ReMix: Tekken 2 'Incantation'

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Tekken 2

You'll often hear certain pieces on this site referred to as "minimalist" by me or ReViewers, usually referring to a sparse soundset or deliberate, spartan arrangement. This is not one of those pieces. In fact, taking inspiration from Anime opening themes for this Tekken 2 ending theme ReMix, I'd say it's "maximalist" :) It's also amazing I ever finished the damn thing, because I lost pieces of it twice due to two separate power outages. I now have dual 1000VA UPS in place upstairs and down, so I think I'm safe. These losses were compounded by the fact, however, that this ReMix involved the most complex technical configuration I've yet attempted. I usually stick to either mostly softsynths or mostly hardware, and rarely use my Kawai K5000 synth. I also just bought a microKorg that I'd not yet used. I decided for the first time I was going to do a ReMix that used 90% instead of 40% of my studio resources. This doesn't make it a better ReMix, mind you, but it did make it a lot more difficult to configure properly, and also to recreate after each outage. Yamaha Motif, K5000, microKorg, and a slew of soft synths and samplers are all involved in this one. Tekken 2 was always my favorite of the series - afterwards they started branching off and away from what I'd call a "fighting game" - and the ending theme is haunting, unique redbook audio work. I don't often mix redbook or anything too recent, but I wanted a version that was much more aggressive, and decided to make one myself. The main melody should be very recognizable, where other pieces are more impressions / interpretations. Upon completion of some ReMixes, there's sometimes a feeling of missing the creative process, being sorry that it's all over. Others, however, you're glad to have behind you. Again, this doesn't reflect on their respective quality, more on the trials and tribulations involved with their creation, for me at least. This may be my last mix of 2002, which has been a great year for OCR. If it is, it's fitting that I feel glad to have it done, and look forward to the next piece. Anyhoo, check it out for some unapologetic, elaborate techno, and be sure to play it L-O-U-D.

― djpretzel

Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
I know it's kind've the point of the song, but I'm not sure I dig the whispered voices to start things off. Cello felt a bit hot compared to the levels of the elements - that is until the beat kicks in. THAT'S the point where this track really picks up well (you had me worried there DJP). Nice crunchy bass and beat do a lot to bring up the level of this track. The cello isn't as bad of an offender at this point, but still feels loud in the mids - maybe some eq love would've helped here.
Some cool synths here to compliment our newly founded energy as well. I would've liked to hear that lead at 1:25 more prominently as it's pretty cool sounding. Maybe I have sensitive ears, but there are some super high freqs at 2:09 which are bugging me as I listen to it. I'm not entirely sure what the culprit is, but it drops out at 2:30. The section following feels slightly aimless, but it works as a contrast to other sections. Things circle back to the melody around the 3 minute mark nicely. In general, everything's clicking nicely throughout the track with only a few very minor issues. Probably one of DJP's stronger tracks, IMO. Good job.

- Nutritious on December 14, 2009
I have never listened such an amazing remix before! Guys, this is wonderful! I am a very big fan of Tekken II. This remix remembers me my beautiful Tekken memoirs.. good old days.. what an amazing track! It really sounds Tekken! It really smells Tekken!! Congratulations. Many thanks for this. Amazing!!! Thank you very very much.

- deksar on June 20, 2009
Interesting how it starts off with people whispering and it starts to kick in i never expected it to be very electronic but over all i love this mix.

- yosefu on May 9, 2009
Very electronic. I really like how each song segment is overlapping, so many of the parts seem to rise to the front and fade to the back at different times.

- Lint on April 25, 2009
A really interesting remix, the instruments fit well and the opening was excellent in my opinion.

- metalsnakejuice on April 21, 2009
FACT: djp's intonation summons maximalist amounts of awesome in 46 seconds. (Also, 0:15 sounds like "Donut, donut, donut...") I like how it acts as a shout-out to the whispering (see what I did there) evident in the original song.
In such a bountiful sound field, the flute, strings, and piano gently paint the groove a pleasurable color. (The cello sample has a faint jitter-inducing loop set upon it, but it's only noticeable at the start, so it doesn't detract too much.) One of the pervasive pads sounds like one's ears are ringing (odd choice, but charming). When the flute sings a sad/longing verse at 1:51 and 3:29, I'm filled with awe and wonder. Meanwhile, 2:27 employs some liberal synth and drum synergy, like a complex network of pipes assembling themselves. And I'll never get tired of that hot spring-bubbly bass synth.
Finally, it makes me smile when I come across a "speaksynth" that djp gleefully employs in some of his older mixes; here, it pops up at 1:05, displaying style, spunk, and sleekness as it warps its mind and body for the good of the groove.

- Polo on April 18, 2009
Really interesting intro that leads into some great groove-based stuff. I love the bass synth and it's super vibrato parts. Good production, a nice combination of solo strings and synths, and some good transitions.
I missed this mix the first time around, but it's definitely held up well, and has some great features. It really does have a strong WHR vibe, and there's a lot of care put into it.
'
One of my favorite DJP mixes.

- OA on March 30, 2009
I love you DJP. I do, I do, I do. I love the beat you lay down in the beginning. It makes me shake my money-maker. Though, I think the beat destroyed the creepy-whispering-japaneise-ambience vibe. It didn't transcend very well. You should have had it just transcend to the next beat a little slower. I think the little trancy sound in the background that sounds like a harpischord on crack and doing scales is really annoying. Make it stop! And the whole whispering japanese is no where to be found after the beginning. That kind of saddened me. I wanted to hear more of that. I think that since you only did one part of that it kind of destroyed the "incantation" vibe. Boo!
8 out of 10

- Fraggy on September 12, 2006
A favorite of mine from djp. I don't get tired of this mix. It doesn't particularly evolve throughout, but it is just a good chill track. I think what saves it from becoming mundane is that it ends at just the right point. It certainly doesn't go on too long. Thank you for the quality remix.

- Frictional Antidote on September 12, 2006
Interesting intro...whispering voices...But i cant place the tune. I wish someone would remix the opening. I dont know exactly whats being remixed here, but i like it. Tekken 2 had some good music for some stages. But i dont think the songs did the game justice. This is something that would be played in Tekken now. Nice.

- Kurokun1293 on February 14, 2006
tekken 2 had the best music in the series, we need more remixes! awesome!

- jayt11 on June 12, 2005
This remix remember the #06 Hagakure - Mitsurugi, of the OST Soul Edge. Please listen and coment.

- M@GO LoBEL [<0>] on April 19, 2005
just thought id come back and say im STILL listining to this track. noice! :)

- Fyrewave on December 22, 2004
Normally I find your work DJP to be... well... with the exception of a few songs... the same kind of stuff... that may come as a bit of surprise since no one would say you're 60+ songs are really alike, but it shows that a lot of them came out of the same studio set up and genre preference.
However, this is one of those exceptions. A very very tasty little piece you've got here. It's aaaaaaaallll about the bass on this one. If it wasn't for the bass, I'm convinced the song would diminish 20-fold.
But you DID have the bass. Yay!
9/10

- Less Ashamed Of Self on June 30, 2004
congratulation for this mix djpretzel, that I have listened in loop for 2 weeks

- losc on February 12, 2004