ReMix: Chrono Trigger 'Calamitous Judgment'
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- Game: Chrono Trigger (Square, 1995, SNES)
- ReMixer(s): zircon
- Composer(s): Nobuo Uematsu, Noriko Matsueda, Yasunori Mitsuda
- Song(s): 'The Trial'
- Posted: 2004-07-21, evaluated by the judges
The judgment of this mix was anything BUT calamitous, with a clear consensus that newcomer zircon's Chrono Trigger ReMix, styled somewhat after Dan's popular Triforce Majeure opus, is some good business. Unlike that mix, which was mostly appreciated due to having one of the best mix titles ever [/sarcasm], this one's all that and a bag of chips. First, some background - zircon's been around awhile, on #ocremix and the forums, and runs a site called SoundTempest which is self-described as "The premier online community for original video game music." - it's an interesting concept and has been steadily picking up steam. Check it out for some great original works, including many by familiar ReMixers. He writes:
"I put quite a lot of time into this and revised it numerous times with the help of the people at the WIP forum, and I'm very happy with the results. The style, you may notice, is influenced by Disco Dan's Triforce Majeure, and I think it's an uncommon style (dance/orchestral) that could use more attention."
Revision is always good. Honestly, from poetry to art to music, it's been something I've always been very bad at, and is a creative skill unto itself. Perhaps not right for everybody, but usually helps to some extent. The Triforce influence is most evident in the specific combination of pizzicato and a tight, fast breakish/hip-hop beat, along with the dramatic stabs, but there's plenty of deviation like the extended break going into the third minute, the relegated role of synths (and generally more subdued timbre as well), and of course the material itself is different - more Danny Elfmanish melody and progression, slightly demonic and at times reminiscent of Ghouls N' Ghosts. In related news I'd like to thank Judge Beatdrop a.k.a. Dain Olsen for his numerous contributions to the site both as ReMixer and formerly as Judge, as he's stepped down due to time constraints. Liontamer, a.k.a. Larry Oji, who also runs the VG Frequency radio show and helps out at the ormgas streaming radio site, has come on board as our latest addition to the panel, and had these kind, initial words for zircon's mix:
I'm so used to "The Trial in Concert" that it's strange hearing someone else arrange "Kingdom Trial" so heavily. The production's pretty nice and the Disco Dan/Triforce Majeure homage is great. Everything here really carries that grandiose level of energy and creativity. To make sure I'll remember it, you get my very first YES. [sniff, sniff] I'm proud of you, bro!"
The panel has been moving with increased speed in judging submissions, and Larry should make a great addition to the team. So a joint welcome to him as a judge and zircon as a ReMixer is definitely in order; be sure to peep their respective links and check out the ReMix, which while paying clear homage to Mitsuda's work as well as Cabrera's paves its own way with some quality and style. Good stuff.
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the I like that this is very much bound to the classical roots of the source, and despite having dance conventions and sounds, it never really lowers into actually danceable territory. This isn't club music; it's closer to IDM, though with heavy emphasis on melody.
Samples are really great from the get-go. The pacing is superb and the arrangement is consistent with the quality of the mix. I think much better arrangements from zircon were still to come and I would say that is the area where he has made the biggest improvements. But debuts are rarely this strong or well-defined. I think this gains a lot of listening in retrospect.
- Marmiduke on September 28, 2010
Excellent stuff, and a stellar first sub. Also cool that it was the first song Larry ever YES'ed. Historic remix! :D
- OA on May 6, 2010
Another song I can't get enough of. The strings totally make this ReMix worth it.
- JadeAuto on December 8, 2009
- yosefu on June 13, 2009
GREAT WORK :)
- Ryze on September 22, 2007
- Geoffrey Taucer on February 27, 2007
- DragonFireKai on February 27, 2007
Oh my... I was wrong! DAMN wrong! Incredible remix! A masterpiece! You are a genius, zircon!
- ocremixfan on April 15, 2006
This is my fav remix currently
- Drack on October 2, 2005
I downloaded and I still haven´t regret it.
- Bummerdude on September 12, 2005
Very enthralling and amazingly cohesive for such a fast-paced melody.
- o19 on August 22, 2005
Hadoken wrote: Is it just me, or does this sound a lot like Kefka's theme from Final Fantasy 6?
I hadn't read the description, and I was trying to figure out what song from Chrono Trigger it came from, because I could have sworn it was a take off of kefka's theme.
So it's not just you =), maybe it's just the two of us... >.<
- Delwack on March 24, 2005
- TwinTurboTerrorist on September 28, 2004
This is jaw-dropping...
There is definite insanity :twisted: here, yes, yes... um... yes... and um... DAMN! 8O
I love the orchestral feel, mixed with the whole insane techno feel in between orchestral pieces, giving this mix a feel of the original with a little shock of ... DAMN! To spaz it up!
That was cool! And I have no problem with it being that long... it doesn't feel like it...
KUDOS! KEEP IT UP! :wink:
~Falcis Umbrae~
- Angelus Laminarum on September 22, 2004
