ReMix:Sonic the Hedgehog 2 "Biohazard" 3:32

Last up & completing our five-mix mega-drive mega-flood is DjjD, with a slow-burn EDM version of the ever-popular 'Chemical Plant Zone' that's got me mega-hyphenating things left & right. The artist provides a completely fresh & distinct take on a source that's been covered in similar genres before by creatively changing the emphasis and flow:

"For as long as I can remember, I've loved this tune. After hearing a wide range of remixers remix this particular source, I guess I was convinced I had to make my own reinterpretation of it. So, thanks to bLiNd, A_Rival, and PrototypeRaptor... this song was born. I started it almost two years ago, and I guess I just never really knew how to finish it. So, thanks to the advice from everybody, really appreciate it."

The primary concern from the panel in this case was source usage, as there's quite a bit of expansive glue that holds the main motif in place, and things take time to develop. Chimpazilla writes:

"Track is a win for me, but I wasn't sure about the amount of source so I asked Jake for a breakdown. I think his timestamps are accurate, and it works out to 51% source. Cutting it a little close! I would have preferred a little more source in the intro and outro instead of sandwiched in the middle (but I'm guilty of something similar myself, and it passed haha!)... also I feel like the intro phase of the song goes on a little too long for how short this track is... but it's certainly cohesive enough, and man, what a track. Jake you sure are talented."

Palpable echoes her overall sentiments:

"This takes a little time to get where it's going, but there are lots of interesting detours along the way. I appreciate how the source is handled (especially the halftime sections) but the intro is a tad long, especially for a 3:32 song. Apart from the gripe, I really liked what Jake gave us here. Great arpeggios coloring in the soundscape, smooth groove. Yea, I say."

The source is so well-known & substantive that I think it withstood this sort of treatment; something with less structure and meat to it might not have survived. Jake cuts it a little close, but in doing so he also differentiates his version from many other (excellent) interpretations that put the chemicals more front & center. DjjD puts HIS chemicals up on the high shelf, where it's hard to reach them, and then offers promotional samples to get you hooked, after a tantalizing sales pitch. It's a different approach, and while I don't think it'd work for a great many source tunes, it jives & comes together rather well in this case. Nice work, and a big thanks to all ReMixers who made our MEGA DRIVE FIVE flood possible!