ReMix:Chrono Trigger "Tyrano's Stash" 4:40

Time to tie a bow around our Dwelling of Duels 20th birthday celebration with a pair of Chrono Trigger pieces! First up is another Lucas Guimaraes arrangement, taking on one of the few CT tracks written by Nobuo Uematsu with a psychedelic rock trip, which I'm sure Uematsu-san would endorse. But Lucas isn't trippin' alone, no sir:

• Lucas Guimaraes: Arrangement, Saxophones, Synthesizers, Organ, Bells
• Brandon L. Harnish: Sousaphone, Additional Arranging
• Cory Johnson: Guitar
• ImAFutureGuitarHero: Bass, Drums, Auxiliary Percussion
• ThisIsJayC: Mix

Lucas explained how a YouTube comment for another ReMix by listener TheCreepypro eventually paved the way for this piece:

"This was a comment I received years ago on YouTube for "Hallucinatory Province":

"ever since the departure of both Sixto Sounds and Danimal Cannon I have felt like there wasn't any good representation when it comes to remixes with guitars of any kind but it looks like these 3 fellows have arrived just in time to change all that for the better and what a mix to do it with I love the slow methodical playing that just lets you simmer on the awesomeness of this particular source tune it does my heart good to hear such nice playing on this remix which I already enjoyed immensely I hope these boys go on to do more, much much more"

Okay, so, flash-forward to like, 5 years ago from when I originally made that track and 3 years ago from getting that comment. It's April 2023 for Dwelling of Duels (it placed 25th, if you're curious), and I knew I had to do something safe for that month. Why? Two reasons. The first: I had a whole set and panel to prepare for VGM Con. The second: Moving. I wanted to do something in one of my two main genres (synthwave and psychedelic rock). I didn't have time to do much other than arrange and play some instruments/program some VSTs. I WANTED to throw some guitars on this one, but didn't have the time. This arrangement was very much in a "I'm tired of everything I write" phase before I sent it off to collaborators.

I recruited ImAFutureGuitarHero and Cory Johnson early. JayC was down for mixing this track, and we vibed what we wanted the tone to be. We settled on something that sounds a bit 60's (à la Deep Purple, The Doors) and something like King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard's slower-paced tracks. Once we knew the tone, ImAFutureGuitarHero recorded bass and drums as soon as he could. Cory followed with guitars quickly, and then we ended up recruiting Brandon, threw some Sousaphone, and went back and forth, from minor arrangement edits and tone, to the final mix well after DoD. I did add a bit of bari at the suggestion of Hemophiliac and some bells at the end.

The whole track works to tell a story: they're heading into Tyrano's Lair, everything is spooky (I've always thought the original track is a *little* too fast for Uematsu trying to match Mitsuda's composing), there's a final battle, and, just like the game, no matter who wins or loses, it all ends in destruction. (Who could forget the this classic Chrono Trigger ending?)

To circle things back: That YouTube comment is part of the reason I've dived into psychedelic rock. I know I haven't got around to much of these psychedelic rock tracks, but there will indeed be many, many more. And the reason I started with that comment is to show the importance of commenting. I don't know how many OC ReMixes you can chalk up to "This wouldn't exist without a comment on a previous ReMix", but this is one of them.

Thank you to my amazing collaborators. You all rock and I can't wait to keep making more music with each of them. I hope you all enjoy!"

The importance of listener feedback can't be understated; whether you're on our forums, YouTube, or other social media, let the artists know what you think. Positive affirmations can go far in motivating future work, even potentially planting seeds for other great ideas to grow way down the line. And speaking of great ideas, does Lucas always reference Deep Purple? OK, well, at least this time, the influence was noted in the comments. :-P Judge prophetik music gave the group their flowers for faithfully following the psychedelic rock style:

"really patient intro. beat starts at 0:55 and really does have that squelchy late 60s sound (the sousaphone is such an eclectic choice, lol). this is actually really impressive in how you replicated some of the more traditional soundscapes with modern tools and mics.

2:27 is a shift from duple to triple, and does a nice job replicating the adjacent section in the original. there's a few dissonances i'd say are unintentional at 2:56 or so. the heavy, plodding beat at 3:05 is very fitting for the tyrano. 3:29 we get the big blow. this sounds great through here, and the guitar work feels very authentic to the style. the ending is kind of funny in how different it is.

this is a fun take on a track that doesn't get enough love. nice work."

Cory's guitar performance is brilliant, every part gets room to shine, and the structure of this one will keep you on your toes. Judge Emunator also co-signed on the successful King Gizzard influence, ThisIsJayC's strong hand in production, and the dynamic flow that makes this an engaging listen throughout:

"Right off the bat, we’re met with some really lush complementary guitar, synth, and saxophone tones that all play well together. There’s a lot of breathing room in the mix despite the number of instruments and sounds present in the mix - nothing ever feels like it’s competing for space. JayC did a wicked good job on the mix, as did all of the instrumental collaborators. I can absolutely hear the King Gizz influence here in terms of both tonality and the complex arrangement that takes a scenic route filled with numerous detours that come out of nowhere, but never feel unwelcome. Rad stuff guys!"

The bros keep this relaxed when it needs to be but this ratchets up nicely at 3:58 for that final dramatic build before this close. We're always glad when any DoD tracks get a little extra polishing up before they arrive here, but the crux of this was in place for the original compo. Lucas may have played it "safe", but the end result's something that was experimental in terms of his personal projects, and one that -- as Lucas mentioned -- we also hope leads to more pysch rock arrangements for the community to enjoy. Fans, if you enjoy this one, be sure to comment & include some links to other music you'd want Lucas to pull inspiration from. We may eventually end up linking this mixpost to a future one to continue this positive feedback loop!