ReMix: Chrono Trigger 'Fight for Our Future'
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- Game: Chrono Trigger (Square, 1995, SNES)
- ReMixer(s): Nekofrog
- Composer(s): Nobuo Uematsu, Noriko Matsueda, Yasunori Mitsuda
- Song(s): 'Battle'
- Posted: 2009-04-06, evaluated by the judges
Neko writes:
"It may be hard to believe, but I have never been a fan of Chrono Trigger the game. I remember playing it the day it came out (a friend of mine had been following it throughout the old days of magazines, and tried to get me interested), and a few times after that, but not really enjoying it much. Fast forward to well over a decade later and lo and behold, I still don't really like the game. The soundtrack, is a far different story. One of the most amazing soundtracks ever put down for a videogame -- probably the best of its era -- and it has always been near the top in my favorites list.
A year ago I did a very brief cover of the Battle theme for the May 2007 gamesarefun.com podcast, and left it at that. Ever since then I've had the urge to revisit it, and finally I did. Heavy guitars and a lead tone that I'm actually finally happy with; this is easily one of my favorites. It was recorded with my custom Ibanez RG7621 7 string guitar -- so yes if you try to learn to play it you will discover that you either need to tune down to B standard or buy a 7 string :)"
Neko's one of those peeps who spent a long time on our forums being a tad bit goofy before actually submitting, and it was actually a little surprising to see him show up all the sudden with some pretty badass tracks. He brings the heat yet again with this straight-up, no frills rock CT mix. It passed the panel conditionally first time 'round, then Justin sent us an edit that responded to some comments about volume/drums. Vinnie writes:
"Awesome arrangement, Justin. Much as I love CT's soundtrack, I was always thought the battle theme was kind of dorky. This was a really crunchy, high-energy take on the theme that really did it justice. The cameos were worked in well and they provided good contrast to the main theme. The ending was abrupt (actually, the beginning too) but that's very minor."
Andy adds:
"I'm really impressed with Nekofrog's stuff - considering he's relatively new to remixing, I think he has a solid handle on what makes a good remix. Before I go into some of my critiques, I think that overall the interpretation here is very good. CT battle remixes are uncommon so it's nice to hear that done, and done well. Nice mix of source material, variation and original stuff."
Not much else for me to add - battle theme's not necessarily one of the killa cuts off the OST, but the whole damn score was awesome, and it's good to see someone giving the un-Schalas of the collection some love. This track doesn't really have any huge surprises or tricks up its sleeve, it's just solid, well-arranged, butt-kicking rock. Sometimes that's all you want, and in this case, that's what you get; more good stuff from NF.
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the *five minutes later* Nope, still garbage. You sold your soul to pull off this remix so well.
- Bip on August 11, 2009
- lostpropht on May 9, 2009
- MechaFone on April 28, 2009
OA;529032 wrote: ..., and I even though i'm so over Schala, this way of presenting it was well done and fresh.
Same here.
I like the "red alert"-kinda opening, though the transition into the rocking guitar part could've been smoother. The guitar work is insane and makes this one of the most energetic remixes I've listened to lately.
Loving the short breakdown at ~3:10. 3:45 onwards is my favourite part of the song; I just can't get it out of my head.
Great stuff. Keep rocking.
- Martin Penwald on April 25, 2009
Swell job!
- jintoreedwine on April 15, 2009
And what's up with the hating of Battle 1? From here on I declare it only appropriate when done in deference to this remix.
Had I made this (and had I the talent and dedication to do so), I would have done a few things differently. Most glaringly, I would increased the dynamic range and extended the breakdown starting at 3:08 (incorporating guitar at 3:14), giving a comparative pause to the piece and allowing for an extended buildup to an even louder climax. HOWEVER, now that I've listened to this a hundred times or so (it rocks so hard that winamp has sustained mostly this remix on repeat for the past few days), I've come to see the merit in what Nekofrog obviously had in mind. This is get-the-lead-out, 100% energy, 100% of the time. No silly, gratuitous ups and downs. Even the supposed breakdown isn't a rest. It's nonstop adrenaline. If this were to become the battle theme for the next remake of ct, I think I would be wiped out from playing it in less than an hour.
The layering is awesome (especially when there are three hot damn) and sync-ed spot-on, the picking/riffing is clean, and the chugging is downright nasty. I love every bit of that guitar work. I know I'm not qualified to comment, but I still love it.
And those bits of Schala. How did you think to incorporate...? Nevermind. It works perfectly.
Man, that's it I'm done. F-ing rock on, Neko.
- K.B. on April 15, 2009
I like finding good songs/remixes like this and putting them on for sound rather than the game sound, while I troll through Ninja Gaiden II killing all. This is perfect for that. Yep, I could definitely slay fiends to this.
In fact, I think I shall. Great job Neko.
Edit: p.s. I agree with Vinnie in regards to the battle theme. I always thought it was a little under bar my self when held up against the rest of the CT soundtrack. Even, more kudos to Neko for that because his translation of the battle theme is stupendous.
- Flare4War on April 14, 2009
This should be the battle theme.
- MojoHamster on April 10, 2009
Really nice energy throughout, and I even though i'm so over Schala, this way of presenting it was well done and fresh.
Drums are passable, but definitely the weak spot, production-wise.
Good stuff, I thought it rocked.
- OA on April 10, 2009
Great as always, Froggy Dude :nicework:!
- Gario on April 8, 2009
It didn't matter to me if the drums lacked a bit of punch (though i was lovin' the hi-hat), the guitar work more than made up for it.
Great work Neko!
- Sir_Downunder on April 8, 2009
I think this mix's rock tone really emphasizes how incredibly powerful the battle music was (considering that the second Battle music is hardly in the game). The rough, rock intro bores into me and really pushes the song forward. I'm not sure how much the varying melody parts really stand out against the main line until 1:04 when it changes riff. I think it would be interesting to hear the quieter parts of the melody stand out (even though this is a driving rock ReMix. The drums fit, but don't really do anything special. The lead at 2:30 kind of feels out of place and I don't find it adding much. The silence and minimalist part starting at 3:03 I thought could have been extended - or even had something more intersting to it, though it might have taken away from the driving rock.
Eh, Overall I thought it was a fair mix. It's not something I'll actively seek out, and I don't really appreciate this take on the source. I do think that Battle I is one of the "killa cuts" off of the album, and appreciate that this track has nothing to do with 12,000 B.C. (Schala, Zeal, Ocean Palace, Black Omen), Magus, 600 A.D., or the main theme. The soundtrack has so many cuts and too few of them are done justice.
- Lint on April 8, 2009
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