ReMix: Xenosaga: Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht 'Ein Anderer Abschied'
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- Game: Xenosaga: Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht (Namco, 2003, PS2)
- ReMixer(s): PriZm
- Composer(s): Yasunori Mitsuda
- Song(s): 'Beach of Nothingness', 'Inner Space', 'Song of Nephilim'
- Posted: 2005-06-07, evaluated by the judges
DETROIT. Yes. And that's all I'll say about that. Before I move out of non-sequitir mode, however, let me take a second to recommend to anime and non-anime fans alike Paranoia Agent. I recently finished it and have to say that rarely has any show, animated or otherwise, impressed me as much with masterful direction, perfect music, and above all an incredible string of consecutive, brilliant narrative decisions. I was waiting to be disappointed for the entire 13 episodes, because I didn't think the creativity and execution would be sustainable, but that never happened, and I'd be remiss in not pimping it here, however briefly. Truly something. Moving on, our first ReMix from Namco's space opera RPG Xenosaga, which spawned an anime of its own, comes from Pascal Jette, alias PriZm, who quite recently impressed with his bowser mix. Disturbing crying intros with an ensuing drone/throb and then vocal sample and building string/snare orchestral pattern, initially giving the impression of a symphonic, more aggressive tone. Things take a step back with some haunting female vocals at 0'56", however, with delayed guitar entering and the beat becoming less driving and more explorative and spartan. Really interesting panning of jangling xylo bits as bluesy "Law & Order Intro" guitar trades time with oboe, then the guitar gets meatier, beefier, and other carnivorous adjectives, and solos for a bit atop a strong downbeat. At 3'00" even, following a wicked little chug-a-run, things change tone to outright metal, evoking shades of Evanescence as the now doubled, harmonizing vocals soar over relentless shredding rhythms. I don't think anyone on the panel was too keen on the spontaneous oboe solo ending; although I like the idea of fading into the piano, there's a logical stopping point where the piano bit resolves, after which it sounds as if a well-meaning but ill-advised first chair oboe decided to offer his assistance by punctuating the entire thing with his own brief impromptu solo passage, unbeknownst to the (hypothetical) composer and conductor. It's an odd and off decision amidst so many other planned and cohesive ones, but does leave a tentative last impression. All in all, though, an interesting meld of metal and mellow, with the crunch of guitars offset against melancholy, minor-key vocalizing, and also unique juxtaposition of very driving, consistent rhythms in the beginning and ending with a more free-form, meandering middle. Hopefully Pascal can shed some light on where the vocals came from, as he only mentioned that they were "real" in his submission email. While I think they could have used a smidgin' more reverb, they're texturally very compelling, and well-performed too. A wide variety of instrumentation - vocals, different guitars, piano, orchestral, acoustic, and electronic percussion, strings, and oboe - all contribute their respective strengths to the arrangement, and thus things never get sonically bland. Pascal's got a distinct, musical style that's willing to transition and merge in ways that some might dismiss as unapproachable, but which he makes work the majority of the time. This is a pretty conceptually challenging arrangement to have implemented, and with a few little rough edges, he's done so successfully. The result is a peculiar but communicative and enjoyable piece of music from a game that's so epic I'll probably never have the time to play it. Luckly, at just over five minutes, PriZm gives us his succinct take on some of the highlights from the soundtrack - good stuffs.
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the Some of the singing had a bit of intonation issues, but overall this is a great piece. Nice work. :-)
- OA on June 3, 2009
Suki;63599 wrote: The composer's a she. And her name is Yuki Kajiura. I personally liked her style of songs actually. Chants and everything. Mitsuda was great, but somehow I found his choice of vocals rather disappointing. It just didnt fit with Xenosaga I, imo. Yuki Kajiura's done more anime ost's than game, like Noir, Hack and Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles.
I loved Yasunori Mitsuda in Xenosaga, so I was disappointed to hear of his replacement for XSII and XSIII. However, Yuki Kajiura did a fantastic job with it and I find her sound fit the game a lot better than Mitsuda's. I have been listening to a Xenogears, Xenogears CREID, Xenosaga I, II, and III mix on my computer (while I read), and I have found that a lot of the times I a song captures my ear it belongs to Xenosaga I or II.
As for PriZm's work: Great work. I love pretty much anythings with choral female vocals, and this delivers well. It's almost haunting in the beginning, and mid song provides a nice contrast to the beat of the song. Good listen.
- sorrowfool on May 30, 2007
- superdan54 on May 16, 2006
Unfortunately Episode II does not feature the work of Mitsuda. Sad It has really taken away a lot of my interest in the franchise. It just won't be the same without Mitsuda. However, the soundtrack isn't really all that terrible. There's not yet a full OST, but there's a limited version available already. Send me a PM if you want to know more.
I agree, the idea of Xenosaga without Mitsuda is somewhat disappointing. I heard the composer for the .hack series (can't quite recall his name) worked on Episode II. His work was decent...but thats it. Decent.
The composer's a she. And her name is Yuki Kajiura. I personally liked her style of songs actually. Chants and everything. Mitsuda was great, but somehow I found his choice of vocals rather disappointing. It just didnt fit with Xenosaga I, imo. Yuki Kajiura's done more anime ost's than game, like Noir, Hack and Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles.
- Suki on August 9, 2005
Mimeblade wrote: I've heard several developmental stages of this song by PriZm and liked the progress he's made on this, however, it's strange that after he submitted this, it's like he disappeared from the face of the earth? Anyone know where he went, I've tried e-mailing him and such to no avail. Did he change aliases?
He's been posting regularly in WIP and I've been keeping in contact with him for the Summoning of Spirits project. He's around.
- KyleJCrb on June 22, 2005
- Mimeblade on June 22, 2005
Unfortunately Episode II does not feature the work of Mitsuda. Sad It has really taken away a lot of my interest in the franchise. It just won't be the same without Mitsuda. However, the soundtrack isn't really all that terrible. There's not yet a full OST, but there's a limited version available already. Send me a PM if you want to know more.
I agree, the idea of Xenosaga without Mitsuda is somewhat disappointing. I heard the composer for the .hack series (can't quite recall his name) worked on Episode II. His work was decent...but thats it. Decent.
- Vexxon on June 12, 2005
- Antelucan on June 11, 2005
Grey Ninja wrote: According to Prizm, it's Beach of the Void. But both songs have similar melodies going.
Ah could be, I don't have the CD handy, but the haunting melody of 'Inner Space' really sticks out in my mind over Beach of the Void. It's just somber and spooky, and further is by your side while you're playing the game rather than when you're watching the endless cut scenes.
I guess this is as good a place to ask as any: When in the HECK are they releasing the Xenosaga Episode II OST? I can't find it anywhere.
edit: As far as the mix goes, I think I liked the original themes better. They're spooky and slow and better that way. This feels a bit over the top throughout, though it seems skillfully assembled.
- LinearX on June 10, 2005
- LinearX on June 9, 2005
- SlashEdgewind on June 8, 2005
That said, I didn't think it was a bad mix...but it definitely didn't blow my mind. To me...it just seemed to linger. I didn't really draw any feeling from it. I think it's good, but it's nothing I'll listen to over and over. But that's just me.
- Scufo on June 8, 2005
The Xyco wrote: The end seemed to come kind of abruptly. I was waiting for a second section with the piano, but then it seemed to drift off.
Indeed. Some awful things are going on this ReMix in terms of transition. The oboe sounds weird with his time. But the drums are very good. Always, the guitar is the most amazing thing here as well. I like the technique of delay on the piano. Great job. As PriZm an inspiration, never forget to listen 'Bowser is Pissed'.
- Txai on June 8, 2005
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