ReMix:Descent II "Revelation" 5:10

By Dj Redlight

electronic synth

Arranging the music of one song...

"Credits"

Primary Game: Descent II (Interplay , 1996, WIN), music by Dan Wentz

Posted 2005-10-01, evaluated by the judges panel

What's this? A non-Final Doom Dj Redlight ReMix? Not that Ashley's three FD mixes to date haven't been consistently fantastic, and not that another one would have been in any way unappreciated, but I'm also stoked he decided to vary his diet a bit and give OCR its first Descent mix, from the game's sequel. The ReMixer writes:

"I've just finished this mix, shock horror its not final doom =P It's from descent 2, incidentally the first pc game I ever owned and still one of my faves. The original track was from the closing credits of the game. However the game had two soundtracks, an industrial/metal CD soundtrack and a midi soundtrack, both of which were completely different. I always preferred the latter and hence its the midi version of the credits that I remixed."

I played Descent (DOS, baby), Descent 2, and to a lesser extent Freespace, and found the degree of mobility liberating. I'm still a little surprised the FPS genre has remained largely grounded, as this series proved very early on that true three-dimensional mobility was quite doable, even if you did get a little dizzy at times (I am a leaf on the wind. Watch how I soar.) I didn't particularly recall the music from Descent 2, but it's been a pretty dern long time, so that's not saying all that much. At any rate, Redlight gets the green light on this mix, as he's taken a strong melody, not unlike the type of guitar-led theme you'd hear set to a gritty 80's-era crime drama as the credits roll over a vast cityscape, and technified it with verb-drenched, slightly crunchy synth leads, cleaner, bubbling, underlying cross-panned synth patterns, and an appropriate electro-drum track with a thick kick that syncs up w/ the bass. The whole thing ends up sounding a little like Yuzo Koshiro's slower stuff from the Streets of Rage series, in particular the opener from the very first game. Larry writes:

"Great arrangement compared to the original in that it's not hugely interpretive on the surface, but subtely evolving much like Shna pointed out. On that point, sections like the one starting at 2:39 really showcased that understated evolution.

Up until 1:40, I was somewhat worried that you just had generally original passages on top of some motifs from the original, but that wasn't the case here at all. If chill bias is wrong, I don't wanna be right. But in all seriousness, this definitely had the goods and genuinely had a great deal of expansiveness and creativity. The remix was appreciated much more after comparing it with the source material."

I just got done watching the very first episode of the original Bubblegum Crisis OVA, and can't help but think how well this would fit some of the interludes; it really has a deliberate, floating, urban atmosphere... Ashley, you don't have to turn on the Redlight. Sorry, just too tempted to throw that in there. I really love the breaks at 1'36" and the like - these are the type of textural and melodic additions that similarly pattern-oriented mixes neglect and end up sounding repetitive due to lacking. At any rate, I've spent more time describing the tone and overall atmosphere here than describing the particulars, but I'm fine with that - if you know the ReMixer's work, you'll have a feel for the competent production and general slickitude. As a downbeat electronic groove with a strong melodic core, Ashley's first deviation from Final Doom, and OCR's first ReMix from the Descent series, Revelation is great work.

― djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
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Liontamer
on 2018-10-17 14:32:29

Criminally underrated; if only Descent wasn't relatively obscure. Ash with his usual gold here; loved the tempo and the deliberate pace here. Still a big fan of this one.

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OA
on 2010-01-28 10:43:49

When I heard about people getting motion sick from FPS games, I never could comprehend it until I tried to play Descent. Damn, that game really messes with your equilibrium. :-(

I don't remember any of the original music, but I can definitely get behind a mix like this, where it sounds both dramatic and sophisticated, and the beat and backing paints a pretty contemplative background. I love the lead, and sense of expression DJRedlight has with it.

This is a great mix, definitely check it out.

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Nutritious
on 2009-12-14 02:33:14

I always enjoy listening to DJ Redlight's stuff - that lead synth especially is instantly recognizable as his. Good melding of all the parts here for some kickin downtempo electronica. He especially seems to be adept as making lead synths modulate to make them infinitely more interesting to listen to. Very effective use of elements like icy pads during breakdowns to shift gears. Great stuff, as usual, from DJR.

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AmanO
on 2009-10-14 04:12:01

I do not remember the midi version since I always listened to the CDDA.

Anyone care to tackle some of the redbook audio?

This def fits as ending credits music.

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Marmiduke
on 2009-01-15 01:53:43

I get a strong Blade Runner vibe from this, which is perhaps not surprising, seeings as grungy futuristic opuses go hand in hand with Blade Runner. Needless to say, I loved this mix.

It's almost calming in its pacing, but also quite ominous. I get imagery of decaying industrial complexes lit by neon. Maybe I'm a little too big a fan of Descent.

Very strong mix from a very strong score. Keep up the restrained, melodic electronica.

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MD1032
on 2008-07-17 23:58:12

I love Descent, gameplay and music.

I must say that I'm more of a fan of the redbook but this remix blew me away.

Maybe all the midis need is some modern technology and a few tweaks to be great.

Hopefully the soundtrack from descent 1 will make their way to us in new bodies soon.

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ph0sphorousgobu
on 2006-12-25 11:42:52

Ahh, Descent 1 and 2. I remember playing them back in the day on our 486. Awesome games. I can only vaguely remember the music, so I don't really remember what the source tune for this mix was like. Regardless, I like this mix a lot. It's got a certain ambience/ance/whatever to it that makes it great to listen to when you're trying to relax. For me, anyways. It's a great postlude to a hectic day for some reason.

Love it, keep up the good work.

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Taishaku
on 2006-11-12 15:56:01

Does anyone actually have a mp3 of the Descent title screen music? I love that song, but I can't seem to find it and my Descent no longer runs on Windows 2k Pro or XP. (I even tried installing the Mac version by converting the DMP into an ISO but it ended up not being able to detect the sound card.)

If you have it, send it to me at SemperVigilus@GMail.com please. If you'd like, I can send you the title from the Definitive Collection's Redbook Audio CD. ^^

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Less Ashamed Of Self
on 2006-10-25 22:37:32
Very sexy bends on those synths. It's really agreeing with me... a welcome addition.

Also one of those tracks you're glad to re-visit/re-discover later. Hello again old friend.

The lead is so sexy... it doesn't get old.

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Zantor
on 2006-07-04 15:34:32

Descent is my oldest and most favorite of all video games. I own Descent II and 3, and I will never sell them.

More depth would be welcome, but overall it's fantastic.

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RatoN
on 2005-12-04 13:49:48

Oh... my... god.

Finally a Descent remix surfaces, and it's awesome. You took the perfect style for this song. This song's gonna be looping for sometime on my playlist!

I love you!

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Vesh
on 2005-11-05 03:31:29

Part of me digs this, part of me is slightly disappointed. I love the original tune dearly and remember tweaking/mixing wavetables way-back-when for no other reason than to make this track sound as great as possible. With that in mind, this is a fitting mix that serves as a nice mostly-technical update.

But that's also what's wrong with it. I would have been overjoyed to hear more depth, variation and freshness (or a nice thick conspicuously overproduced film soundtrack-esque take on the original tune... hint-hint). The original track deserves a little more.

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foxyshadis
on 2005-11-02 12:52:14

I'm a chill-out fan so I won't even try to be impartial to the awesome tune. ;)

But I'm trying to figure out what it reminds me most of. Maybe it was Psychic Force 2012 Arrange (which has a few songs with similar smooth, aching synths), but I don't really think so. I'm probably forgetting something obvious. Anyone remember remixes in this style off the top of their head?

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DukeNukem007
on 2005-10-31 01:02:30

Descent II was such a great game...a good ways ahead of its time technologically, sounds were nice, CD audio was mostly superb, and MIDI was not as good as the original but mostly good, especially this track.

This remix was way too repetitive and was too midi-ish in not taking enough liberties with the original song, but the extra stuff it did have further added to the somber undertones the original midi already had. B+

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Less Ashamed Of Self
on 2005-10-28 01:22:44

Very sexy bends on those synths. It's really agreeing with me... a welcome addition.

Sources Arranged (1 Song)


Primary Game:
Descent II (Interplay , 1996, WIN)
Music by Dan Wentz
Songs:
"Credits"

Tags (2)


Genre:
Mood:
Instrumentation:
Electronic,Synth
Additional:

File Information


Name:
Descent_2_Revelation_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
6,289,535 bytes
MD5:
7702a3f01347f5079957f8bdb8005e9a
Bitrate:
160Kbps
Duration:
5:10

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