ReMix: Threads of Fate 'Mint ~ The Spirit Is Willing'
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- Game: Threads of Fate (Square, 2000, PS1)
- ReMixer(s): Vampire Hunter Dan
- Composer(s): Junya Nakano
- Song(s): 'Bonded by Claire', 'Dew Prism ~Title~', 'Feeling Good!', 'Reminiscence'
- Posted: 2008-01-02, evaluated by djpretzel
Welcome to 2008! С Новым годом! I'm thoroughly convinced, based on everything that's in the works (from album projects to stuff I've been slaving away over in secret the last few months), that this is going to be the biggest, best year in this site's history. Yeah, I know, it sounds like empty rhetoric, but 2007 was pretty epic, and I wouldn't be making this statement if I didn't think we could match and, indeed, surpass it. Ultimately, no matter how much we add, quality ReMixes are the heart of the matter, and we've got a solid, active panel working down the queue. In general, things are *good*, and getting better.
Vampire Hunter Dan starts '08 off right, with a fantastic epic orchestral arrangement from Square's Threads of Fate for the PS1. Our first ReMix from a Square game, 8 years after the site opened? Just goes to show that there's still a goldmine of material out there, and that even uber-popular companies like Square have titles not yet ReMixed. VHD writes:
"Hello. I'm writing to submit an arrangement/remix of mine called "Mint ~ The Spirit is Willing." This is an orchestral arrangement of themes from Threads of Fate, including 'Recollection,' 'The Bonds,' 'Sunny Smile,' and the 'Opening Title.'"
Nice title tilde use - très Japanese! If I listened to this without the above context, I probably wouldn't have guessed it covered multiple originals; it's very cohesive, as Dan's only gotten progressively better at weaving orchestral tapestries that do a wonderful job of combining solo and ensemble passages, varied and appropriate instrumentation, and exceptional attention to dynamics. bustatunez was just saying on #ocremix the other day how versatile French horn is as an instrument, spanning a formidable dynamic and octave range. This arrangement makes good use of the instrument, as well as mixed winds, chromatic percussion, and more string articulations than you can shake a stick at - check the trills at 2'28" for just one of many examples. There's bassoon in there, too, so we avoid the embarrassing faux pas of "lacks bassoon" entirely. At 4'16", with the Spaceballs-style alternating timpani, I didn't see how the mix was going to transition into two more minutes of material, but the ReMixer actually pulls it off. Excellent work covering an amalgam of compelling source material in a single arrangement that, while it has discrete sections, never suffers from medleyitis and keeps things fresh and exciting. A great start to the new year, and another great ReMix from Vampire Hunter Dan!
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the - Lucentas on December 6, 2008
Everything is handled with such finesse, and its quality is comparable to that of a live orchestra, or blockbuster movie. It's truly an uplifting piece, and I'm definitely going to have to keep an eye out for more VHD remixes.
- Atomicfog on March 19, 2008
So it was a pleasant surprise when I downloaded this mix and found myself swept away. The progression between themes is handled with such smoothness that, not knowing the source tunes myself, I can't easily identify where one ends and the next begins. Also how the dynamics gradually build and fade along with the mood of the piece... combined with the superb samples & production, and orchestration that really sounds like what an orchestra would play... just stellar.
I have to say, I'm hoping to hear much more like this from our Dan. I've always felt OCR could use more symphonic arrangements, especially ones so perfectly-executed.
- Moguta on February 13, 2008
Personally, I favour the second part of the ReMix, as it's more upbeat, especially after the breakdown. The little speed-up at 2:02 was a nice touch, too.
- Martin Penwald on January 25, 2008
- Kirie on January 12, 2008
Freezard71;363622 wrote: Just played through this game on PSP, really excellent game. I loved the music so I came here to check... and see - the first ever remix was just uploaded!
This is a great remix, orchestration fits the music nicely. Kind of slow in the start and in overall, but the last memorable tunes totally make up for it.
Great work!
- better on January 12, 2008
- avaris on January 11, 2008
- OA on January 8, 2008
This is a great remix, orchestration fits the music nicely. Kind of slow in the start and in overall, but the last memorable tunes totally make up for it.
Great work!
- Freezard71 on January 8, 2008
- Nobbynob Littlun on January 3, 2008
djpretzel wrote: This arrangement makes good use of the instrument, as well as mixed winds, chromatic percussion, and more string articulations than you can shake a stick at - check the trills at 2'28" for just one of many examples.
Do you think he meant at 2:38?
Geoffrey Taucer wrote: Started off a bit slow, but got really good towards the end. Overall, this definitely gets a thumbs up :DAll his songs are like that. Actually, in terms of epicness, things always start out medium, then get slow, then always finish big.
The only problem is, most of his songs on his site are no longer available. I was lucky to get most of them from a mirror site, but then that got booted offline. I actually think that this song was on there, but I was not able to download it then.
In any case, Vampire Hunter Dan is an incredible musician. You are among my top favorites.
- Thin Crust on January 3, 2008
- Geoffrey Taucer on January 3, 2008
- LuigiFan on January 3, 2008
