ReMix:Metal Slug 4 "Eau Charix" 4:23

METAL SLUG!! Last time we saw the Slug up in these parts was with Protricity's mix back in 2007, almost seven years ago! This is our FIRST arrangement from Metal Slug 4 & from newcomer HeavenWraith (Antanas Palaitis), who offers up a tasty metal/rock jam that manages to work in some organ soloing alongside copiuous shreddage and studio chops that are, well, rather killer:

"Not that much to tell - remixed one of my favorite MS tracks with my usual style. Greatly inspired by Black Mages and... surprisingly nothing else. Oh welp, as long as it works! I've polished the piece following the advice you've all given me and some little nitpicks I've noticed myself since the last time I've submitted this track. Though the only thing I couldn't make myself change was organ playing the main theme. I'm sorry and I hope it won't tick anybody off. On the bright side, I gave it more presence and backing pads, let's see how that'll work out. And lastly - thanks for your time."

Such verve!! This mix really screams, and the solo @ 1'55" just plain explodes... one thing is for certain, Antanas can play. He still manages to reel it in and keep the source front & center without overwankage, though. Impressively, the initial version of this mix was rejected outright, the second was rejected by the panel, and... you're listening to the third. And I'd say it's pretty damn hot; kudos to HeavenWraith for making some sweeping changes & taking this track very far; Vig writes:

"Wow. I read my vote, and I'm impressed, because I don't remember what the last version sounded like. Certainly not like this. Lots of energy now in the mix. There's a lot of bottom still, but there's plenty of presence to go along with it. It's washy at times, and I largely think you don't need those pads sitting underneath cause mostly they just fight with the bass. That said, this is a very impressive revision."

OA adds:

"Great arrangement, and some solid performances. The sound field wasn't 100% clicking for me, but it was overall well above the bar, and I enjoyed the solid variation between sections and strong transitions. The energy was high, the tone was pretty good, and I was rockin. Nice work!"

The overall production still has a little roughness to it, but that's easily overcome by the strength of the arrangement, performances, and DAMN those solos... some very chromatic, eyebrow-raising stuff that wigs out in a highly musical fashion. We'll be seeing more from Antanas in the future, but in the meantime if you've been looking for a meaty chunk of solo-heavy hard rock and/or a Metal Slug mix, you best get to downloadin' & prepare your socks for knockin' off!