ReMix: Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse 'Prelude to Darkness'
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- Game: Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse (Konami, 1990, NES)
- ReMixer(s): Russell Cox
- Composer(s): Jun Funahashi, Yoshinori Sasaki, Yukie Morimoto
- Song(s): 'Prelude (Title Demo BGM)'
- Posted: 2003-07-29, evaluated by djpretzel
Though every bit as good as the first two outings of Konami's classic vampire-slaying franchise's soundtracks, the score to CV3 doesn't seem to get as much attention, for whatever reason. Maestro Cox is doing his bit to change that, though, with his latest orchestral-manoeuvre-in-the-dark. The ReMixer writes: "First of all, thanks to OCRE for the name, as "Demons of the Night" just didn't fit the mood I was going for. Something I wanted to mention, is that after the organ solo with choral background, the next segment with the violins and harps playing the broken arpeggios sounds to me like something out of Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within. I didn't notice this until after I had wrote the song, so whether you liken it to the fact is your own choice ^_^." - I think I prefer this to the FF film soundtrack, actually ^^ (for a much better Eliot Goldenthal score, see Julie Taymor's awesome, amazing Titus, robbed of several Oscar nominations). A bit more choral and arpeggiated than some of Russell's other arrangements, you've gotta love the rich, deep opening french horn fanfare. Recording and encoding is a bit less pristine than some of Mr. Cox's other pieces, which I'm told he's been working on troubleshooting. There are some interesting major-key portions of this that are downright optimistic to be in the middle of a Castlevania piece, and the tone and momentum are a bit schizophrenic at times (Club Kukeiha were kinda like that... in a good way), but Russell makes it work with his usual symphonic pomp and panache. A little more eccentric and motif-driven, but still quite enjoyable, this dynamic CV3 arrangement thus comes recommended.
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the Damn, I didn't know they made samples this nice in 2003.
:<
Really good stuff, with nice balance and very natural phrasing. The transitions are a bit uneven- some work very well, but others seem forced and abrupt. Besides that though, everything else is quality work. Good textures, good phrasing, nice personalization.
- OA on June 25, 2009
Really good stuff, with nice balance and very natural phrasing. The transitions are a bit uneven- some work very well, but others seem forced and abrupt. Besides that though, everything else is quality work. Good textures, good phrasing, nice personalization.
- OA on June 25, 2009
Obviously, this is professional sounding and awesome to boot, but
there were a few small things that stood out for me. My major
concern was that it sounded like it was designed from the ground up
to accompany some sort of video. It has a very scored sound, which
isn't exactly a rushed sound, but it means it doesn't move between
sections at its own time in keeping up with the visual material.
Now this probably wasn't a scored mix, but I did get that
impression that this would suit an opening introduction to a Soul
Calibur game or something, with constantly shifting nature of the
mix.
Even in saying that, the intro and certain parts sound very authentic and film-quality. Russel definately has a cinematic flair, and it is really apparent here. The woodwind is used so well, it really shows the emotional range of the instrument off. And of course, the organ. I'm a big fan of the organ/choir section; that made the mix for me.
Despite the busyness of the arrangement, the mix is something to be proud of.
- Marmiduke on March 19, 2009
Even in saying that, the intro and certain parts sound very authentic and film-quality. Russel definately has a cinematic flair, and it is really apparent here. The woodwind is used so well, it really shows the emotional range of the instrument off. And of course, the organ. I'm a big fan of the organ/choir section; that made the mix for me.
Despite the busyness of the arrangement, the mix is something to be proud of.
- Marmiduke on March 19, 2009
The brass in itself is my favorite part of this piece, that and the
part right after the brass in the beginning where it starts to get
tones of the opening theme of FFVII. Overall, it seems like the
piece is building up to something that never really manifests, and
I'd have loved to have seen some sort of climax to it.
But the brass is still awesome.
- Lucentas on December 6, 2008
But the brass is still awesome.
- Lucentas on December 6, 2008
Amazing, best CV3 remix around; as much as I like PowerGoat's
collection, most of the game's songs weren't meant for guitar, let
alone the long freestyles he goes on; the orchestra style here is
perfect.
There are downbeat, upbeat, etc. parts that flow neatly between each other...love it.
Both the plain NES and VRC6 versions were great and this takes both of them to a different level.
- DukeNukem007 on September 2, 2007
There are downbeat, upbeat, etc. parts that flow neatly between each other...love it.
Both the plain NES and VRC6 versions were great and this takes both of them to a different level.
- DukeNukem007 on September 2, 2007
I wondered what the Prelude song for Castlevania III: Dracula's
Curse would sound like if it was remixed, and I think this is a
good rendition of it, so the part I mostly like about this song is
when it comes into the organ part, I mean what Castlevania would be
without an organ in the music, it would be almost wrong if it
didnt, so you did it justice, good job!
- Darkmetamorphasis on December 1, 2005
- Darkmetamorphasis on December 1, 2005
First off, I love just about any metal/rockin' remix of Castlevania
music (rock on goat and Minibosses!), but after hearing this, it
reminded me that Castlevania music should work great in orchestral
also. In fact, I would love to hear some more orchestral versions
of CV music, that would be lovely.
Great work RC, I hope you do more like this for CV.
Edit: Abadoss makes a good point, parts of this really reminds me of the Fortress levles from Super Mario World, not to say that is a bad thing, but almost a deviation from the source material. Ahh, what do I know? All I know is that more orchestral remixes for CV (and other should be made).
- Trentdaddy on October 8, 2005
Great work RC, I hope you do more like this for CV.
Edit: Abadoss makes a good point, parts of this really reminds me of the Fortress levles from Super Mario World, not to say that is a bad thing, but almost a deviation from the source material. Ahh, what do I know? All I know is that more orchestral remixes for CV (and other should be made).
- Trentdaddy on October 8, 2005
Pretty bitchin'
The last 40sec especially are captivating. The Castlevania theme that we all know and love, done really well. I don't know if it's my speakers or what, but I DID notice a little grainyness to it, but not enough to distract from the piece at all.
It shifts gears really fast, which is nice.
It's one of those pieces you can close your eyes to and kind of follow in your head. The flute especially at the very end... your mind just dances with it.
Well done.
- Atomic Dog on October 1, 2005
The last 40sec especially are captivating. The Castlevania theme that we all know and love, done really well. I don't know if it's my speakers or what, but I DID notice a little grainyness to it, but not enough to distract from the piece at all.
It shifts gears really fast, which is nice.
It's one of those pieces you can close your eyes to and kind of follow in your head. The flute especially at the very end... your mind just dances with it.
Well done.
- Atomic Dog on October 1, 2005
GRANDIOSO!!
I got much more than I was expecting for this piece. Empyreal! after I heard this I got a total feeling of awe. I've also notice the Final Fantasy-like style at the middle part and I say it's simply great! I used to imagine how the castlevania's songs would sound if they were performed by a real orchestra because those songs have an imminent orchestral air, in spite of the weird synthesized NES sound . Now My dream become true thanks to Russel Cox. How the hell I didn't find this web site before? :D
- Turboman on June 25, 2005
I got much more than I was expecting for this piece. Empyreal! after I heard this I got a total feeling of awe. I've also notice the Final Fantasy-like style at the middle part and I say it's simply great! I used to imagine how the castlevania's songs would sound if they were performed by a real orchestra because those songs have an imminent orchestral air, in spite of the weird synthesized NES sound . Now My dream become true thanks to Russel Cox. How the hell I didn't find this web site before? :D
- Turboman on June 25, 2005
Nice Arrangement, could use some work tho. Still very nice. Much
credits to the genius.
- dethgrwl on November 12, 2003
- dethgrwl on November 12, 2003
Oh...I like, I like. As a big fan of Orchestrated music, and of
French Horn, I like this song quite alot. But as an even bigger fan
of Castlevania and the Prologue to CVIII, this song RULES!
I'm glad you used the prologue song from Castlevania. I'm a VERY big fan of Castlevania music and that has always been one of my favorite songs in the series. Now I have an orchestra-type arrangement of it, with a very good middle piece to it.
Oh yeah, and I'm getting the rest of your stuff to sample it.
- Kenryoku_Maxis on November 12, 2003
I'm glad you used the prologue song from Castlevania. I'm a VERY big fan of Castlevania music and that has always been one of my favorite songs in the series. Now I have an orchestra-type arrangement of it, with a very good middle piece to it.
Oh yeah, and I'm getting the rest of your stuff to sample it.
- Kenryoku_Maxis on November 12, 2003
All I have to say is, 9 out of 10, and this piece captures the feel
of Castlevania perfectly. Bravo.
- Rucianu on August 7, 2003
- Rucianu on August 7, 2003
I was actually thinking of trying my hand at an orchestral-esque
remix of this very song, but since Russell did it, I don't know
that I should attempt it. It is very good, although some of the
transitions between instruments are a bit iffy, although mostly due
to the original switching that way. And the discordance around 2:03
is nasty. But otherwise pretty slick.
- Ryan8bit on July 30, 2003
- Ryan8bit on July 30, 2003
Russell, once again you have demonstrated an outstanding mastery of
your craft. This type of orchestral is truly my favorite type of
arrangement. It's really awesome.
It didn't sound like FF: Spirits Within so much as Super Mario World's castle or fortress music (especially around the softer arpeggios).
Overall, I really enjoyed this piece. It is a wonderful arrangement. Kudos!
- Abadoss on July 30, 2003
It didn't sound like FF: Spirits Within so much as Super Mario World's castle or fortress music (especially around the softer arpeggios).
Overall, I really enjoyed this piece. It is a wonderful arrangement. Kudos!
- Abadoss on July 30, 2003
Looks like it's up to me to dish out some constructive criticism
;D
My main complaint is that this song is very "busy", something I personally am against ;) My suggestions for change reflect that.
One thing that I noticed throughout all the song is that in a lot of areas a little playing around with volume, even on individual notes, could do a lot.
At around 1:25 some ensembles kick in which sound indistinct and muddled, especially when put together with (I think I'm hearing) a choir in the background. I'd play around a bit with the volumes of these ensembles and see if I could tweak em to not sound quite so slurred together. The choir itself here and throughout the song though are without complaint.
Around 1:45 the melody and the brass going "BA! BA! BA! BA! ba! ba! ba! ba!" don't meld right. I think this is because the supporting brass is much more distinct than the melody of the strings. I would personally tone the bells at about 2:05 as they are fairly piercing.
At 2:30 these organs sound a lot like bagpipes the way they are played - I just thought I'd mention that; I personally like it. From here onward is when the song sounds the most Castlevanish. At the 3:13 though, the aggressive stabs seem a bit out of place with the melodrama on either side. The woodwind ending is perfect. Also, I think the snares would be well complemented by a subdued bass drum or timpani of some sort, but that's me. Something to consider.
Stuff that is so perfect I will never forgive you if it's changed:
0:40 - the harp or whatever it is
1:00 - woodwind here especially that one sharp note.
2:56 - church/tubular bell and strings
3:25 - harp and woodwind again, and a piano this time
x:xx - any of the choir
EDIT: Another thing I'd like to note is that this seems to deviate from your usual style? Experimentation is always something to be complemented :)
- Nobbynob Littlun on July 30, 2003
My main complaint is that this song is very "busy", something I personally am against ;) My suggestions for change reflect that.
One thing that I noticed throughout all the song is that in a lot of areas a little playing around with volume, even on individual notes, could do a lot.
At around 1:25 some ensembles kick in which sound indistinct and muddled, especially when put together with (I think I'm hearing) a choir in the background. I'd play around a bit with the volumes of these ensembles and see if I could tweak em to not sound quite so slurred together. The choir itself here and throughout the song though are without complaint.
Around 1:45 the melody and the brass going "BA! BA! BA! BA! ba! ba! ba! ba!" don't meld right. I think this is because the supporting brass is much more distinct than the melody of the strings. I would personally tone the bells at about 2:05 as they are fairly piercing.
At 2:30 these organs sound a lot like bagpipes the way they are played - I just thought I'd mention that; I personally like it. From here onward is when the song sounds the most Castlevanish. At the 3:13 though, the aggressive stabs seem a bit out of place with the melodrama on either side. The woodwind ending is perfect. Also, I think the snares would be well complemented by a subdued bass drum or timpani of some sort, but that's me. Something to consider.
Stuff that is so perfect I will never forgive you if it's changed:
0:40 - the harp or whatever it is
1:00 - woodwind here especially that one sharp note.
2:56 - church/tubular bell and strings
3:25 - harp and woodwind again, and a piano this time
x:xx - any of the choir
EDIT: Another thing I'd like to note is that this seems to deviate from your usual style? Experimentation is always something to be complemented :)
- Nobbynob Littlun on July 30, 2003
