ReMix: Super Metroid 'Maridia (Drowned in Exile)'
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- Game: Super Metroid (Nintendo, 1994, SNES)
- ReMixer(s): Children of the Monkey Machine
- Composer(s): Kenji Yamamoto (I), Minako Hamano
- Song(s): 'Maridia - Rocky Underground Water Area'
- Posted: 2002-11-23, evaluated by the judges
CotMM's newest offering to the world is the theme of Maridia (Rocky Underwater) from Super Metroid, entitled "Drowned In Exile" and dedicated to Melanie Harding. This is very much like the soundtrack to a horror film - dark, minimalist melody over a brooding and disturbing ambient soundscape - for the first four minutes or so. Percussion and a more rhythmic, distorted drive fade in around the four minute mark then rather quickly are gone as the piece exits. Protricity writes: "If I ever went to Maridia (and Im not talkin Mel's house) and just stood around in the murky undergrowth of the planet's innards I would EXPECT someone to be playing this song for me. One of those flying doormats would probably kill me before I got the chance anyway. Not to mention there is no oxygen etc." - very atmospheric, with some killer low-end frequencies that, if you've a decent subwoofer, really do contribute to an otherwordly, organic feel. A compelling sonic journey from CotMM that fits the source material well, anyone with a vivid imagination and a yearn to experience Maridia first-hand should download, close their eyes, and let the fun begin.
Discussion: Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the If I had to pick one, I'd say that among his other incredible mixes
this is COTMM's masterpiece. I can't put to words how effective it
is. The beginning is truly haunting, with those near subsonic lows
and what sounds like a mother-ship landing. He's a bit more
conservative with the distortion, which allows those delayed synth
leads to come through. But don't worry, there is a change of pace
at 4:00 and we get a much more progressive and experimental
soundscape; it's a bit reminiscent of COTMM's more industrial
pieces. It strays from the source material, but it fits very well.
If you only own one ambient Metroid mix, get this one.
- SubNormal J3 on March 20, 2011
- SubNormal J3 on March 20, 2011
Creepy. The strength of the SM music was the atmosphere it evoked,
and this remix takes that one step further. Perhaps not as aquatic
as I'd expect, but definitely sells the cold, damp, dark, and alone
vibe appropriate for the source. I need to make a list of tracks I
should learn from, and this ought to be on it.
- Rozovian on December 22, 2009
- Rozovian on December 22, 2009
I just want to say that this is probably one of my favorite OCR
songs, and I'd like to thank CotMM for making it. The perfect mix
of a dark and mysterious atmosphere in the beginning, with a nice
beat to drive it along towards the end.
I absolutely love this sort of 'active ambiance', or whatever you might call this.
- Tables on December 26, 2008
I absolutely love this sort of 'active ambiance', or whatever you might call this.
- Tables on December 26, 2008
People describe this mix as "creepy" and "disturbing", yet I can't
feel any of that. It's haunting, yet in a beautiful way. It reminds
me of "magnificent desolation", which was a phrase used to describe
the surface of the Moon; actually, this piece is very atmospheric
and does remind me of an otherworldly cosmic setting. Most
excellent.
- Lucentas on December 6, 2008
- Lucentas on December 6, 2008
Probably one of the most fully-formed CotMM mixes i've heard.
He has a great sense of adventure and experimenting on various mixes, but most I don't feel have quite the focus that this one does.
Strangely enough (especially to me), my favorite part is the beginning third, where it is mostly just atmosphere and then the subtle chord progression. The song gradually builds, developing at it's own pace,and when it finally kicks into high gear, it's really nice. I think some of the production on the end part was a bit too lofi, with mushy percussion, but the strengths of the track far outweigh the weaknesses.
This is an excellently structured song, with a clear purpose at all times, and pretty strong execution.
Recommended. :-)
- OA on April 10, 2008
He has a great sense of adventure and experimenting on various mixes, but most I don't feel have quite the focus that this one does.
Strangely enough (especially to me), my favorite part is the beginning third, where it is mostly just atmosphere and then the subtle chord progression. The song gradually builds, developing at it's own pace,and when it finally kicks into high gear, it's really nice. I think some of the production on the end part was a bit too lofi, with mushy percussion, but the strengths of the track far outweigh the weaknesses.
This is an excellently structured song, with a clear purpose at all times, and pretty strong execution.
Recommended. :-)
- OA on April 10, 2008
i really like this song as it does so many things right: the
tonality is just off'beat' enough, the sounds/ instruments work
well even though they are quite basic and the harsh part at the end
comes in but does not take longer than it should. Actually, some 20
secs of development might have been in there, but really it is
already very fine as it is and more noise might have forced a
change of atmosphere. As it is, the piece is very fine!
- maelkashishi on December 3, 2007
- maelkashishi on December 3, 2007
So I thought this mix was going to be good but I later found out
that is was just that good. lol irony
- Bobwillis on March 27, 2006
- Bobwillis on March 27, 2006
There is nothing "ripped" in this track. I've never
even played Ultima 8, let alone heard any music from it.
While the prior observation was made there are some
presets from the Absynth softsynth used (Hey, if they
work, why not use them?) there's certainly nothing
underhanded about that. Though I do question if I
used 'dnb junkie' I don't seem to recall that one.
Regardless, I appreciate you enjoyed it, but
'ripped' is a rather strong verb with the wrong
connotations to describe any similarities there may
be with one of my lead lines and another existing work.
- m68030 on October 24, 2005
even played Ultima 8, let alone heard any music from it.
While the prior observation was made there are some
presets from the Absynth softsynth used (Hey, if they
work, why not use them?) there's certainly nothing
underhanded about that. Though I do question if I
used 'dnb junkie' I don't seem to recall that one.
Regardless, I appreciate you enjoyed it, but
'ripped' is a rather strong verb with the wrong
connotations to describe any similarities there may
be with one of my lead lines and another existing work.
- m68030 on October 24, 2005
This sounds more like a remix of Ultima 8 than of Super Metroid
[the lead is ripped directly from U8], but it is nicely done
anyway.
- jim3e8 on October 23, 2005
- jim3e8 on October 23, 2005
CotMM's Maridia reminds me very much of a soundtrack I bought
recently. It is on a movie released a couple of years back, but I
haven't seen it yet, so I cannot say how good the film is in
itself. But I digress, if you liked this mix, you'll probably also
like the soundtrack "REQUIEM FOR A DREAM".
To the remixer: good job. I really enjoyed the feeling of it all. Truly ambient. Check out the soundtrack. Though a bit repetitive at times, it is very good at what it does. Who knows? Maybe it might inspire future remixes...
- al3xand3r on December 21, 2004
To the remixer: good job. I really enjoyed the feeling of it all. Truly ambient. Check out the soundtrack. Though a bit repetitive at times, it is very good at what it does. Who knows? Maybe it might inspire future remixes...
- al3xand3r on December 21, 2004
Woah! Myst meets a guy with a knife! Well, sort of. Personally, I
think it's somwhat repetitive, but it works pretty well. The bass
part should be made more apparant near the middle. I almost didn't
notice it the first time through, and it's a sweet line. I like the
ending. A good way to finish it off. This is definitely not a
head-banger :lol: , but it does have a somewhat solid melody
throught the entire piece. It fits the mood of metroid, and I can't
think of any real flaws that stand out. It's just new.
- SmudgeTheFirst on June 26, 2004
- SmudgeTheFirst on June 26, 2004
Hhhmmm. Lol absynth presets. Well let's see dnb junkie and ghostpad
to name at least two. Well overall it wasn't too bad. Metroid was
one of the few games I actually got to lay eyes on (but never the
chance to play) as a child. Well for the most part it was somewhat
repetive and plain. I really enjoyed the transitions though they
flowed perfectly. That perc and new lead that came in the second
part were great. I just wish you had done more with it. The little
bass carpetwork here was somewhat annoying in some areas and needed
to be turned down. Hmm well i think I should sum up my entire
opinion now. Well it was definetly sinister. but for the most aprt
not completely entertaining and more "background music" do to the
rampant repetition and untimeliness of certain transitions which
did by the way flow flawlessly. I give it a 6.4
- Prophecy on February 1, 2003
- Prophecy on February 1, 2003
While this isn't typically my normal listening cup-of-tea, so to
speak, this particular Monkey Machine remix is the [b]l337
r0x0r[/b]. It starts off really eerie and gloomy and later when the
distorted rhythmic section comes in, it just takes on a whole new
emotion. Totally incredible remix. Download it now or forever
wallow in shame from not having done so.
- Beatdrop on December 6, 2002
- Beatdrop on December 6, 2002
Nice. But i just want every 1 to know im workin on a fan-made
metroid game. Classic Super Metroid. I will need sounds and music
of corse tho. If any 1 would like to help then permission accessed.
[email]dbakuma@hotmail.com[/email] =) be glad if u can. :D
- @kuma on November 27, 2002
- @kuma on November 27, 2002
I'm a fan of almost all kind of music styles, but this one gives me
the creeps. Don't get me wrong. This song fits the oppressed
feeling that the game shows very well. I haven't played "Super
Metroid" that long but even if you're not playing the game, it
gives you the scary feeling of loneliness, trapped on an
alien-filled planet who hunt you down to kill you.
CotMM knows his business. This is a really good mix of ambient and industrial. I wish old games had soundtracks like this before.
- Compyfox on November 27, 2002
CotMM knows his business. This is a really good mix of ambient and industrial. I wish old games had soundtracks like this before.
- Compyfox on November 27, 2002
