ReMix: Life Force 'Temple of Life'
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- Game: Life Force (Konami, 1988, NES)
- ReMixer(s): Palpable
- Composer(s): Atsushi Fujio, Hidenori Maezawa, Miki Higashino, S. Terashima, Shinya Sakamoto
- Song(s): 'Thunderbolt (2st.BGM)'
- Posted: 2004-02-15, evaluated by the judges
The beginning of this mix reminds me of the music from the Serial Experiments Lain soundtrack that plays during the little excerpts about Vannevar Bush, Roswell, etc. - i.e., it's fairly old-school techno that's not overly concerned with the staples of more modern electronica, but has a thing going and does that thing. However, Palpable decides to take this fairly straightforward techno Lifeforce ReMix in a totally new direction when at 2'29" he goes a bit nutty with some drill/tools style percussion ensemble shtuffs (for an early use of such, see Sharky's Day by Laurie Anderson) - if you can dig alternative percussion in this context, you'll appreciate it. Prolly won't be everyone's cup of tea as this brand of "found" percussion can be a little cacophonous, but it certainly is a deviation from the norm. Israfel writes:
"Conservative but welldone nonetheless. Enhances the original piece while bringing in just a few well integrated new ideas. Really love the organ and powertools section, and the thing just flows very nicely and has a good solid sound. Good job."
In general, most judges felt the power tools section did the most innovation and involved the most creativity, whereas the more standard techno bits were at times too direct and generic. Overall, though, this is a solid piece with a section that excels a bit and goes experimental, adding a dose of needed verve. Check it out.
Discussion: Latest 14 comments/reviews; view the Old school Palpable. I believe I heard some of his more
conservative works before he ended up being a part of the panel,
though never really made the name match until a few years later for
some reason.
So it starts out fairly cookie cutter with the drums and bass, though nicely layered and equalised drums and bass, and manages to keep its conservative nature with the melody addition just later on in the track. There may be a stale progression going on with the writing as it keeps itself very close to the source material, though I still have to say it's a very clean and well emphasized production that manages to stand strong even by today's standards.
The drill/SFX breakdown at 2:29 managed to really add some variety at that point; now for me I'm usually scared of drills in mixes because they'd have THAT MUCH high end on them that it would imagine me in the dentist's chair (don't ask), but thankfully the production feels tasteful here and offers a more pleasant sensation. :)
Arrangement-wise it may be straightforward, but I felt in regards to the execution it managed to stand the test of time fairly well. I'm going to have to admit that I didn't hear as much of Palpable's newer material within the past two years or so, but when comparing this to his Yoshi's Island entry when he became a judge, it's compelling me to righten things for the year ahead. For now, I feel good with this one :)
- Rexy on December 28, 2011
So it starts out fairly cookie cutter with the drums and bass, though nicely layered and equalised drums and bass, and manages to keep its conservative nature with the melody addition just later on in the track. There may be a stale progression going on with the writing as it keeps itself very close to the source material, though I still have to say it's a very clean and well emphasized production that manages to stand strong even by today's standards.
The drill/SFX breakdown at 2:29 managed to really add some variety at that point; now for me I'm usually scared of drills in mixes because they'd have THAT MUCH high end on them that it would imagine me in the dentist's chair (don't ask), but thankfully the production feels tasteful here and offers a more pleasant sensation. :)
Arrangement-wise it may be straightforward, but I felt in regards to the execution it managed to stand the test of time fairly well. I'm going to have to admit that I didn't hear as much of Palpable's newer material within the past two years or so, but when comparing this to his Yoshi's Island entry when he became a judge, it's compelling me to righten things for the year ahead. For now, I feel good with this one :)
- Rexy on December 28, 2011
The industrial section is what really makes this mix. I'm going to
have to agree with others that the sections before that don't
really stand out nearly as much, and can even venture into the
generic gray area. It stays safe, and it's nice to listen to, but,
aside from the powertools, I can't say I'll be remembering much
else about this one down the road.
- DragonAvenger on December 1, 2009
- DragonAvenger on December 1, 2009
I really dig this song! Starts up and keeps rolling the wheels...
The organs at 1:23 are over-the-top awesome. I think they were a
bit too awesome, because I was sad to not hear them come back at
2:15, but the industry spin was DIRTY HARD AWESOME. The song loses
a bit of its energy after that and it felt like it ended a bit too
abruptly, but I guess all tunes must end eventually.
- Bip on August 11, 2009
- Bip on August 11, 2009
another techno mix, this time a little more inspired. Alas, only a
little, that is, at 2:29 onwards. But the part is still kinda
shallow and a repetition of the material heard before after it
without substantial additions brings down the track. In the end,
little stands out beyond the melody line which in a techno song you
either must love or else hate and fail to like the song.
- maelkashishi on December 16, 2007
- maelkashishi on December 16, 2007
this is a decent mix, but really the power tool section made it
stand out a lot more than it otherwise would have, and I think that
more of that throughout the song would have improved it. A few
transitions could have been a little stronger with the use of
better fills, but overall the flow was good. Synths were a bit
default sounding, but they were balanced well and didn't
detract.
Regardless, the more power tools, the better.
- OA on May 4, 2007
Regardless, the more power tools, the better.
- OA on May 4, 2007
Not much love for Life Force it seems. What's this doing on page
29? Doesn't deserve that at all.
Great stuff from Vinod, who's a very consistant arranger who I wish we heard more from. Adds a lot of energy to the source material with a fresh approach.
Glad it passed, although I didn't feel it was a borderline case myself back when I read the decision.
- Liontamer on May 10, 2006
Great stuff from Vinod, who's a very consistant arranger who I wish we heard more from. Adds a lot of energy to the source material with a fresh approach.
Glad it passed, although I didn't feel it was a borderline case myself back when I read the decision.
- Liontamer on May 10, 2006
nice mix, I like the 80-ish techno theme. I just wish the bass was
a bit deeper. I feel my sub should have gotten a workout with this
song a certain points IMO.
- kablammyman on February 18, 2004
- kablammyman on February 18, 2004
Definately a different feeling then Wingless's remix. This remix is
more mellow than The Wingless's rendition. I enjoyed the
introduction of the drums and the synth strings. The hardware
section adds a lot of bite but made me feel kind of awkward, like
you were throwing something intresting for the "break it down"
section (quite literally with the tools used). I agree with Blue
Blazer, its not overpowering and the song is easy to listen too. It
flowed right into the ending melody. I remixed the 2nd level (in
Works In Progress section - Lifeforce - Enter the Salamander).
Palpable's remix made me rethink the strategy of my own remix. =]
Keep up the good work.
Much enjoyed and worth a listen.
- !Nekko! on February 16, 2004
Much enjoyed and worth a listen.
- !Nekko! on February 16, 2004
good job. i think the old-school techno vibe was ok. hehe reminds
me too much of my old tracker days 10 years ago.
anyways, we need more life force remixes grrr.. this is the second remix of the same tune.. Life Force has SOOooOOoo many good tunes to remix. Even the first stage tune is great, although a bit hard to remix. Especially if someone remixes stage 3's tune.. omg thats so damn hot.
- neostormx on February 16, 2004
anyways, we need more life force remixes grrr.. this is the second remix of the same tune.. Life Force has SOOooOOoo many good tunes to remix. Even the first stage tune is great, although a bit hard to remix. Especially if someone remixes stage 3's tune.. omg thats so damn hot.
- neostormx on February 16, 2004
Cool, another quality Life Force remix with some nice industrial
touches.
Now if only someone would remix the divine song from the third (fire) level and I can die a happy man.
- Vitten on February 15, 2004
Now if only someone would remix the divine song from the third (fire) level and I can die a happy man.
- Vitten on February 15, 2004
the quality of this song is very good. Great song to design a remix
for too. The bass and drum used makes the remix really good. The
effects
that you used weren't too overpowering which allows for easy listening even though the song has a relatively quick tempo. Keep remixing Life Force it's got some great tracks. Good work dude. :D
- blueblazer1224 on February 15, 2004
that you used weren't too overpowering which allows for easy listening even though the song has a relatively quick tempo. Keep remixing Life Force it's got some great tracks. Good work dude. :D
- blueblazer1224 on February 15, 2004
All in all, not bad at all. I've never played the game but will try
soon. There is that strange transition when its sounds as if you're
in a factory with that bass line going...just...really different.
- triggerX4 on February 15, 2004
- triggerX4 on February 15, 2004
A nice effort. Everything fitted together well and the producing
was pretty good but the tune did nothing for me, I'm afraid. I
found it quite predictable and shallow. There were moments that
didn't flow very well, like the transition from bass to lead at
0:30. Other parts were rather more successful and felt quite good.
The powertools thing was a nice idea but it felt a little
restrained. If he'd really gone all out, complimenting the power
tools by screwing up the rest of it, he would probably have sold it
to me better.
A nice attempt, competently mixed but with few surprises, it felt like it was tentatively mixed. Plunge in at the deep end and I think it'll do your music the world of good :)
- nostalgic gen on February 15, 2004
A nice attempt, competently mixed but with few surprises, it felt like it was tentatively mixed. Plunge in at the deep end and I think it'll do your music the world of good :)
- nostalgic gen on February 15, 2004
