ReMix: Nemesis the Warlock 'Nemesis the Doorlock'
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- Game: Nemesis the Warlock (Martech, 1987, C64)
- ReMixer(s): Makke
- Composer(s): Rob Hubbard
- Song(s): 'Title'
- Posted: 2012-04-20, evaluated by the judges
Man, Makke is just... crazy. Crazy creative, crazy talented, and just plain crazy; if you haven't checked out his amazing, absolutely unique arrangements simply because you're not familiar with the games, you're REALLY missing out. He's been a trailblazer for vocal game mixes in a variety of genres for years now, and every new mix seems to show some other side to both his influences & his capabilities. This arrangement of the legendary Rob Hubbard's score to Nemesis the Warlock is no exception, channeling one of my favorite bands - The Doors - for an unforgettable jam:
"I used to love the comic Nemesis the Warlock, but never really got the greatness of the game. I loved Rob Hubbard's soundtrack for it though. The gloomy theme perfectly captured the dark and cynical atmosphere of the comic. I've been wanting to remix this track for years, but never had an idea that does it justice, and with Mixer's excellent jazzy remix of it, I gave up.
Then I got the idea of making it into a late 60's, The Doors-like arrangement. I even tried singing like Jim Morrison to begin with, borrowing a few of his poetry phrases for the lyrics. But it sounded ridiculous, so I went with "my own" voice in the end. I kept the original remix name idea, "Nemesis the Doorlock," as it was just too cheesy a word play to pass up on.
Hope you enjoy it! Be pure! Be vigilant! Behave!"
There are little details here that you almost have to be a fan of classic rock from the era to fully appreciate, but I think the whole thing rocks the trifecta, working as a fantastic standalone track, a pitch-perfect homage to The Doors & classic rock, AND as a great tribute to Hubbard's original music. I'm lovin' the peculiar, inquisition-inspired lyrics, too - it really does sound like something penned back in the 60's. Some judges took issue with the panning, but I'm gonna have to agree with AnSo:
"The panning is VERY obviously a poke towards how production was made back then and I think it really works in this case. Great arrangement, terrific vocals. I'm ok with this!"
Not ALL production from the era, but certainly a lot of it, employed more exaggerated ("harder") panning than is commonly considered acceptable in tracks from the 80s through to today. It's a generalization, sure, but I agree with Mattias that Makke knew what he was doing, that he succeeded in an admirable emulation of the era's aesthetics (in particular The Doors, although that organ doesn't sound like a Vox C to me, which Manzarek was known for), and that it was a good idea to do so. CHz adds:
"Excellent, this is a Hubbard tune I haven't heard yet. I can cross this one off the list now. And that's certainly a direction I wasn't expecting this to be taken. Very cool. The intro is longer than I'd personally have liked, but it's source all they way through and there's still close to three minutes of awesome that comes after it, so no worries."
Of course, The Doors also had some longer intros, so that too I'd say was walking in their footsteps... the initial bass pattern and the way the intro works structurally both remind me of 'Riders on the Storm,' in particular. It's possible I got more out of this than most of the judges simply because I'm a huge Doors fan; for what it's worth, I definitely recommend checking them out - influential, singular, and great in a very specific way that you really don't see too often. So as a fan of the band (and music of the era in general), a fan of Hubbard (as all should be!), and a fan of Makke (ditto!), I'm ALL ABOUT this mix. Check it out, check out the rest of Marcus' arrangements, and check out The Doors too, while you're at it!
Discussion: Latest 6 comments/reviews; view the Hope to hear more from Makke in the future!
- Bahamut on July 4, 2012
I'm SURE I could play this for my dad and make him believe it's a long lost Door song and he'd believe it! :)
Singing is awesome by the way!
- YoshMaster on April 28, 2012
- elementc on April 23, 2012
- DjMystix on April 21, 2012
huge props. as a long-time doors fan i was a bit nervous after reading the write up but just like that indie zelda track that came out recently i was blown away by the production and arrangement creativity.
some will love this, some will hate it. you've got my vote though!:nicework:
grooooovy vibes maaaaaan.... far out.
- Damashii!! on April 21, 2012
