ReMix:Donkey Kong "Duel of the Apes" 4:16

By Big Giant Circles

Arranging the music of 3 songs...

"Stage 9-8", "Stage 9-9", "Stages 9-5, 9-6, 9-7"

Primary Game: Donkey Kong (Nintendo , 1994, GB), music by Taisuke Araki

Posted 2011-12-06, evaluated by the judges panel


We wrap up our BadAss: Boss Themes mixflood with some Donkey Kong (GB) action from Big Giant Circles:

"All three tracks are boss themes. The final sequence of this game is like a bunch of boss battles (sort of) with tracks 28 and 29 being the final battle, parts 1 and 2.

0:00-0:16 (referencing track 29)
0:16-0:40 (track 28 intro and the arpeggio from 24 overtop)
0:40-2:00 (melody is pretty much verbatim 28 with a few flourishes for color)
2:00-2:16 (strings are adapted melody reprise from 28)
2:16-2:48 (track 24 arp)
2:48-3:20 (synth solo overtop source chord progression-mostly original but makes tentative reference to the main melody of 28)
3:20-3:36 (back to verbatim source 28)
3:36-3:52 (modified melody from 28)
3:52-end (all 3 sources being referenced here)

Notable notations that are noteworthy: Symphonic choirs, look at me go. :) I just programmed 'em to say gibberish, I don't remember exactly, mainly just stuff like "Mee NO Da LO Oompa Loompa La La," for all it's worth. Long as it sounds epic-ish. Also, this track was *made* for a guitar lead. Um, enjoy?"

Well gosh, if you INSIST. It's interesting that the Gameboy version of DK made its way onto the BadAss setlist - I'm not saying Kong doesn't have a wallet that says "Bad Motherf*!%er" on it, it's just a surprising source selection in a vacuum, even outside of inclusion on an album. Clearly Jimmy had a vision here, and worked to integrate these themes into a coherent, badass electronica whole. Judges actually evaluated this one, so I can lean on their expertise - Mattias writes:

"Great production, clever and cohesive arrangement with good solos. Sequenced guitar sounds decently realistic, everything works well together, it makes you eargasm. Good stuff!"

Shariq adds:

"Pretty epic bro. Guitar is a change of pace from what I usually hear from you, but it's solid as hell."

And last but not least, director The Joker offers:

"BGC was one of the first, if not the first, completed tracks we had. When I first heard it, it sounded good. Damn good, in fact. It was smooth, epic, and full of just that good ole fashioned swagger. I told Jimmy to make it darker anyway; he delivered. If the first half got you ready for adventure, then the second makes you fight for your ever loving life. Your life, damn you! If you wanted big, sweeping, smooth, choral rock, then by Crom you got it."

Nice; clearly the choral elements were employed to darken things up a bit and give it that epic movie trailer "Carmina Burana" repurposing vibe. IN A WORLD WHERE JUMPMAN MUST SAVE THE LADY FROM A MONKEY NAMED DONKEY... you get the idea. That Jimmy just programmed in nonsense lyrics, and that it sounds pretty darn epic, makes me LOL a bit at how almost anything, when sung by a large enough choir, can sound killer & deathly serious. "My tiny little nipples went to France"?? No problem, just get a choir to announce it! At any rate, this is yet another great cut off BadAss, again showing off a diversity of style AND source material, while remaining true to the director's mission statement of coordinated, strategized, and well-executed ass-kickery. Congrats to The Joker and pu_freak and for all artists involved for making sure BadAss lived up to its name - you're all a bunch of evil, villainous, no-good swine... and we love you for it ;)

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
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Marscaleb
on 2020-12-15 23:14:18

The melody in the first part sounds a LOT like the stage 1 music from Journey to Silius.
Maybe someone needs to do a mashup of those two.

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Black_Doom
on 2015-12-06 10:06:49

When I started to listen to this song, I was like "Oh yeah, this is gonna kick my ass". And I was totally right. It's smooth, it's epic, it's BadAss. Haha :D What I liked about this mix is 1) the mean shraddage, 2) the choral vocals, and, of course, 3) the title - very smart. Perfect work, Jimmy!

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duskvstweak
on 2011-12-27 19:10:33

Man Dingo, this is some good stuff.

You've turned this tune into one heck of an epic. This is the kind of song to play for the final of "Donkey Kong: The Movie". I just imagine Jumper Man making his way to save the princess with all of his strength as flaming barrels are coming his way. The chorus is great and love the reoccurring motif that brings a dark and ominous vibe to the whole thing. Simple into Star Wars, that's what this feels like.

Thanks for posting this one!

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MechaFone
on 2011-12-25 08:53:27

Great stuff! I especially liked the choral work in the last section, it was a nice touch. Thanks for this!

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pu_freak
on 2011-12-12 10:49:52
Oh, and Codamadius, I do believe the original Donkey Kong eventually became Cranky Kong, as the canon goes. I think.

True. About the track:

Ah yes, a track that has been in my playlist for quite some time (it helped that it was finished so soon). Since I wasn't familiar with the srouce, I never knew you used sveral sources with this, it really sounds like a whole. I love the inclusion of the choirs and bells, making everything a little darker and a lot more epic! Absolutely love the synth solo around the 3 minute mark! Great stuff

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LuigiFan
on 2011-12-11 18:50:07

I love this so much. I have no negatives. I haven't even listened to the whole album yet and this sits up there with one of my favorites. Props.

Oh, and Codamadius, I do believe the original Donkey Kong eventually became Cranky Kong, as the canon goes. I think.

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Necris Omega
on 2011-12-10 11:19:46

... Of all the illustrious badguys in videogame history, you put fricken' DONKEY KONG on the cover of the album? What madness, what insanity prompted you to -- *Listens to this particular track*

... Oh. That's why. Wow.

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SuperiorX
on 2011-12-09 21:03:55

Haha, the intro made me think of Inspector Gadget too! This is one of my favorite tracks on the album. Great epic vibe to the track that really builds on itself as the song progresses. Nice work!

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Codamadius
on 2011-12-08 01:17:06

Just to clarify...it actually wasn't Donkey Kong himself that was Mario's nemesis, it was Donkey Kong's uncle wasn't it? Good work btw :)

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Bahamut
on 2011-12-07 20:04:31

That intro to the song made me think of Inspector Gadget, although I know that's not where that intro originates from. This is a nice chill bad guy tune where you're rocking and doing your own thing. The guitar adds a nice touch here - we don't get to see a whole lot of that from Jimmy. The song builds pretty nicely while still maintaining that chill pace. Solid work overall.

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HitoriJaNai
on 2011-12-07 12:08:28

I immediately sat up in my chair when this started playing while I was listening to the album. When I looked at who the boss was, I was rather confused at first... until I remembered that Donkey Kong was originally Mario's nemesis. :razz: Oh, well. Guess Mario got tired of chasing after Pauline... Anyways! This track really rocks to the core, and the addition of the choir really helps with the menacing, foreboding feel. If this had played during the actual stages... well, that would have been pretty badass. Yay for more BGC!

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Crulex
on 2011-12-07 10:52:01

DUN, DUN-DUN-DUN! God, I love that intro and it being used again at that great ending. Like a wave of nostalgia. If the goal was an epic battle, you sure as hell achieved that. Excellent guitar and drum work, and the symphonic choir really made this ReMix feel like a grand battle. I really don't think it's that short, being filled with so many goodies and being over four minutes long, but I will say that I wished the track 29 part was used a little more. Can't complain though, cause it was amazing. Incredible job, BGC.

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OA
on 2011-12-07 10:42:47

I love this track so much. The bass is really driving, the arrangement is very tightly packed, and even the fake guitar sounds pretty good! :-)

It definitely sounds like Jimmy had a specific vision for this track, as every element fits very well, and it definitely has the aforementioned swagger.

A++ will listen again (and again).

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Chiwalker
on 2011-12-07 08:50:50

So happy to finally see a remix of this golden game! AND BY BGC! Great, rockin, headbangin, amazing interpretation of an f'ing awesome source.

oh, and thanks for dat synthgasm 8-O 8-O 8-O

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Chernabogue
on 2011-12-07 03:08:49

Seeing a DK remix in BadAss was great. And BGC did an awesome job, from the very beginning with the little DK jingle to the ending with choirs/guitar/orchestra/phat beatz.

The choice of sources is cool. The sampling of guitar is amazingly good, I thought it was a real guitar first. Synth solos (and guitar solos) were pretty exciteing to listen to.

And like Rexy said: "Why is it too short?" :) I'll look forward more DK remixes, this game deserves it.

Sources Arranged (3 Songs)


Primary Game:
Donkey Kong (Nintendo , 1994, GB)
Music by Taisuke Araki
Songs:
"Stage 9-8"
"Stage 9-9"
"Stages 9-5, 9-6, 9-7"

Tags (7)


Genre:
Rock
Mood:
Aggressive
Instrumentation:
Choir,Electric Guitar,Electronic,Synth
Additional:
Time > Tempo: Fast

File Information


Name:
Donkey_Kong_Duel_of_the_Apes_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
7,700,093 bytes
MD5:
1e4130b1bcb28018d80cd975583c876f
Bitrate:
237Kbps
Duration:
4:16

Mee NO Da LO Oompa Loompa La La

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BadAss: Boss Themes


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