DarkZero's Music

[DarkZero]

Here's a new original song! This went through a LOT of rewrites, and was originally inspired by Green Grass Gradation from Mega Man ZX but it kinda took on a life of its own and became almost EDM towards the end.

[Marilink]

That's great, DZ! I'm into it. I'm definitely getting Mega Man ZX vibes.

[Apollo the Just]

I am getting early Sonic vibes from this in the best possible way

[I REALLY HATE POKEMON!]

Kinda Sonic-y/Mega Man-y. Really good.

[monstrman]

Glad to see you're still writing music

Always good stuff

[Marilink]

hey DZ I just wanted to give you some more specific feedback instead of just comparing it to another game

-I like how you structured the loop
-I love the instrument you use for the restatement/countermelody (so like 0:44) and the contours of that melodic line in general
-The unresolved chord at like 1:14 is cool and I like the chord progression you use in the next section
-The bells that start at 1:36ish are real cute and I like how they outline the chords
-The harmony you introduce at 1:45 and following is rich and cool

[DarkZero]

^thanks for the detailed feedback! it's funny, most of the stuff you mentioned is stuff that wasn't introduced until I started rewriting and rearranging the song; a lot of the reprises and harmony elements weren't there in the first version and the length of the song originally clocked in at less than half the length. it's good to know that my efforts to give the melodies more room to breathe and introduce reprises with additional harmonies and counterpoints was worth it.

fun fact: the instrument at 0:44 is actually the exact same instrument used for the bells at 1:36. i just used a fadeout in the latter case to make it sound more like a chime.

[Marilink]

^I never would have noticed that about the bells instrument, that’s really cool.

[DarkZero]

working with NES limitations for so long has kinda trained me to be resourceful with instruments even if i dont necessarily need to

[DarkZero]

Remember how Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine had that kickass 2P theme that was actually the final boss theme from the original Puyo Puyo? I did an NES cover of it.

[Marilink]

that was rad

[Apollo the Just]

DZ you are really out here being the change you want to see in the world covering the niche ass **** you want to see covered and I respect you so much

[DarkZero]

I covered Punk's Theme from Mega Man 10 in MMX2 style, and tried to make it even punkier.

[Marilink]

For some reason I've completely forgotten that there was a character named Punk in MM10. I think that means I need to play that game again...it's been a while. As a result I'm also unfamiliar with the original track.

But I love what you did with the MMX samples, as always. Your guitar pitch bends are always well-placed into these covers.

[DarkZero]

^Punk was actually a boss from Mega Man 3 for the Game Boy; he returned in a boss rush in MM5GB and as the boss of Special Stage 2 in MM10. In fact, I've incorporated his GB theme into the song between 0:51 and 1:12.

Also I should point out most of these pitch bends were already in the song (though I did add a few of my own).

[Marilink]

You know, I saw his character design and thought “He must be a GameBoy MM character” but then you said MM10 and I just completely gave up on my intuition

[DarkZero]

As I do every year, I've made a compilation album of everything I've released the past year, which also includes a song I didn't release on YouTube.

It's pay-what-you-want with no minimum.

[Apollo the Just]

I really admire how much you create in a year, DZ. As someone who pretty much only accomplishes stuff once every 3 blue moons when the correct blood sacrifices have been offered, I think it's really admirable that you really consistently produce and create new art. Serious props to you.

[DarkZero]

what can i say i like instant gratification

[DarkZero]

@smol Kat