ReMix: The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker 'Pirates of Dragon Roost Isle'

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The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker

Phew. I just spent the last 48 hours without net access, having a little customer service SNAFU with my ISP, who insisted on shutting down my connection, not telling me why, and instructing me to call a phone number that was busy all the time for more info. Grrrrr. All good now though, so it's back to business. First off, a thanks to the recent props from Penny Arcade - if you've been living in a cave and are somehow unaware of PA, get over there pronto. From Unknown comes our second Wind Waker mix, an interesting arrangement with some really nice touches - flute flares, a good sense of flow, and some unorthodox but excellent percussive decisions that really make it. Things get VERY cinematic with string stabs, brass stabs, multiple orchestral hits, and a running momentum, full of kinetic energy. GrayLightning really liked this one and had quite a bit to say:

"Beautiful. This is definitely one of the most enjoyable mixes I have heard on the panel recently.

Starting off with richly layered strings and what sounds like very nice overblown flute staccs. You don't hear those too often. It changes gears as soon as the bodharn percussion enters. It adds a very nice driving force to the orchestral sections. Brass that comes later in adds a nice texture to the space also. Articulations are used sparingly, but wisely. Like the string trills. I didn't feel this was empty at all. Really good usage of orchestral percussion provides good accenting rather than a rhythm. The chromatic bell/musicbox later on is a nice touch.

Very solid arrangement, orchestration and production values overall. I would have liked a touch more reverb, maybe a nice medium hall reverb.

I was surprised to hear this was done with FruityLoops and free soundfonts. Who says you can't do great mixes outside techno and trance with FL? This is one of those great examples that illustrates it's not what you have, but how you use the tools available to you. Sublime and an easy yes from me."

This is an arrangement that gets progressively more compelling and interesting as it goes - tuning out early is a big mistake, and pretty difficult to do when Unknown keeps things this varied, with numerous changeups, breaks, and additions and subtractions to the instrumentation. This is at once epic and also exciting rather than expansive and grandiose, although you could describe it that way, too. Great stuff from Unknown, with high replayability, good production values, and a memorable energy.

djpretzel

Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
Before I even bought "The Legend of Zelda: The Windwaker", I've listened to this song. It's an awesome remix. In fact one of my favorites. I love the grand feeling to the song as well as how it sounds using the orchestra feeling. I could easily see this as being on the open seas, preparing for adventure. Wonderful work.

- mstie3k on March 22, 2013
I never commented on this mix? Strange.
This mix sits in an interesting area. The arrangement itself is fine, but it does seem to shed a little of the grandiose sound that the original has. It does have some of its own charm to it, but not as much as the great grand feel that the original has. It is a good example of a reinterpretation though, and I'm glad that this mix is around. The song does sound a little on the thin side though - I do wish there was some more instrumentation to it.

- Bahamut on December 8, 2011
splendid work. this is to me just like the original, only moreso. therefore, being that the original is one of my favorite vg songs to date, this mix is excellent. apropos to the game but perfectly capable of standing on its own, this is one mix i shall certainly be visiting repeatedly. well done

- champ the hippie on August 13, 2011
Pretty exciting stuff, great arrangement, and some really nice passages keep this interesting throughout. The great dynamics are the icing on this delicious cupcake, and though the samples are mind blowing, they are very well used, and the emotion of the track is pretty clear.
Very strong work, I enjoy it a lot. :-)

- OA on August 16, 2010
Beautiful work. This is one of my absolute favorite tracks from the game, and to hear it given the orchestral treatment is just thrilling.

- Lucentas on October 18, 2009
For some reason, the mp3 I got from the torrent calls this "Pirates of Dragon Rost Isle". I would think that this could be fixed for further releases. A great remix!

- rj42492 on July 1, 2009
pirety, dark, symphonic, dragon roosty, great epic and dreaming feeling.

this remix i recommend to anyone who hasen't heard it >w<

- GreyMage on November 16, 2007
I'm so motivated to use FL now!!!! Great job, that's all i can say.

- Incronaut on April 8, 2007
Can someone please call the New York Philharmonic?! Somehow, you get a perfect picture any sight you can imagine at the sea, whether it be a valiant royal fleet or the uber-cute cel-shaded Link all alone in the blue. All sections of the orchestra fit together perfectly, it's amazing! Just like the symphonies of the classical greats!

- lady zelda on January 8, 2006
This remix is one of those ones, that don't go really far off like some remixs on here. This song is one of my favs in wind waker so i was really happy to hear this remix of it.

- maestermatt on December 18, 2005
The way this is composed brings just one word to my mind: Epic. It is like sailing over the vast sea, scaling the great windswept Dragon Roost Mountain, and, as stated before, a prelude to a great siege. I could see this song playing as warriors dig into the ground of the island, prepared for the onslaught of darkness that had overcome Hyrule - no matter how terrible the odds or how dark the day. Yes...the forces of darkness approaching across the sea, prepared to claim the island and it's power...truly magnificent.
You've done outstanding work here; I thank you for all your hard work and encourage you to continue on in such a wonderful fashion.

- Zera on December 15, 2005
Hm, this was a mix that made me think hard about what if this had actually happened in the game. It sounded exactly like what you would hear for an in-game cetimatic about a war between the dark forces of Ganon, versus the resistance on Dragon Roost Island. The whole thing is practically a battle scene cut into different parts. I could easily hear the main melody throughout the mix, and gave a sort of feeling between a fought battle and a fled battle.
Final Grade: 8.5 out of 10

- Magnum_Thunder on October 3, 2005
Not the best, but still awesome. 7.5/10

- Magical Ninja on August 19, 2005
Holy CRAP! this is sooooooooooo awsome its not even funny! :lmassoff: (mabie just a little)

- Gate Jumper on August 10, 2005
this music is great :D. She's can be used for much games or films about sea

- pilusvol on July 30, 2005