ReMix: Mega Man 2 'Wily's Requiem'
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- Game: Mega Man 2 (Capcom, 1988, NES)
- ReMixer(s): Nekofrog
- Composer(s): Manami Matsumae, Ogeretsu Kun, Yoshihiro Sakaguchi
- Song(s): 'Dr. Wily Stage 1'
- Posted: 2009-08-19, evaluated by djpretzel
With this mix, I think we can officially say that 'Dr. Wily, Stage 1' has achieved 'Terra'/'IceCap' status as one of those songs that just keeps attracting mixers, left and right, like moths to the flame. Except instead of, you know, being combusted in a ball of fiery death, they just make badass music. I myself have a version planned, but of course that means next to nothing since I've had about 15 WIPs floating around in my head the last three years, none of which manifested themselves due to obligations. But enough about me, let's talk about Nekofrog - he writes:
"There have been a lot of Wily Stage 1’s over the years, and most of them are metal versions. This actually isn’t the only time I’ve restarted Wily, I made two other attempts, both in D standard and C standard, but they never seemed to “feel” right until I bumped this one to Eb tuning. One of the aspects I was most proud of in the old version was the clean break at 2:00, and the ensuing harmonious lead work. I knew from the very beginning that if I were ever to start Wily’s Requiem back up, that this would be absolutely necessary to include again.
As for the game itself? What can I say, a classic. Having grown up on Megaman games (but not being as big a fan as Smoke…), 2 was always my hands-down favorite. Perfect balance of gameplay, music, and all the things that make a Megaman game a Megaman game. It’s going to be difficult to pull myself away from the Megaman universe and remix other things now. Oh, and one final note, yes I used my 7 string guitar, but I never used the 7th string. A very rare thing for me indeed."
For me 2 and X are where it's at, game-wise AND musically, though certainly the franchise has yielded a ton of fantastic tracks throughout its many sequels, spin-offs, and permutations. While this piece has had a lot of metal coverage, as Justin noted, we saw Blue.Nocturne mix it up with some orchestral flavorings less than two weeks ago, so while Wily is still fresh on our minds, let's see what NF has cooked up.
Things intro with some quick stick clicks then jump right into a thick mix of sick... chugs. What strikes me immediately is the speed and tightness of the whole thing: it's mean, it growls, and it's got balls, but it's also really sharp and locked in. As Eddie Izzard would say, very Prussian. It's been awhile since I've played GH or RB since my 360 red ringed, but DAMN if this doesn't make me want to pick up a plastic guitar accessory and make tortured facial gestures as if I were playing a real instrument. I think that basically sums it up - there aren't any huge surprises, here, just a baller rock/metal arrangement that does everything right. This is Justin's fourth mix, and all have been from different games, on different systems, which also unlocks some sort of achievement I can't think of a witty name for at the moment. Great, intuitive arrangement that's the most fun you'll have at a requiem this summer.
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the - JaDE ARaN HaRuNo on September 24, 2009
- Vosur on September 13, 2009
- richter on September 10, 2009
I don't really like the sound of the guitar (except for 3:12 - 3:22), but that's personal preference.
- Martin Penwald on September 8, 2009
Which is a shame considering how good the track is. heck I'd even go as far as say it's on par, if not [b]better[/b] than this rendition of "Voyage of 1969". I do blame youtube for the poor quality. Nonetheless I personally feel it's that good, if not better, based off what I've heard; and this is [i]currently[/i] the best version of "Voyage of 1969 in metal/prog form.
To be clear I'm saying based on performance within the genre of the music, not the sources as both songs {Voyage of 1969 & MM2 - Wily Castle Stage 1) are awesome.
I'm willing to bet Nekofrog can do a much better rendition of "Voyage of 1969" if he ever wanted to.
- Schwaltzvald on September 8, 2009
- Nekofrog on September 8, 2009
I have to say I was impressed with this rendition :)!!
- Schwaltzvald on September 8, 2009
Thanks for a great listen!
- jintoreedwine on September 6, 2009
Wily's Requiem definitely represented a huge leap forward in my production abilities, but the one thing I would have changed would be panning some of the harmonized leads left or right instead of keeping it dead center with what it's harmonizing with. That's probably where things get harder to hear.
- Nekofrog on August 28, 2009
Total winner- there's absolutely no reason to miss this one.
- OA on August 28, 2009
Inimitable;584014 wrote: So that someone actually posted those links earlier in this thread!
And it's hard to chart guitars by ear when all those instruments are competing for attention at once.... If you've got seperate tracks I'd be more than happy to take them!
OH MY GOD I'M SEEINNG GHOSTS
Just as a warning I'm drunk right now just got home from the bar so whatever i post is not reflective of what i normally post but hey yeah i might have tracks for you individually in a month or so if you still want them also gj i didnt expect anyone to actually do anything like this let alone someonew ho awas here on the boards i think i messaged you on youtube or commented or something earlier today. this post will likely be edited properly when i am sober tomorrow
- Nekofrog on August 27, 2009
And it's hard to chart guitars by ear when all those instruments are competing for attention at once.... If you've got seperate tracks I'd be more than happy to take them!
- Inimitable on August 27, 2009
Drums
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPPRXgm9EIU
Guitars (rhythm and lead)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFuWDG75drY&feature=video_response
The drums are the most accurate, if you take into account the fact that it wasn't built around a double bass pedal (which is in the song).
Guitars are close, but there are missed triplets all over the place.
Not quite up to the amazing level of your original material, production-wise, but it's still a nice romp around an old theme. Your arrangements are always great, Neko :)
That'd probably be because this was recorded late 2008/early 2009, whilst my original stuff was much more recent.
Good stuff, but I agree with those that said it's a little too crunchy. Definitely too compressed, and too difficult to really hear the melody amongst all the noise at times. It's still a great mix, though, and I love the liberties with the arrangement. Many just do a straightforward cover of the song, which is great, but I like seeing you mix it up a bit. Would adore a cleaner version, though!
Weird that you say that about the compression, I really don't use much at all in my remixing (I lay down my tracks and rarely do anything to them). It might be the fact that there's so much sound in there (quad tracking rhythm, double tracked harmonizing leads, a loud drumset).
- Nekofrog on August 25, 2009
- Tasogare on August 22, 2009
I'm definitely getting a "Passing of the Blue Crown" vibe from much of this song, as well.
- Emunator on August 21, 2009
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