ReMix:Gradius "Horizontal Armada" 3:10

By djpretzel

Arranging the music of one song...

"Challenger 1985 (First Stage - Volcano BGM)"

Primary Game: Gradius (Konami , 1986, NES), music by Miki Higashino

Posted 2000-04-11, evaluated by djpretzel


Well, what can I say - after listening to the gradius remixes submitted by others, i just HAD to take my own shot at it . . . this is a kind of symphonic-techno mix, using electronic and orchestral instruments together. I'm especially fond of the French horn sound, which stands as a pretty decent recreation of the real thing, so much so that I gave it a 'solo' . . . hope you enjoy! . . .

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
avatar
Tables
on 2015-05-20 11:40:20

Oh my god I remember this coming up on my shuffle a bunch of times! I can't believe it's ReMix 41, or DJP again!

Besides the weird transition from intro to main part, this is a pretty solid mix. Quite a bit of substance and originality, I do like that brief breakdown with the bass, and the little harp thing going on in the 'chorus'? 'bridge'? I'm bad at music but I like the harp when it's there. Really helps give some lightness to the overall big important french horn outer space disco drama that happens with the rest of the song. I wish there was a bit more variety with the instruments doing the lead melody but, eh.

avatar
Crulex
on 2011-11-04 10:27:50

Sweet, the French Horn and disco backing music works really well here. Kinda heroic while injecting some energy into the ReMix. Not much else I can say, other than this is one of those old tracks that aged very nicely.

avatar
MechaFone
on 2010-12-17 12:30:15

Wow, one of our oldest remixes. Surprisingly, it stands the test of time. Not one of the more advanced remixes of course, but as a classic it stands out.

avatar
Bahamut
on 2009-10-29 00:19:37

This is kinda nifty, but the structuring is weird. It builds up and launches into the melody, and in the middle does some quick changeup in pace, only to switch back to what it was doing before that changeup. It is probably my main gripe, as well as the song screaming for some more expansion to it.

avatar
Marmiduke
on 2009-04-22 04:44:08

The Star Fox sound is perhaps unsurprising, seeings as this was released a week after 'Clan McLoud', which shares many of the same instruments djpretzel was using at the time. That being said, the theme really is space adventure-ish, so... identity crisis definately does ensue.

For what this is, I really enjoy it. It's a good melody, done with some style. It's got a nice, powerful rhythm which I dig. There are signs of early-itis around the edges, but at its core, it's pretty solid. Good proof of the quality that exists even in the original batch of mixes.

avatar
42
on 2009-01-21 13:17:28
The first few seconds really makes me think of Star Trek.

Sort of...

They remind me more of Star Fox.

I keep having this bizarre deja vu whenever I hear this and it's driving me nuts. :P

Still this is a great mix, very space worthy.

avatar
DragonAvenger
on 2008-10-25 23:07:02

The first few seconds really makes me think of Star Trek.

This is a weird concoction. Having the horn in the techno-y feel is very strange to me. Almost too opposite to really mesh. Despite that, the horn sound is pretty decent for the age. The rest of the piece meshes well together, and the mix is pretty energetic throughout. Oh, and the ending is pretty ubrupt.

Overall, I'm not crazy about the mix, and have to unfortunately pass on it, but it seems that the other reviewers enjoyed it, so it's a personal opinion.

avatar
OA
on 2007-05-08 12:43:34

Pretty nice sample quality, especially considering the age of the mix, but I have to admit im not really digging the bass sound. There is a lot of energy in the percussion without having a huge drum sound, and overall it meshed pretty well, with the bass exception.

The interpretation is a little too basic for my tastes, but the song is short enough that it doesn't over-repeat.

avatar
Crabsmasher
on 2006-05-22 23:41:49

I love the beginning of this remix! I don't know what it is with me and songs that start quiet then explode into something much louder... but I love them. Great work. I have never played Gradius let alone heard the music, but regardless this is some great music.

avatar
RimFrost the Tourianist
on 2005-01-09 02:04:44

MMMmmm this is Gradius goodness (i wonder how i missed this one..?) stupid lazyness of mine :lol:

Thanks djp , for restoring my faith in the Vic Viper !

..Now if i could only find the Gradius V soundtrack somewhere ,that should be a blast.

avatar
Jean Quad Van Damage
on 2005-01-01 16:30:52

Usually I can guess a remix's original track within the first few seconds of the stream, but I got confused with this one. I was thinking that this was the First dungeon of Final Fantasy Mystic Quest.

Strange. : ] I liked this mix, though. : D *downloads it*

avatar
jordex
on 2004-11-22 18:35:36

I don't know how to describe this one but I liked it!

The french horn is a weird instrument for this piece but it somehow fits and is cool that way its used...

Well... Like I said, I don't know how to describe this so there's my attempt.

Great piece, djp!

avatar
Kiyobi
on 2004-07-18 21:37:18

sounds like something that'd come out of starfox. good stuff.

avatar
Samus Aran
on 2002-07-01 11:26:44

Wow, I love this remix! The horns really add to the "prestegioius fanfare" type of feeling you get from this mix, and the strings add yet another solid layer to it. I love it... it's your typical "heroic" sounding fanfare with some syncopation and an energetic beat! This is great, I can listen to it repeatedly without it losing any of its impact. It sounds like it could be the opening theme for some sci-fi show. Great mix! :)

personal rating: 9/10

avatar
Joe Redifer
on 2002-05-08 22:08:05

Gradius 'Horizontal Armada'

This sounds pretty cool, fake orchestra with drums and other electronic sounds! Not the best Gradius tune in the world, but this one was a good one to remix and give it that djp touch (it sounds a wee bit similar to his Star Fox mix). The french horn sounds pretty good, though I am used to a bit more texture from french horn sounds. A good listen.

Sources Arranged (1 Song)


Primary Game:
Gradius (Konami , 1986, NES)
Music by Miki Higashino
Songs:
"Challenger 1985 (First Stage - Volcano BGM)"

Tags (9)


Genre:
Cinematic,Disco,EDM
Mood:
Epic
Instrumentation:
Brass,Harp,Orchestral,Synth
Additional:
Time > Tempo: Variable

File Information


Name:
Gradius_Horizontal_Armada_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
5,427,363 bytes
MD5:
984d344b139ff2fff8b060b2c1ea75f0
Bitrate:
225Kbps
Duration:
3:10

Promotion

8-bit Jazz Heroes - Press Start
View All

Latest Albums

View All

Latest ReMixes