ReMix:Chrono Cross "Scars Worn by Time" 3:12

It was great to see Cyril the Wolf once again at MAGFest! Now, Cyril graces us with his rocked out rendering of Chrono Cross's main theme, complete with daring lyrics and even some metal screaming thrown in! Cyril was originally challenged to come up with something unique, given that this Yasunori Mitsuda classic's had tons of fan coverage:

"I've been wanting to do a version of this tune for a while now, but, there's so many takes on this song, I just couldn't figure it out. Eventually though, I was trying to figure out what songs I wanted to perform for a set at MAGFest when I realized you could do an acoustic arrangement fairly convincingly and cover *most* of the parts. I did perform it live in that manner since it was just me and a guitar at MAGFest, but I wanted to get BOMBASTIC to really measure up to the original for the recording. I elected to forego extra strings and things and keep it pretty simple so the parts that were there could shine. This was also submitted to the Dwelling of Duels contest for January/December as well and I'm proud of how well everything clicked.

I learned a lot about vocal arranging from Brad (prophetik), whose detailed feedback helped a lot. We ended up connecting on some tuning assistance because, while I'm not tone deaf - I think to an extent, because it was my own voice and I was focused on different things like timbre at the time, that the pitch just didn't connect.

The feedback about the mix was very pointed - this goes to show that you can iterate even if you feel like a project is mostly finished. I admit I was experimenting with a different method of drum mixing but ultimately decided that I'd go back to what gave me great results in the past.

Please enjoy screaming vocals responsibly."

Glad Cyril was able to get by with a little help from our friends -- when it really comes down to it, that judges panel isn't SO evil. ;-) Thanks to the initial critiques, and prophetik music's helping hand, we've got the ultimate version here, which prophetik happily signed off on:

"i think this is my favorite time's scar remix i've ever heard, and i've made several myself as it's a mt. rushmore VGM tune for me. the groove in the second section is intense but still feels like the original's instrumentation, and the realization of the melody line in connor's voice - that high note is an E! like what the heck! - is so exciting. [...] the overall package is just so good."

For the creator of our community's Chrono Cross arrangement album project Chronopolis to be so on board, that's a very nice vote of confidence! Agreed with proph on the nice changeup into the second section at 1:02; that groove had a very different character from the source tune, so that was cool and helped it stand apart from the original on a level besides adding in the singing. Judge Rexy also had no problem with the Wolf getting a little "owooooo" on the vocal side:

"Yep, this is definitely "Time's Scar" played straight - nothing to say about the structure other than it being a stylistic vocal rock adaptation, with a thrown-in bridge based on the post-intro B section going between 2:05-2:40. [...] Re: vocal arrangement, [...] based on what I heard, the meat and potatoes after the first 60 seconds show great strength to compliment the style[...]. Based on other vocal works from you, I can play devil's advocate and believe that kind of expression is your schtick, no matter the overall pacing. [...] It's you, through and through, and it can shine on its own."

Hey, don't be too serious over there, we sure aren't. :-) I enjoyed Connor's vocal chorusing, and the higher notes in particular (e.g. 2:11) are insane! When judge Flexstyle rejoined the panel after a hiatus, this was the first track he gravitated to, him also wanting to start back up on a high note:

"Yeah, this is definitely not going to be everyone's cup of tea (hi, vocal haters!), but I think the performance is given with a great amount of intentionality and drive behind it. The B-section of this thing totally rocks -- that bass is doing fun things to my posterior movements and the guitars chug with appropriate amounts of [[insert METAL HORNS here]]. Drums are obviously sequenced/grid-locked but effective and cut through well enough. Loving the hand percussion throughout. The vocal mix doesn't bother me -- this is clearly a "vocal as instrument" sort of application here and I'm not fussed about being able to decipher the lyrics when the *feel* of the song works so well. This is OC ReMix front page material if I ever heard it!"

Cyril's unique in the scene for sure; there are plenty of wolves that howl, but none like him! Loved the fire of 2:20's final chorus leading into the final big finish of wailing vocals. DAYUM! Great energy for the performances overall, just powerful and fun stuff! Strong endorsements from proph, Rexy, AND Flexy means go get it!