Posted 2009-09-18, evaluated by djpretzel


Hey, you know what? It's actually been awhile since we posted our last SixtoMix! Mr. Medrano originally burst onto the scene (vibe), frets flying, with a wicked Castlevania mix wayyyyy back in.... 2005. Four years and sixteen mixes later, he's coming back to revisit the Belmont family once again, and hell's comin' with him. This time it's Simon's Quest, our first arrangement in 2009; Juan writes:

"Been working on this remix for a few months now. Simple rock mix with loud guitars, drums...loud everything, really. This is the second time I've used a B4 organ on a Castlevania track. Just seems to fit so well. Nothing really special to say about this mix. Hope you enj..."

...Sorry Juan, I'mma let you finish, but 'Bloody Tears' already had like, a zillion arrangements...my Socket ReMix is one of the best mixes of ALL TIME! ...Ahh, KanyeMeme...I feel you fading in our hearts already, your precious time so sweetly ephemeral. But I digress: Like the man says, it's rock, it's Castlevania II, and it's LOUD. You need an instruction manual or something? I'm not gonna John Madden this mix, because it's basically everything you'd expect: driving beats, organ riffs, and plenty of meaty guitar. I did notice a different, phaserish effect on Juan's lead that gave things a somewhat different sound, I loved the harmonies he added, and the delayed piano arpeggios do a good job of transitioning into the arrangement's second half breakdown... after which the face-melting, Guitar Hero moment at 3'07" is a beautiful, cathartic release. Easy to love; more great stuff from Juan.

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
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Mirby
on 2011-12-26 02:00:45

To me, honestly... I feel this is one of Sixto's more lackluster track. The solo's rather abbreviated compared to some of his other songs, and it's a bit conservative too (just like his debut mix, which was also Castlevania). Aside from that, it's a good listen, and I do love it.

I just feel that there's a lot more that could be done with it. Nice work all the same though.

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Emunator
on 2009-12-21 18:26:57

Hah, just when I mention how little I hear organs on OCR songs I come across this one and 2 others right in a row. Thanks for answering my prayers OCRemix! :-D

This one doesn't really grab me as much as Sixto's other mixes but it's still a great take on a very-much-over-remixed theme. The writing on the organ and the piano is a bit generic in contrast with the flourishing guitar/bass, and I would have liked to hear a distinct organ solo, but the guitar at the end was enough to satisfy my tastes :-) This one passed under my radar when it was first posted but I think it's growing on me, even if it is pretty simple and straightforward.

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madmallard
on 2009-10-10 02:46:58
The only thing better would be if The Shinto Six teamed up with goat on a Castlevania mega mix.

yes.

this would be superb.

Call it 'double shot' for the two axes.

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himurajubei
on 2009-10-06 09:09:58

This is an amazingly face-melting, axe grinding, demon slaying mix! I dare say its even better than anything Konami put out on the Dracula Perfect albums. The only thing better would be if The Shinto Six teamed up with goat on a Castlevania mega mix.

I especially love the drums. They drive the rhythm perfectly with a healthy double kick but without needless over-complication.

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LuketheXjesse
on 2009-10-05 15:27:14

Sixto. Metal. Guitar.

Yeah, I don't need to say anything else. :D

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Martin Penwald
on 2009-10-05 15:13:50

The organs are awesome, and for some reason, I really love the drums in this one.

Not too hot on the phase effect from 0:38 onwards, though. Just not my cup of tea; it makes the guitar quite annoying.

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ZealPath
on 2009-09-30 21:51:50

This is a very easy mix to love. When I see Castlevania on the front page, I anticipate reeling guitars, rock, and or metal. I don't always get it, but that's the first thing that comes to mind.

Well needless to say, this mix delivered on that anticipation, in one of the most recognizable Castlevania source tunes no less. It may have been done and done some more, but like Super Metroid's Brinstar Red Soil Swamp area, it's not such a bad thing.

Though I obviously love the guitar work, I think what really brings this one home for me is the organs, another key Castlevania instrument. It sounds like it belongs in the trailer for a future CV game, and really, what could be a better compliment than that.

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jintoreedwine
on 2009-09-28 19:49:54

Nice to hear another Sixto mix! I love the source tune and you brought it much justice. I know there are already a lot of heavy guitar mixes of this track, but yours definitely has a unique flavor. The organ part is great, too!

Thanks for delivering another super remix!

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metalsnakejuice
on 2009-09-27 06:26:39

This really kicks ass.

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MechaFone
on 2009-09-26 11:58:23

Awesome...solid.

Keep up the great work!

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OA
on 2009-09-24 12:10:53

I gotta agree with Simon, it sounds too compressed, but still sounds very good.

Arrangement is great though, nice solo, good breakdowns, and well balanced between the aggressive and the laid back. The rhythm changeups in a few sections give the melody that has been almost rocked to death in a million arrangements a chance to do something new, and it works very well.

Very rocking, as Sixto does best. :-)

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JenZ
on 2009-09-24 03:36:28

Dang, Sixto... I'm a HUGE fan of Castlevania games and the souce you picked, one of my favorites. Of course a lot of people will say that, but damn it... I'm just one of those people that want more and more CV tracks.

I loveeeeeeeeeeeee this song, especially the lead and piano. I don't think the drums were too loud either. I also adore how this track eventually sounds scary. This has got to be my favorite OC ReMix by you. Kudos.

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LuigiFan
on 2009-09-21 14:20:10

I realize that the source tune for this has been done, done, and redone, but Bloody Tears remains one of my favorite Castlevania songs to date, and so I got super excited when I saw Sixto's name. Great stuff as always - what really made this stand out for me was that nice little piano break in the middle - brought some nice flavor which was then added to by a return to more RAWK!! The ending chord progression reminds me of the intro to "Metamorphic Rock" - probably wasn't intentional, but I liked it anyway. Most excellent!

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Sinewav
on 2009-09-21 00:25:12

Just so you know, when I enter the genre of a song into Songbird, anything by Sixto gets labeled as "Guitar Porn".

That being said, I feel this song is pretty average for Sixto... meaning that it's f$%#ing awesome, but not his best. Not sure why I feel that way. Maybe it's the overused source (which would be weird, because I love the source), maybe it's something else. Can't quite put my finger on it, though I'd bet it's more of a personal taste thing than a quality issue.

Still, this is damn good stuff. Looking forward to hearing what you have in store for us next.

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SoulinEther
on 2009-09-20 01:25:44

Overused source aside, it's an all around keeper. Sixto + Castlevania.. should be a no-brainer. Though I'm not overly fond of the theme and variations approach for the first half (due to the fact that this source has been beaten to death) there's some other source in here (with the delayed piano I just realized that aria of sorrow references this dracula's castle theme for one of its underwater places!), and there's a very appreciable solo. It works for me, and if you're anything like me, it'll probably work for you.

Sources Arranged (2 Songs)


Primary Game:
Castlevania II: Simon's Quest (Konami , 1988, NES)
Music by Kenichi Matsubara,Satoe Terashima
Songs:
"Bloody Tears (Street-day time-Stage BGM)"
"Within these Castle Walls (Castle BGM)"

Tags (3)


Genre:
Rock
Mood:
Instrumentation:
Electric Guitar,Organ
Additional:

File Information


Name:
Castlevania_2_The_Accursed_Seal_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
5,127,778 bytes
MD5:
5e3cf150dc8e57f41d7b305212a22935
Bitrate:
160Kbps
Duration:
4:11

 

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