ReMix:Lords of the Realm II "The Siege of Kenilworth Castle" 7:08

By Protricity

Arranging the music of 3 songs...

"Battle 3", "Scroll 1", "Scroll 4"

Primary Game: Lords of the Realm II (Sierra , 1996, WIN), music by Keith Zizza

Posted 2004-12-05, evaluated by djpretzel


Ari returns to his orchestral game and is just as sharp as ever:

"Always loved this game. A real classic. The music always inspired me. I can never hope to match the majesty of the originals, so this is more or less a tribute to 3 songs from Lord of the Realms 2. Enjoy."

Very medieval, adventurous feel to it, with a truly excellent job done on percussion - the rolls, dynamics, accents, and instrumentation on the snare, bass, and triangle here all give the piece the requisite swaying, lyrical vibe. Strings, majestic fanfare trumpets, harmonic-fifth flute duets, and later a wider variety of winds all play an integral part, with the energy of the first piece changing into the more peaceful refrain at 4'07", with a very interesting key change at 4'49" - this is good, it works, but it isn't the type of move I would have expected from Ari given his previous stuff; this one bit specifically is a good indicator, at least in my book, of the ReMixer branching out a bit more. Which is impressive considering he's already pretty branched. Things get back into a more energetic mood, but with more urgency and a more unambiguously militant tone. Ari's not known to have the best of samples in the world, but with the possible exception of the brass, which is masked well enough most of the time for it to be a non-issue, everything sounds stellar. Even at over seven minutes, I think you'll find time flies, as things are kept interesting and fluid throughout. There's a definite Celtic presence in the first segment, and an overall brighter sheen and energy, that makes me favor it in particular, but the work put in on the other parts is also enjoyable and locks in naturally and intelligently - no "medleyitis" here, but rather a strong, coherent orchestral adaptation from a ReMixer who can clearly genre-jump from mix to mix without losing a bit of his edge.

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
avatar
Marmiduke
on 2009-10-14 09:14:15

Once again Protricity shows the world that he has the perfect ear for arranging. Although I'm no fan of the anything but convincing orchestral samples used here, that is made totally inconsequential when the way they are so effortlessly maximised.

Things glide along real slickly, though people might have reservations about the pacing. I liked the presentation, and see it as more of a series of movements in a full piece. With that in mind, it definately delivers a lot of punch with a little poignancy.

It does sound mechanical at times and would have benefited from a more humanised set of samples, but this mix reaches such a level of awesomeness that what it could of been no longer matters to me. I just thank the gods it's here at all. And Protricity, of course.

avatar
Loning
on 2009-07-09 02:50:13

As a fan of Lord of the Realms II and PC games, i enjoy listening to a remix that actually does a great job to help me 'relive' the moments I had in my childhood playing this game. I don't see many faults in this mix and you have done an amazing job to bring out the best in this game.

avatar
OA
on 2009-06-01 14:57:49

I agree with several of the reviewers in that the mix is very well put together, but it just doesn't really excite me that much. I think the Celtic section worked really well, but the rest just seemed to drag. Not to rail on Prot, because the dude has skills, but I wasn't feeling this specific track.

avatar
FlamingTP
on 2008-04-29 01:25:11

Review 12/1522

Work that Orchestra, work it good; this remix is so darn well done in its faced paced, adventurous tone. Loads of nice low battle drums in there make me want to get on out there and take down some castles. If you love nods to the medieval, this mix is for you.

Score 10/10 "Wench Owning"

avatar
your the man now dog
on 2007-04-11 00:26:24

this was and still is one of my favorite PC games ever. I brought it to college with me and I still play it about once a week, if not more. Simpler than Civilization games, yet so fun. This mix is wonderful and brings back so many awesome memories of hours lost trying to take down the feisty Baron, Knight, Bishop, and Countess. Damn, I hate that Countess.

avatar
Ajan
on 2006-04-27 18:13:55

I really like those Celitic climates, the original song is very nice too. Great remix overall.

avatar
Aamean
on 2005-09-03 21:57:48

Very well done and enjoyable remix. There aren't too many on the site similair to this style. By the way, try listening to Protricity's Final Fantasy 5 remix right before this one; they transition very well and almost sound like one whole piece.

avatar
SEODRohan
on 2005-06-20 12:27:41

I would have to say this is one of the coolest remixes I've heard. Good job, make more work like this!

avatar
Antelucan
on 2005-04-25 15:18:26
This is one of my favorite games from the PC days of yore.

I definitely agree. I believe this would qualify as the first PC game I ever owned. I actually brought it back out a while ago to try out the multiplayer with my brother, and it was still excellent fun.

So I must thank you sir for your wonderful take on the epic music from this game.

avatar
jordex
on 2005-04-08 22:37:53

Ah.. Sounds like a perfect symphony for a movie

Very dramatic the whole way through, the strings continue to show emotion through out the whole song

I felt that the drums were too repetitive for the first four minutes or so but you can't do much about that, everything on top of the percussion however was amazing

I liked the faster paced feel from around 5-6 minutes to the end but

A very impressive mix here Prot, too bad you're not around any more

He was quite helpful around the remixing forums

avatar
Nobbynob Littlun
on 2005-01-03 13:34:58

Is this what I have been searching for all these years? =o

avatar
Protricity
on 2005-01-01 05:01:14

Hah! Lots of interesting interpretations thus far. Heres what I was imagining.

The somewhat celtic intro sets a pace, movement. Basically views of realms in england; castles and whatnot. If you played the game you'd know exactly what I'm looking at. 12th century, villages, castles, serfs, all that. Then a focus on one in perticular, Kenilworth. Following that, alternating themes describing the castle and surroundings. Those defending the castle are proud and do not believe they can be ta'in, yet they are still uneasy. A tense build-up, then slowdown as an approaching army shows up and lays a siege. Things get quiet and eerie as both sides regard eachother and know whats coming. Suddenly, the battle is joined and the castle attacks in the final theme which is indeed the battle music from the game. Again, if you played the game you'd know exactly how intense these battles tended to become. I wanted the last theme to build and build, then come to an abrupt end. A castle in ruins; a defeat.

This is one of my favorite games from the PC days of yore. Sure theres exploits and whatnot, but overall it was a large challenge. Very fun, very involved.

avatar
Iron Cross
on 2005-01-01 00:07:40

This is an excellent piece. I really enjoy how it has a bit of a celtic lilt to it, especially at the beginning.

I have never played this game, but even so, listening to this mix I can visualize (however wrongly) how it might go into the game.

It would indeed be a title theme, probably the background to the intro to the game.

It would start off with the hero setting out, riding across the fields, plains and hills through day and night, about 0:40, it cuts into a panoramic cut of the princess the hero is going out to rescue, and the scene sweeps past her prison and into the sky, the camera catching a breath-taking view of the countryside, and quickly falling to the hero at about 1:10, who has just arrived at the castle or fortress and is about to face the challenge of some guards at the main gate.

The piece continues on as the hero does through the twists and traps of the castle, until about 4:05 when it softens slightly, as the hero meets up with the princess and they have to make their escape.

Shortly after, about 4:45 or so, they meet up with the ruler of the palace and at about 5:20, the battle ensues into a climactic melee before the gates.

About 7:00 the scene fades out, and the title reappears, having given the watcher just enough to really wet their appetite.

Now, I realize this is probably very wrong, however, this is simply how I, somebody who has not heard this piece before, nor has played the game, can envision this wonderful piece going. It really does make me want to look for the game and try it out.

Protricity, good job on this one!

avatar
Durinthal
on 2004-12-27 23:59:42

When I first noticed that there was a Lords of the Realm 2 remix on here, I tried and failed to remember what the original music sounded like.. then I listened to this and it all came back. Very nice piece, though after 5:00 or so it doesn't seem to match well with the previous parts.

avatar
AngrySquirrel
on 2004-12-24 16:00:02

Wow...this definately conjures up an image of a protracted medieval battle for me. Definately something I'd listen to while I work.

Sources Arranged (3 Songs)


Primary Game:
Lords of the Realm II (Sierra , 1996, WIN)
Music by Keith Zizza
Songs:
"Battle 3"
"Scroll 1"
"Scroll 4"

Tags (6)


Genre:
Cinematic
Mood:
Instrumentation:
Brass,Orchestral,Strings,Woodwinds
Additional:
Time > Duration: Long

File Information


Name:
Lords_of_the_Realm_2_The_Siege_of_Kenilworth_Castle_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
6,359,898 bytes
MD5:
ecc699a7dff40ca1e997326dc7aa4148
Bitrate:
117Kbps
Duration:
7:08

Promotion

8-bit Jazz Heroes - Press Start
View All

Latest Albums

View All

Latest ReMixes