ReMix: Parasite Eve 'PMS'
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- Game: Parasite Eve (Square, 1998, PS1)
- ReMixer(s): ktriton
- Composer(s): Yoko Shimomura
- Song(s): 'Influence of the Deep', 'Theme of Aya'
- Posted: 2007-01-11, evaluated by the judges
Nice title. Kunal's latest ventures into the seldom-tread world of Eve and her parasite, one of Squaresoft's late 90's CG-laden titles, with a soundtrack by Yoko Shimomura. Yoko's worked on a bunch of very high-profile soundtracks, including SF2 back when she was with Capcom, but I think PE was her first time working on the Playstation. As another interesting bit of trivia, every one of Kunal's five mixes has been from a different game, each of them RPGs or action RPGs. Clearly there's something inherently appealing in the types of scores written for the genres that resonates with the ReMixer, and that resonance has provided us with some great arrangements, this track being no exception. Things intro with solo piano over phonographic static that some felt was a little intrusive, but certainly creates a maudlin, sepia-toned nostalgia. That ambiance is interrupted by a string run that leads into low brass hits, setting the stage for an electro-industrial groove that comes in and essentially shifts things into hybrid mode, transforming a melancholy wax cylinder piano recording semi into an electrified, electronic Optimus Prime chimera. The static continues intermittently, but a vinyl feel is applied to the production throughout. There's some slick chromatic string runs and some impressionist piano soloing towards the end; salient ingredients in an already tasty stew of mixed d'n'b style percussion, an interesting, aggressive synth bass that pulls some neat stuttering effects, and an orchestral ensemble. Note that this mix, like Dhsu's, is also from the Bad Dudes EP that OneUp Studios put out; hopefully these mixes being posted will shed some more light on what was clearly a pretty solid project. BGC liked the mix, but commented on the compression, which I'd roll into the intended vinyl effect:
"All around, pretty cool stuff. I like it. Interesting arrangement as well as interpretation. There are a few times where I couldn't help but cringe at the compression--seems there may have been a couple volume issues you may have overlooked before your final render, such as 0:45 (where the breakbeat comes in), 1:39, 2:26; pretty much anywhere there's a build and crash. it'll only bug the listener if they're actively listening for it though--otherwise it doesn't really detract. Anyway, pretty energetic and otherwise engaging take on the original themes. Definitely good stuff."
This'll be a fun ride for most, and the only thing I see raising some eyebrows is the production decision to emulate vinyl, in more ways than one. There are more than enough other elements present that I'm not sure this effect was called for; it certainly doesn't detract much, and it avoids coming off as gimmicky as it's consistently and professionally applied... I could go either way. Kunal does his own thing and does it well, though, consistently making what others would consider odd decisions work quite effectively, revealing the hidden allure of some peculiar source tunes in the process. Any time of the month's a great time of the month for PMS!!!
Yes, I just said that.
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the Some of the synths act like Eve's bastard children: slimy, stretchy, bubbly, mutating... and badass by extension. The declarative brass swells leading Influence of the Deep seem to hand the reins to more than one instrument in order to balance the load. Speaking of which, the strings and piano are made for each other, playing off the other's parts for maximum intimacy. All the while, emotions ride the semi-climactic builds and crashes, and impromptu percussive quips transfer/transform the energy of the mix more wildly and proficiently than mitochondria ever could.
Twice more does the piano dominate. At the halfway point, it's subdued but purposefully contemplative. In the end, it's like a forgone/indecisive conclusion that invites the listener's input.
PMS discombobulates, but in a good way.
- Polo on April 30, 2009
I was always underwhelmed with the OST of Parasite eve, but this makes it much better, and have a lot stronger flavor than the almost generic-sounding original. Great orchestra and piano. The piano was really nice, especially in the solo section where it has some beautiful runs. Even the brass was good.
I can respect the record player static, though I think it could have been brought down a bit and still remained effective to what you were trying to achieve without becoming distracting. It works very well for the bre
Overall a great piece, but can you really expect anything less from ktriton?
- OA on June 6, 2008
Don't like those choppy solo strings. You can hear the volume drop out as if into vacuum when a new note starts playing with that too-long attack.. Gneh. Also, the static at the start doesn't really sound super-good to me, sounds kinda digital to me instead of warm vinyl popping. The broken compression has been mentioned, quite uggly ripples there..
Overall, a pretty good cinematique track. Doesn't manage to profoundly grab me, though. Love the bass, still.
--Eino
- evktalo on December 11, 2007
My only (minor) complaints, which have already been voiced, are the production issues with the distortion on the hits - due to the over compression. I think the levels also could've been brought together better to have the more electronic portions brought further forward in the mix (actually, this may also be due to compression issue). I'm listening to this on my mixing headphones, which probably makes this stuff more obvious than usual.
Anyway, those small issues aren't enough to keep it off my playlist. Well done.
- Nutritious on September 25, 2007
However, no matter how much I usually like the sound of vinyl, I don't think the crackling fits in here.
So yeah, good job, but flawed. Just a minor flaw, though.
- Martin Penwald on January 29, 2007
Anyway, look out for more stuff from us Bad Dudes soon!
- ktriton on January 15, 2007
Don't let people look at you weird. Have confidence.
About the track, the more I listen to it, the more I like it. But the more I wish Kunal hadn't of gone with the lo-fi record route. Maybe a release down the road?
Watch for another EP from the Bad Dudes sometime soon. www.OneUpStudios.com
- Mustin on January 14, 2007
Mustin;214581 wrote: Wow, serious love for the Bad Dudes EP today. Thanks to djp and the judges!
I agree with BGC on the compression. I didn't realize it until I was listening to the compilation in my truck - the overcompression really crackles at those loud points. I came home and called Kunal - he seemed to not realize it was there.
Either way, this is a rad track. Not really what I expected from Kunal, but totally appropriate for the EP.
Watch for another EP from the Bad Dudes soon...
wow you're brave enough to play OC music in your vehicle too? I salute you. I find it hard to keep a straight face tho if its a classical/symphonic track when ppl are staring at me queerly...
but meh. And yes this EP remix is incredibly well done.
- HoboKa on January 14, 2007
Oh yeah, I wish you could tone down the crackly "old record" sound, man it sounds JUST LIKE AN OLD RECORD. OMG. lmfao, jk, I'm just pullin ur leg Liontamer. =P
- Robotaki on January 13, 2007
Citan;214671 wrote: Really good, but I wish the crackling would be cleaned up a bit. That's probably the only real complaint I have about this remix.
For Christ's sake, not again please: http://www.ocremix.org/forums/showpost.php?p=177159&postcount=11
- Liontamer on January 12, 2007
- HoboKa on January 12, 2007
- Citan on January 12, 2007
edit: the reason for my excitement being of course that Lord Blazer will always be totally fucking awesome.
- spineshark on January 11, 2007
- avaris on January 11, 2007
- Atom45 on January 11, 2007
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