OCR04781 - *YES* Contra: Hard Corps & Out of This World (SNES) "Zombie Chicken"

[Emunator]

Artist Name: CJthemusicdude

I love the Contra: Hard Corps soundtrack. It is absolutely incredible and one of the best video game soundtracks in my opinion.  I have always felt like I wasn't good enough to remix a track from this game... until recently.  This source isn't even my favorite one form this game, it's like top 7, it still bops though!  I also have to give a shoutout to Out of this World, a game which legit scared me when I was a kid.  The soundtrack is VERY minimal, but it is lodged in the back of my cranium and while I was making this remix I thought "Woah... that Piano would make a dope bassline." and off to the races I went.  Now that I've gotten myself to a more competent level, I'm gonna stretch my wings a little bit.  Hope you enjoy!

Games & Sources

Contra Hard Corps:  Contra Overdrive (GENESIS)

Out of this World - (SNES) Pretty much only :15-:30.

[prophetik music]

interesting variety of originals.

beat hits at 0:07 and doesn't look back. i love the big build section at 0:20, and the melodic section at 0:28 is great - i love how angular it is. there's a ton of sfx and other weird glitchy sounds going on in here which add to the energy, although admittedly i really don't like the panning sfx that jumps between ears. we go through a transitional section with a bunch of new sfx brought in, and another big build section. this lands on a copy/paste from 0:28-0:42 at 1:04. after this we get our first break - needed, at this point, this has been a ride already! - at 1:18. there's some nice pads here and the Out of This World piano part.

after some booga chicka super zombie sfx, the first melody is back but it's mixed up this time and not a copy (at first, the panning sfx come back at 2:00). there's another break with some parts mixed up from the first break, and this goes into an outro with still more appropriately-themed sfx.

what a ride! this is obviously intentionally silly in some parts but still comes across as a competent, rollicking exploration of a neat original. the energy stays up the whole time which is really nice. fun track.

 

 

YES

[Hemophiliac]

I really hope this doesn't come off as offensive in any way, but the best way I can describe this is silly but fun. The audio clips throughout enhance rather then detract from the piece. I will say, that last one is Game of Thrones, and I will not forget the Hound wanting his chickens. I felt like Captain America in the Avengers when I heard that, "I understood that reference".

The beat is great and carries the piece. I found the layering of the low piano notes into the bass worked very well.

When we do get to 1:45 it is more distinct from the first time through with a slightly different synth setup, and more accented kicks. I would like to see more melodic embellishment during your recapitulations as has been an issue with previous works, but there's enough here that it didn't become an issue with me.  For future works, make sure you're putting a master limiter on because your max is +0.6, and there is clipping. Not hearing any distortion because of it, so it's a non-factor.

Is this what we get if you somehow managed to kill a cucco in Zelda?  You get Zombie Chicken?

YES

Edited July 5, 2024 by Hemophiliac

[Emunator]

Quote

I really hope this doesn't come off as offensive in any way, but the best way I can describe this is silly but fun.

It's hard to imagine a world where this track wasn't made without a little bit of tongue in cheek. OK, I hit the 1:45 mark with the "super ass zombie chicken" clip and I'm now convinced that CJ's tongue has gone directly through his cheek while making this. It's goofy as hell not just in the use of quotes, but even in the sound choices scan as humorous (see: the vocal-ish synth lead at :43.) The juxtaposition of the silly synth tones with heavy electro drums and bass. It's all so hysterical.

Thankfully, you're not just memeing over a half-assed production - the mixing quality is punchy and appropriate for the style, even if I think you could have backed off on the master limiter slightly, everything is clearly audible without any unwanted distortion or pumping. It feels like something I'd want to listen to while playing Streets of Rage or Smash Bros to get me pumped up.

CLUCK YEAH

[Liontamer]

Silly as hell. I chuckled. :-)

YES