ReMix: Super Metroid 'The Galaxy Is at Peace'

download Download MP3
4,642,604 bytes, 4:01, 152kbps
Stream/preview on YouTube Play Preview
Streaming preview on YouTube
eStarland.com

Dan Baranowsky (or "The Artist Formerly Known as SysteManiac") gives us a nice straight orchestral ReMix of Super Metroid, something of a change of pace for him. This piece is actually part of a (much) larger project put together by some OCR regulars called 'Relics of the Chozo' which can be found at smproject.ocremix.org. The full skinny on it is that it's "a project aimed at producing a collective and collaborated interpretation of the soundtrack of Super Metroid. However, each individual piece, despite being a unique standalone work of its own, is also a part of a larger scheme arranged to create an ambience of continuity; one large song, if you will. The project could be thought of in terms of a progression of events/sentiments/stages of every relevant theme from Super Metroid for the Super Nintendo." - pretty much. So, for more great Super Metroid arrangement action, head in that direction stat, for this submission - while excellent in its own right - is only a small part of what awaits you. This piece of the overall compendium that Dan's given us is dramatic, John Williams-style bombastic orchestral arrangement, with lots of cinematic motifs that'd be at home in a Hollywood action flick. But, we also get the more delicate, complex tone of 1'20", where a xylophone counterbalances light pizzicato strings. From there things become more aloof and mysterious until we get back to the original energy of the first minute, then things conclude on a restful but tentative note. I particularly liked some of the voicings used in both the very beginning and ending, that create a sense of something about to happen - musical kinetic energy. Mix quality is there, and the only samples I was less than thrilled with were the woodwind leads and brass, everything else blended well. Good, atmospheric, deliberate stuff, with lots of changes in direction and varying tones. A successful foray into straight orchestral fare for the mixer, and part of a larger whole that is quite a formidable body of game music arrangement.

― djpretzel

Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
Feels cinematic. Has a good scifi vibe to it, without resorting to loads of synth stuff for that "future sound". Source feels broken up into something of an orchestral mosaic than just turned into an orchestral mix. Heroic, epic, and yet... makes Metroid feel realistic. :D

- Rozovian on December 22, 2009
It starts out pretty meandering, but has some good military-style sections that have a bit more focus. A few sections afterwards are overly sparse, however, and really could use some rhythmic backing to keep momentum. Maybe some orchestra snare? Maybe some technoz? No, probably not technoz, but something needs to go in there to keep things moving. Some snare does come in later, but I felt that overall it was a little too empty and plodding to really keep my interest.

- OA on April 4, 2008
I'm an advanced orchestra student, and I think that it was very well done.

- cabose117 on September 2, 2006
Very excellent. It is a beautiful piece and flows like very well. To answer a previous question yes there is game music in there, but a lot of game music sounds different from an orchestra than from the original game. That might have caused some confusion. Loved the piece though.
The Last Metroid is in Captivity. The Galaxy is at peace.
To bad that line is followed by one of the cooles action games of all time. SCREW PEACE! :evil:
Just joking. :lol:

- Baruch, Vampire Lord on August 19, 2005
When it comes to video games it's hard not to recognize the Metroid saga as being one of the best. Daniel Baranowsky takes one of the best soundtracks of the 90's and manages to transform it into an even greater masterpiece. The overall effect rivals most film scores and, in my opinion, places him between two of cinema's greatest composers: John Williams and Danny Elfman. Keep up the excellent work.

- jdiehljr on November 11, 2003
Replaying this over and over, I understand why God doesn't let us orgasm from music, or else an orgy would sweep the land. Its just that good.

- Paladin-01 on September 17, 2003
Excellent work on what may be the finest orchestral remix on the site. In my opinion, of course. The samples are pretty good, but the sheer quality of the arrangement is where it's at: soft, subtly beautiful segments help to accentuate crescendos and climaxes that are neither garish nor overly simplistic. The little touches, like the hint of the opening theme at ~2:20, really seal the deal. This song evokes that Super Metroid feeling perfectly for me. And yet, I'm definitely seeing shades of Hans Zimmer here. I like this a lot, and I hope you'll do some more arrangements in this style :).

- Ashgad on September 15, 2003
ëxcèlhýätt wrote: Sorry to say, since this is only a part of the collaboration, something seems out of place.. Maybe with the other pieces coming together, this would be a nice intro. But as a standalone, it seems a bit flat. Like most intros to the actual body of music..

uh this is the last song in the project. it's the ending theme after all.

- smh on September 15, 2003
Sorry to say, since this is only a part of the collaboration, something seems out of place.. Maybe with the other pieces coming together, this would be a nice intro. But as a standalone, it seems a bit flat. Like most intros to the actual body of music..

- NightWish on September 15, 2003
This is the first review i've ever posted (I think) and i would just like to say Congratulations man, this is definately one of the best SM remixes i have ever heard. Its hard for me to tell which one i like more, this one or Zebesian Midnight. I also like starfox remixes, and the beginning reminds me of that, so either way, i give this remix a .926 in my books...
Keep up the good work, i look forward to more awsome remixes like this!

- Chirev on September 13, 2003
Very good all though it lacks a bit IMO
To tell the truth I cannot hear any recognizable tunes that I remember from Super Metroid but it dose have a sense of a "galaxy at peace".

- Darkside783111 on September 13, 2003
Sweet, sweet, sweet honey to my ears. Lush sounds and masterful tracking makes this one of the most worthwhile tracks in OCR. Download and swoon.

- Vagus on September 13, 2003
OMG, that tune was so sweet i'm listening to the whole soundtrack right now, it's SO F*CKING AWESOME!!! MASSIVE props to everyone who was involved in this beast!!
Metriod Forever!! :mrgreen:

- Daltonius Sigma on September 12, 2003
I like this alot now i just got to check out the chozo site and figure out how to download this collection i saw

- UltimaAvatar on September 12, 2003
Yeah, Dan!

- ProFiction on September 12, 2003