ReMix: The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past 'A Path to Hyrule'

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Game: The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (Nintendo, 1991, SNES)
ReMixer(s): Ekaj
Composer(s): Koji Kondo
Song(s): 'Hyrule Castle'
Posted: 2010-01-07, evaluated by the judges

Ekaj debuted with a hot Super Metroid ReMix back in August of '08, and now he's following that up with his unique spin on the 'Hyrule Castle' theme. Judges were unanimous that this aggressive bit of harder-edged electronica was hitting all the right nerves... and then shredding them to pieces with judiciously applied voltage. Big Giant Jimmy is skiing in West Virginia as I write this, but back when he judged da mix, he said:

"I think Jake might be a half brother to Beatdrop and Tefnek. When the beat dropped ~:50 man, it instantly pumped me up. I'm only half way through the song, and I'm toe-tapping hardcore. Really phenomenal electronic take on a source that I wouldn't expect for it, honestly. I love it when people just surprise you in such a way. Unexpected is really awesome sometimes, and this is such a time."

Unexpected? Not entirely... Mr. Dan paved the way for badass electronica renditions of this theme way back when. This, however, is a more aggressive, straight electronica (i.e. no orchestral bits) arrangement, and the two mixes are pretty darn different and compliment each other nicely. It's a great, huge, menacing theme, the type Kondo is a genius at composing, and Ekaj's Dain-esque treatments fit it like a terrifyingly-electrified but oh-so-comfortable glove. AnSo echoes the acclaim:

"This theme is actually my little sister's favorite VGM theme of all time and damn man, way to bring it up a notch. The beat's huge. The synths are huge. The swells are huge. Hyrule Castle is huge. Your e-penis after this has been posted will be huge.

Production is crisp and clean, arrangement expands the original by just enough and it's a very dynamic piece. Minor repetition be damned, the track's just crammed full of awesomeness. I congratulate you in effectively melting faces and hope you melt many more faces in the near future!"

This mix isn't rocket science, but it takes a great theme, pairs it with a genre/approach that totally fits, and then executes it all very, very well. That's the trifecta, right there - the Triforce of ReMixing, if you'll pardon the metaphor - and the artist & mix both deserve all the attention and positive karma they can get. Truly great stuff.

― djpretzel

Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.

its hard to find a DNB mix that isn't overpowering with the....DNB. (think powerpuff girls intro)
i find most DNB songs lack individuality because of that inherent snair/tom/kick combo, (think 99% of all regaeton music) but this mix is distinct and remembers its about Zelda, not your Phat beat. dont forget to turn the light off when you leave hyrule castle.
thank you for this awesome audio.

- Csyzr on November 4, 2010

"--==EPIC==--" is all I have to say. This really brings back memories of the old days when gaming was so new. There's something in the old games that can never become of the new games, I guess because gaming was still in its infancy back then and it was so fresh, just like this song. It could also do with the fact that I was just a kid back then and was very impressionable, so games were the bee's knees back then.
I'm just so thankful for such a supreme site as this that allows people with supreme talent to grace us with their art.
Awesome show! Great Job!

- enigmafyv on June 29, 2010

This mix has a very dark feeling to it. Gives Hyrule Castle a new feel, and I like it.

- MechaFone on May 28, 2010

Hyrule castle in the form of DnB? Interesting. I have to say I like it, and I see a bit of a resemblance to a lot of DnB tunes that I love hearing. Not bad, OCR could always use a little more DnB.

- Crulex on April 3, 2010

Cyril the Wolf;630687 wrote: Some parts of this remind me of Pendulum, but this isn't really DnB becuase the drums aren't as wanktacular.

This is about as DnB as it gets, actually, and very well done at that. Definitely one of the fatter reeses I've heard on here and the drums sound really well done. Big up DOA crew.

- The Vagrance on March 22, 2010

I'll echo what the judges said; the direction taken with this remix is definitely unexpected. But the end result is all the better for it. I like DnB, so this is right up my alley. Digging the way the source tune was arranged.
Awesome.

- Martin Penwald on January 26, 2010

Wow. Goosebumps instantly at the beat drop. That bass made me cream my pants. Fantastic job on blending all the different parts of the songs (or different songs? I can't even tell it's put together so well.)

- !Nekko! on January 22, 2010

BAD
ASS
Seriously, flawless execution.

- Less Ashamed Of Self on January 21, 2010

Perfect mixing in a genre that's hard to mix to begin with. Everything is catchy and hardcore. Could go crazy to this song in a club setting. Great Job on this.

- Kylethedarkn on January 17, 2010

What starts off a simple remix of the tried and true Castle Theme, it evolves into something much more than that. Sooner or later, I lost track of the overall rhythm of the song, and that's when I started to truly appreciate it for what it was: unique, catchy, and overall a great trip. I just let the song take me wherever it wanted to take me, and I didn't mind at all that I couldn't always keep up with it.
Good stuff!

- Nario on January 14, 2010

A great take on Hyrule Castle. This mix really has a very distinct, unique feel to it, and I agree with the judges in that it's a very unexpected take on the source but it really scream HEAR ME I'M AWESOME. Great job!

- BorgMan on January 9, 2010

Great work, keep the mixes coming. Loving this.

- Sole Signal on January 8, 2010

WOWWWW THIS IS AMAZING!!!! A few of the last posts were fairly disappointing, but this....wow. I LOVE drum 'n bass, but even if I didn't, I'd be trippin about this. GREAT job Ekaj!

- Hollidayrain on January 8, 2010

Some parts of this remind me of Pendulum, but this isn't really DnB becuase the drums aren't as wanktacular.
I'm not a big fan of that breakdown about halfway through. On my systems it loses some of what I loved about it then, but then again if I were watching this on the mainstage at say... MagFest I would probably just be bobbing up and down and screaming
"FOOOK YEA BIOTCH!"
So, in conclusion, this mix rocks, and my floor shook. Good work all around then. :D

- Cyril the Wolf on January 8, 2010

Somebody hold me, I think I'm about to die from an overdosage of AWESOMEEE.
P.S. Get well soon OA.

- Igami on January 8, 2010