ReMix:Turok: Dinosaur Hunter "Catacumbas Subterraneas" 5:18

From his 64 Ways to Die album, Mauricio Plasma's back with rhythmic, monstrous metal of Turok for the N64! Turok didn't have the reach of GoldenEye, but I also had fond memories playing this one growing up. Turok also had a long run at Valiant Comics in the 90s as well (comic nerd raises hand), so Turok coverage of any kind (our first from the franchise in 24 long years) is both overdue and warmly welcomed, especially when it's served up by ThePlasmas! Mauricio also played this back in the day, and definitely got way further than me:

"I spent too much time playing this in my childhood, so that's why I needed to record a version of this song, in my style, adding melodies, powerful guitars and trying to keep the atmosphere the fifth level had. This song was recorded to participate in the Summer of 64 event, a 3-month long celebration of N64 video game music produced by GameGrooves."

Great to have GameGrooves representation here as well, as their founder Allen Brasch has been puttin' in the work to release some huge collaborative community albums over the years! Judge MindWanderer was groovin' on his side of the headphones, lauding this as another achievement among many by ThePlasmas:

"There's not a whole lot to this original, so it presents a challenge to remix. And I think that challenge was easily met. The remix expands on it in multiple ways, adding instrumentation, breaks, additive and subtractive sections, and just generally turning out a solid piece of music. Production and performances are up to ThePlasmas' usual high standards. Lots to like here."

Love ThePlasmas' intensity here, and, as MindWanderer mentioned, this is a textbook example of an arrangement that thrives on expansive instrumentation and consistant dynamic shifts. And that soloing section over the chugs at 3:29's a killer; the lead guitars are absolutely on the hunt until the energy finally drops back at 4:40 for the extended conclusion. Hearing the tribal vibes of the original, did judge DarkSim get earwormed by this source tune? Can't say for sure, but he certainly appreciated Mauricio's comprehensive & varied approach:

"I'm impressed how you've managed to flesh out the source so well with a melody that, listening to the source afterwards, I could hear in my head. It feels like a very natural expansion on the theme, and works perfectly in the rock/metal style. [...]

The rhythm guitars have a nice chunky feel to them, and the shrill, distorted lead has been given some generous reverb so that it's not too grating. The drumkit [is] sequenced very well with lots of variety.

Arrangement works well, there are sufficient breaks and energetic sections, and I like that outro a lot - an idea perhaps tacked onto the end that you came up with too late to work it in earlier. Could have made a moody breakdown section, or even an intro, but it works as an ending as well."

I certainly see how the winddown section at the end could have served as an intro; there's no right or wrong way to handle it given how well either option would click, but Mauricio's choice to start heavy at the outset works nicely to quickly get to the action and grab your interest. Just like DarkSim said, nice job squeezing so much juice out of this theme, Mauricio! VGM fans, if you're steeled enough to go big game hunting for dinos, your soundtrack is here! :-)