ReMix: Street Fighter II: The World Warrior 'Frets of Fury'
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- Game: Street Fighter II: The World Warrior (Capcom, 1992, ARC)
- ReMixer(s): vertexguy
- Composer(s): Isao Abe, Yoko Shimomura
- Song(s): 'Opening Demo'
- Posted: 2010-04-25, evaluated by the judges
If you haven't heard of vertexguy, aka Chris Kline, check out his Wikipedia entry and/or homepage - pretty cool, eh? The great Maezawa even praised Kline's cover of Contra. We caused a big ole fuss (like we always do) back in 2007 by actually rejecting something from him; I'll stand by the panel's decision from back then, but it's certainly more fun to stand by them now, as they've passed an excellent extended version of the SF2 intro theme that Chris put together. As a side note, we do sometimes reject submissions from extremely popular artists with tons of YouTube followers or industry recognition or what not. From the perspective of pure exposure, this is obviously not in our best interests, and sometimes frustrates or alienates. However, I think it should speak on some level to our standards not being mere lip service - we try to apply them as fairly & consistently as possible, and if that means missing certain opportunities, we don't have too much choice in the matter. Ultimately, with YouTube and innumerable other online venues, artists have plenty of options for reaching an audience independent of OCR, and it should always mean something when we post a new mix. That's my two cents, at least. Here's vertexguy's, re: this mix:
"This mix was inspired by a Street Fighter II month at the Dwelling of Duels. Rather than do one of the common themes covered by many, I chose to take the 18 second intro and try to turn it into a lengthy and enjoyable remix experience. To do this I had to add a lot of my own new melodies that fit well with the original, all while reinjecting familiar parts of the original back in so you don't lose the theme."
Mission accomplished, I'd say - I've always loved this theme, and I'm glad someone's given us an extended version that really turns it into its own full-fledged rock track. Palpable hits the nail on the head:
"Only 2:22, but so oh sweet. It is pretty conservative for the first 0:27 and the uses of that section thereafter, but a new backing guitar part helps differentiate it. But what I love is how he adapts the chords to a minor key and solos like a crazy person over it, referencing the melody occasionally. Very cool stuff, that Chris makes sound easy. I suppose someone might think that the new and source elements are too separated, but I think there's just enough peanut butter in the chocolate and vice versa, so to speak."
Because the soloing does come off as effortless and the whole thing moves along briskly and confidently, you might take for granted just how well it all really works - all of the modifications Vinnine describes above fit in perfectly, to me, and damn that soloing is freakin' insane. "Face-melting" really undersells it; I'd go with "Full Body Melting," reminding me a little of Dan's 'Clamato Fever' riffage. Short-but-sweet expansion of a classic track w/ masterful guitar soloing, I think you'd have to make an active effort NOT to dig this debut mix from vertexguy, who's made a huge dent in the world of VGM and who I definitely hope to hear more from in the future.
Discussion: Latest 14 comments/reviews; view the Onto the mix itself. It's a 16 measure source, so in spite of its simplicity I can see it working for a good rocking expansion. Hearing it, this has to be a very clean production with all the guitar parts being made distinctively clear, and that is already distinctively sick :3
In regards to arrangement, it starts out pretty well with a straight variation of the theme, then an original section, and repeated with a third and final variation for the ending. The original sections manage to refer to parts of the melody, though the real meat can be seen in the second original melody with that really precise finger-blistering solo - that had my jaw dropping so much at the sheer amount of attention being paid towards it :O
That said, a short but VERY SWEET arrangement with a very highly polished set of production values to go with it. vertexguy managed to grasp the concept with this submission, and so I really hope he would come back again in the near future :D
- Rexy on December 27, 2011
The only real weakness to this is its repetitive nature. But, fortunately, at just a bit over 2 minutes, and with the wankin' solo near the end, it doesn't wear out its welcome. In fact, I believe this would fit quite awsomely as the HDRemix opener -- if only AE and Prozax had not absolutely outdone themselves with Clamato Fever.
Good job vertex dude!
- Moguta on December 10, 2010
- EmpyClaw on December 6, 2010
again, AWESOME, I blast this while riding my bike to school or for exercise or in my car or anywhere else you need to get some PUMP!
- hyzteria on June 3, 2010
I do wish the remix had a breakdown, though. Despite being only 2:22, it's sometimes too much due to the relentless pace of the song. A few seconds to take breath would've been nice.
- Martin Penwald on May 17, 2010
I am downloading this one, I loved it.
- TMF128 on May 6, 2010
- Crulex on April 27, 2010
Daaamn man! I never heard of this guy, and this is crazy good! Keep it up dude!
- Master_Yoshi on April 27, 2010
There's something to be said for some great straight-ahead rocking, and this track does it very well. Be sure to check it out. :-)
- OA on April 26, 2010
- The Radical Sifu on April 25, 2010
- Cartwright on April 25, 2010
