1. Amp sim test
   Dex
2. These Stones Remember
   Souperion
3. Excessive Flora Range
   APZX

1) Absolutely LOVE the guitar riffs / chord progression / drums for this song. Metroid Rock gets me, every time. ♥ This is going to be especially appreciative if this is a live guitar recording (and I hope it is!)

2) Beautifully atmospheric with the addition of Native American / tribal chanting and drumset. It reminded me of Phendandra Drifts, one of my favourite songs from the Prime franchise. ♥

3) Excessive Flora Range? More like excessive Brinstar love. ♥ Kind of biased on this one, but I'm glad that the Green Overgrowth Area had gotten some love, as one of the oldest and most traditional Metroid songs in the pile. It sticks to a more conservative effort in remixing, but it was brought in with enough variation to both appreciate its original sound and reincarnation. ♥

1. Amp sim test
   Dex
2. Laying in the Red Soil, Listening to Lo-Fi (LBSRemix)
   TheVodouQueen
3. These Stones Remember
   Souperion

TVQ: the oscillation of trippy and chill moods is neat, I love the beats

TVG: nICE BRYYO remix

APZX: great synthetic take on overgrown with vegetation, only minor complaint is one of the lead synths(@ :23) is mixed really quietly

Souperion: I like this instrumentation, chanting was a nice touch

Wassup Thunder: the insistent rhythm of this is a nice addition. I get kind of an RPG battle vibe from this

Hoboka: I like what you did with this especially in the first half I think this source material does well with a more understated approach

Dex: nice tone, I think out of all the Metroid music this might be the one most begging for this kind of a fun rock take, excellent work

1. Amp sim test
   Dex
2. Doomguy vs Space Pirates
   NickC
3. These Stones Remember
   Souperion

Laying in Red Soil, Listening to Lo-Fi (LBSRemix) - Ya know I think really my general overriding complaint is really just the space of the track. It almost seems at odds with itself. You have some good takes on the original in here, but that spacing is entirely different than your more original writing in the track. The other big thing here is the choice of sounds. I feel I kinda get what you were going for in terms of the sound choices, but they themselves also conflict a bit. For example you've got these foreboding pads and these little bright vocal samples above them, and that just isn't a great choice in sounds themselves. The percussion instruments taking the forefront at times as well were also a bit dis-jointed and separated from the rest of the track.

Guess the Source, Win a Cookie or Something... - No idea on the source, but definitely a bit interesting. This like a Paul's Extreme Time Stretch kind of thing going on?

These Stones Remember - Tribal-ish in nature. Good use of space overall. The sound choice is pretty consistent throughout. Perhaps the single biggest complaint would be the strings just not really ever "changing". They're just kind of there doing the same thing and never really changing in consistency. That would not be a big deal in an electronic piece, but this is not an electronic piece really. You do have some electronic fusion in there, but by and large this is a more acoustic piece.

Gandrayda: Mimetic Corruption - That is a whole lotta cymbal there. Really too the drums just lack any real "power" and everything kind of sounds like it is "mooshed up" and there is not any real separation. The guitars also sound super buried in the mix rather than being distinct. And that really is the thing. More separation is needed.

Rundas' Distortional Deum - Gotta say man, this is a damn fine sounding mix. Good choice of sounds and use of space. I mean I get that as it goes on it gets louder, but really the question is just how loud are you actually monitoring at? This shouldn't have been that loud to mix... But I dunno I don't have the multi in front of me. I especially like the guitar with that high whistle in there. Nice blend. Shame this is a bonus entry hehe.

Amp sim test - Oooooooo, not messing around from the get go! Cymbals are a bit on the "washy" side of things. The snare is perhaps lacking a bit of "meat". I would have liked a bit more emphasis on the lead guitar though. Like don't get me wrong everything is in there pretty nicely, but you can tell when the breakdown starts that the mix is pressing pretty hard into a limiter because the instruments really open up "a lot" compared to when the bass guitar is in there as well. I kind of wish you backed off a bit on the master. Sometimes being a bit too hot takes away from the track on the whole. Great fun though.

Doomguy vs Space Pirates - All right you had me at the name alone. Not gonna lie this was FAR FAR better than I was anticipating. I really like the modern Doom OSTs (Mick Gordon nailed them as far as I'm concerned). The simple fact that you EVEN attempted something similar gets a thumbs up from me. The track does lack some of that polish that I'd expect from the Doom OST, but ya know what? You've got some cojones, and that gets some props from me alone.

1. These Stones Remember
   Souperion
2. Laying in the Red Soil, Listening to Lo-Fi (LBSRemix)
   TheVodouQueen
3. Amp sim test
   Dex

Souperion's combination of Asian instrumentation, deep vocals, and primitive-sounding percussion creates an atmosphere of primordial awe, steeped in gentle tragedy. It has many similarities to the original track, and tells a similar story but with different colors, pacing, and tone. Transformative, faithful, and evokative.

TheVodouQueen's piece took me a bit to hear Metroid in it. Once I heard familiar melody and chords from deep Brinstar though, all the lo-fi vocals, sfx, and instruments brought out something unique in the piece for me. I enjoy Lo-Fi, and thought the intruments and effects were quite nice. Some familiar motiffs/melodies earlier in the song may have brought out its source more readily.

Dex's SR-388 tunnel Theme hit real good. A solid rocking theme that explored some neat variations. I really liked the chiptune sounding synths in the beginning, XD. Its really satisfying. The synth parts (I imagine done on keyboard) fit nicely to accompany your shredding.

And to the rest!

APZX, I've heard that song remixed so many times, but you still brought something unique in the instrumentation. It was really satisfying to listen to. With very familiar tunes like this one, exploring variation in the melody may bring a unique, personal touch to it.

NickC, I loved your theme and approach, but the bass and leads often sounded too crunchy, perhaps hitting the ceiling too often. I appreciate the gritty, rusty vibe. And the imagery of Doom Guy rampaging through the pirate bass.

Hoboka, nice killing me with a beautifully distorted Rundas! I can see the static lines and blurrying imagery now. An evocative approach with airy, wispy leads and vocals. And the contrast of the guitars... Love it.

TheVideoGamer... I love the song. But for the life of me, I can't identify it. Here I thought I was a metroid music aficionado XD. I bet I'll feel stupid when someone points out what it is.

1. Excessive Flora Range
   APZX
2. Gandrayda: Mimetic Corruption
   Wassup Thunder
3. Laying in the Red Soil, Listening to Lo-Fi (LBSRemix)
   TheVodouQueen

1. Slick and smooth. Loved the rising/falling synth effect (kinda sounds like a wolf's howl on the descent.) Excellently faithful and relaxing.
2. The instrumentation strikes me as freakishly delicate: high synths and harp coupled with drum kits and rhythm guitars. Captures the shifting frenzy of the fight and adds to it nicely.
3. Took me a while to be able to decipher the source outta it, but it was real sweet when I picked it out. The piece travels nicely, very stylistic.
And for the rest of ye:

The Video Gamer: Love the mighty atmospheric ambiance of your work here. My best bet is that its the Bryyo Ice theme from Metroid Prime 3, or the entry caves of Phendrana. It has a powerful ice-world feel to it. And if it isn't an ice world... dude.

Dex: The Tunnel Theme! Brings a tear to my eye. Energetic but not exhausting. I felt that the lead guitar was a tad harsh on the ear, but it didn't ruin the piece for me.

NickC: What a medley. Ridley, Space Pirate theme, and the hive mecha boss, all nicely blown together. It does feel like the doom guy just tore into my ear cavity and cleaned house. Gritty, explosive, and decisive.

HoboKa: Hearing this piece makes transcribing the source all worth it. It's progression is riveting, I love the journey of ambience into distorted rock. #Phazon phever.

1. Doomguy vs Space Pirates
   NickC
2. These Stones Remember
   Souperion
3. Gandrayda: Mimetic Corruption
   Wassup Thunder

NickC - Yet another sleeper hit that I bet no one saw coming...Well, maybe a sleeper hit to those who listened to everyone's submissions well before Voting Time. But I digress... that whilst not the best produced, Doomguy vs Space Pirates had the coolest concept by far and was executed well enough in my books. All the Pirate Themes + boss theme that are surprisingly cogent and conservative approached a la MnP?? How do you do it NickC? Dayamn. Good work man!!

Souperion - Wow, this gave me some spine tingles. My Stones will remember this. The Asian instruments and the Hoo-HA chants are dope - Is the Barbarian Chant Vocals East/West? I don't think Composer Cloud has those, I could be mistaken though. Anyways, I think the articulations are fair enough. I think the dynamics are good, can't say 100% for certain, but I'd pass this by a Judge if you want to submit it. This is a strong remix for sure.

Wassup Thunder - Love the discreet alterations to the melodies and progression of the source. The drums are mixed pretty well, considering how much of a hog is, though the crashes are clipping. Not the biggest fan of that waoooo adaptive pad being used so extensively, but you gotta work with what you got and getting it to make different sounds is pretty hard (good ole Sytrus). The E-Guitars and the strings are nice! That high sine whistle thing at the half mark is awesome.

TheVoduoQueen - I was about to slot you into 3rd place until I found a big problem. 5:01 to 5:42. The Lower Pad and the Vocal 1-Shot sample you used were clashing badly pitch-wise. A mistake like that is fatal in a 6 entry competition. The Key/Pitch isn't 100% on point allthroughout, but I love me some uncanny experimental shit. The SCARY vibe you got going here is seconded ONLY by NickC. You REALLY nailed the horror elements. The ghostly vocal samples. The Xylophone Thing. That Snare that sounds like it's being recorded in a Ghost Studio...That Synthetic Reed thing. These are STRONG elements. The only caveat is that the competition was fierce and I'd struggle to duke it out with these blokes haha. Hope I didn't Gordon Ramsey you too hard...

Dex - Greatest production of all, but I wouldn't have minded some more re-interpretation. Maybe I missed some nuances? Oh well... Great Heavy Rock Cover at any rate.

APZX - A good traditional MnP ReMix, bit too 1:1 to the source to elevate it amidst the other submissions here. Regardless, Super hot Green Brinstar remix here. Love the riser/lower Ambient Pad, that was a cool touch. Love that outtro effect lmao.

1. Excessive Flora Range
   APZX
2. These Stones Remember
   Souperion
3. Laying in the Red Soil, Listening to Lo-Fi (LBSRemix)
   TheVodouQueen

TVQ: I liked it except for the repeated vocal sample. It's nice to have a track that goes on a journey like this one does, which is pretty rare for competitions like this. The tambourine that comes in around 7:00 feels a little ahead of the beat.

TVG: No cookie for me. I have no idea - what is the source? It's pleasant.

APZX: Great source, one of the best in the series IMO, and you've made it extra-creepy and space-y. Lows in the mix are punchy and great, as usual. I'd play this remake.

Souperion: Neat remix. Kind of tribal or shaman-y or something. The flute and the background vocals are extra-nice.

Wassup Thunder: Great instrumentation, harmony, and adaptation from the source. However, I feel the mix is a bit underwhelming. Some of it is nice and punchy but much of it is pretty flat and not hard hitting, which seems to be the opposite of what you were going for.

hoboka: Dunno why this is a bonus. It kicks ass.

NickC: Great theme and good control of the distortion. However, it's overly distorted for my tastes.

1. These Stones Remember
   Souperion
2. Doomguy vs Space Pirates
   NickC
3. Excessive Flora Range
   APZX

Woah there is a lot of entrants here....

Ok after consideration i think Souperion should win, let's take it from the top.

TheVodouQueen - My word this is long. Is this all one remix? Or have you put together a medley of some kind? It sounds like it's supposed to be one track, with the way the chords are structured, but each section sounds so different from the last i cannot tell. As a whole, you nailed the lo-fi hip hop aesthetic, however it needs more development. When i listen, i feel like it's supposed to go somewhere, but unfortunately it doesn't, it feels static throughout, even if it's not repetitive. Again all personal, but i don't feel the vocal samples either. Weird and out of tune, but again taste is personal. I love the beats though, they were amazing on my headphones, great job!

APZX - Ooh these synths are juicy. Got me moving a bit. The whole arrangement in itself is wonderful, i love the retro approaches here, the synths are just too good. The only major complaint i have, is that it needs a pause, a breath of fresh air, to introduce a new part of a melody or something. The bass was playing for it's entire runtime. Also maybe add more drums, so towards the end, add a clap or a snare, to thicken the sound. This though, is probably what i would do, as a whole this sounds like a nice job created here. Well done!

Souperion - The orchestration is just super nice, it definitely fits the vibe of metroid to a T. I love the dynamic changes, and i also love the inclusion of more Asian instruments. The vocal chants, just really sealed the deal, the inclusion of them, takes it to a whole new level. The whole structure in itself was beautifully done. The only complaint, which is a minor complaint, is to watch the levels, so it doesn't go into the threshold, however though, again this is a minor complaint. This remix is just too good, hence why i picked you first.

Wassup Thunder - Really solid attempt here, i love the orchestration too. I also dig, the sort of rock hybrids here too, it made it unique, it stood out from some of the others. I also love the transition to synths too, you have a great variety of sounds. For me, for this to really shine, I'd work on some of the mixing. The drums could come closer a bit more, and maybe use more of the synths better (As in maybe pick better sounds). Still though, if i had to be honest, this round was super hard for me, because all of you guys have produced incredible tracks. I have to be fair about this, but still, well done!

hoboka - I just want to point out, I'm not well educated on Metroid, so i don't know all of these sources, apart from it being written in the description. Really lovely take here, i like the combination of choirs in the first half, before transitioning into a hard rock edge in the 2nd half. Really like the changes, much variety to be had here. If i had to point out a flaw, i would integrate the choir a bit better, to make it less in your face, and more as a background element. Still though, this goes huuuuge, i love the dynamics here. Well done!

Dex - Huh, a lot of people seem to be integrating rock into these kinds of tracks. Yours is obviously the most guitar heavy, and i love it. Now as a live cover, this would work super well, and i would thoroughly enjoy it, however i feel the other entrants, have incorporated ideas, that has really caught my ears, with reactions, that make me think, i've never heard this idea before. Again i still enjoyed your entrant, this round was super difficult, because all of the entrants were just too good, but if i had to be honest, then this would be why. Also be wary of the lead, it can get a bit loud, however this one is more nit-picking. Loved it though, well done!

NickC - Ok now this one was really interesting. Usually the loudness would give me quite a reaction, because i like my loudness to be justified, instead of it being clipping, but i kept returning to this, it was really something special. My god this is brutal, and i just...i don't know, i just love it. It's super rich and exciting, and the distortion works in such unique ways, that i couldn't stop being drawn to it. The only complaint i could find, was to well...maybe make the transitions to the different sections, more smooth, than maybe abrupt. Like with the others though, this one is minor, it's just tooo good, enough to put you second. Well done!