ReMix: Final Fantasy IV 'Survival Instinct'
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- Game: Final Fantasy IV (Square, 1991, SNES)
- ReMixer(s): Sole Signal
- Composer(s): Nobuo Uematsu
- Song(s): 'Battle 2'
- Posted: 2009-07-20, evaluated by the judges
- Album: Featured on Final Fantasy IV: Echoes of Betrayal, Light of Redemption
Before it slips the ever-diminishing capacity of my mind, I'd like to thank everyone who turned out for our Otakon panel - four years running, and we've had a blast each and every single time, thanks to you guys and gals!
In case you just arrived to the party, Final Fantasy IV: Echoes of Betrayal, Light of Redemption is out and about - we still need your help spreading the word, diggin' the digg, and seedin' the torrent. Our tracker's had some load issues due to all the action, but if it doesn't work the first time, give it an hour and try again. Given the significant size of the project, I think many folks are only now beginning to realize the depth of what OA and all the artists and staff involved have created. Next flood mix up is from Audix, aka Greg Michalec, who takes on 'Battle 2' with some fat beats, strings (staccato, pizzicato, legato... formaggio... ), a diverse cabinet of aggressive synth textures, and an arrangement that switches things up with extended double-time passages. Or is the fast stuff regular tempo, and the slower stuff actually half-tempo? Tricky... doesn't really matter, in the end, because any way you slice it the transitions are fun and the groove infectious. Project Director Andrew Luers says:
"Greg has evolved his craft to the point that it sounds so confident - even when the beats get frantic - the song will still strut. This entire track overflows with cool, and when everything kicks in, is totally prepared to lay out a sonic beatdown. Fantastic shifting textures, excellent harmonies, sick beats, and an excess of attitude, this arrangement really opened up some doorways for the original to explore further. Really strong work on a piece that is constantly evolving; this is one track that won't be facing extinction in my playlist any time soon. :-)"
Definitely sounds like battle music, as the tempo changeups mimic the back-and-forth nature of conflict effectively. The artist explains:
"I was fortunate enough to slide onto the fantastic FF4 project fairly late in the game with one of my favorite sources still available. I took some creative liberties with the intro, slowing it to half time and bringing out the string triplets in a style similar to Pendulum's "Slam." The source left plenty of room for harmonic development, with the bass easily being the most interesting part to write. Overall, it's my usual foray into my favorite style of music to write. Enjoy!"
This one actually got subbed and went through the judges panel, so I've got their comments to shamelessly CTRL-C/V as well - Vinnie says:
"Probably my favorite battle song in the FF series, and you did a number on it. I liked that you took risks with the harmonic and melodic detours instead of going with something easier that just accompanies the original melodies. Combined with the smorgasbord of weird sounds and effects, this has the sound of an haywire haunted carnival. Truly madcap."
Fans of Audix & Neko's Banjo-Kazooie collab should feel right at home here, as it's a similar style: high-energy, high-intensity big beat, which works quite well with the source. Echoes continues to impress; great stuff.
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the I was looking forward to this one a lot because of the remixer and the fact that I recognized the source from SMRPG, and it absolutely lived up to my high expectations and even surpassed them. Please keep making music like this! :-D
- Emunator on December 21, 2009
I'm really glad Greg took this one on, he did an amazing job.
:-)
- OA on July 29, 2009
- jintoreedwine on July 29, 2009
Now on to other styles. :tomatoface:
- Sole Signal on July 28, 2009
Love the asymetrical approach to the arrangement. It doesn't feel constrained by a genre that often overestablishes and falls into repetition, and handles the obscure deviations of the melody really well, even in its heaviness.
Strings are a very welcome touch among the meticulous chaos. Given the concept, this was always going to be a wall of sound but it's most surprising (or not, given that this is Audix) that there's something quite subtle in what it does. Dare I say, I think this showcases a bit of musical maturation arrangement-wise.
Very classy DnB that brings some smarts into the mix along with the usual energy, energy, energy. I do like.
- Marmiduke on July 23, 2009
- Radiowar on July 22, 2009
- Bahamut on July 22, 2009
- A-RoN on July 22, 2009
- Crulex on July 21, 2009
- Loning on July 20, 2009
Thirty seconds of bliss evolved into four minutes of pure epicness. Honestly, the more Audix does, the better he gets. It's on repeat on my mp3 player, and will be there for a while.
Great job, man. :razz:
- HitoriJaNai on July 20, 2009
