ReMix: The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening 'Clash at the Mountains'

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Game: The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening (Nintendo, 1993, GB)
ReMixer(s): zircon
Composer(s): Kazumi Totaka, Koji Kondo, Kozue Ishikawa, Minako Hamano
Song(s): 'Tal Tal Heights'
Posted: 2005-11-04, evaluated by djpretzel

I still think "Tal Tal Bachman" is funny. STILL. But I digress; Mr. Aversa sends in his own take on the Tal Tal Heights theme that small wonder and former judge Mr. Cabrera braved back in August of '03. If you're not adverse to Aversa, even though this is a little over-the-top compared to his usual style, I think you'll dig it. Sir writes:

"It's a break from what I normally do, but I think this is still a fun little ReMix; an upbeat groove with lots of synths and a smattering of orchestral elements. Relatively conservative in regards to arrangement, but I did play with the progression and add my own material to spice things up. I hope people have as much fun listening to it as I had making it. Enjoy!"

Where Dan employed a solo violin, Andy goes electric guitar, and overall the feel is a bit more electronic. I did call zirc out on his conspicuous use of the "MW Boost" preset from NI's FM7 softsynth, but I loved his response, which is the same line I use whenever I employ an easily identifiable preset: "but it sounds good!" Ultimately, whatever's right for the song is right for the song, and presets are there to be used. I usually end up tweaking things, esp. on electronica mixes, but often there's patches that just plain work, right out of the box, and in this case the shoe fits, and if it ain't broke, why fix it? Vacuum-packed hackneyed expressions aside, I think this mix will seem "familiar" to most listeners of electronica, but only because it's put together competently and utilizes proven techniques. Andy layers meaty, compressed beats (love the tom fills) with a smorgasbord of synth ackshunz, acoustic piano, and the afforementioned electric, which while synthetic does a great job of sounding full well into the upper registers and thus gracefully sidesteps misgivings I'd usually have about such a lead. The tom fills and flams are really key here - they fill out the mix, keep it moving, and pepper the vaguely big-beatish groove with highlights. The chord progression break at 1'32" is a great touch and quite striking. Basically, this is a great, highly accessible take on a theme that's already got mass appeal, so it's hard not to like. One thing I'll say that can be taken both positively and negatively - it doesn't particularly have a lot of depth to it. However, I don't think zircon intended it to, so it's not something that's indicative of a fresh direction for the artist, or that breaks into new territory in general, but is rather just a damn solid take on a classic theme, which embraces the appeal of pattern-based electronica and its vices, but does so competently and with heapin' helpins of groove and lovin' spoonfuls of know-how. Good stuff.

― djpretzel

Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.

When I first came to ocremix, the first remix I downloaded was this one.
When I first heard this mix I was very impressed with the production values and thought to myself that everyone who submitted on the site must be a big step beyond my skills at that point and I wasn't wrong :P
So... what do I think of this now?
Well, its zircon so production is crisp and very clean. Only complaints I have which are nitpicks are the slightly piercing sine wave lead. Also, I find the ending slightly disappointing as the pad has too much release on it and notes from the chord before the tonic when the ending note hits can be heard which brings down the ending, not to mention it cuts off (I did a cut off ending in my own mix of this theme however so I can't talk :P)
Nitpicks from the production aside, its very impressive, great job on that, tho I wouldn't expect anything less from zircon.
The arrangement wasn't as good as the production I feel. The arrangement and production combined invoked a very dreamlike soundscape which suits the game well enough, but the excitement I get from the original was missing, and I felt that the arrangement could have been a tad more daring, it seemed pretty standard to me.
Still a cool mix tho, recommended.

- WillRock on May 28, 2010

I'm not adverse to Aversa! Though i'm not super pleased with the lead sound, the rest of the mix more than makes up for it, with a fun and jammin take on a pretty classic theme. Interesting to hear this in comparison to the recently posted halc take on the source. I think this is one of the cases of the source being so good, no one really wants to mess with it.

- OA on January 28, 2010

Tal Tal heights was the single most important video game song in my life. I am pleased to say you just made it better.

- FightingFire on October 24, 2009

In case this wasn't able to be deduced from the title...I downloaded this Remix first, of all the remixes on OC. Totally awesome: this somehow managed to make me think of epicness, adventure, and, somehow, of Saturday morning cartoons. I freaking love this Remix. I listen to it so much it's unfortunately gotten old : - P but yeah...major kudos for this piece.

- bjnartowt on July 28, 2009

can't express in words how much i appreciate this remix.
it's an oldie yes, but it definitly takes that "epic" from the source and blows it all the way to koholint 8O

- Platonist on March 7, 2009

Link's Awakening. Probably the first game in which I truly recognised a game soundtrack as a singular thing, not just something that was attached to the level I was playing to make it seem more unique. Many fond memories wasting away good hours of holiday time playing Gameboy Color.
As for the mix, I really love how it doesn't bother messing around. There could have been a long buildup, a drawn out intro or something and it would have been fine. But less is oftentimes more, as we all know, and the intro that is present here is BETTER than what would have been acceptable.
The synthed up instrumentation is... well it's zircon so it's above stellar. I also really loved the Metroid Prime-ish goings-on in the middle of the song. Awesome. If I had paid for it, it would have given me value for money without a doubt.

- Marmiduke on March 6, 2009

This is the best track on link's awakening if you ask me. It's like the main Zelda theme that we all know an love and yet the melody is just a tad different, something nice that the Zelda series doesn't typically show us.
I really liked the mix as well, a bit slower than the original, but fun nonetheless.
I almost get a Metriod feel from this peace. Seems like it might make a nice theme for Samus gunning down those stupid hopping spiders from that cursed mountain.

- AmazinJason on December 17, 2008

This is definitly one of my favorites (in not my favorite) Oc remix ever made. Thanks, Zircon!!

- gandalf0987 on June 16, 2007

I love the style in which this is re-done. Nothing like a good distorted synth to blend it all in. I like all the side work that was done on this too. All the other minor instruments give the foreground really good support.
You know what this piece really reminds me of? The way the style and patches were chosen? The Chrome Gadget Zone from Sonic 3. (One of the 2 player sprint matches...) I like to hear different layers of music. This re-mix really does that.

- KogeJoe on January 31, 2007

Now that's catchy. This remix has really grown on me these past few weeks and now I can proudly say it's a must-download for all Zelda fans. It's Zelda with a Sci-Fi twist! Heh, I can really see Link in a green Star-Trek suit driving his ship through the stars with the Master Light Saber, hahahahaha! I dunno, that's just how I interpret it...for now at least...Bottom line, this is amazing, zircon, keep 'em coming!

- lady zelda on January 15, 2006

Hmm...that first distinct sound you hear when you play the song had me skeptical at first, but as soon as it started rolling, everything began to fall into place.
The electric guitar, for some reason, impressed me. I don't know why, but I really felt it for some reason. Loved it through and through.
Favorite part? 1:46, don't ask why, it's 12:11 AM and my mind isn't quite up to par as it should be haha. This song just rocks.
Pick it up IF you are a fan of Link's Awakening. Definitely something you need if you love the Tal Tal Heights song. However, I WILL say that this is closer to the original than Disco Dan's. So if you're just looking for a MP3 version of the original, this is the closest you'll get...I think. But even as a remix this is an awesome tune. Good job!

- SynthesizedStampede on December 18, 2005

Really like the intro of this one. Really like all of it. You can never have too much Link's Awakening, right? Not exactly what I was expecting, I thought it would have even more of a battle-theme-esque feel to it, but it could be just me. Reminds me of battle music from an RPG, although I'm not sure why. Also, as Flare4War said, pairs up very well with Disco Dan's Braving Tal Tal Heights. Both are awesome. Both highly recommended!

- Keiseth on December 6, 2005

What can I say that they haven't already. It's incredible start to finish. Going directly to my mp3 player and not coming off for a very long time.
I'll always have a safe place in my heart for this mix and Disco Dans version Braving TalTal Heights.
100/100

- Flare4War on November 27, 2005

This is how this theme would have sounded if the band Radical Dreamers had done it. (You know, from Chrono Cross) Certainly brings up visions of that style of music in my mind. Excellently done.

- DahisDream on November 23, 2005

So I wanted to come here and post how amazingly solid this piece was... but really, it's by Zircon and it's a Tal Tal piece, so this shouldn't be a surprise to anyone.
I have yet to play Link's Awakening, but if y'all keep coming up with fantastic mixes for it, I may be forced to.

- Fusilliban on November 22, 2005