ReMix: Wild Arms 'Premonitions'

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Game: Wild Arms (Sony, 1997, PS1)
ReMixer(s): Avaris
Composer(s): Michiko Naruke
Song(s): 'Oh, Shaman...'
Posted: 2012-04-18, evaluated by the judges
Album: Featured on Wild Arms: ARMed and DANGerous

Avaris has been contributing some excellent album tracks the last three years, and this cinematic, downbeat orchestral/electronic hybrid groove from ARMed & DANGerous is no exception; Shaun writes:

"The main focus of this mix was to combine elements of electronica and dark movie scores. Think Ghost in the Shell and Akira soundtracks. Since the source is so simple it was a lot of fun to fill in the blank spots with everything else. I chose numerous psycho acoustic soundsources from Omnisphere to help colour the track. In order to bring a since of familiarity to listeners I included sustained strings and lots of layered ethnic vocals. Thanks for listening!"

I hear GITS but not Akira, which had a pretty distinct, choral-heavy OST from Tsutomu Ōhashi & Geinoh Yamashirogumi. Nevertheless, while there may not be chanting of character names and ensemble chromatic percussion, you DO get a similar "dark, futuristic, potentially dystopian urban setting" vibe, so I think he nailed his target style. Deia concurs:

"Great expansion on the original source, I like everything you've done here. Synth choice is very complimentary, and the vocals add a lot of mystery to the piece. Speeding up the original also worked very well in your advantage"

halc adds:

"this is great. excellent treatment of a somewhat limited source with some very creative sounds. really, really love the pizzicato-esque synth entering at 1:12 . I don't know if I'd say this tops 'Breakbeat Market' in terms of production or sound design, but you know what the heck you're doing. excellent work. :D"

Great, atmospheric work from Shaun that still packs some melody & development; I miss getting individual mixes from him, but each album he's contributed to has been that much stronger from it!

― djpretzel

Discussion: Latest 6 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.

An ethereal track, Shaun does a nice job evoking a dark & sad atmosphere with the strings and the xylophone-like instrument (not sure what it actually is). The vocals, while sampled or synthesized, do a nice job in helping create that ethereal feel.
Just a well put song altogether!

- Bahamut on July 4, 2012

Very Haunting and definitely a good one to get a loop on with.

- Transmogrificational Tune on April 23, 2012

Amazing :shock::shock::shock: ...

- Kadaji on April 21, 2012

It's very light and thought provoking. My only wish is that it was longer. I feel like it ends too quickly. BUT! Maybe that's the appeal. Love it! :smile:

- Clucko on April 18, 2012

Absolutely one of my favorites from the album; I listened to it on loop for more than a half hour when it first came out. Beautiful use of varied sounds - including an ethereal female voice - to create a moving piece of music. Mad kudos.

- Melbu Frahma on April 18, 2012

What did you think? Post your opinion of this ReMix.

- djpretzel on April 18, 2012