Posted 2001-11-01, evaluated by djpretzel


Just in time for Halloween, Mellogear (with help from Mustin) sends in our first ReMix of Metroid II. This arrangement adds the ambience and spookiness that, though the original composer tried mightily, the gameboy's sound chip had trouble producing. Somewhat curious work, with a distant piano laden with reverb getting most of the action. It opens with a disonant swell that segues nicely into breathing. The hi-hat, which is phased or flanged, almost sounds like it's the result of MP3 compression, but given the bitrate I'm thinking that's not the case and it's intentional. This ain't techno nor is it really any specific genre, more a mix of minimalist classical and experimental ambient. It's very empty, but in an appropriate way that conjures up the emptiness of space. Trippy and interesting.

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
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a_d
on 2009-08-20 02:31:39

From Protricity's review, I was expecting much less, but this is very interesting, the kind of thing that would fit nicely as a Metroid game background track, I would imagine. My only complaint is that the piano part for the last several seconds with its short melody line, sounded out of place

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OA
on 2008-02-21 12:00:28

More atmospheric than melodic, this is the type of song I can appreciate for it's craftsmanship but can't really get into myself. The soundscape is full of a white noise sounding fluctuation which is pretty cool, and some spacey synths on top.

Not my style at all, so I am most likely missing the big picture, but it's pretty impressive sound theater.

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Liontamer
on 2007-10-05 15:49:06

What, yet another song Prot hated? Blehz.

Could have sworn I dropped a quick review on this a long time ago, back when I was working on Lockdown 2 (The Revenge) and verifying the source tunes of all the ReMixes. Was surprised to find I didn't.

With this arrangement, talk about turning chicken shit into chicken salad. There wasn't really much to the source at all. Props to Jon and Mustin for crafting this into a more fleshed out piece that still felt very spacey mysterious. It's definitely a sleeper hit in my book.

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Kozmo
on 2005-05-15 19:09:55

this isn't the kind of song that you can sit and purposely listen for something, cuz it probably wont come and it will make you think this song is crap (Protricity) you gotta just sit through the whole song without paying so much attention to the fine details. It will add to the empty feeling and show you what the remixers were going for. I like it, but i would say 6 or 7/10

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SixthFlyingMan
on 2005-04-21 16:18:15

Oh yeah, Protricity. You are missing a helluva lot. It evokes quite a creepy and suspenseful mood. Admittedly, it's not too good JUST by itself, but play one of those movies in your head, like mixes like this force me to. Just can't help it, y'know? It gets into your head so well... An Omega metroid and Samus Aran, going at it like never before. The beast's claws leave deep gouges in the Chozo-forged, near-invincible metal, missiles rip chunks of flesh from its organs behind that strange, exoskeletal ribcage. Both fighters become more and more enraged until finally -- BLAM! The beast is dead in a shower of alien blood and bone splinters. Its eight eyes dim, its many hearts cease beating, leaving Samus out of breath, gasping for air inside that claustrophobic Power Suit. And that's the first 15 seconds alone! Hollywood-worthy, I say.

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big giant circles
on 2004-10-17 00:22:47

i think this is great. if anyone has actually checked out the source tune, it's very umm, different. I think the remixer did an excellent job of adapting it quite well.

anyone who says otherwise, probably hasn't taken a good listen to the original.

I'd like to hear some of the negative reviewers take a better stab at it ;)

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Khift
on 2004-10-17 00:05:57

Love it. Plays like a story, really.

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Vash the Stampede
on 2004-05-08 01:50:48

Very creepy tune!! Great feeling of an errie little planet off in the far reaches of space :lol: Very impressive, very much enjoyed!!!

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Mustin
on 2003-05-12 12:33:44

Yes, it's a sample from "A Day In the Life" - calm down. You're all right.

Except for Protricity. This clearly provokes a different mood from people. And that's not bad.

yay.

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Protricity
on 2003-04-23 03:48:40

Since I downloaded all the ocremixes lately, I might as well say that

This is one of the worst I've heard on oc. Sounds like a random midi generator + a horribly annoying off key synthetic rumble. It goes no where, provokes no mood, and grabs my attention in no way save for a gripping erge to delete the file. But I cant, I need to hang on to it for a while...

Well, I suppose if someone gave it a 10/10, I'm missing something.

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AnimeSteve
on 2003-02-25 08:28:15

Is it just me, or does the beginning almost remind you of around 1:50 for about 20 seconds or so of "A Day In The Life," by The Beatles?

[edit: I guess not...]

Since I just downloaded THAT song, it's going to be hard to get that heavy breathing out of my mind and get this song into my life. :P

Also, the part that follows the orchestra swell seems fairly similar, just BARELY, to the next part in A Day In The Life

Still, an interesting piece of work.

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BrettUltimus
on 2002-08-24 11:22:09

Nice work on this one. The beginning was a great intro, and placed in my head a wonderful movie sequence of Samus running through these empty barren plains, with several metroids, and other alien creatures chasing her. She ends up running what appears to be an abandoned space ship, presses a button, and the door shuts behind her... once the music starts playing, I feel that she realizes where she is, and the danger is only beginning. You made me think all of that? You are something else, thats for sure!! 10 out of 10 stars!!

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risingson77
on 2002-07-25 18:32:50
Was the beginning of this song a rip-off of something from a Beatles song? My roommate called this to my attention, and I have to agree that it sounds very similar.

I think you're right...the intro sounds just like the orchestra swell from "A Day in the Life". I think it's a sample - it's just too similar to not be one!

Perhaps the remixers would care to comment....? :)

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playingtokrush
on 2002-07-25 15:44:10

Was the beginning of this song a rip-off of something from a Beatles song? My roommate called this to my attention, and I have to agree that it sounds very similar.

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skawttieboy
on 2002-06-26 19:19:11

Man, everything about this is amazing, especially the intro! I love it...not to mention what a great game this came from...wow! :)

Sources Arranged (1 Song)


Primary Game:
Metroid II: Return of Samus (Nintendo , 1992, GB)
Music by Ryoji Yoshitomi
Songs:
"Title"

Tags (15)


Genre:
Ambient,Cinematic,Experimental,Impressionist
Mood:
Dark,Spooky,Suspenseful
Instrumentation:
Piano,Synth
Additional:
Arrangement > Minimalist
Origin > Collaboration
Time > 3/4 Time Signature
Time > Tempo: Slow
Time > Tempo: Variable
Usage > Halloween

File Information


Name:
Metroid_2_Metroid_Sonata_Movement_II_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
4,608,658 bytes
MD5:
e821720d0948083d2bca849cd5a81669
Bitrate:
160Kbps
Duration:
3:46

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