Thomas Bendt - Ghouls 'n Ghosts (Level 2)
1545. in all-time charts
Technique
Artistic skill
Nostalgia factor
Overall rating
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!
