DimeTower

If this is the way this remixer goes out (with this series), it is done wonderfully. I particularly enjoyed 2:30-2:55, and the following sections deliver the finish. It's epic orchestral to perfection! On a larger note, Roetaka's Dark Souls series (as I've come to think of these postings) has been one of the most enjoyable out-of-nowhere surprises I can think of in all my time at this site. CONGRATULATIONS ON A WELL-DESERVED RELAXATION! I'm excited for this author's new directions and new challenges - but I have to say, couldn't be more excited that he gave such a fitting tribute to his run of dominance. Well, well, well done!

THIS IS NOT JUST ANOTHER PRELUDE TRACK - YES, YES, 100X YES to the remixer that takes this source and delivers a remix so unique, it immediately stakes out space in my remix library as the reverent example of the tune. The non-choir parts work gorgeously - the handling of 2:55+ and particularly the harp work in 3:20 through the end is downright breathtaking. And for once - for once! - I had a strong disagreement with some of the judges - to hell with your talk about samples! In my opinion, this reminds me more of the source, not less, as Nobuo Uematsu routinely had the FF I-IX games pushing the limit of the soundscape their requisite systems could deliver. The choir parts provide what the remixer is going for, and to hear that handling of the melody and harmonies was breathtaking. I think I would have loved it with a single xylophone and a violin that could only play 4 notes. It was like flying a whale to the moon and hearing a solstice ceremony at the Lunarians' high temple. My thanks to the remixer for the trip.

Oh, this is so wonderful! A caring, lovely piece, short on length and long on feel. Always love remixes that set the scene like this one does right out the gate before beginning to adjust, and the emotion and feel comes through in spades throughout this one. I had a bit of a jarring transition with the break into the 2:05 section - I thought the mix might actually be over - but I'd go over a canyon of silence to get to the work put in at 2:30+. Additional props for the faded ending! This whole remix is like sitting with your back to a tree in a meadow, watching the wind play with the grasses and the leaves. What a lovely, transportive, beautiful creation! Well done!

This remix takes the awkward-but-not-so-memorable source and turns this into a funktastic tour de force; don't give up on this until you at least hear 1:12's full power, and props for the tempo changes and sound adjustments throughout, which keeps the piece fresh and bizarre. A unique handling of a unique tune was called for - and this delivers!

The remixer may have been sky high when writing this, but this is super grounded to me; while there's some play around 1:45-2:15, it's still a calming, enjoyable float on a lazy river with a cool drink in your hand. Super enjoyable. Well done!

Man, this mix just kept getting better and better. Great energy and I love the way the themes interweave with the drums. By the end I was already scrolling up to play it again!! Well done!

It's still Roetaka - it's got the moving and emotional transitions and excellent attention to the soundscape and chords - but for the first time, I can say that this mix is meant to be listened to a few notches louder than what your volume level is right now. Still all the feels and the emotion, but damn if this thing doesn't start stirring the blood! This should be the background to some climactic battle in the rain on an abandoned bridge between bitter rivals where both have everything to lose. Nothing less should suffice for such an excellent piece!!

Bingo! The remixer took a main theme (little debate this is a top-5 well known theme from the game) and took it in a direction I did not expect. While that's noteworthy, you still have to deliver, and the remix really does, with the mixing of chiptune (listen to 2:45-3:10 or so!) and more traditional elements creating an odd but ultimately warm and open take on a nice source. The mix takes a bit to gather some personalization but really does in the back half. Overall, very nice work!

I always liked how this song makes you believe that it's going to be some sort of hard EDM, but it's too soft and sweet for that but too fast and with it to be chillstep... I really like this remix, even if it sounds way different to me than the original. I'd argue, however, that that is part of its charm, and anything that gets me to 2:35-3:15 with the kick back to the main at 3:15+ is a good remix in my book! Well done, and particularly for having such a unique sound on a big album!

YES. YES. YES. This hits every part of the "quality metal" checklist, and if anyone wants to cut to some serious sense of what this mix is about, head right for 1:42 and prepare to hold on from 2:05-2:43, where we vary from serious metal to some beautiful orchestral elements, and I'd argue 2:45-3:05 really just encapsulates the entire "metal meets epic orchestral" viewpoint. Look, this kind of thing may not be everyone's bag of tea (or cup of fun), but this was the perfect song for this kind of treatment, and this remix just crushes it. I cannot get enough of this. Well, well, WELL done, and congratulations to what I thought really expanded the range (and my enjoyment!) of the album.

My goodness, I started listening to this and I was thinking, "the only bad thing about this incredible accomplishment is I'm going to have to figure out the source timing of all the themes," and BAM, it's already there - holy crap, this is wonderful. I love the fact that it somehow keeps a cheery, fun vibe through all the transitions and fun tunes. And speaking of the transitions, I would argue that using the item selection process to do it is one of the most brilliant, easy to follow, and like-it-was-always-part-of-the-songs perfect transitional device. Really in awe on that one - and with the mix in general. Congratulations to all the artists on a beautiful, fun, gorgeous piece (opus?) of music!!

Good lord, how did I miss this??? This is AMAZING, and as a major lover of the source, I'm truly stunned how personal and full this remix is. I mean, it would have been a great mix if it had ended at 3:00. But HOLY COW, STICK AROUND for 3:15+. I feel like I'm dancing in a long forgotten ceremony in a sunny meadow in the mountains. What a remix!! Well done by the author!!

Really, really like that this remixer isn't resting on his laurels - I am noticing growth and intriguing development as these mixes come out. The build from 3:35 to the crescendo at 4:45 is, by far, one of the best sequences I've heard in months, and I think the atmospheric finish is just perfect. djpretzel nailed the concept that we are spoiled to have someone be able to both 1) love a series and 2) be able to translate that love into his remixes. What a wonderful gift! The work that this remixer does with mood and feel is largely unrivaled. Thanks so much for sharing.

I'm not as familiar with the sources but am really feeling the opening and growth in the remix. I love the ending too! Well planned and executed - impressive!

Holy chickens, talk about living up to a large legacy. The epic opening is almost a requirement to nail, but 2:18+ really impressed me with the way that it flowed back and forth from theme to theme, always adding up to a larger, thoughtful arrangement. Serious skill on display here. Bonus props for the personal touches on 3:23-3:40. You've done Link and Zelda proud!

This sounds crazy, but the remix seems so natural that it seems like this was the original song all along. I'm serious! Man, this remix just fits so well it's ridiculous. Mad, mad props to all the creators here - this track shone (and shines) like a gem!!

Man, love hearing the story of a good idea who might have been helped brought to life but whose core remains the same, and the uniqueness of this arrangement really shines. 0:58-1:26 really has some fun ideas in it, and sections like 2:11-2:36 only help maintains the eerie feel. However, I may be a lone dissenting voice on the final minute, but that's okay. A really intriguing handling of the source material!

This goes right into the top list of Dark Souls remixes for me - high praise for the remixer who put out I Had A Name and Let Strength Be Granted - and I have to say that the collaboration definitely had something to do with it. I echo the 'seamless' comment, but also note that the entire performance is really polished - the 4:40 choral waltz section could easily have been done badly, and it's stunning. This remix really reaches for some heights here. Bonus props for the dark finish. What a great mix! Thanks for giving this listener chills - will be checking out both of your work!!

This is one of those times where people unfamiliar with the source are really going to miss out. Starting at 0:30, the remixer's handling of this theme is alternatively close to source and yet distinctly different - the intonations, musical choices, and interpretations are really quite wonderful for the source and show uncommon command of the already wildly-interweaving source material. I'd actually like to mention here that this song is quite better than the original! Side note: I never thought someone could ever be my go to artist for something as insanely specific as "woods-based role-playing game remixer of choice" - but good heavens, here we are. Well done!

What I thought was a simple ocean cruise for the first minute or so turned into a full-on adventure, where the last minute of the song I'm at the prow of a ship sailing with the breeze in my hair to an unknown and exciting land. Impressive what this source became - well done!!

Fun, interesting, and a unique take on the source. It's like something that I simultaneously nod with familiarity yet am intrigued about how different it is, all at the same time. Enjoyable work!!

Man, my expectations were through the roof for one of my favorite songs of one of my favorite games before I read djpretzel's review, and MAN am I happy to report that this mix somehow lived up to the hype and THEN some! I cannot, I cannot, describe how wonderful this mix is. It just keeps rewarding you as it goes along. The long opening is perfect for such a song, but I was floored by so many choices; the transition of 1:45-2:15 was breathtaking; the near shutdown and trudging on at 2:55-3:12; the different handling of 3:50-4:07, it's all just special and precise and unique. This remix has a quality and a touch to it that is once just out of the corner of your eye and yet hits you right in the face, like a mirage in the desert that keeps leading you on, only this one rewards you with the sweet touch of music to your ears. What a mix. I loved this so much. What a performance.

Okay, I'm officially stunned. NEVER thought that Green Hill Zone - one of the most iconic themes and something truly calm and easy in its conception - would allow either 1) a remix as simple as whistling or 2) a remix that is lyrical, and yet it works, I can't believe it but it works, and I'll be damned if that isn't the catchiest damn song, aided tremendously by excellent lyrics. Wow wow wow. Never thought you could pull something like this off. SUPER impressive!!!

Excellent. Studly. Rocking. All of that would have been more than sufficient, but WOW, 2:45-3:20 is just arresting, and 3:20-3:45 IS INCREDIBLE. How did you manage this out of this song??? What an interlude!! It made the whole song and the finale just really pop! I liked how this started, it got great, and the ending delivered - talk about something that picks up steam and finishes!! Woo!

This isn't usually my style, but damn, by 0:47+ I was really beginning to waver, and the buildup to 1:45 is just plain fun. MAJOR props to the remixer, who obviously did their research and took the established remix track of remix tracks and took it in a new direction. I thought it wouldn't work. I was wrong. So happy that I was! Great job!!