ReMix: Shining Force 'Armageddon'

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Shining Force

Mr. GrayLightning sends us our first ReMix from the first Shining Force game, for the Genesis, which starts off dramatic and stays that way. The ReMixer writes:

" The original is orchestral, military type oriented. I have kept the orchestral style pretty similar but expanded it greatly into a more symphonic form. There's lots of articulation usage of various instrumentation that ranges from typical orchestral fare to even a new ageish middle section with pads. There's also choir and a crazy amount of drums and various percussion. This is easily some of my most complex work on a mix so far with around 50-60 midi tracks."

Prominent + dominant percussion is the flavor of the day, with gradually crescendoing vocal shouting that recalls some of the score from LOTR; very primal and apocryphal. At 1'25" there's a VERY slick transition into a mellow break with great triplet-laden slapped percussion, getting back into the more apocalyptic motifs towards the second-minute mark. Flute flares, running strings, increasingly tense layered percussion, church bells, and more all lead up to a final brief isolated fanfare and resolution. This is a mix that handles a specific problem very well - how does one construct a building, suspenseful, urgent orchestral composition that also has some breaks into varied, more deliberate portions, without losing momentum? GL handles this with excellent transitions, using a plethora of bombastic percussion to great advantage in rapidly transforming the tone and direction. The energy levels here are amazing, and indicate the astounding and highly successful transformation the mixer himself has made from making primarily laid back, new-age compositions to being able to put together a Carl Orff-inspired arrangement of this nature. It takes the ball from the original and truly runs with it, adding cataclysmic choral work, deep and sinister lower orchestral timbres, chromatic and unpitched percussion of all shapes and sizes, and the willingness to pull some tricky transitions to make the piece more interesting. A new level for GrayLightning, at least in the orchestral realm, and an inspired juggernaut of an arrangement for Shining Force.

― djpretzel

Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
When I first heard this a couple of years ago, I had a lot of trouble hearing Shining Force in it. I didn't enjoy the piece back then, and this style doesn't appeal to me that much, but right now I appreciate it better. There are some good intensity and feel changes. I also like the synth elements thrown in with the orchestra. Overall it stays a bit samey despite different parts and variations, I feel that the part that begins at 2:00 is too close to the beginning. Nevertheless, a good listen.
--Eino

- evktalo on December 12, 2008
Royal Sovereign wrote: ...I've come to the conclusion I was bit wrong about my first review.
I'll say yes, it is a good song -- but as a remix I'm still a bit disappointed. The overall handling of the source material is less-than-superior -- the original melodies get drowned out in the massive arrangements.
That is not to say that is not good. It is, in fact, excellent, to the point of being a mini-masterpiece.
But ONLY as a stand-alone tune. It does not go well with the original song. Which, in this small case, is actually alright.

My arrangements tend to be liberal and can divide opinions. :) In this case, I wanted to explore some of the other elements. Cheers for giving it another chance though and reposting a follow up. It's cool and interesting to hear you found some enjoyment though for other reasons.
Thanks.

- GrayLightning on October 15, 2005
...I've come to the conclusion I was bit wrong about my first review.
I'll say yes, it is a good song -- but as a remix I'm still a bit disappointed. The overall handling of the source material is less-than-superior -- the original melodies get drowned out in the massive arrangements.
That is not to say that is not good. It is, in fact, excellent, to the point of being a mini-masterpiece.
But ONLY as a stand-alone tune. It does not go well with the original song. Which, in this small case, is actually alright.

- Royal Sovereign on October 15, 2005
WOOW THIS IS STRIGHT TO MY IPOD. IT RAWKS LIKE LORD OF THE RINGS. PARFECT.
Graylightning you have anything new soon?

- Tifa7 on July 22, 2005
WOW! This is amazing! I can't believe how well, and how seemlessly he took the theme and melded it into this remix! This is simply amazing! 9/10!

- HesTheMan on June 22, 2005
Shining Force was great and i wish i could still play it. The song is great couldnt have been done better.

- Super Metal Mario on May 6, 2005
This is one serious remix. The vocals are well done, which you don't see very often. Very dark and militaristic, something to play war games to. Definately an addition to my UT2004 playlist.

- redchlorine on May 6, 2005
I love this remix, its just so hot.
The vocals are well timed, I really get off on the fast moving violens while the background fades away. The drums come in perfectly. Its just an amazing piece of work.

- Listener on January 10, 2005
This is an amazing remix of an amazing game. Shining Force is an old favorite of mine, and I must commend Graylightning for the work he has done with the music. 'Tis a shame there aren't more Shining Force remixes out there...

- Berserk_Moogle on December 26, 2004
I don't think I've played the original SF yet. That gives me a project today outside of downloading gobs of ubercool remixes! And this is definitly one of them. I've only heard the midi of the original tune but as a mix of it and even as a stand-alone piece, it's wonderful. Very FFTish which gives it kudos right there from me. :) Very professional. Clean. *melts* Must go play th'game now...

- Jemnisimi on December 2, 2004
If to compare with the original version we will see that this remix is perpetual on to an incredible orchestra of the original version.
The work was incredible, arrived at an important conclusion, [b]this remix could be introduced in a more recent game version[/b].
I believe In This.
[b]Good work, GrayLightning![/b] :nicework:

- Txai on November 15, 2004
As member of the Shining Force Central community and a longtime SF fan, I can honestly say I'm truly disappointed in this song. It has forthrightly ruined one of the best tracks on the original SF soundtrack. I do not like it at all.

- Royal Sovereign on November 13, 2004
Another great piece by Graylightning to add to the playlist. When I think GrayLightning I don't think driving "military-esque" music but I love the percussion work especially. Love to see more Shining Force remixes. Especially by talented remixers like him.

- Putzy on September 17, 2004
Whoa this mix is awesome...the chanting is cool.

- Brim on September 16, 2004
This is one of the best damn remixes I've heard yet!
Now if there were more Shining Force remixes produced.
I really didn't care for "Force of Light" as it
was heavy in Techno, that was too much for me.
It introduced the Shining series to OC Remix and
hopefully bring more in, that's what matters.
Shining Force CD's soundtrack was kickass.
Maybe someone will work with that or other
Shining games.

- antacid03 on September 14, 2004

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