ReMix: Mega Man 2 'The Wily Malfunction'

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Mega Man 2

For almost as long as OverClocked ReMix itself has existed, Mazedude has been a consistent presence - a force of nature, really - on the site, a living embodiment of our mission & spirit. He's mixed a huge variety of games from a ton of different composers, in a wide spectrum of styles, but the common denominator has been the creativity, idiosyncrasy, and uncompromising vision and attention to detail he brings to his music. This isn't exagerration or hyperbole, either - this is Mr. Getman's 46th mix on the site, and if you've listened to all of them, you'll wonder how one person can take on so many roles, wear so many hats, and - more colloquially - kick such profound amounts of ass. Well, wonder no longer, since we just posted an extensive ReMixer interview with Mazedude. I don't like throwing the word "fascinating" around, and I may be biased since I asked the questions, but I thought getting inside Chris's head - to whatever extent possible in text - was really compelling. He's a true, honest-to-goodness iconoclast when it comes to the tools and creative process he employs, and you can hear the difference in his work. He's also been involved with different parts of the fan VGM arrangement scene for a very long time, earning legitimate "veteran" status that's reflected in the insights & observations he offers. Bottom line: read the interview!!

While Chris has been there, done that, and got the t-shirt (as they say), he's never ReMixed anything from the fan uber-favorite Mega Man series... until now. He writes:

"Unless I'm mistaken, this is the one theme from Megaman 2 that hasn't been covered yet... and that would be because it's extremely short and repetetive! Ah but sometimes I thrive going creatively nuts with those types of source tunes, and this is a good example of that.

As to the intro and title, well, there are some fun artifacts that can happen when you over-crank chip tunes inside the tracker. That's what you're hearing there when the sounds kinda fuzzes out and then comes back in. Then I just overdid it to where it got really fuzzy, then... played with the fuzz! Then after a little while brought in some classic Mazedude percussion, screwed around with the timing, you know, my usual tricks.

I'm aware the overall production is very "crunchy", but that's what I was going for, so just enjoy it for what it is. :)"

It's not just crunchy, it STAYS crunchy... in milk. It sometimes seems like everyone and their grandmothers have covered a Mega Man tune at some point, with the second installment certainly taking the popularity crown, but it's fitting that Chris goes after the uncharted, less-frequented territory and comes up with a giant static discharge of a mix that's unlike any Mega Man ReMix you've heard previously, guaranteed. It's more esoteric, challenging, quirky, and conceptual than even most of the artist's own work, which I think is a lovely angle to take for a game that, as mentioned, has seen so many interpretations. This is music that couldn't be mistaken for anyone other than Mazedude... that's what I always say, that's what I'm saying, and that's really all I ever need to say at this point... though pontificating at length is my forte. But enough about me - let Chris tell you about himself in his own words, then download the mix so you can hear him say it all again through his music. Either way, in any medium, it's distinct, it's brilliant, it defies categorization... it's Mazedude.

― djpretzel

Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
I guess I'll be the voice of dissent here. I didn't like this nearly as much as I've liked Mazedude's past work. HOWEVER, the chiptune stuff in here really took me back to the days of Skaven and Screamtracker. Good, but not your best work in my opinion.
-steve

- Legion303 on July 10, 2009
Brilliant. You've taken a very limited source and made a great, powerful listening experience. The crunchiness of the sound has real muscle and the 'floating' melody is superbly executed. Another winner from one of the brightest stars of OC Remix.

- Wulvaine on July 8, 2009
I must say, i've heard alot of music of megaman before. Remix, the original stuff ((just as pretty much everyone else has)) but this has to be the first time i've heard something so out of character for this game
and also one of the most pleasing and interesting in my life.
The song has a hint of craziness and creepiness that fits so well, especially with wily being who he is but it all comes together with a nice, like it's been said before, crunchy sound.
I approve x100

- Damileth on July 1, 2009
The intro is really weird, even for a Mazedude remix. But that's what makes his remixes so special and interesting.
Listening to this remix (especially the middle part) wearing headphones is a blast.

- Martin Penwald on June 30, 2009
Cool mix dude but i have to admit that at first i thought my speakers were stuffed up but they were not. over all this is pretty cool.
great job

- yosefu on June 30, 2009
Ok.
I decided to listen this before downloading...just to check it out. When I saw the theme, my mind went to Project X's rendition. I started listening...I heard the static.
I thought something was up with my headfones/speakers to be honest. Then the progression finally hit me. Way to captivate the audience Dude...I'm quite impressed with this particular mix.
Even the ending said something, as I was waiting to hear the rest of the theme being played...in came the static again -laughs-
As always,and particularly THIS time around...Kudos to you Mazedude.
=---
Keep on WINning.

- muzikal-phoenix on June 18, 2009
So I'm listening to this mix in a rainstorm, and at the beginning I'm thinking there something wrong with my speakers, what with the intro mixed with some lightning and thunder outside. As things crunched on, I remember the title of the mix, and then I knew - I was in for it :P
The thing I like about Maze is that no matter how diverse his catalog gets, you can always identify his style in anything he does. He's truly the poster boy, er, dude, for OCR.
Awesome write up btw, DJP. Usually I chuckle once during your reviews, but I think I came out with an astounding two chuckles this run-through. But seriously, I love reading your stuff :) One of my motivations for getting a mix posted was just to see what you'd have to say about it! Haven't done that yet, having straying from music lately, but with amazing stuff like this from Mazedude, I know I'll be motivated to come back eventually.

- metaphist on June 18, 2009
Exceptionally brave and ambitious, and not only works, but works really well. I seriously thought that the mp3 was messed up or that my computer was melting down at the beginning, and then when it go more and more rhythmic and led into the song... :nicework:
This super creative and well put-together.

- OA on June 17, 2009
Cannot believe someone finally tackled this source. I always thought in a game with some of the best music ever, this was such a strange simplistic song. It was like they ran out of time to write something more elaborate. Regardless, what Mazedude has done with it here is excellent. Great trashy sound with the main melody constantly floating over the mix. Tons of detail and a great groove.

- Palpable on June 14, 2009
A-maze-ing! ahah
No but I love this remix so much, glitchy remixes are some of my favorites, and getting this catchy little number from Mega Man 2 seals the deal. Keep it up!

- Tables on June 14, 2009
This electrifies the living Frankenstein out of the source, imbuing it with sinister, mad scientist-like overtones. Starting off hazy, the fuzz soon metronomifies itself in order to ring in percussion loops that feel like unstable generators. Standouts include the big bad offbeats at 0:34, the abominable snowman-like breaths at 2:43, and the scattered blips at 3:20 and elsewhere. Shakeups to the otherwise tension-building arrangement include 1:24, 2:33, and the down-spiraling synth at 2:57. Fizzing out at the end like a loose wire shedding sparks is a nifty touch as well.
Also, when I listen to the steep fade-in-and-fade-out motions, my face physically contorts as though several megawatts are pulsing through my head. +1 to this mix's attention-grabbing prowess.

- Polo on June 14, 2009
Personally I was really happy to see this source get tackled, and boy did this ever turn out unique. I'm always happy when someone strays from the norm and tries some new things (and a "new" source in this case) and this is just something else, I really liked the way it ended as well, with it just kinda... staticing out as if the machine finally died or something.
Keep up the awesome work!
Edit: Listening to it a few more times, the way the beat basically evolves out of random static is truly awesome!

- ZealPath on June 14, 2009
This ReMix is very awesomely unique. I must confess at first I thought there was something going on with my sound card, but then the rhythm kicked in and I was like, "YES! WIN!"
Very very nice stuff - looking forward to more. Interview was great too - props for playing the trombone!
Also of note - this was the first ReMix I listened to on my new Bose headphones. Awesome.

- LuigiFan on June 13, 2009
Clearly, you've never seen this man's capoiera skills.

Clearly not... but you do know who Chuck Norris is, right? Only a god among men...

- Gario on June 13, 2009
DUDE!
The instant this mix got the rythm beating, I was filled with sudden inspiration for writing ideas. Some really good ones.
Just pure awesomeness.

- Lord Obsidious on June 13, 2009

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