ReMix: Heavy Rain 'From Mars'
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- Game: Heavy Rain (SCEA, 2010, PS3)
- ReMixer(s): Brandon Strader
- Composer(s): Normand Corbeil
- Song(s): 'Ethan Mars Main Theme', 'The Bulldozer (Jayden's Action Soundtrack)'
- Posted: 2012-05-10, evaluated by djpretzel
Heavy Rain was a really interesting game to see hyped up and finally released; there was much speculation that the level of interactivity would be minimal and that it would be a "playable movie," in the worst sense of the phrase, but when it actually came out, I think a lot of gamers agreed that not only had the developer tried something completely new, but that it had worked. While the acting, direction, and visuals are all obviously a huge part of that, the soundtrack was quickly acknowledged as being excellent; not only had it captured a cinematic feel, I think it one-upped a lot of modern film soundtracks by ALSO having some distinct, memorable melodies, which seem to have gone out of vogue for some crazy reason I'm still trying to understand... Here with our first arrangement from said score is the prolific Mr. Strader, who's given Ethan Mars a metal makeover:
"I bought a 7-string guitar so I could make doom metal. Then years passed and I had never made doom metal. I saw an opportunity to make doom metal with the One vs. Many month of Dwelling of Duels, and made 'From Mars', a doom metal remix that uses Ethan Mars' main theme and Norman Jayden's action theme, The Bulldozer.
I've listened to doom metal for years. My main influence is My Dying Bride which should be obvious if you're familiar with them. (If not I recommend "Songs of Darkness, Words of Light" or "For Lies I Sire") This remix is a lot more melodic than your standard doom metal, though the configuration of heavy guitars and present bass + violin is pretty standard fare. There's a lot more strings in this however, and no vocals. I don't like to add vocals to a remix unless they are called for, necessary, or there's lyrics in the source. I am happy to have made a remix that stays at least mostly true to the doom metal genre, albeit without vocals. The Bulldozer bit begins at 4:09 and ends at 5:18. The whammy bar bend at 6:23 is dedicated to Larry."
Much as I often find the proliferation of esoteric electronica sub-genres a little goofy, I'm still iffy on all the metal sub-genres & whether the characteristics really necessitate labels per se, but that's probably because I'm a cranky old person who's out of touch, etc. Either way, this is some good stuff - very deliberate, almost processional pacing, as the combination of strings and chugging power chords darkly spells out the simple & haunting main theme. The second theme is integrated at the same tempo, sounds cohesive, and allows for a 7+ minute length that doesn't feel unnecessary; incorporation of game dialogue would be melodramatic for almost any other genre, but in this case it jives with the severity & the ex
Discussion: Latest 9 comments/reviews; view the The song remains interesting throughout for me though, I can play this and it won't bother me while in the background, which doom metal does a good job of in general, although doom metal tends to lay on the guitars heavier to help give that overbearing sad feel to the music. This song sounds like it has more apprehension attached to it with the way the strings are arranged & placed. The song works as a complete package and is a worthwhile listen IMO.
- Bahamut on July 15, 2012
- dj_ultima on May 15, 2012
Seriously though, I forgot how emotional this game was. Brandon did an excellent job at capturing that emotion, and his production is excellent as well.
Oh man that Ethan Mars vocal sample sends shivers down my spine every time.
Excellent work Mr. Strader.
- TheRexAsaurous on May 13, 2012
- Binweasel on May 11, 2012
Mirby;860174 wrote: pretty nice track. i'm curious where this ranks in overall length compared to the other tracks on the site.
sergio;860196 wrote: [URL="http://ocremix.org/remixes/?&offset=0&sort=lengthdesc"]#12[/URL].
Oh REALLY?! I thought for a long time nothing would EVER top "Blue Lightning", but damn... these past 3 years have really done a number for long mixes, I can see now. Nice find!
Anyway, time to not get too far off the beaten track. I've remembered this track since Brandon's early WIPs of it for that DoD. I felt his passion, felt it probably wouldn't do quite as well due to it being significantly slower (and indeed it was mirrored in the results), but at the same time Brandon's passion for the sub-genre showed and he did everything he could to make it work.
Arrangement-wise, I believe he nailed both sources together well. The coverage for Ethan Mars's theme felt more like a straightforward genre adaptation, but the additions done to the backing instrumentation has done a lot to shake up the source without going too far off track and still maintaining the subdued tones of the source material. And I'm glad he went on to tackle "The Bulldozer" as well, because of the game footage I saw for it it was one of those sources that built up a lot of urgency for me (not to mention the sheer awesomeness of Norman Jayden as a character), and even though some of the drama behind the source material was considerably tamed and refined in structure to fit Brandon's vision, it still takes the literal meaning of "kick a person who's down" really sharply. (And talking of which, Ethan's screams just prior to then... I can't listen to now without curling my left hand into a ball and using the other hand to shield it >_> )
Production-wise, I have understood that Brandon had come leaps and bounds since in regards to his capabilities. Though for its time, the string work had a great expression and variety to it (though I'm not quite too crazy over the ensembles but it's workable), great attention was done to the guitar/bass tones this time complete with some great expression with the clean-sounding lead, the instruments were mixed very distinctly as well, and things have been levelled out well enough. It amazes me to see how much of a long way Brandon had come as a producer :)
In spite of its lukewarm DoD reception, I dug it and kept a hold of it for some time. It got me intrigued enough to see everything I could about it on Youtube (yes, I don't have a PS3), and I even covered this very same mix myself as a bonus entry for the Dwelling of Duels 'Recover Month'. It's good to see that Brandon managed to take great note to artistic expression and his own personal pleasures, and I'm happy to see all that, much as I would've wished for him to be a little more cheerful :razz:
All in all, nice going! Keep up the growth Brandon - I can see you getting bigger and better with the ridiculous growth I saw of you :)
- Rexy on May 11, 2012
Mirby;860174 wrote: pretty nice track. i'm curious where this ranks in overall length compared to the other tracks on the site.
[URL="http://ocremix.org/remixes/?&offset=0&sort=lengthdesc"]#12[/URL].
- sergio on May 11, 2012
- Mirby on May 11, 2012
