ReMix: Sonic the Hedgehog 2 'Chemical Blip'
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- Game: Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Sega, 1992, GEN)
- ReMixer(s): Anti-Syne
- Composer(s): Masato Nakamura
- Song(s): 'Chemical Plant Zone'
- Posted: 2011-12-02, evaluated by the judges
I'll be honest, I'm a huge sucker for PrototypeRaptor's ReMix of this source, but we're always open to different takes, and Anti-Syne follows up his TWO debut FF8 mixes by switching gears & taking on some Sonic:
"So this ReMix was a bit of a wonderful accident. It started life as an original track, until whilst playing round with it I accidentally played those first two chords of Chemical Plant Zone. Out of curiosity I played the Chemical melody into my original and it just seemed to work. This is my first ReMix to really offer a major tonality change from the source, and I'm extremely pleased with how it turned out. Out of interest it's called 'Chemical Blip' not in reference to the blippy, glitchy part, but in reference to a little blip sound that I couldn't seem to stop in early versions of this ReMix, blip is now gone, but hopefully not forgotten. Enjoy!"
Nice; I've personally started a few originals that ended up becoming VGM arrangements, and I think this process is more common than you'd otherwise think, and can yield great results. In this case you've got a slick dance/electronica arrangement of a source tune that completely yields itself to such treatment. halc writes:
"cool arrangement; reminiscent of PR's 'Chemixtrixx' in style at first, but does more than enough to set it apart. I really liked the glitched out, chippy part halfway through."
OA adds:
"Absolutely love the new chord progression with this theme - it makes it feel familiar and fresh at the same time, and that is definitely what I look for in a ReMix. Great breaks, great beats, and the counterpoint synth is perfect."
Whereas Jonathan's mix completely regulated swing & syncopation in favor of a more pulsing, devilishly relentless downbeat, this maintains a little bit more sway to it, breaks it down, and is generally less intense and more flamboyant. While both are, at the most universal level, electronica mixes, I don't have any trouble telling them apart, and Anti-Syne's take has definitely gone somewhere different AND worthwhile. Also nice to see Jack continue making a name for himself in 2011 & vary up his game selection a bit - definitely looking forward to what 2012 & beyond holds in store from him. In the meantime, get your chemicals flowin' and grab this most infectious blip!
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the - Martin Penwald on February 21, 2012
- ryankeeton on December 28, 2011
Draconiator;825033 wrote: Who picked up the Kefka laugh in here?
i did. i thought i dreamt the first time but no..it's there.
nice stuff with this mix anti-syne. i usually enjoy heavy electronica for chemical plant but the lighter tone is enjoyable here.
- Doulifée on December 13, 2011
Anti-Syne;827033 wrote: No one's picked up on where 'Get Ready" is from?
I'm very disappointed
Space Harrier.
In a Sonic remix? Well the main character does have blue pants...
- Garpocalypse on December 11, 2011
I'm very disappointed
- Anti-Syne on December 10, 2011
- NegimaSonic on December 6, 2011
- Bahamut on December 5, 2011
- superjoe30 on December 2, 2011
- Crulex on December 2, 2011
- Cash and Change on December 2, 2011
- SuperiorX on December 2, 2011
- Benjamin Agent on December 2, 2011
Now this is certainly different than your house-driven takes on FF8 earlier this year; I can see the accidental nature with the fusion between original chords and the familiar Chemical Plant riff, and somehow it managed to work well in establishing the track's nature. Sure, there's still some house influences like the FF8 tracks, though I'd say it leans more towards the American definition of house rather than the French influences of the previous 2 subs. I'd see the little percussion breakdown at around 1:47 being a strong highlight in regards to building up the mood as well, one that really managed to provide some strong feeling of life to the track.
Generally a clean production work has occurred as well, though is that you doing the "get ready" samples there? It's a good way to go, though I am not too sure about the flimsy recording space there. Either way it doesn't detract too much from the track; in general it's got the setting that really upped your game since previous subs.
So all in all, way to go Jack! And keep representing us British, will ya :)
- Rexy on December 2, 2011
