Posted 2014-07-04, evaluated by Liontamer


Everything Sam Dillard's contributed to Harmony of a Hunter and subsequently submitted to OCR has been exceptional; this piece from 101% Run is no exception to the exceptionality, blending several themes into a dark, cinematic journey with chilling choral work and some VERY cool downward bend effects that warp the entire ensemble in creative ways. The Aversas' "Kindred" looms large when I think of arrangements of this source, but while that had more of a song structure, this has the very cued feel of a soundtrack, conjuring a Christopher Nolan-style progression of filmic shots & cuts that unfurl in your mind instead of the silver screen. Sam writes:

"Here's my piece from Harmony of a Hunter: 101% Run. What I had in mind for this was a constant feeling of dread, and descending down into a vast murky mystery. I wanted the music to have this certain flow, a sense of almost being caught in a current. And like creatures emerging from the darkness below, sounds and passages would materialize and then sort of be washed away back into the depths. And since I only did one song for the album this time, I made a 3D music video like the one I did for "Into the Green World," only this time in HD and much more elaborate.

This took many months to create, so for the full experience please check out the song as accompanied by the video. Thanks for listening. :)"

Larry writes:

"Sam is just something else, clearly one of the top cinematic arrangers in the community. His imagery for the mix fits like a glove, and I'd love to hear his vision for epic ideas like this fulfilled with live players and a healthy budget one day. This piece primarily hits "Maridia - Rocky Underground," but keep an ear open for the other theme cameos, all while being taken on a legitimate journey. The flow here was extremely smooth, IMO, so the near-6 minutes of this evaporated just like that. Then I hit play again."

Ditto all that; it's one thing for a mix to be atmospheric in general, but when it also unwraps so gracefully and incorporates so many components so seamlessly, it's really quite a spectacle to behold. It might not have the type of bombastic, crashing froth that one associates with fireworks, but this slow burn from Dillard definitely packs an explosive payload that plays out over time, completely enveloping the listener in a mushroom cloud of dark, tense energy. Extremely well-crafted; dim the lights, isolate yourself from all distraction, and enjoy!

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 13 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
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Nathan Allen Pinard
on 2016-06-24 17:16:06

Sams stuff is always good.

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Sam Dillard
on 2016-06-24 14:40:46
23 hours ago, Cap'nPipsqueak said:

I just love Zeithri's 'review' of your music in the video.

It's the equivalent of going to the opera and then complaining that the people shouting at each other in Italian made it impossible to enjoy the music.

Haha, I actually had to take a look at the video again to see what you meant.

I'm of the philosophy that unless I can provide some useful input, I just keep my thoughts to myself if I simply don't like a song/video/etc. Some do give insightful criticism, but I think many people just like to complain and bash the work of others because it somehow empowers them. Music is an abstract art, so of course not everyone is going to like everything. And that's fine. Folks can be pretty derp sometimes though. But hey, I never realized that "regular conventions of AHHHHH noises" were a thing... and now I've been enlightened! The more you know.

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Cap'nPipsqueak
on 2016-06-23 14:52:34

I just love Zeithri's 'review' of your music in the video.

It's the equivalent of going to the opera and then complaining that the people shouting at each other in Italian made it impossible to enjoy the music.

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Uffe von Lauterbach
on 2014-07-24 01:55:29

I definitely had to share this with my brother who just absolutely love the Metroid series. This is breathtaking, and with the video, that just makes it even more enjoyable to listen to. Great job!

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Slimy
on 2014-07-15 01:52:21

It's hard to compliment any particular part - the entire song is made of shades of good, better, and excellent. Though I particularly liked the bass ostinatos. I felt that they added a sense of advancement or urgency to the song, which I liked.

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Sam Dillard
on 2014-07-09 16:14:45

Thank you, and thanks for watching the video too, a lot of work went into it :)

Just to be clear (and for everyone who skips the description lol) there is an original short 3D animated video for this here: http://youtu.be/HaQwZvaJ45Y

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Rockos
on 2014-07-06 20:48:37

I had to watch the video first.

This is actually GREAT WORK. Even the video gave me goosebumps. The track is so well done. It made me nostalgic for a moment then felt epic. This could have been a great metroid movie.

I would gladly use this if I were nintendo. The piece is perfect. Every instrument and every moement felt like a metroid epic cinematic.

Love it!

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timaeus222
on 2014-07-06 19:11:41

Excellent arrangement. Keeps flowing well, despite the 6 minute length, and has no flaws to speak of. Keep it up!

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Crulex
on 2014-07-06 18:28:29

A cinematic sound and an incredible video to go along with it, that's just impressive on many levels. That all being said, it has everything that I would love this kind of piece to have. A slick build sandwiched by tense moments that have even grander bookends. It really does sound like something you'd expect from a score. Nice work.

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Sam Dillard
on 2014-07-06 17:56:52

Thanks y'all :) Been so long since I submitted this I actually forgot it was even going to be posted here lol

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Pinchy
on 2014-07-05 11:09:26

It gives an incredible feeling like something out of a Blizzard cinematic.

If this could be weaved into a true next generation Metroid game it would have a worthy soundtrack.

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OverClocked PodCast
on 2014-07-04 20:47:43

I... what, wait, no. NO. People can't just go out and make music (and videos, for heaven's sake) this good without a scary-sized budget. Another mind-blowing Sam Dillard piece.

And I kept waiting for something to happen-- jump out of the audio shadows as it were-- but nothing ever did; the tensions just keeps building, layer upon gorgeous layer. What a soundscape. Holy cow.

Darn it, Sam, your talent has made me angry.

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Liontamer
on 2014-07-04 13:47:51

What did you think? Post your opinion of this ReMix.

Sources Arranged (3 Songs)


Primary Game:
Super Metroid (Nintendo , 1994, SNES)
Music by Kenji Yamamoto (I),Minako Hamano
Songs:
"Maridia - Quicksand Underground Water Area"
"Maridia - Rocky Underground Water Area"
"Opening (Destroyed Science Academy Research Station)"

Tags (6)


Genre:
Cinematic
Mood:
Dark,Epic,Spooky
Instrumentation:
Orchestral,Strings
Additional:

File Information


Name:
Super_Metroid_Beyond_the_Glass_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
9,543,034 bytes
MD5:
ea69761c966171ea4a5236079ecd8f93
Bitrate:
216Kbps
Duration:
5:49
Featured on album...

Harmony of a Hunter: 101% Run


album cover
Published 2012-11-17
By Shinesparkers
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