ReMix: Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest 'Assembly line Apparitions'

download Download MP3
6,198,812 bytes, 4:54, 168kbps
Stream/preview on YouTube Play Preview
Streaming preview on YouTube
eStarland.com
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest

Donkey Kong Country 2 was the first game Protricity submitted a ReMix for way back when, and this marks his fourth arrangement, all told, of the very dynamic, enduring, and worthy soundtrack by Dave Wise. Obviously the ReMixer/Judge has an appreciation for the game's music, which has manifested itself previously in downbeat techno, orchestral, and industrial fashion and which, this go-round, leans again towards a more mechanical/insdustrial sorta sound with extensive, hyper-programmed guitar riffage. This is very aggressive, over-the-top stuff, reminding me of the battle music from many a mecha-centric anime OST, i.e. Gundam, etc., save that Ari throws in some brass bits, low and high, cross-panned, to counter-balance the otherwise primarily synthetic sound. This is also an epic mix, at almost seven minutes. Things go into a crazy guitar solo around halfway through - some of the sequencing here is pretty badass. Then we get into some heavier shred guitar work - not subtle in the slightest, perhaps, but at all times illustrating a fine, granular degree of control over note placement and programming, esp. with the elaborate trickery going on in the solo guitar department. This was the ReMixer's first attempt at using ModPlug, Reason, and Cubase in a single mix, and the results do indicate a diverse array of sounds and techniques. As a sidenote, Ari recently coded a small JavaScript that provides links from our ReMix ReViews forum back to the mix detail page itself, via a 'Go to the song' link by the topic title, which was long overdue and greatly appreciated. This is an in-your-face mix that doesn't make any apologies, but is quite the journey for anyone looking to enjoy some industrial-rock, DKC2-style. Recommended.

― djpretzel

Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
So dark and machine-like, I love it! The guitar solo just sends this over the edge of pretty awesome to unbelievable! It still keeps the haunting feeling of the original and drives it into a wild spinning combo of haunted house, factory, and James Bond chase scene images. Whoo, thumbs up! Hands down, one of my top 3 Prot. mixes.

- Crulex on February 6, 2010
Very industrial feel to start off, which is very appropriate given the source. Things kick in with the beat very nicely, keeping the energy flowing. Prot has a reputation for great arrangements and production and this is no different. One weak point in this song is the unrealistic brass samples, which are lower quality compared to most of the other elements. It's not to the point where it's really distracting as a listener, so I can live with it. Particularly good use of synth/samples guitar-ish sounds, which is VERY tricky to get right without recording them live. Good stuff here.

- Nutritious on December 15, 2009
The thing I love about Protricity is the utter sense of respect he seems to have for the DKC2 soundtrack, and as a result the songs all end up feeling very true to the source but cranked all the way up to 11. This one's no exception, I love the rock/synth/orchestral hybrid, and the percussion during some of the breakdowns too. Whatever instrument you've got going at 1:41 and again later in the snog is my favorite part, though, it fits so well with the urgent mood of the rest of the song.
Killer work! :-D

- Emunator on December 11, 2009
I love all of Protricity's Donkey Kong stuff; I think this might have been the first i heard... maybe even one of the first ReMixes I ever listened to actually... and weh, was I in awe.
I was anxious to hear this one especially, I've always remembered the Haunted Chase music because I used to be kinda scared about the Haunted Hall level (those damn ghost-skeleton-Kremling things always laughing evilly at you and such... even now, I shiver at the thought).
All reminiscing aside (sort of), I think this ReMix conveys the atmosphere of that level perfectly, perhaps even better than the original? methinks so.
Also, props to Prot for the ass-kicking solos.

- Jack Polo on December 10, 2009
It really is 5 minutes of greatness.
I was expecting guitar wankery here, and I wasn't disapointed.
It has kind of a Castlevania-esque feeling to it ...mixed with a bit of James Bond too.
Some instruments or textures sound a bit fake compared to other, so it's a bit irregular here and there.
But its an epic and well structured take on the source.
As I was reading through comments, I've noticed on page 1 that Protricity is banned... really?!.
I mean, I don't know the story, but it's too bad, as he's got talent.
Anyway, nice 'Haunted Chase' remix.

- Dj Mokram on May 23, 2009
Actually, Haunted Chase would happen to be a pretty blatant rip-off/arrangement of Modest Mussorgsky's Night on Bald Mountain ( The fast rising note passages at the start and the ominous brass are almost verbatim)
I always love the way Protricity's songs seem to progress throughout, but still keep a rhythmic and stilistic consistency. It's really hard to get a proper knack for that, and this song is a striking example of this style. Love it.

- Tensei-San on November 1, 2007
The sounds are pretty dated, unlike stuff like "Forest Birdcussion," and Ari would be able to come up with more fleshed out textures nowadays. But the arrangement is pretty good, even though I'm not a fan of the original at all.
Really awesome rock stuff from 2:51-3:41 with some awesome synth soloing. Everything from that point on carried the track home strong and sounded a lot more cohesive than the first half.

- Liontamer on May 14, 2007
This is a re-mix ala "Burning Heat!" Me like.

- KogeJoe on January 21, 2007
If the first one was adrenalinepumping, then how´s this?
Some of the instruments may sound a little bad, but at some point it doesn´t bother me. It may be that the original is so great that it does not matter. It may be that the guitar is so great together with the cool synths. It can also be that I´m sitting in front of my computer 8:00 a.m and really needs something that wakes me up.
Whatever the reason, this is a great remix with cool instruments working together with drums and beats to deliver a joyride of excitement to us.
I´m still too tired... :sleepzzz:

- Bummerdude on September 30, 2005
More Rock 'n Roll... GAH! Muy bueno mi amigo! 8)

- Demko on January 11, 2005
Yeah! The Protricity version from [b]Haunted Theme[/b] is great. Nice guitar and trumpets. Orchestra excellent!
A thumb up.

- Txai on January 1, 2005
Heheheheheh...this is such a freaky mix. Man, it makes me laugh :lol: Itz so krazy! But really, it's a good track, reminds me of the 80's for some strangesque reason *shakes head*. It's great, though. King K. Rool probably listens to this in his spooky liar *que music* Haha! I love it!!!
~^~Mary_mari's seal of approval~^~

- Mary_mari on November 2, 2004
Unbelievable. This one makes me want to pee my pants it's so good. The 2.5 words that come to my mind are 'omfg, totally epic.' I don't post here much although I do download a lot of remixes, and I had to come and comment on Assembly line Apparitions. Bravo, Protricity. Masterful.

- Pineconeboy on January 7, 2004
Awesome remix. I think this song was okay in the game, but this remix makes it one of the best.

- The Protricity on June 25, 2003
That one bit of distorted Guitar from 4:27 to 4:31 blew me away! You know it's a good remix when such a small part of it is so impressive! Petricity you are the man!

- Mongoosedog on June 8, 2003