ReMix: Mega Man 2 'The Annihilation of Monsteropolis'
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- Game: Mega Man 2 (Capcom, 1988, NES)
- ReMixer(s): The Megas
- Composer(s): Manami Matsumae, Takashi Tateishi
- Song(s): 'Air Man Stage'
- Posted: 2008-03-01, evaluated by djpretzel
- Album: Featured on Get Equipped
Ladies and Gentlemen... The Megas! If video game cover bands could be called "concept" bands, then The Megas are a concept WITHIN a concept (METACONCEPT!), as they focus specifically on Mega Man themes with original (kickass) lyrics + vocals. I suppose in Japan they'd be "The Rocks," which is equally appropriate, because... they do. Sayeth their website:
"Since the year 200X (4), The Megas have strived to bring a message from Dr. Light to the people. They have chosen to transmit that message, the tale of a small blue robot named Megaman, directly into the eardrums of the general populace through the power of rock."
So, I suppose a more accurate label would be, "Evangelizing Disseminators of the Good Word of Dr. Light through the Power of Rock," but that's a bit unwieldy. The group released their first album, Get Equipped, back in January, and actually subbed this mix a long, long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. It was 96Kbps/22Khz though, and both our standards and our consciences dictated a better quality version be posted. When spreading the Gospel of the Church of Capcom, you gotta go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere... and that requires fidelity. Larry was about to mail them since their album had come out, but Greg Schneider of the band actually got back to him first after all that time had passed and sent in this newer, shinier, far more Mega version of a truly kickass track. The lyrics here by themselves are a draw: if "I will fly high above Monsteropolis / and I'll rain terror down on the general populace" isn't the anthem of a new generation of disenfranchised, angst-ridden supervillains, I don't know what is. Plus, you know... it rhymes good. Ala Ginsberg w/ The Clash on Ghetto Defendant. These heroic messengers were actually interviewed on the same episode of Game Music Radio that Jill and Andy were back when they were doing VGDJ; small world. For me, this definitely conjured memories of Game Over's breakthrough track in terms of context-relevant original lyrics and vocal style. On the latter point, specifically you've got call-and-answer tradeoffs, some spoken material, and harmonies that reminded me of that mix. This is equally as epic, and the Mega-phone effected sermon of pure awesome that begins at 2'19" is a fantastic add that builds with intensity, leading up to the aforementioned Monsteropolis mantra.
VGM bands seem to be popping up all over the place, and getting a good deal of exposure while they're at it, but it's cool to see that trend resulting in some diversification. The Megas may not play from a very diverse setlist, given their Mega Man focus, but they're doing something different in terms of emphasizing original vocals and lyrics and taking on a sort of LARP persona as agents of Dr. Light, spreading the oral history of a beloved and popular franchise. There also seems to be something about Mega Man's whole universe, including its music, that lends itself well to this sort of focus; recall Project X, for example. I'm not sure whether the same concept would work with other games, but it's definitely working here for The Megas. Check out this ReMix, then check out http://themegas.com for more.
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the So: yeah it's pretty awesome
- Jaybell on February 9, 2011
- rahmoon on October 18, 2010
But this (and the rest) are truly awesome songs. What I love is how they greatly expanded the robot masters' personalities, turning Airman into a pained being bent on destruction because of how his design curses him to live a life of forced solitude.
This is one of those mixes whose depth of enjoyment isn't just limited to mere musical arrangement but to the philosophical expansion of a personality of a character, in this case Airman from MM2.
This piece comes so highly recommended.
- 42 on December 26, 2009
- bjnartowt on October 26, 2009
it definitely succeeds in creating a blaring rock rendition of a Mega Man classic, and also developing a lot of personality at the same time through the lyrics. I always find sympathetic perspectives of villians really interesting, so the mix (and the album) was always destined to be right up my alley.
While I wish the sound and the vocals could have been richer, what's here does the job well. It plateaus in intensity quite early, which isn't exactly a problem, especially since it is capped off with the terrific accompanied spoken section. It provides a nice ending and incorporates the build structure that the majority of the mix lacked.
I would say the end section is crucial in allowing this mix to be more than just well-produced rock with some conceptual garnish. I'm pleased that it's much better than that, as I'm sure a lot of people are.
- Marmiduke on August 28, 2009
I'm not to fond over his voice, but it's ten times better than I sing so it's all great... The lyrics are really great at times and at other times, not as good.
- My fav part is:
"Do you know, what it's like to be built this way
with only the power to push others away"
The drumworks in the song could definatly be improved. The pace of it sometimes goes from slow to fast at a not so brilliant place.
As for the song as a whole: Highly recommended, and I just love it.
Their metal man remix also rocks ;) "Welcome to my level, my name is metal man, I throw metal blades from my metal hands. I dance around with style and finess, better watch out for these blades or you'll end up headless"
- Elrinth on September 18, 2008
- Antanaraxia on April 23, 2008
- Leliel on April 1, 2008
Unfortunately, those tracks clock in at 0:18 and 0:10 apiece. 'Tis a shame that the other 35 minutes aren't for you!
- TheMegas on March 31, 2008
KogeJoe;390123 wrote: To all those with bruised feelings, take a look at this:
http://ljconstantine.com/column9.htm
All feedback should include a "why." Whether it's what is working, and why, or more importantly, what's not working, and why, it's the why that actually is useful.
Do not rip apart a writer's work just for the sake of being deliberately cruel. No one learns anything if they're so pissed off they reject your feedback out of hand, and if you're grandstanding just to puff up your own ego, you're wasting all our time.
Why did you have to ruin a completely good thread by posting?
Nothing personal, it's just what I think, OK?
Just make good posts next time. :<
- Dhsu on March 27, 2008
- Dafydd on March 27, 2008
KogeJoe;390123 wrote: I thought the track was great.
That is, until I heard the lyrics...
:tomatoface::tomatoface::tomatoface:
It was all going real great. Nice instrumentation, familiar melodies...
But why do arrangers/remixers feel they have to ruin a completely good track by adding their corny lyrics? Couldn't they save it for original works?
I've already gotten a private message to stop bashing lyricists or I'll get banned. But this is as tame as I'll get.
To all those with bruised feelings, take a look at this:
http://ljconstantine.com/column9.htm
Nothing personal, it's just what I think, OK?
Just make good music next time. :<
As soon as you went the "If it has lyrics, it's automatically ruined" route, it just confirmed your close-mindedness and the worthlessness of the comments. Saying "yeah, some good instruments...BUT WHY DID YOU RUIN IT WITH LYRICS?!?" and the even dumber "just make it good next time" is still an purposefully insulting and offensive review.
- Liontamer on March 27, 2008
That is, until I heard the lyrics...
:tomatoface::tomatoface::tomatoface:
It was all going real great. Nice instrumentation, familiar melodies...
But why do arrangers/remixers feel they have to ruin a completely good track by adding their corny lyrics? Couldn't they save it for original works?
I've already gotten a private message to stop bashing lyricists or I'll get banned. But this is as tame as I'll get.
To all those with bruised feelings, take a look at this:
http://ljconstantine.com/column9.htm
Nothing personal, it's just what I think, OK?
Just make good music next time. :<
- KogeJoe on March 27, 2008
I really hope The Megas plan to release much more stuff, and maybe submit more remixes, in the future. KF
- Kizyr on March 18, 2008
