Reviews by LaLa |
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The Inner Sanctum Loading Theme (from The Last Ninja) R5 Version - arranged by Matt GrayReview by LaLa, 29/03/2026 If you are familiar with the same remix from Matt's 'Reformation 3' album - well, you can pretty much forget about that one. If the flute and the plucky synth with the subtle percussion in the intro doesn't grab your attention in this remix, then the drop at 2:14 surely will. After which this tune switches into a higher gear, and delivers a memorable version of this SID original. Add a guitar lead with slides and mutes and all the bells and whistles, and thus end this album on a high note. Top notch! |
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The Palace Theme (from The Last Ninja) R5 Version - arranged by Matt GrayReview by LaLa, 29/03/2026 Like some of other tracks of this album, I can totally imagine this track being the title theme of a 90s action TV series, it just has that kind of punchy, euphoric feel to it. I won't even bother comparing it to the version from Matt's earlier 'Reformation 3' album, because it's just so different (and dare I say, better - much better). A tasteful mix of guitar-heavy sections, drums with just the right amount of oomph, synths where they were needed - all delivered in a buttery smooth arrangement that just feels right. Superb in every sense. |
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The Palace Loading Theme (from The Last Ninja) R5 Version - arranged by Matt GrayReview by LaLa, 29/03/2026 Another high tempo, high energy track from this album. Matt is not afraid to use layers of percussion in his remixes that a human drummer wouldn't be able to play even with three hands. But that creative freedom - coupled with carefully selected drum sounds - is what gives this remix a strong driving force. Add some guitar licks (or guitar-sounding licks), garnish the rest with spot-on basses and synthy ear-candy, and you have a sure hit at your hands. Matt turned it into a fantastic hard rock(-ish) track, and I find it hard not to stand up and rock to it - or at least tap my feet to it. |
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The Dungeons Theme (from The Last Ninja) R5 Version - arranged by Matt GrayReview by LaLa, 29/03/2026 Ah, well, now we are in Matt's wheelhouse! Dark and gritty, mysterious and menacing - this is a style that suits him! This track on the album is definitely not the relentless flood of sonic sensory overload that some of the other ones, are, yet, it's just as impactful. The more you listen to it, the more you'll discover in it. Still, I wish it was longer, much longer - even the original SID was longer than this track. I wish Matt explored the shadowy depths of this tune even further. |
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The Dungeons Loading Theme (from The Last Ninja) R5 Version - arranged by Matt GrayReview by LaLa, 29/03/2026 Although a remix of this SID already appeared on Matt's 'Reformation 3' album, this R5 version is very different from that one. The layers of pads in the intro may sound familiar, but that's pretty much where the similarities end. Once the deep hits come in at 1:06 you know you're in for a wilder ride. Yet again, as with all other tracks of this album, the production and mixing of this remix is just out of this world. The choice of instruments, the changes to the original SID's arrangement - nothing I can argue with. And even with its sonic perfection this tune just begs you to turn up the volume to 11, especially during its crescendo. If there's one gripe I have with this track is its outro: there's none. It just ends suddenly, like if Matt forgot to finish it. All other tracks of this album have 'proper' endings, but not this one. Puzzling. Still a great tune! |
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The Palace Gardens Theme (from The Last Ninja) R5 Version - arranged by Matt GrayReview by LaLa, 29/03/2026 Honestly, slow, serene tunes do not seem to be Matt's forte. While the production quality of this remix is obviously high, I think it promises more than what it actually delivers. There are hints of Asian instruments sprinkled throughout this arrangement (e.g. a koto-like lead), but I don't think Matt goes as far as he could've with them. Don't get me wrong, this is still a very pleasant piece and one of the top Palace Gardens remixes I've heard, it just leaves me with a nagging feeling that it could've been more. |
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The Palace Gardens Loading Theme (from The Last Ninja) R5 Version - arranged by Matt GrayReview by LaLa, 29/03/2026 Similar to several other tracks on this album, this remix was also enhanced considerably by Matt for this album. Everything sounds more polished, more impactful. New sounds were added (both synth and guitar) that greatly enhance the soundscape of this track as compared to its version on ReFourmation. And while the overall arrangement was left intact, all those sonic tune-ups make this a very different - and, I'd argue, much better - piece. |
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The Wilderness Theme (from The Last Ninja) R5 Version - arranged by Matt GrayReview by LaLa, 29/03/2026 Although on first listen this may sound identical to the version on the 'Reformation 2' album - and that's true for the overall arrangement, even when listened to side-by-side - the production value of this version is much better. With punchier, yet smoother drums, the addition of several guitar licks, replacing some leads with (better) guitars - it just sounds leaps and bounds better in every department. |
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The Wilderness Loading Theme (from The Last Ninja) R5 Version - arranged by Matt GrayReview by LaLa, 29/03/2026 I compared this version with the one that appeared in Matt's ReFourmation album, and the difference is night and day: the drums are less gritty, more refined, yet, carry more punch. Some of the, may I say 'cheezy' synths are gone and are replaced either by powerful guitars or much better sounding synth instruments on this album. So, despite the arrangement being almost identical to that in ReFourmation this is undoubtedly a much improved version, with appeal to a much wider audience. Absolutely superb! |
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The Wastelands Theme (from The Last Ninja) R5 Version - arranged by Matt GrayReview by LaLa, 29/03/2026 HOLY SH*T!!! Bursting at the seams with pure energy, this is a non-stop rush of adrenaline that grabs you from the very first beat to the last. My absolute favorite from The LN R5 album - I can't stop listening (and dancing) to it! It's at once a modern homage to a C64 classic, and also a new synthwave style blockbuster piece meets 90s popular music. The well-crafted drums are the driving force behind this piece (and omg those toms!), with guitar licks an synth lines dropped in for added spiciness throughout. This remix strays from the original melody line at several places, but nothing sounds out-of-place, everything sounds like as if it was intended to sound like this from the beginning. To wit: those last few bars towards the end will stay with you long after the last notes of this tune fade out. For me this is the most innovative remix on the entire album, bar none. The guitar leads, the rhythm guitars, those bass lines, not to mention those amazing drums - just perfection through and through. Its style is unmistakably that of Matt - coupled with an energetic arrangement and spotless production, that makes it a sure winner. |
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The Wastelands Loading Theme (from The Last Ninja) R5 Version - arranged by Matt GrayReview by LaLa, 29/03/2026 A fairly straightforward arrangement of the original that is expertly crafted and produced. The guitar lead sounds lovely, but every other instrument also finds its place perfectly in this version. |
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Turrican 2 Title (Highway to Heaven mix) [Encore500 V2] - arranged by ZionaReview by LaLa, 28/03/2026 Honestly, there are very few Turrican 2 remixes I've heard before that are better than this one, and one of those was made by Chris Hülsbeck himself for his own CD album. I could probably nitpick my way through this remix to find tiny little faults in it, but frankly, who cares. It's a great remix and the love of the original shines through this one like a beacon. Great remix! |
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The Last V8 - arranged by GurbzReview by LaLa, 22/03/2026 Welcome to the remix community, Gurbz! I really like this debut remix of yours! All the personal touches you've added to the original arrangement really make it stand out. Really top-notch. But to be honest, I think the mix could be better, it doesn't quite has the clarity and crispiness I'd expect from a hard rock tune, but I'm willing to overlook that, since everything else with this remix is just so good. |
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Giana Sisters Medley feat. Romeo Knight (Encore500 V2) - arranged by Peter Clarke, Jogeir Liljedahl & Barry LeitchReview by LaLa, 20/03/2026 I don't know if we ever had a posthumous release of a remix either on AmigaRemix or RKO, so Pete may have just won that category, too. Although I wish he didn't… The first two minutes are so unmistakably Pete: the intricate layers of plucked instruments with some slow string as pads. That's definitely his signature. The slow and elegiac parts that follow are just incredibly mournful, asking the listener to stop and reflect. The closing minutes are pure bliss, with a more positive message, asking us to be thankful for what we've been able to enjoy during our short time together here on Earth. Life is too short to waste… What a fitting closure this track is to the entire album! Incredibly thoughtful and very well executed. My sincere thanks to the entire Encore team! |
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Blood Valley - arranged by Eivind SommerstenReview by LaLa, 08/03/2026 The intro flute sounds wonderful! I presume it's a SWAM instrument? But that hard-to-explain human touch just flows through the entire piece in every single instrument. The crescendo with the choir is just superb, and then the single voice finishing it up all makes it sound very cinematic. Top-notch production. |
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International Karate (revived) - arranged by Puffy64Review by LaLa, 27/02/2026 This is a real gem - and its unmistakably Puffy-esque. You did the best you could with the 10+ and 20+ years old material you had at hand. I, for one, am glad you released it! Musically, kudos for tackling the entire tune - and more. Maybe a break here and there would've been welcome to give our ears a chance to recover from the onslaught of heavy electric guitars, but then again, the original SID doesn't let up much, either. Thanks for saving this remix and uploading it! |
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Skate or Die (tsr ocean drive remix) - arranged by tsrReview by LaLa, 24/02/2026 If there was a specific genre targeted with this remix, then I'm afraid it went over my head. There's a pad that sort of washes out the entire mix when it's there. The lead sounds too flat and uninteresting. The bass starting @ 3:03 (that is, when it's not doing the rapid staccatos) sounds pretty cool, though. |
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Times of Lore - arranged by Eivind SommerstenReview by LaLa, 09/02/2026 What a lovely rendition of Times of Lore! A long time ago I tried to tackle the same tune the same way (with a piano playing the arpeggios), but I was far less successful at it than you were, which is why that remix never got released. 🙂 And the way you continue building up the tune with additional instruments was a great idea. The percussion fits in perfectly, too. I quite like the the synth lead at the end, too, a bit Vangelisy with its CS-80-ish quality, plus with its softness and lush reverb. Well done! |
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Way of the Exploding Fist - arranged by Kent WalldénReview by LaLa, 09/02/2026 Not many remixes stand the test of time, but here we are, almost 26 years later and I still enjoy listening to this one as much as ever. The dancey-trancey treatment that WOTEF got here fits surprisingly well. I also love those echoes that are all over the place, they really give this remix a unique character. Even the instruments don't sound as outdated as maybe they should, they are all tightly woven together. |
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Human Race - arranged by Eivind SommerstenReview by LaLa, 20/12/2025 This is quite the fresh take on the music of Human Race! Especially with all these fantastic synthetic sounds that are tickling my ears in all the right places. All packaged into this unnerving and somewhat sinister soundscape. I am almost relieved when it's over! (That's not a bad thing at all: it evokes a strong emotion in the listener, and that's good.) But while it still gets a red smilie from me, I don't think it's quite up to the very high standard that Eivind set for himself. Not sure why, can't quite put my finger on it. Still excellent, just not Eivind excellent. Maybe I just need to listen to it more. |
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Ghouls 'n Ghosts (Level 2) - arranged by Thomas BendtReview by LaLa, 19/12/2025 The genius of this orchestral arrangement is that it sounds incredibly natural. As in, sure, this sounds exactly how Ghouls'n Ghosts should sound like - how else would this SID tune be arranged for an orchestra? EXACTLY! Achieving that kind of spontaneity with a full orchestral arrangement takes talent - and I'm sure a lot of practice, too. Thomas obviously has both in spades. I will make the inevitable comparison to the version heard on the 8-bit Symphony album, which is another fantastic arrangement of this tune and has its own charm. But Thomas obviously had access to a wider range of sample libraries here than what the Czech Studio Orchestra could provide on that album, so he was able to make this tune sound fuller and more complex. Again, I cannot stress how incredibly well-arranged and well-orchestrated this remix is. I really, really enjoy it! |
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Legend of Kage - arranged by OJ OscillationReview by LaLa, 17/12/2025 Plus points for originality, minus points for the rap and spoken word samples (I'm not against them in general, but these specific ones sound out of place), plus points for the great groove in the first 2 and a half minutes, more plus points for the extended 'improv' section in the rest of the remix, minus points for dragging it out a bit too long. |
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Monty Goes Commando - arranged by JB XplodingfistReview by LaLa, 13/12/2025 Of course! Why didn't anybody else think of this before? Combine Hubbard's two famous high-score ballads! So obvious in hindsight! Lots of kudos for the idea alone. The implementation - well, that falls a bit short. The instrumentation sounds more like something coming out of a cheap Casio synth. And I wish the two themes were blended together better in the arrangement. But again, high marks for the basic idea itself. |
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Apidya (End Credits) - arranged by Tim ForsythReview by LaLa, 01/12/2025 Top notch production crafted with so much care. No wonder it was the runner-up at BIT Live 2025's Remix Compo! Well done, Tim! Now, go ahead and finish it, please, because it feels like you got cut off at the 4 min mark due to the compo limits. 😉 |
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Cruisin - arranged by Jogeir LiljedahlReview by LaLa, 01/12/2025 I know this may sound like a cliché after the fact, but it's true: the first time I heard this remix after Jogeir submitted it to the BIT Live 2025 Remix Compo I thought: this is the winner. And so it was. Not just because its high quality production, not just because of the superb arrangement, but because of its humanity. It touched me, it moved me, and it still does every time I listen to it. Thank you, Jogeir! |
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Jack the Nipper - arranged by NecroPoloReview by LaLa, 24/11/2025 Sounded amazing on the speakers at BIT Live 2025. But even on a more meager setup this tune ROCKS. And the William Wobler inserts are brilliant. 🙂Should've been in the top 3 at the compo. |
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Last Ninja (Song 11 - The Dungeons Loader) - arranged by SoundLogicReview by LaLa, 11/11/2025 And now we arrive to the last Last Ninja track remixed by SoundLogic in his epic quest to remix all LN tunes. This one is probably the best I've heard, with electric guitars driven hard, and with a pretty good instrumentation overall. Yet again, though, I will complain about the mixing. It's just too low in volume. I think this could be amplified a lot more, maybe emphasize the bass frequencies a bit more, and then you would have a really energetic piece at your hand. As it is right now, the final mix is too soft, especially for this genre. As a closing thought on all your Last Ninja remixes, SoundLogic: thank you! Thanks for tackling all 11 subtunes with the care and attention they deserve! This was an epic undertaking by you that should not be underestimated. |
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Last Ninja (Song 10 - The Palace) - arranged by SoundLogicReview by LaLa, 11/11/2025 A pretty good arrangement, which is not too surprising, because it follows the original fairly closely. The instrumentation is quite pleasant, too. However, the mixing could've pushed the volume higher, plus I think with other mixing techniques (compression, EQ, etc.) more energy could've been infused into it. |
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Last Ninja (Song 9 - The Dungeons) - arranged by SoundLogicReview by LaLa, 11/11/2025 I actually like how you borrowed some sounds from the original SID: why reinvent the wheel when it was already done right once? This remix is eerie and scary, precisely how it was supposed to sound like. If I heard this remix on this level of the original game, I would've been crapping in my pants for sure. The instrumentation is a bit sparse, but well-chosen. The plinky, almost bright lead that first appears at 4:43, was, IMHO, not a good choice in this otherwise dark piece. But the rest of this remix is pretty good. |
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Last Ninja (Song 8 - Palace Gardens) - arranged by SoundLogicReview by LaLa, 10/11/2025 The East Asian influence in the instrumentation is admirable, but it all sounds a bit stale and lifeless. I think that's more or less down to the so-so quality of the instrumentation. The arrangement is fairly good, I like the direction it takes, although at times it is punctuated by synths that seem to pop out of nowhere and sound out of place (e.g. at 3:19). BTW, in the intro I spotted what I think is a bug: at 0:23 the lead on the flute misses a note, as if the flute sample didn't go that low. |
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