Posted 2009-08-05, evaluated by the judges panel


No sooner do I mention 'IceCap' in the preceding writeup than slam, bam, thank you mam... it's a new Sonic 3 mix of same. As Rozovian's F-Zero GX mix was a follow-up to his own first mix, so too is this Willrock's successor to his excellent Link's Awakening debut. Nice to see the "new guys" getting some regular action going on! Mr. Harby writes:

"This was the first mix I made using newly discovered production techniques. I subbed it, it was rejected, and I have subbed it again having made adjustments to my remix. Special thanks goes to the people that helped me at the WIP Board, and the judges for the feedback I received when it was originally rejected, without which, this piece would not be as good."

"Newly discovered production techniques" sounds a little unnecessarily vague, like "Ancient Chinese Secret!" or "Special Sauce," but the important thing is that Will's getting better, and you can hear it. This has 80's written all over it, from the synth bass to the flagrantly synthetic rock kit drums, but the synths are definitely timeless; Willrock's tightened up his sound, and the soloing here is made all the better by excellent patches that modulate in all the right ways. Like you want... like you need. The arrangement was a little pedestrian up until 0'38", where Will breaks off of the all-too-familiar melodic riff and segues seamlessly into solo territory. It's a very additive arrangement style, taking the original and filling in the gaps between recitations of the chorus, so the key is how it all meshes together, and in this case the answer is "quite well." Mr. Butterfield writes:

"Rather sparse stuff, and the same basic synths are used from start to finish, but the synthy textures are nice and the effects keep things interesting. Writing is good, loving the solos and synth interaction. Mixing could be a bit more balanced, because I'd like to hear that bass more, but it's alright here."

Shariq adds:

"Yeah, I can dig this. Love the sequencing and sounds. Great texture, really rockin' synth stuff. Solos are awesome."

I appreciate the overall aesthetic here as being dated, but I'd still like to see Will experiment with more modern drum samples and programming; a more aggressive snare and edgier sounds overall would have made this more contemporary without losing anything in the process. Or, if it's gonna stay firmly planted in the 80's, I'd suggest some more elaborate fills (toms ftw) to spice things up a bit; see 'Mia Fey' for a good example. Regardless, and especially with regards to synth/lead work, this is a good mix that takes a straightforward arrangement and executes it with excellence; Willrock doesrock, and I'm looking forward to seeing where he goes next.

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
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Black_Doom
on 2014-12-31 08:15:48

This is definitely a tune for snowboarding - wild, energetic and groovy. The drums are just so damn tasty. The funky synths also work pretty fine here. Awesome work, Mr. Harby!

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StreetFlare
on 2012-01-30 21:25:41

You know, the opening actually reminds me of the background music from Perion in MapleStory. So, when I had that realization, I nearly jumped from my chair. Epic Sonic mix, but that was NOT quite what I was expecting.

[Edit]: DOH! On double checking, it sounds nothing like Perion's music. But it reminded me so much of Maplestory, but I can't remember where.

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Mirby
on 2011-12-25 08:10:43

I guess it was only a matter of time before I reviewed an Ice Cap remix.

This is pretty good; it has that WillRock flair. A very enjoyable listen; way to go Will! :D

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Locke
on 2011-12-03 14:15:40

Well, I'm a sucker for synths, WillRock, and IceCap, so it's no surprise I like this. I love the trance elements that come in throughout. Especially digging the section at 1:05-1:30.

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Crulex
on 2011-07-18 15:57:50

I think this remix is amazing solely on the fact that it does one of the two things I like best about ReMixes: expands the melody of Ice Cap through WillRock's own interpretations and solos. It has a terrific sound, and it gives more life to an already awesome song. The intro really fits the whole "Sonic Snowboarding at the beginning of the zone" scene in my opinion.

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WillRock
on 2010-12-22 14:46:44

Out of all my posted OC Remixes, this is chronologically the oldest of them all from the date I started it.

I'm not entirely sure where the style for this mix came from - All I know is that when I joined ocr and got a very decidedly negative critique on my first subbed remix to the site, I set out get a mix posted to prove to myself I could do it, and this was the first mix that I attempted this with. Originally, I wasn't successful - The original mix is here

However, if you fail, you should try again, and try again I did. Inspiration musically wasn't really important to me here I don't think, I was driven by a different desire, which was to be posted on OCR.

Thankfully I succeeded, and altho this mix quite rightly hasn't been without its share of criticisms, i'm happy that I was able to make a remix that people have enjoyed regardless.

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Giga Bowser
on 2010-03-19 07:43:26

This is the best Ice cap zone remix I heard to me its something that I won't forget no amtter what everytime I listen to it I get excited,its addicting and best of all it has a sound that when I heard it I just couldn't believe I'm hearing such a sound I never heard it the sound that is both original, sonic sound and at the same time its kind of new i.e its like the new generation sonic.I'm sorry I can't describe the sound but its at the beginning and comes back again in the meddle and towards the end.This remix without no doubt Epic and perfectly done.

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dalborgo
on 2010-03-09 07:47:03

Simply great!

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Im_Just_Shawn
on 2010-01-19 10:23:05

:nicework:EPIC! i love it!:nicework:

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Emunator
on 2009-12-21 23:19:20

Yeah, this one's a favorite of mine just for the awesome solos. The synth choices didn't bother me a bit and honestly I thought it was perfect for the kind of music you've got going here.

The foundation for the song is pretty generic but the lead writing is what makes this one of my favorite Willrock mixes. Very enjoyable mix, but you've only improved since this! :-D

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YellowYoshi1
on 2009-10-05 13:31:41

I've been following this since it was on the WIP boards and it is still as addictive as it was then, if not more so.

It's absolutely awesome. Even more kudos that you made it so well since by now people get pretty weary of Ice Cap mixes.

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richter
on 2009-09-10 21:08:14

Larry, I question your yes's and I question your no's. Just sayin'!

The ONLY things I'm not completely feelin' about this piece are the kick and snare. They just don't work for me (neither the samples nor the patterns).

That being said, EVERYTHING ELSE ABOUT THIS IS SIICKKKK!!!!!!!

Concur'd'ed'd'ed'd!

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Martin Penwald
on 2009-08-25 16:45:45
It's got a distinct euro/demoscene style to it.

This.

Much like most other reviewers, I agree that the drums are the weak point, while the arrangement and solos are good.

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metalsnakejuice
on 2009-08-16 01:28:24

I love this song Willrock a lot, the solos in it were perfect.

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OA
on 2009-08-15 18:03:19

Nice additional harmonies and solos. That's what really brings this one to life.

I agree that the drums are the weak point here, there's no velocity shifts at all.

The good news is that the synths sound pretty good. There's a few clarity issues, but things are clear enough to hear what's going on.

Good stuff, I enjoyed it. :-)

Sources Arranged (1 Song)


Primary Game:
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (Sega , 1994, GEN)
Music by Bobby Brooks,Brad Buxer,C. Cirocco Jones,Darryl Ross,Doug Grigsby III,Geoff Grace,Jun Senoue,Michael Jackson,Tatsuyuki Maeda,Tomonori Sawada
Songs:
"Ice Cap Zone: Act 1"

Tags (4)


Genre:
Mood:
Instrumentation:
Electronic,Synth
Additional:
Origin > Resubmission
Time > Tempo: Fast

File Information


Name:
Sonic_the_Hedgehog_3_Snowboardin'_Sonic_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
5,689,870 bytes
MD5:
c3b895f37fd72409c01d7fa9dbe41482
Bitrate:
192Kbps
Duration:
3:53

 

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