ReMix: Final Fantasy VII 'Son of Chaos'

Super Dodge Ball 'All-Star Doskpop' prev   list all   next EarthBound 'Dialima tu Kafe'
downloadDownload MP3
6,086,837 bytes, 5:39, 144kbps
Stream/preview on YouTubePlay Preview
Streaming preview on YouTube
eStarland.com
Final Fantasy VII

It's been awhile since our last Voices of the Lifestream ReMix, and now seems like a good time. This one's from Xaleph, who's last mix was part of the comeback flood we did back in late 2007; at the time when he put this 'Shinra' ReMix together, he hadn't had anything on OCR for quite awhile. Hence project director Andrew Aversa writes:

"One of my goals with VotL was to get old-school ReMixers on board to contribute, especially those who hadn't been posted to the site in several years. Xaleph (formally DJ Carbunk1e) was one of the people on that list, and while I was very excited when he signed on, when I finally got his finished track I was REALLY happy. I always thought the Shinra theme was one of the best selections from the FFVII soundtrack in terms of its mood and ambiance, and this ReMix just really brings out those qualities while simultaneously converting it into a new genre entirely - "downtempo psytrance", I think?

Anyway, it's awesome no matter what you call it, and if you listen to tefnek's "motor crazycycle" right after this it not only makes sense in terms of the game timeline, but they flow really well too."

Downtempo psytrance indeed; I confess that I wouldn't REALLY be able to identify psytrance with 100% certainty even if it came up and bit me in whatever parts psytrance would bite, but I can hear the trance elements, and things are certainly deliberate. It's interesting to hear some of the staple kick drum and synth bass trance patches employed in a slower, more open context. You've got spooky lo-fi sweeping pads, piano, filtered choral elements, the afforementioned trance kick along with an assortment of additional tasteful electronic percussion and, of course, synths aplenty. Actually, given the attention to detail on the drums and the rather ambient nature of the piece, it sounds not unlike modern film soundtrack work. "Soundtrack" isn't really a musical genre - it's more of a context/medium - but perhaps that'd nevertheless be the most likely mental categorization some would make. It also sounds like good "tactical espionage action" music, but perhaps I've just got MGS4 on the brain. Excellent work from Xaleph; I definitely agree with Andy that with this track he brought something both different and valuable to the overall project. Check it out, and (dead horse? beaten!) be sure to check out Final Fantasy VII: Voices of the Lifestream if for some reason you haven't yet.

― djpretzel

Discussion: Latest 12 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
I think this may have made better music for in the Shinra tower than the music used in-game.
But anyway, this piece is really cool, very dark, and yet still gives the feel of an evil, planet-killing, cash-mongering company's HQ building.
Very nice.

- sefirosu on May 2, 2009
I love that high end cold synth. Mixed with the choir; such a sinister sound.
The feel of this is great, it moves slowly but with a purpose, and it's not plodding at all. A very difficult balance pulled off expertly here. I love how the cymbal crashes don't really hit as much as explode into particles. Fantastic effect and very well used.
The original theme was pretty good to begin with, but this takes it to such a new level, the comparison is simply ridiculous.
A++ material

- OA on September 2, 2008
great spacial feel. keep up the good work.

- Nateconq on June 5, 2008
Ugh. Yet again another Final Fantasy VII remix has my stomach churning with nostalgia.
It's songs like this that remind me of why I fell in love with Final Fantasy VII in the first place.

- Motari Riseth on June 2, 2008
I like the evil feel of this one. Definately a good use of sounds to acheive the right effects.

- DragonAvenger on May 21, 2008
Ahh this was easily one of my favs from VotL. The arrangement and sound choices totally heightened the mood and atmosphere of the piece. The intricate rhythms and lofi choir are def my favs. It gives the piece this slow but bouncy feel with an indefinite coolness factor.

- avaris on May 20, 2008
ABOUT FRIGGIN TIME THIS ONE GOT ADDED! One of the coolest and evil mixes of VoTL a great piece in general. :D

- Hyperion5182 on May 20, 2008
Yeah, the power in this one was pretty sick. Excellent arrangement and awesome production, Matt! Really can't wait for what's next from you if you're still planning to refurbish some older pieces of yours. You've really taken your game to another level in the past 2 years, and it shows!

- Liontamer on May 19, 2008
nice nice! loving the atmosphere

- Platonist on May 19, 2008
As with most things Xaleph, I strongly approve of this track.
[ Here I wrote something that was basically identical to what AnSo wrote so just read his comment above. :) ]

- Torzelan on May 19, 2008
One of my favorite remixes from VotL.
Great production, superb mood and nice use of synths.
All in all, a keeper.

- Another Soundscape on May 19, 2008
What did you think? Post your opinion of this ReMix.

- djpretzel on May 18, 2008

Content Policy
(Submission Agreement and Terms of Use)

Page generated Sun, 08 Nov 2009 11:17:56 -0500 in 0.0328 seconds

All compositions, arrangements, images, and trademarks are copyright their respective owners. Original content is copyright OverClocked ReMix, LLC. For information on RSS and JavaScript news feeds, linking to us, etc. please refer to resources for webmasters. Please refer to the Info section of the site and the FAQ available there for information about the site's history, features, and policies. Contact David W. Lloyd (djpretzel), webmaster, with feedback or questions not answered there.

top of page