ReMix: The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past 'Transient Shadows'

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Game: The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past (Nintendo, 1991, SNES)
ReMixer(s): WillRock
Composer(s): Koji Kondo
Song(s): 'Dark World'
Posted: 2010-11-27, evaluated by the judges

Fresh off his solo piano departure mix, WillRock writes:

"This all started off with listening to lots of zircon music, and listening to the awesome sound he gets out of his drums. So I heard that he layers lots of different samples together to create a powerful drum kit, which I do on occasion, but this time I tried layering more stuff down and got a powerful drum sound which was the foundation for this remix.

Emunator deserves credit for naming the remix (took him about two seconds, wish I could name things that fast)"

I've heard Andy talk about layering drums before, and probably a decade before that, I think I read some interview in Keyboard magazine where someone was saying the exact same thing - you want beefy, powerful drum tracks, layering is a great technique. Mr. Harby intros with darker pad clusters, then filters in a repeating trance riff before bringing in drums with a high hooverish fall. Then the familiar 'Dark World' melody comes in on lead synth and everything clicks. From there, the lead goes soaring into pattern-heavy riffage territory, with speedpeggios galore, and it's quite the fun ride. AnSo writes:

"Pretty easy decision for me. Nice personalization both rhythmically, structurally and melodically. Definitely got a great sound, REALLY nice drums. If you're gonna copy someone Zircon is pretty much THE guy. ;) Nice soloing as per usual. This time around I also thought pretty much ALL your sounds were a perfect fit too, something that wasn't always the case before. Crisp, clear, interpretive and positively face-melting. Two thumbs and my big toe up!"

But which big toe? Or is that... a euphemism? OA echoed the sentiments:

"I think these drums are actually working way better than your normal semi-real sound you use. Definitely something you may want to explore further, because it is definitely working for you. The source is very prominent, with the exception of some really nice breaks and transition sections. Drums solo was cool and unexpected, and of course the synth solo was badass. I would actually demand my money back if a Willrock track didn't have a great solo, but so far it's always been there. Ending ramped up the excitement really well into a great finish."

What they said; this is a pretty popular theme that's been mixed a lot, but this particular arrangement is electro-indulgence and synth hero goodness at WillRock's finest, so it definitely crafts its own identity. It's a fun, familiar ride, and WillRock's upped his drum ante and applied layering techniques effectively; excellent stuff!

― djpretzel

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

A fantastic Dark World ReMix. Great performance by Willrock as usual. I really liked that synth, and the production sounds amazing. Good work.

- Crulex on September 25, 2012

Giga Bowser fused with Ganon and Chuck Norris, using a Falcon Punch AND a roundhouse kick at the SAME TIME, after grinding to level 1337.
It's THAT powerful.

- DaMonz on May 25, 2011

Great job (and name :b). I love the mix, although, the lead synth does feel a bit too tinny at times. Keep it up please; your work is great. :nicework:

- GravitySuitCollector on May 1, 2011

Loooooove this O_O
The lead at :26 somehow fits perfectly to me. I really think you pulled off using a cheesy, awful sample in a way that somehow made it badass. Some people I've shared this with hate the intentional use of cheesy samples, but they were used so intelligently and the patterns are anything but simple...
Screw them, this is fantastic.

- Modus on January 30, 2011

another great willrock track- excellent work dude. :D

- OA on December 18, 2010

I remember this when it was in the wip congratz on getting it accepted on oc willrock ^^

- Giga Bowser on December 17, 2010

yet another willrock mix that went onto my ipod before i even listened to it...came up at random...and i went "FUUCK! Who did...-look-...oh, yeah LOL"
Dude i have loved your work since your green hills mix so long ago...did that one post BTW? Don't care, i have it anyway.
Just do what you do man, I will always be a fan.

- Blackwinged Saron on December 15, 2010

Starts out with a very space-y synth, but I can't say I'm much of a fan of the lead synth coming in at 0:26; I find it rather annoying. The synth taking over the lead at 0:46 is much more to my liking; has a sound somewhere between an 80's synth and something you'd hear in a 16-bit game. Much better. And finally, I'm on the fence about the synth solo starting around 2:10. Don't get me wrong, the way it's used is great, but the sound of it barely manages to stay on this side of the borderline between good and piercing/annoying.
I guess some of the sound choices just aren't my cup of tea.

- Martin Penwald on December 14, 2010

I think I heard this one a *long* time ago in the workshop remixes. It's pretty cool to hear the fully fleshed out version, and I can definitely hear the marriage of Zircon's and WillRock's sounds here. It's pretty much all kinds of awesome.

- Skyline Drop on December 12, 2010

Oh man, production is ace. Intrumentation is ace. Solos synths are awesome. This is everything good about Willrock's music in one song.
Great work man.

- PROTO·DOME on December 12, 2010

Simply sublime (though the backdoor of asskicking) solo work. Really dug the lead syth solos here.

- kraftboy on December 9, 2010

This remix makes me drive faster than I should.
Excellent drumwork in particular. I enjoyed the little drum solo.

- Hylian Lemon on December 7, 2010

Great to see this one on the front page.
Well done :)

- washudoll on December 3, 2010

Awesome stuff from Willrock! This is also one of my fave themes from the Zelda series...
As for the mix really awesome and I could even tell the hints of other artists from this site that this would have probably been influenced by...
Great job.

- Digi_Dude_78 on December 1, 2010

I named this :-D That practically makes this song, like, 50% mine or something. So where's my damn artist credits? :whatevaa:
I love this mix so much, it really capitalizes on a lot of great ideas introduced in Will's past remixes and puts them all together into one delectable package. Lovin' it :-D

- Emunator on December 1, 2010