Posted 2014-07-09, evaluated by djpretzel


timaeus222 hits us up with another VV2 cut, applying some aggressive big-beat & dubstep components to Dracula X:

"This mix is a project mix for Vampire Variations II. This deviates quite a bit from my usual stuff, though this tangent appeared to really make me kick my game up a few notches. It's my first time going with such an aggressive production scheme, but I can honestly say that I thoroughly enjoy the outcome. This ReMix is in no way one that rocks your speakers or gives a feisty left hook to your headphones. Instead, it annihilates them both. Prepare to get your socks blown off faster than you can say, "MythBusters proved it impossible"!

Source Breakdown (I used the synth-y source since the notes were easier to hear. ;D):

0:00.00-0:24.05 - Piano, strings in first 7 seconds of source
0:24.05-0:36.04 - Bass, strings in first 7 seconds of source
0:36.04-1:00.05 - Original
1:00.05-1:12.05 - Bass, strings in first 7 seconds of source
1:12.05-1:24.03 - Sync Lead, left speaker in source at 0:14
1:24.03-1:36.04 - Sync Lead, right speaker in source at 0:22
1:36.04-2:00.04 - Bass, strings in first 7 seconds of source
2:00.04-2:24.05 - Piano, strings in first 7 seconds of source
2:24.05-2:36.05 - Bass, strings in first 7 seconds of source
2:36.05-2:48.04 - Sync Lead, left speaker in source at 0:14
2:48.04-3:00.03 - Sync Lead, right speaker in source at 0:22
3:00.03-3:12.05 - Original
3:12.05-3:24.05 - Sync Lead, strings in first 7 seconds of source
3:24.05-End - Bells, strings in first 7 seconds of source"

Whole lotta sync lead! Definitely a more aggressive/EDM/step/glitch style than we've heard from Mr. Nguyen in the past, but I'd say he wears it well. Larry agrees:

"Interesting change from a tense piece into more of a beat-driven groove. Though the snare pattern was too plain for me during the busiest sections, the overall interpretation was very creative in how the rhythms and timing of the source were altered. I don't know why, but the abrasive stuttering synth first used at :24 gave me a Genesis-style vibe with soundtracks like Cyborg Justice. (Someone ReMix that game already!)

The piano at 1:59 was thin, but I loved that classical-minded change-up before moving back into heavier territory. On the ear candy side, the bell sounds that wrapped this up at 3:23 were a great choice, and I would have loved to hear more ideas with that part earlier in the arrangement, since they provided a striking contrast with the previous instrumentation. I could go for a bit more aggressive presentation here overall in terms of the production. That said, there were lots of interesting twists in this arrangement with a nice hybrid of genres. Props for showing love to Dracula X!"

This is definitely a more obscure source from the halls of Castlevania VGM, but when it originally came out for the TGCD (okay, PC-Engine CD-ROM) Dracula X was all the rage among the few gamers lucky enough to be able to play it, in large part due to the soundtrack. Diverging from his regular fare, timaeus has put together a great initial foray into the world of harder-hitting beats & cutting synths, lending strong electronic to the second volume of Vampire Variations!

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 8 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
avatar
Chernabogue
on 2014-07-13 14:29:38

The source wasn't very easy to arrange, but Tim did a really great job. I really like the very aggressive electro take, the synths sound really different from what I usually hear. The intro/breakdowns with the piano were a very interesting touch too.

Very nice job to Tim, it's a well-deserved mix post. :)

avatar
timaeus222
on 2014-07-11 22:22:19
I find the source tune to be a little meandering and unfocused, discordant in a way I don't always appreciate, but that is definitely not the case for this ReMix.

My technical music words fail me once again, but 1:00's intense, stuttering quality is jam-out-worthy without a doubt. The percussion also hits hard all the way through, giving way to pianos just long enough to set a creepy mood.

This is one of those songs I could loop for a long time without feeling the itch to move on!

Thanks for the kind words!

Yeah, I agree about the source tune; part of me just wanted to do it *because* it was so weird and awkward. :)

avatar
OverClocked PodCast
on 2014-07-11 21:37:54

I find the source tune to be a little meandering and unfocused, discordant in a way I don't always appreciate, but that is definitely not the case for this ReMix.

My technical music words fail me once again, but 1:00's intense, stuttering quality is jam-out-worthy without a doubt. The percussion also hits hard all the way through, giving way to pianos just long enough to set a creepy mood.

This is one of those songs I could loop for a long time without feeling the itch to move on!

avatar
DimeTower
on 2014-07-10 16:46:41

Oh my word, this mix is KICKING! I don't know the source well, so I have to go on quality, and this mix HAS IT. I particularly loved - and I mean loved - the little bit of original work sprinkled in, especially at 3:00... it fits so perfectly, it sounds like it was always a part of the source. Man, this mix really gets going! Love it!!!!

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Crulex
on 2014-07-10 10:13:52

Darkness and piano mixed in with aggressive evil dubstep? Yes! Now that is what I like to hear. Gotta say as well, that ending was great as a way to bring everything in for a clear landing. Nice work, man.

avatar
timaeus222
on 2014-07-09 15:45:19
Perty sweet. Like all the glitch stuff and I am one that is personally obsessed with sync leads.

I herd teh j00jes liek sync leeds, so I made dis ReMix. :lol:

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Garrett Williamson
on 2014-07-09 15:12:42

Perty sweet. Like all the glitch stuff and I am one that is personally obsessed with sync leads.

avatar
djpretzel
on 2014-07-09 14:24:24

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

Sources Arranged (1 Song)


Primary Game:
Akumajo Dracula X: Rondo of Blood (Konami , 1993, TGCD)
Music by akiropito,Jun Funahashi,Keizo Nakamura,Mikio Saito,Satoe Terashima,Tomoko Sano
Songs:
"Wild Dance in Phantasmic Hell (Boss Theme BGM)"

Tags (9)


Genre:
Dubstep,EDM
Mood:
Aggressive,Dark
Instrumentation:
Electronic,Piano,Synth
Additional:
Effects > Glitching
Time > Tempo: Variable

File Information


Name:
Akumajo_Dracula_X_Rondo_of_Blood_Phantasmal_Hellfire_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
7,071,679 bytes
MD5:
bcbc989a76084a180a7de072157b8496
Bitrate:
235Kbps
Duration:
3:57

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