ReMix: Secret of Evermore 'K-Pax for Evermore'

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Secret of Evermore

Merrrry Christmas! While we've still got a ways to go on the East Coast as of my writing this, a lot of people I know open gifts on the eve, and from an international perspective, many of you may have already gotten your haul o' the season. We always open at least a few on the eve in my family, and I'm now the proud owner of BioShock (360 version). Given my family's familiarity with video games, or lack thereof, it's a minor miracle I didn't end up with BodyShock, which my sister insisted on calling it, or Bio-Dome, with Pauly Shore, which is surely what Santa gives the very naughty kids, along with mint copies of Yahoo Serious' immortal Young Einstein. Lucky.

Mazedude's American Album continues to resonate and result in continued submissions, even two years after its initial release. With the perspective of considerable time to reflect on his masterpiece, Mr. Getman confides that this particular piece may in fact be his favorite of the bunch, which puts it in and above excellent company. As always, Chris provides a solid background narrative:

"Okay. If you haven't heard the soundtrack to the feature film "K-Pax," by Edward Shearmur, you are missing out. It is awesome. It sucked me in from the moment I put in the DVD, and I daresay it dwarfs the movie in coolness. Shearmur's blending of piano, mallet instruments, pads, and groovy electronic percussion is just so friggin' cool.

When first listening to the Secret of Evermore soundtrack by Jeremy Soule, I knew I wanted to remix this track in emulation of the K-Pax style. It just made sense to me.

It was actually very hard to do. It took me several tries to get started. I just couldn't settle on the right samples... but I stuck with it, and kept trying. Eventually I got a flow going, and then I ran with it. I even took it in directions that Shearmur didn't go, mingling in screaming synth leads, Reichian minimalist sections, and even a bit of Michael Manring electric bass influence. The end result is a soothing yet kickass remix of a great song. I'm quite proud of this one."

I remember seeing K-Pax in the theaters, and I remember vaguely liking it, but definitely being somewhat more enamored of its score, so I'll toss my hat into that ring as well. This is amazing work, and is also my favorite off AA; I think Chris really nailed core aspects of the K-Pax sound, while implementing quirkier, Mazedudish percussion and FX. There's also something here that reminds me of Kondo's score to Super Mario Galaxy (an instant classic) - I think it's the "spaciness", for lack of a better word. I could easily pun off Kevin Spacey at this point, so appreciate my measured restraint. I think this piece should have an audience even with those who might find some of MZD's other material too zany, as it's a bit more melodic, and a bit less polymorphous perverse, sonically, probably due to the K-Pax emulation. Essentially, Chris is uber-flexible, and while you could still (easily) identify this as one of his pieces, it's also very distinct and a bit more ambient/hypnotic than most of this other fare. But the important thing is, it's excellent, and pays homage to both Soule and Shearmur with class and style.

― djpretzel

Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
I wish i could speak a better english to translate my thoughts, this song is atmospheric, it's a very similar feeling with the game

- Trouble on November 5, 2009
bLiNd;359374 wrote: I've actually had an unfinished trance remix of this theme sitting on the drive for the past 1.5 years :-0 gotta finish it

3+ years now? =(
This is a fantastic mix. It was always hard to justify getting SoE for xmas while my brother got Chrono Trigger...which one of us won the battle of "better game"? He did, obviously. But sibling rivalry commanded me to squeeze every ounce of good out of this one, and I think I did.
The score is absolutely unique for an SNES game, centered around mystery, loss, and desperation. It was so good that I tended to hate the game because of its long stretches without any BGM playing, regardless of gameplay elements (although frequent and lengthy mazes were frustrating on their own accord).
I love all 3 of the remixes up here, all evince terrific emotion in the spirit of the source. Mazedude's percussion is fantastic, like a well-measured case of ADD knocking pads and bells in an entrancing rhythm. For some reason, the melding of synths and percussion reminds me of a more electronica version of the latest Muse album's symphonic suite (sans guitar). Beautiful stuff.
I agree with the criticism that the ending jumps out of nowhere.

- Pander on October 1, 2009
This one never should have become buried in my vg remix collection. I am elated that I rediscovered it.
The combination of organic and synthetic sounds is astoundingly beautiful and profound. It truly surprised me how appropriately these seemingly polar opposites could meld as they interplayed; also from what I understand, such a melding also fits perfectly with the theme of the game itself. The poignant touch, in my opinion, was made in giving each style its own moment to speak... the sounds intertwine and build, then the organic quiets for the synthetic to profess its secrets, both build and recircle, then the artificial withdraws and allows the natural to give its testament, and finally they rejoin and crescendo only to eventually fade into the distance.
This is the story I hear. It is further accented by the panning, which completely envelops me in this strange world, and by the pitch bending of the synth, which sends a chill down my spine every time it is introduced.
Now I must listen to the soundtrack from K-Pax. However, I will venture a guess that, even if the idea originated from Mr Shearmur's work, the inspiration evident here came from none other than Mr Getman. Do be proud; this is phenomenal. Thank you for this.

- K.B. on March 27, 2009
Still the best.

- Mustin on October 24, 2008
Mazedude's tracks tend to be very unique, so... sometimes I like them, sometimes they don't quite click with me. But they're always interesting, no doubt about that.
This in particular might be my favorite remix that Mazedude's done thus far. It really, really gets at the part-eerie, part-mysterious atmosphere in both SoE and K-Pax (really enjoyed that movie, by the way). It's a brilliant track where you can really hear the inspiration behind it. KF

- Kizyr on October 23, 2008
I was just recently introduced to a couple tracks from SoE through an awesome channel on Youtube called "From Bleeps to Beats: The Music of Video Games". I'd never played the game before so it was a very welcome addition to my playlist. I listened to it all a number of times before coming here and finding Mazedude's remix. When I heard it I felt like flying and crying all at once. It's just soooo beautiful, flowing and ethereal. It even prompted me to go and get the K-Pax soundtrack. I whole heartedly agree with Dunnowhathuh... it can easily be snuck into the soundtrack with absolute perfection.
Thank you for this gorgeous masterpiece, Mazedude.:-)

- Alimah Kali on October 18, 2008
Can't really comment on the K-Pax thing, but I just recently re-discovered the SoE soundtrack and the original version of this song is definitely my favorite from the soundtrack. As a result this remix is a very welcome addition to my collection, very low key, but the same melody is there.
Hard to describe but this remix has a very "light" feel to it, very unique.

- ZealPath on August 16, 2008
I just heard this awesome track on the Ormgas stream. I haven't gotten around to seeing K-Pax yet, but the remix reminded me of the songs by Animusic. In fact I was half visualizing them animating this as I listened to it.

- Schloss Ritter on August 16, 2008
What an awesome track. Very soothing, very spacey, very powerful in an understated way. It flows beautifully, and feels free but never unfocused. Great piece, and one that will make it on to my short list of favorite OCReMixes.

- Arwen on February 24, 2008
Great atmospheric track, the delayed bass harmonic sample at the beginning was awesome, and the track progressed very well while retaining a deep atmospheric mood. Synth choices were all fantastic and meshed together well, and every few listens, you discover another layer of sound. My one complaint is that is starts fading at the end and then gets abruptly cut out. Considering how much care was put into the rest of the song it seems like an oversight.
I'm wondering if this track hasn't received the attention it deserves review-wise because its downtempo? A more obscure game? It was posted nearby a lot of other, higher profile mixes? I'm not really sure, but if you are reading this, be sure to check this track out.

- OA on January 16, 2008
I'm kinda a sucker for Secret of Evermore remixes, but even with that in mind I have to say that this is amazing. It keeps the same "feel" of the original but is really different and lovely in its own right as well... really nice job.

- quoda on January 5, 2008
This song has a real depth to it, I feel like I can fall into the sound. I love songs like that.
The chip elements fit in nicely, without being a sudden addition.
Overall, I'm a fan of this. Nice job.

- DragonAvenger on December 28, 2007
i downloaded the american album back in feburay or so and it was awesome. this is my favorite song in the whole album.

- JohnderriLLL on December 27, 2007
Oh yes, VERY k-pax. For someone who didn't know the soundtrack very well, you could probably substitute this mix in for the k-pax main theme and they wouldn't know any better. Great stuff.

- Dunnowhathuh on December 27, 2007
Audity;359182 wrote: The intro could have been more spread out before the main synth comes in, but other than that it's about time that someone did this theme in a fitting way.

I've actually had an unfinished trance remix of this theme sitting on the drive for the past 1.5 years :-0 gotta finish it
Anyway, I always love listening to mazedudes mixes and this is no different. His style, and sound choices, remind me of what got me into game music in the first place. Good work brutha

- bLiNd on December 25, 2007

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