ReMix:Metroid "First Time Down Here?" 2:55

Newcomer wildcaml (Dakota Anderson) debuts strong & hard with an engrossing, aggressive dubstep take on "Kraid's Chamber" from the original Metroid:

"This is a remix of the "Kraid's Lair" theme from the OG Metroid (and Zero Mission, I guess, if you wanna be like that). I made the bulk of this while I was still learning about how to do all this junk, so it's kind of a mess. I still really like it, though, so here it is!

Since this is the first Metroid, I wanted to capture the feeling of entering Kraid's lair for the first time. As you descend into the dark, sprawling caverns, a droning, eerie tone begins. The energy picks up a bit as you explore, and increases further as you continue to discover and become more confident. In a moment, though, the alien life quiets, the halls become tighter and dimmer, your heart beats faster and faster until you find yourself in a pitch-black room, where Kraid himself suddenly explodes into action. The piece hits its climax as you try to fight off Kraid for survival. Finally, the track chills out a little; you're safe for the time being. However, as the music fades into a dissonant descent, you realize this isn't the end, and you wonder what otherworldly horrors further await you on the mysterious planet."

Very narrative, very cool, and pretty darn impressive for something made while endeavoring to familiarize oneself with "all this junk" - as a first effort or a hundredth, this is some transporting, well-constructed dubstep, with a cinematic bent. Sound design right out of the gate is immersive, and reflects Dakota's description of the intended vibe. Most of the arrangement plays it more suspenseful, but when Kraid shows up, well... you KNOW, as you should :) Judges were unanimous, and Gario's one-liner opened the evaluation up without equivocation:

"Shit, this is good - excellent sound design, great production, and an overall solid (if conservative) arrangement."

Chimpazilla closed things out:

"I am digging this super low bass. Ooooooo the growls are excellent. The snare is quite prominent but not overly so to me. The soundscape sounds full and empty at the same time which is something I really like. Great use of sfx. This is such a unique take on Kraid's theme."

Sub on the bass really does hit low, and I think the artist did an overall superb job at making sure each element lands with impact & justifies its presence. I'm a big fan of this theme and hope to arrange it myself one day, and I've certainly enjoyed the many divergent, creative visions/versions we've heard over the years. wildcaml's take is both distinct & gripping, sucking you into a sinister descent that culminates in some satisfying dubstep staple foods, cooked to perfection. Excellent debut, hope to hear more!