ReMix: Mega Man 2 'Nuclear Flash'
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- Game: Mega Man 2 (Capcom, 1988, NES)
- ReMixer(s): Sixto Sounds, zircon
- Composer(s): Manami Matsumae, Takashi Tateishi
- Song(s): 'Flash Man Stage'
- Posted: 2008-04-16, evaluated by djpretzel
Techno-surf-rock-orchestral-chiptronica! FTW! In what's sure to be a crowd-pleasin', rump-shakin' ReMix in the tradition of "Dirt Devil", Andy and Juan (alias zircon and Sixto) follow their previous collab up with a balls-to-the-wall Mega Man 2 "Flashman" piece. And all is right with the world. Seriously, the 1700 series of mixes is getting off to a fantastic start, as already we've got some killer tracks. "Flashman" has certainly been covered up one side and down the other; he's just a boss who can't say no, it would seem, and mixers have taken advantage of his loose morals time and again, with myriad rock and electronica mixes. So, what's a ReMixer, or in this case pair of ReMixers, to do? The approach here seems to have been to pile everything PLUS the kitchen sink in, schizophrenically straddling multiple genres while retaining enough cohesion to not come off scatterbrain. Mr. Aversa writes:
"First off, credit where credit is due. This is something of an emulation of the DNB/rock group Pendulum, one of my favorite new artists. In fact, it was heavily inspired by a live performance of their song "Intro" from their LP "Hold Your Colour". In the live performance version, they used a progression that's identical to one from the Flashman theme, and had a sick guitar riff on top (quoted in this remix at 1:11 and onwards.) This striking similarity inspired me to do a whole remix in the Pendulum style, though since I can't emulate things very well I added a good amount of my own personal style. The end result is probably the heaviest remix I've ever done, with basically maxed out volume, massive drums and bass, brutal guitars (courtesy of Sixto) and some insane synth action. However, it doesn't take itself TOO seriously... there are a bunch of 1950s-style "surf" riffs plus a melodic quote from the old Megaman cartoon theme song. Anyway, Juan and I are really happy with how it came out; hope you enjoy it!"
How could one not? This is a mix that, as Andy says, doesn't take itself too seriously, has a shitload of fun, but also represents the formidable smorgasbord of arrangement and production skills he's been picking up over the years. You've got enough ideas here to spawn off several awesome mixes, but since awesome mixes in those styles have already been made, having everything enjambed into an almost stream-of-consciousness single arrangement is rather fun. ONE FLASHMAN MIX TO RULE THEM ALL!!? Or not... you may prefer mixes that are more stylistically consistent/conservative, which is cool, but one thing there should be no doubting is that this piece pulls no punches, kicks, or even off-color remarks. Subtle? Hell no. It's almost Tarantinoish, not because of the obvious surf-guitar cameo (though it helps), but rather for its sheer over-the-topness and flagrant adaptation, homage to and mutation of form. Nuclear Flash, indeed; awesome stuff from zircon and SS, who pair up quite well for these types of juggernaut arrangements.
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the Let's see, among the many vibes I get, the surf rock piece , something that sounds like part of the Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers theme (around 0:50), something Batman-ish (0:17-0:30) and of course, "Super Fighting Robot, MEGA MAN!" The whole piece takes me back, forth, and everywhere in between.
Great job! Keep up the good work.
(Personally, I hope y'all eventually get to Quick Man or Gravity Man's themes. Or for a change of pace, tackle some work from Game Boy's Mega Man 5.)
-- Quintesson.
- Quintesson on March 9, 2011
- MechaFone on December 20, 2010
I always get friends to listen to this as it's something that always manages to get people's head bopping! I can definitely hear the Pendulum influence in this, and was drawn to find more of their music (and yours) through this track!
Your production and arrangement levels are something to aspire to! The transitions feel natural and maintain the interest level throughout the piece. I love the pattern you have going when the drums kicks in and the flow into (what I feel are, quirky) surf riffs you have going is golden!
Sixto's guitar work is...just as was said, brutal! They never take the attention away from what's happening around them, yet they are just as awesome! Great work!!
Thinking about it now, this arrangement does feel like a cohesive whole on one level, and as though I'm gifted with 2/3 pieces all in the space of one. Anyway, too much ranting from me, this was a great introduction into your non-VotL tracks!
- Wina A. Kamlongera on October 21, 2010
1:58:
SUPER FIGHTING ROBOTS! MEGA MAAAAANNNNNNNNN!
Great!
When it comes to this sort of thing, these two have a vision that goes beyond most music.
- DrewGourley on August 8, 2010
- OA on May 6, 2010
This song is rich, lively, full. The variations are so different yet you make the transitions smooth and amazing. I have to say one night playing some WoW PVP, this song came on in my OCremix playlist. I was so pumped up and demolished that game while this was on.
Favorite part was the throw back to the old television show. "He's the fighting robot, Mega Man!" at 1:59 - 2:05. I watched that show anytime it was on.
Great work, definitely going into my Truck so I can play it while working.
- sxywalrus on March 9, 2010
Very, very good.
- The_Mighty_KELP on March 6, 2010
Anyone knows the name of that synth?
Unfortunately I'm pretty bad at sounddesign :(
- Ruka on February 24, 2010
This is a bitchin' track, no way around it.
Another awesome co-lab between Zircon and Sixto.
- Sir_Downunder on December 4, 2009
I think my favorite part was actually the slowdown at around 2:10. The whistle with the strong ... violin? stabs was fun.
I did think it ran a bit long at the end, maybe by 20 seconds or so, but overall, I enjoyed it.
- LnGrrrR on April 1, 2009
As for the mix, do I really need to gush more? It bottles the raw power of Pendulum without feeling to imitative (even though, let's face it, there's a striking similarity). Partly due to the genre hopping, the mix feels more of a carousel of different moods, contexts and interpretations connected by a running melody, completely avoiding what could have been a "What if Pendulum covered Mega Man 2?" scenario. We have enough of those, and we won't have a short supply of them from future submissions.
Freaky good mix and proof that OCR is still as rich with ideas as it ever was, perhaps even moreso. Peace.
- Marmiduke on January 28, 2009
One can almost feel the heat while listening to this mix.
- 42 on December 18, 2008
- crimson_tear222 on July 25, 2008
- Chernabogue on July 16, 2008
