ReMix:Half-Life 2 "I Tried" 4:08

Every mix thus far from Redg (Brent Wollman) has been an exercise in creativity & sound design - in addition to being enjoyable, distinct arrangements of lesser-mixed VGM. Brent returns to Half-Life 2 with this highly percussive electronic piece that's got some specific inspirations:

"This track is a melding of the styles of Amon Tobin and Aphex Twin, a couple artists that I've listened to a lot. Like most of my stuff, this one is pretty out there. I incorporated a lot of organic/glitchy percussion that may be a bit much for some listeners, but I think I managed to make it all generally accessible. Conceptually, the idea was to create a chaotic and frustrated struggle for the first half which then climaxes into an emotionally cathartic release around 2:53.

Here is a source breakdown:

0:00-0:11 - A synth patch plays the bassline from the source track
0:11-0:22 - Some original percussive riffing
0:22-0:55 - The main melody from the source enters
0:55-1:18 - Another melody from the source
1:18-1:29 - Some more original percussion shit…
1:29-2:31 - The bassline from the source reenters. Another melody from the source filters in at some point.
2:31-End - The main harmonic/melodic ideas from the source are slowly reiterated and morphed until the end

Also, if this track makes the cut, and it's kosher, I would really dig it if I could plug another project I've been involved in, Sleeping Thieves. We make kind of strange hip hop/rock stuff that I think some OC ReMix cats might like!"

Very cool; check it out. ALSO, Brent just released an original 7-track album, Student, on OverClocked Records - $2.99+ and well worth it! Familiar with the influences, Palpable had some comments:

"Huge fan of Aphex and this remix. I'm always thrilled to see someone take an unusual style and make a rock solid VGM arrangement with it."

Larry adds:

"This HL2 piece was super-transformative with an arrangement that never stands still, even for a second. Brent's great at creating tracks that mutate and evolve. The beat dropoff at 1:54 was perfect at re-grabbing my attention before the midway mark and I was waiting to see where the more atmospheric second half would go.

If you're not listening closely, you'll miss it, but I really liked the lonely imagery I felt from the water bubbling SFX first used around 2:05. This track definitely succeeds in taking one to a deep, dark place. Even if you're eventually able to get out, you'll reside there for at least 4 minutes. If you want more music like this from Redg, definitely pick up Brent's original EP, Student, from OverClocked Records.

P.S. I get a little kick out of Kelly Bailey's "Triage at Dawn" reminding me of the House of Cards theme, even though it was written more than 8 years before the show. It can't just be me. :-)"

I hear it, too, although the "distant solo trumpet refrain" thing has probably been done a number of times, I'm thinking. Not much else to add between Brent, Vinnie, & Larry's comments; a ton of percussive & FX sound design make this a very percolating, mechanized, textural & atmospheric experience and an expansive interpretation of the source. Brent's definitely doing something different & worthwhile with his work, both arranged AND original, and you should check it ALL out if you're into deep, complex worlds of sound!