ReMix:Bionic Commando "Infiltration" 4:28

PsyNES (Jari) hits us with an intense, energetic psytrance/edm take on Bionic Commando (NES):

"I started remixing Bionic Commando tunes when Bionic Commando Rearmed came out. It had such a good soundtrack and it inspired me to do remixes of the original as well. I didn't come up with anything good at the time tho, but around in 2011-2012 I tried again and started working on this one (Area 8). I didn't finish it at that time either, but got a pretty good start for the remix.

2-3 years later, I went back to this remix again, changed the bassline to more psytrance-ish and finished the whole remix. The older version had a much different bass sound for the bassline than this finished version, it was actually inspired by electro swing and glitch hop genres. Since 2014, when I finished the remix, it's been on my PsyNES SoundCloud account for free to download. The ReMix is made with Renoise!

Now, in 2019, I wanted to update the mixing and mastering again, 'cus I've been planning to upload it to my YouTube account with a gameplay video. I decided I would send it to you guys as well to be judged, so I hope you enjoy this remix, and I hope I didn't make it worse with my little update. :) By the time this is being judged, OC ReMix is probably already 20 years old, so happy birthday, OC ReMix!"

Not quite yet... but pretty soon! (Dec. 11th) Glad Jari revisited this piece & polished it up, as it's one of his funkier, more infectious jams - especilly for psytrance, this has some swagger & flamboyance. In-game FX are used extensively in the intro to get you into that "prosthetically-enhanced operative" mindspace, and the build culminates in a satisfying drop, as drums are added to the squelchy, rise-fall psy bass. Gario writes:

"The arrangement is bouncy and fresh, and as always the relatively basic synths are used in such a way that they never get boring, with those stutters and shifting beats. I will echo Larry's comment on the treble-heavy mixing on this, though; throughout the track the bass is noticeably lacking. It doesn't drag the piece too much, but in moments like 2:40 the build sounds lacking due to the mid/high EQ focus of the mix.

Other than moar bass, I'm loving this. Get it up there on the front page."

I've seen psytrance stylistically/intentionally minimize bass before, but I generally prefer it when there's more of a low-end presence. However, with all the nice drum fills, layering, filter sweeps, modulation, & generally high intensity, it's not something I got hung up on, personally; Rexy concurs:

"You know you've done well with the production when it made me get up and dance! The focus on sibilance is an interesting stylistic choice as EDM tracks aren't usually treble-heavy, but I can hear all the parts cleanly. The backing is merely the bass and some effects, but the synth melody layering sounded like they took the purpose of a pad or rhythm part and went full ham. I also sensed gates, pitch shifts, subtle use of LFOs, delicate sweeps, and bit-crushing in the background - all used tastefully to create an engaging soundscape."

This has a more variant, syncopated structure than most psytrance I've heard, but uses many of the same production techniques, which makes for a fun, enjoyable, & catchy take on a classic NES theme. One of PsyNES' best mixes - excellent stuff!