ReMix:Sonic the Hedgehog "Pax Eggmanica ~Sear & Reave~" 4:41

We keep the week moving along nicely & face-meltingly & Nightwishingly & brain-scrappingly with this symphonic prog-metal take on "Scrap Brain Zone" from the original Sonic game & off of Speeding Towards Adventures: 25 Years of Sonic the Hedgehog, courtesy HeavenWraith (Antanas Palaitis):

"This track started off as rather simplistic prog metal, instruments being that of a metal band plus a few synths. Over the course of the song, I noticed that some of the synths did not sound well when under the spotlight and I just needed that heavy brass sound... and the Pandora's box was opened -- BAM -- almost full-blown symphonic orchestra. While the arrangement was very taxing to do, it was also interesting to work on. Combining all the different elements into one cohesive soundscape was quite a challenge and mixing was, admittedly, more than I could confidently handle. Nevertheless, even if it's not perfect, the mixing job is still better than my previous works, so I'm just happy that I've improved.

Incidentally, this is the first track I have recorded with my first guitar that isn't garbage -- Schecter Hellraiser C-1. And, oh boy, as some of you could've guessed, that thing has a Floyd Rose. I really abused the thing in some of the solos and divebombs.

Inspirations? Mostly Nightwish. A sort of fusion of colder atmosphere Oceanborn style and bombastic symphonic feel of the later albums. Some of the orchestration techniques and tricks I picked up from Hirano Yoshihisa (Hunter x Hunter [2011], Ouran High School Host Club, Death Note).

To wrap up, when looking back, I believe I made several mistakes when planning this track which are too late to fix now, but I believe it's still a decent piece of music and can provide good times for those who enjoy prog metal and/or symphonic metal."

I concur; I dig putting a spotlight on one of Sonic's lesser-attended original stage themes, but beyond that the artist has really crafted a monstrously-epic throwdown of maximalism; there's a lot going on. Not "too many notes" but a whole ton, nonetheless. As the title promises, the eventual guitar solo at the third minute DOES sear. And reave, too, sure. Then some crazy guitar/organ dueling over symphonic downward runs, segueing into... a victory march? Then dissonant re-entry of the metal; it's not pulling any punches, that's for sure. Album co-director Black_Doom writes:

"Scrap Brain Zone" is not the most popular material from this game, judging by what OCR has for this game. And there's not a single metal rendition of this track on OCR at all! Luckily, we have Antanas with his brutal, face-melting remix of this fantastic source, and now justice is done! Enjoy if you can."

...and fellow director Jorito adds:

"Screeching guitar shreddage and symphony orchestra? Yes, please! HeavenWraith gives us a very diverse arrangement with lots of variation and movement. Antanas said it's mostly inspired by Nightwish, but it also reminds me of Motoi Sakuraba's work for some reason (and that's a good thing!). Also dig the carnival-like part at the ending that gives it a nice atmospheric-but-creepy turn before picking up the energy again and rolling on to its ending climax."

Judges were unanimous, with newly-appointed prophetik music offering the following:

"i really appreciate the way that you allow for some sonic diversity with the sections like 2:45 where the orchestra takes over. i get that bombastic orchestral prog doesn't lend itself to dynamic contrast, so if timbral contrast is all i can get, i'll take it. it's timed well and fits in well without feeling weird. i also appreciate that you completely turbo ultra murderkill the guitar part straight dead for the whole song. superb job and attention to detail. i'd say the investment in a new axe has paid off, but that'd imply that you aren't a critical part of the equation."

Quite well said; this arrangement is more over the top than that arm-wrestling movie with Stallone. Antanas crafted something both flamboyantly ornate & thunderously heavy - a rarer juxtaposition - with layer-upon-spiraling-layer of instrumentation, arpeggios, runs, & bombast. Full of pomp and not too short on circumstance, either. Awesome stuff, enjoy!