ReMix: The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past 'Lost Dark World'

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Game: The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (Nintendo, 1991, SNES)
ReMixer(s): Long Dao
Composer(s): Koji Kondo
Song(s): 'Dark Mountain Forest', 'Dark World'
Posted: 2008-02-10, evaluated by the judges

VERY impressive debut ReMix from Long Dao; he's been around awhile, but this is the first submission that's rock solid. Actually, it's beyond rock solid, venturing into territory that I personally wouldn't hesitate to label "pretty damn awesome." The ReMixer writes:

"This remix was inspired by not only the Dark World theme of Zelda but also the Lost World theme from Jurassic Park. I always found some sort of similarity between the two themes, and eventually decided to embark on the wild journey to remix the two themes into one. I had some help from my friend Jeremy Robson during the process. I eventually finished around April 2006, but got too lazy to upload it until now."

Before I talk about the mix, I wanted to point out a couple changes we've made to the site recently. You'll notice we've added composer icons to our master list, filtered lists, and individual detail pages. My hope is that this will help familiarize everyone - myself included - more with specific composers by putting a face with a name. I definitely learn visually, so I know it'll help me out. This is just one of a number of changes we've been making lately - exciting times! Now, onto the music... Long Dao's put together an original, compelling arrangement of a well-known theme - a challenge in and of itself - and done so with some pretty slick production values. From the outset, the dramatic percussion definitely gives you the Jurassic vibe he mentions, and the overall style is very cinematic. I overuse this adjective, I know, but it's the most appropriate word, so while I could peruse my thesaurus or try to concoct elaborate metaphors, it's better to call a spade a spade. And what a spade it is - LD's arrangement is substantive, at six and a half minutes long, and uses its time well, developing nicely and covering vast territory with broad strokes. There's subtlety here, at times, but the dominant motif is more aggressive, action-packed composition; Link's clearly having trouble with some hungry velociraptors, and Mr. Dao is happy to score it. Basically, this could have bypassed the panel, but we needed to check for similarity to the cited JP OST. Shariq writes:

"There's Zelda all over this, but we had to make sure. Good thing my sister is such a John Williams fan. Jimmy, I'm also in a state of WTF @ JP4. Anyway excellent work capturing the style of the score and developing the themes. I really enjoyed this a lot; this is how Zelda orchestral should be done. ;)"

Awesome stuff; a fresh take on a classic theme from a new face is always a good thing, and I'm psyched to see what Long comes up with next.

― djpretzel

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

I really enjoyed this, although I have some issues with the last third. :? The transition around 4:47 felt off, especially with the (I'm guessing the instrument) plucked violin family (the lowers, the wood resonance is too much for it, imho). The felt the melody and the volume were off a bit, too ( the whole melody thing carries on afterward for me; I'm not loving the note/chord choice). Then, after that, I felt the lower brass to be a bit too distorted, and the tempo modulation reminded me of brakes being pushed and released. Not very pleasant. This might just be my opinion, as I myself don't have much training in music, and my tastes are a bit of a grab bag (what's in is in). I still enjoyed most of this, the intro and body of it are fantastic. :) *download*

- GravitySuitCollector on May 1, 2011

Absolutely the best rendition of the Dark World theme. Possibly the best rendition I've ever heard of any Zelda music. The original theme was very triumphant and bombastic, yet most people seem to want to make their arrangements/remixes of the theme more subdued and reflective. There's nothing wrong with that, of course - I like several of those arrangements, too, but it's wonderful to hear the theme brought back to its roots.
I also like some of the changes made to the melody - particularly the variation of the melody and the chords in the intro. I'm glad the Jurassic Park thing wasn't too overt. I didn't hear it specifically, but I definitely felt the Williams influence in it. (I was also getting a little bit of a Jerry Goldsmith vibe - did anyone else notice that?)
There was only one spot that kind of bothered me (though it's hardly worth mentioning.) At 3:44-3:57, in the transition to the Mountain/Forest theme, the music felt just a little hollow there. I think it was intentionally done that way, but I thought it made the transition a little awkward. But it's a very minor thing, and once the theme gets going, it really comes in strong.
But, overall, a fantastic piece of music here. I'd give it at least a 9.5/10. Also, what software was used and how much does it cost? Because I want it! If that's not a live orchestra, it's the most realistic synthesis I've ever heard.

- HarmonicSonic on January 28, 2011

I'm actually surprised that the heavy John Williams influence didn't last too long. Obviously the beginning is very stylised in conjunction with Williams' Jurassic Park score, but I really liked how it wasn't pigeonholed into being a gimmick piece. It really comes into its own, with the great interpretation and the really successful samples used. All in all, I wouldn't describe this as 'Williams Does Dark World', I think there is little overall connection except quotes and basic influence.
It's always great to hear these tunes made uber and realistic; the melodies are two I won't ever forget after dozens of hours spent in the Dark World/Death Mountain areas. Hope there's a lot more to come.

- Marmiduke on January 31, 2009

I can see a lot of work here but needs to be internalized a bit further. The drive to the climax fights with the game's original melody in the beginning. The softest part of the song is a little confusing but your drive back up towards the end gets much better. I really like the harps playing too. Nice touch.

- Ryu2Wolf on January 6, 2009

Very interesting take on the source material; not as coherent in arrangement as I had hoped, but a nice attempt nonetheless.

- Lucentas on December 6, 2008

Arrangement and orchestration is very cool for about the first minute - I can definitely see where this was going with the allusions to the Jurassic Park score (it being one of my favorites, I know it well.) Unfortunately the substance of the track for the remainder seems to wane and wander a bit. But excellent effort all round!

- Steffan Andrews on October 12, 2008

Just listened to this again. This song is damn good. You guys should hear the UNCUT version haha.

- Monobrow on August 23, 2008

pokezel;397438 wrote: Am I the only one feeling "The Final Countdown" at 0:38?

Nope.

And.. Awesome job on the song, Mr. Long Dao :D

- Rom Tom on August 2, 2008

wow good quality stuff ,what program is he using i wonder...8-O

- MaCe on July 29, 2008

Am I the only one feeling "The Final Countdown" at 0:38?

- pokezel on April 15, 2008

Well-made piece, though it's a little too interpreted for my taste at some points. I'm probably going to get shot for this, but i actually hate it when someone change the main melody with the classic "take-the-last-tone-and-bump-it-up-one-note" formula. The later interpretations of the melody was great though.
Overall, very high quality stuff!

- polar- on February 28, 2008

Great stuff. I like how the themes were arranged, and the way the mix picks up speed and energy in the second half is wonderful. Especially digging the section from 4:17 on. Very powerful ending starting at 5:42.
My only gripe is that the section starting at 4:47 is much, much too short. I'd have liked to hear more of that.

- Martin Penwald on February 26, 2008

Is that the Castlevania 2 ending them I hear at 4:00? :)

- senseiireland on February 15, 2008

If this song had a gender, I'd merry it, rape it, tap that twice around down town, and then loop her in my infinity of halfway 8 loop.
Long Dao. Great? Or Greatest?
Personally, I'd choose the latter.