ReMix: Super Metroid 'Berinstar'

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Super Metroid

Brazilian bad-boys 8 Bit Instrumental rocked our sox with their Top Gear ReMix back in 2008, and now they return with a mellower Brinstar arrangement of Super Metroid. The title "Berinstar" is actually a little puntastic, since the mix pays homage to the group's Brazilian roots:

"On this arrangement we were inspired by the little phrase in the middle that uses the minor seventh and the first tones of the minor scale, which is also a traditionally used on “capoeira” (that is a kind of fight style originally from Brazil). So we used a traditional instrument from “capoeira” that it is called a Berimbau. We decided to not use the B section of the original music because it was not in the same mood, so we used only the one part of the original music. Anyways this is a very kind of chill out tune with acoustic guitars, cool bass, guitar with some reverb to help out on the mood, some soft drums, and the Berimbau. Of course the name that we decided for the song its totally inspired on the Berimbau."

These guys put together some excellent rock arrangements, but it's quite cool that they dialed it back a little and put together a track that explores their Brazilian roots. I hope you all enjoy the variety of artists and music that OC ReMix offers as much as I do - I think I'd only heard of this instrument a few times, and didn't have a clear picture of it in my mind, so I found this track both enjoyable AND educational. I think I over-quote Vinnie, but he usually does clock in with opinions closest to my own, so it's like he's doing my work FOR me:

"I love the stark, contemplative approach taken here. Gorgeous mood, very intimate. This could have easily been boring, but the small details in the live playing and the short length make it perfect background music that doesn't overstay its welcome."

Pretty much; this arrangement just wouldn't work without live playing and the intimacy created by the imperfections and rich textures that come with it. I like the juxtaposition of immediate, very proximate instrumentation with textures that are more distant and haunting. Every instrument gets its own space and you can hear the most minute articulation details very clearly. It's not rocket science, but it's really different, atmospheric, and goes somewhere with Super Metroid that I certainly haven't heard before, and which I dig, so kudos to the whole group for getting inspired & turning that inspiration into something legitimately cool and unique!

― djpretzel

Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
Oh, brinstar theme changed very much between Metroid and Super Metroid. All the songs (or at least most) got completely new tunes that still represented the style of the environment. And I actually prefer the super metroid tunes. The old ones are good, but when I think Norfair, I think Norfair - Ancient Ruins, and when I think Brinstar, the dicotomy of upper and lower come to mind. Very catchy stuff.

I for one was very startled by this source tune when I first heard it. I was like "wait, this is Metroid? It's so... light and fast paced." Then I explored that green area and decided that it gave a really good feel to Brinstar. Brinstar is not just all dangerous, eerie, and dark environments. You have harsh places like Norfair, dark places like Maridia, Lower Brinstar... But then you also have a lush, verdent, overgrown area. That being said, it's still a dangerous place. But again, what stood out to me was just how lush upper brinstar was (and it was a good break after struggling through the maze of Crateria the first time I played...)

8 Bit Instrumental really captured that vibe for me in this, so that was really cool. Lush rainforest from Brazill meets Brinstar's overgrowth area!

- Helios42 on August 7, 2011
This track is definitely a good groove and has a good sound. That being said, please don't take this as criticism, but unless "Brinstar" changed a lot between Metroid and Super Metroid.. this doesn't sound like "Brinstar" at all to me. In fact, guys, listen to it right now and tell me it doesn't sound like Bloody Tears from Simon's Quest. I got a few seconds into the track and thought, "Wow, this sounds like Castevania" and now I can't NOT hear Bloody Tears when I listen to this. Strange, no?

- ThaDreazie on February 26, 2011
Love the laid-back, chill vibe I'm getting from this. Makes me wanna kick back my heels and just relax
Excellent work from the both of you.

- Sir_Downunder on December 3, 2009
I like this a lot; it's mellow and very distinct. I can almost see this happening at a spontaneous jam session, someone starts plucking a few notes and the rest just follows.
This has a quiet minimalist aspect, which, aurally, makes this interesting to listen to; it really highlights the instruments and arrangement.

- 42 on December 2, 2009
Absolutely love this until about 1:30.... then I feel a great idea was put to waste and replaced with mindless repetition.

- Brandon Goins on November 30, 2009
Great remix! The laid back feel and real instruments really drive this one home. You guys really rock!

- jintoreedwine on November 23, 2009
Love this song ever since I heard it a while back on the recent 8bi album!

- genoboost on November 22, 2009
Very relaxing remix with an interesting choice of instruments. I wish the arrangement would be a bit more daring, though; except for the part around 1:30, this does not really go beyond the source.
Nevertheless, nice work, and a worthy addition to the remixes of this wonderful soundtrack.

- Martin Penwald on November 20, 2009
Very enjoyable.

- metalsnakejuice on November 20, 2009
Really excellent.

- Theophany on November 14, 2009
Good Remix. Kudos.

- Pachi Risu on November 14, 2009
I agree about the timing, but overall it's a very refreshing, relaxing ReMix.
Bom trabalho! :-D

- Vitor Machado on November 13, 2009
lofi and charming, this song is all about the vibe. I like the texture of it overall, and when they all come together on a unison line is really cool.
This is super repeatable, I could jam on this for hours. :-D

- OA on November 10, 2009
The timing is a bit sloppy at times, and sometimes it feels like the drummer meant to do some kind of fill but almost dropped the sticks and didn't. Overall though, this is very cool. The recording and mixing leaves nothing to ask for.

- Dafydd on November 10, 2009
I like very much the chill vibe that's going throughout the mix. Even the faster movement in the middle can't shake that feeling, great job on that. The textures are quite nice as well. DJP said it right that the contrasts really bring this together, along with the live playing.
My favorite section is right around 1:30 or so. That is where I feel like the style really comes out just right. Nice work on this.

- DragonAvenger on November 9, 2009