ReMix:Metroid Prime "Frozen Echoes" 3:41

Just posted a hot medley from J Damashii, so let's keep things going with a cold one! German ReMixer Gaspode hauntingly blends a trio of Metroid series themes, bolstered by Germany-based Iranian violinist Niki Yaghmaee. In a very cool move, Gaspode actually came to collab with Yaghmaee via Fiverr:

"»Frozen Echoes« is a remix of three themes from different Metroid games.
»Phendrana Drifts« from »Metroid Prime« (original score by Kenji Yamamoto and Kouichi Kyuma)
»Maridia (Rocky Underwater Area)« from »Super Metroid« (original score by Kenji Yamamoto and Minako Hamano)
»Title Theme« from »Metroid« (original score by Hirokazu Tanaka)

I did this remix back in 2018. But, after friend of mine worked on several of his songs with musicians from Fiverr, I thought I could try this too and replace the violin (that was played with a sampled version from the »Vienna Symphonic Library«) with a real one. I worked with this guy, »Niki Yaghmaee«: https://fiverr.com/nikiyaghmaee. It was a very good decision because nothing can beat a real instrument.

Thanks for releasing my stuff. It's a real motivation. Actually, in the last few years, I produced more remixes than ever before."

Well, alright alright, motivation's the name of the game! (And the thanks goes both ways, since we love what you're cookin'!) Gaspode's latest featured ReMix before this was another dark vision well worth listening to, and one of my personal favorites in 20+ years of being here. This time around, the gloom and isolation are flavored by the added element of Niki's live violin, which only enhanced an already effective presentation according to judge MindWanderer:

"Mmm, delicious. Going through the trouble of getting a live violinist was absolutely worth it. I was expecting a pretty mellow synth piece up until 1:20 when the violin joined in with the Maridia theme, but then, wham. On one hand, I don't like how you have to wait so long for the best part, but on the other hand, you generate a lovely tension while it builds up to that point."

Just like MindWanderer alluded to, judge DarkSim was also taken in by the mood and ambiance of Gaspode's arrangement alongside Niki's performance:

"The atmosphere in this track is perfect for the cold chill of space, and the timbre of the instruments is a big part of creating that feeling. [...] You've blended the three sources marvellously into one very cohesive piece.

The live violin sounds great, and what a good idea to find an artist on fiverr! The ambience of the backing serves to accentuate the violin in the best way."

It's remarkable to know that Gaspode originally made this track several years ago, because, while Niki's violin undoubtably bolsters Gaspode's music, I like DarkSim noting how the rest of the music behind the violin also strengthens the feeling of Niki's performance as well, so there's a genuine synergy here despite the time difference in when each component was made. Great job per Gaspode's usual, lifted up even higher thanks to Niki Yaghmaee; it's a smooth and mysterious (and well-mixed) soundscape throughout, and the themes combined well!