key changes
were led into nicely. Overall I really dug this remix. This is
almost exactly how I would envision a modern remake to sound like.
Kudos!
- Scotty B. on December 9, 2002
- Scotty B. on December 9, 2002
It seems that DJ pretzel played this one down a bit, but I have to
disagree with him. The song is a welcome difference to the techno
beats, and is done beautifully. The transitions are awesome, and
the song is soothing and cool. I'd like to hear more of this.
- Veovis on December 9, 2002
- Veovis on December 9, 2002
Uh, its "set up us" not "set us up", and I'd have to disagree with
DJpretzel's review apart from All Your Base syntax. The transitions
were fine to me, only real noticeable because of Pretzel's comment.
I think Pretzel has a tendency to pick on really small things when
he listens to remixes, and focus a little too much on them in the
reviews. Maybe the key changes could have been done a tad better,
but there was absolutely nothiing wrong with em.
I mean i know Pretzel wasn't hating, but tone of the review seemed a little too critical of the transitiion. I dont think anyone "set up us the keychange"
Again, "set up us" is the correct all your base reference. "Set us up" is correct english.
- blackdave on December 9, 2002
I mean i know Pretzel wasn't hating, but tone of the review seemed a little too critical of the transitiion. I dont think anyone "set up us the keychange"
Again, "set up us" is the correct all your base reference. "Set us up" is correct english.
- blackdave on December 9, 2002
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