ReMix:Xenogears "Bonds of Sea and Fire" 3:25

By jaxx

Arranging the music of one song...

"Bonds of Sea and Flame"

Primary Game: Xenogears (Square , 1998, PS1), music by Yasunori Mitsuda

Posted 2000-12-10, evaluated by djpretzel


Cool incidental BGM ReMixin' from JAXX. Not only did he pick a real good track to take on, but sound selection, especially the booming kick drum panned right and snare left, is excellent too. The drum pattern is cool and funky, aided by the fact that everything's in 6/8 time, which is refreshing after so much 4/4. It's been done before, but the wind at the beginning is appropriately used, given the buildup with nice harpish patterns. When the drums break off and you get the main melody, things are very tranquil indeed, with some good swelling pads and a dodging and weaving main synth that sounds a little oboe-ish. All in all I have no complaints - this is a damn fine ReMix that I have no problems with. So GET it.

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 13 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
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Crulex
on 2016-11-01 15:28:10

It certainly does stick close to the original, which in and of itself is not a bad thing, but it was a bit too close here. The extra drum touches makes this sound like an upgraded version of the original, and while it could have used a little more in the arrangement aspect, it was far from terrible in the sound department. The voice clips were a nice way to fill the space for the breakdown, and ending with a slow atmospheric sound was nice as a way to ease out to the end.

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Rexy
on 2011-12-03 18:42:18

Not a bad remix at all - tends to excel more in the soundscape more than anything else, giving a more modernised approach to an otherwise spacious source material. The voice clips at around 2:30 were decent enough to break away the monotomy, though might be a bit random depending on the game's context.

But even then the arrangement remains way too close to the original and humanisation on the more organic instrments present (namely the bells and oboe) feels somewhat absent. It's pleasant to listen to at least, just kind of feels more dated in comparision to even other remixes of its time.

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Bahamut
on 2009-09-24 02:37:14

Ah, an early JAXX mix. Unfortunately, this sounds like the original song with maybe an extra instrument and/or changed sample in the background - wasn't too hot on this way back then and I can't say I really appreciate it now either. It just sounds too close to the original.

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Evil_Cronos
on 2009-01-05 12:34:59

I don't really care for the stall and restart of the song around the minute and a half mark, it's just too long a gap. I don't think that this is the right approach to this song. The original source is a haunting a depressing piece and in many aspects you remain rather faithful to the original, which isn't a bad thing in of itself. But because you try to remain faithful and still expand into the jungle-like beat, the song seems torn as it is going in two opposite directions. being less faithful to the source would have improved this mix in my opinion.

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DragonAvenger
on 2008-09-21 16:59:12

Overall it felt quiet.

I know the source vaguely, and it feels very similar to what I remember. I don't know how much variation was going on, but it seems that there isn't much.

Overall I can't grasp too much that interests me any more than the source would. Sorry.

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OA
on 2007-01-26 11:05:33

I'm not really digging this one. To me, it seems like a basic rip with drums and some in game samples. The drums are pretty cool, but it just seems to similar to the original.

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YearXero
on 2005-08-23 06:47:01

this has always been one of my personal favorite songs from the soundtrack, and this remix is a very good rendition... after listening through it a few times, some of it sounds a bit like it came straight from the game and was distorted at certain points. I like this version, and the Fei thing was a very nice touch.. kudos to you!

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Sirocco
on 2005-08-17 09:43:50

Loving it! I love how it starts of transquil and gets more upbeat....and u added feis voice...bonus points!

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Akuen
on 2003-09-23 07:44:02

I've had this remix for quite a while now, and I liked it from I heard ti first time. this is a good remix, and to think of it's age.

also, the voices don't really fit in, but as I said, I really enjoy the remix.

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-RK-
on 2003-06-20 19:09:51

All I have to say is that this is not your average ReMix, and I feel that that is one of its strong points. I must also give props to the variety of different sounds, especially the drums.

I also liked the fact that it stayed true to the original, but he also made it his own. Props.

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Traian Resident
on 2003-04-09 22:11:58

Okay, call me another drifting Otaku, but I personally think that the best part of this remix was that it kept Hikaru Midorikawa's (The voice actor for Fei, as well as Hiiro Yui, as it were) scream; somehow, it's just a nice touch.

By the way, noone will know who I am, and this is probably my first and only post here; I have no interest in remixing except as it related to using music in order to enhance my role Playing. Heh.

But kudos

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mDuo13
on 2002-09-22 15:08:25

This remix relies quite a bit on the main melody, which tends to wear out after a while (I've had this song for a long time, though.. it doesn't die out THAT quickly). Even so, it's a great remix, with good arrangement and use of a variety of sounds. Not exactly upbeat or downbeat, but a good listen.

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m68030
on 2002-06-02 20:32:16

Xenogears 'Bonds of Sea and Fire'

A nice arrangement of light soothing sounds mixed with a slightly

heavier drum line. Solid arrangement and nice instrumentation. Pretty

cool.

Sources Arranged (1 Song)


Primary Game:
Xenogears (Square , 1998, PS1)
Music by Yasunori Mitsuda
Songs:
"Bonds of Sea and Flame"

Tags (11)


Genre:
Ambient,Cinematic
Mood:
Mellow,Quirky
Instrumentation:
Harp,In-game FX,Oboe,Sound FX,Synth
Additional:
Effects > Distortion
Time > Tempo: Moderate

File Information


Name:
Xenogears_Bonds_of_Sea_and_Fire_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
5,010,244 bytes
MD5:
67a113b3bd57e1f65b2e2d72847e06a2
Bitrate:
192Kbps
Duration:
3:25

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