Here are a few of my picks for favorite DoD tracks. It was difficult for me to pare down to even this many, as I think there are a ton of great artists and songs on the site. Nevertheless, these are a lot of the 'classic' DoD tracks - lots of metal and medlies - as well as a few of the more varied songs we've had. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.
Zealous Entropy by Ashane (Chrono Trigger)
Zealous Entropy is a classic DoD track, a lengthy and progged out Chrono trigger track with a slow lead in that eventually turns to blistering solos. Back then this was pretty mindblowing and set the stage for some of the longer "megamedleys" that often took high spots in the comp. Must have if you enjoy Chrono Trigger and guitar. Also I think Ashane was 15 or something when this was recorded? It's impressive.
Doki Doki Panic (And Mario Too) by Hat (Super Mario Bros)
Hat brings us a trumpet and guitar version of the SMB theme, with a laid back feel, like an old time blues or jazz song. There's a great scat finish as well, this shows the level of variance that exists in DoD tracks.
Scourge of 1691 (Castlevania 1) and
Creeping Dusk both by Goat
(Castlevania 2, 3, LoI, CoD)
These two tracks are incredible metal megamedleys with neo-classical elements. As they are far too metal for the mortal mind, treat these tracks with care and don't let them out after dark.
Fall of Ironspire by norg (Wizards and Warriors)
Here one takes a number of W&W themes as well as musical styles and fuses them into an ultimate creation of ROCK (and piano). norg's ability on multiple instruments and strength in composition shine through well here.
8 Worlds of Gloom by Gonzo and Cedric (Legend of Zelda)
Gloom is a good descriptor for this creepy track that explores the Legend of Zelda dungeon theme. This came out in October and I drove around listening to it at night on Halloween - it was pretty fitting.
Eternal Wind by Select Start (Final Fantasy 3)
Full bands submitting to DoD always makes me pretty happy. Select Start has a classical and mostly acoustic take on game music that is expressed well in this beautiful tune.
Liberate by ansgaros (Parasite Eve)
This is one of ansgaros' softer tunes, focusing on an alternation of piano and guitar that invokes (to me) despair in both the quieter and heavier sections. It's a change from some of his normal face-smashing metal, but quite enjoyable.
Octarthritic by Zoast (8 Eyes)
8 Eyes highly confused me as a child, but the music was great. Zoast chose to do an elegant straightforward acoustic cover of a couple themes here that brought me right back to wondering how to control that damn bird.
My Other Jeep's Got Missiles by M-H (Jackal)
When you combine a hard-hitting track from a NES game with a thrashy metal artist like M-H, you get a truly kickass and energetic song such as this. Jackal is one of my favorite old NES soundtracks and this truly does it justice to my ears.
Running After You by Darangen (Chrono Cross)
One of the appeals of Darangen's music to me is his ability to really convey emotion through his playing. The Chrono series had an amazing soundtrack and this interpretation does not dissapoint.
Light in the Fortress by housethegrate (Mega Man X)
housethegrate is one of the virtuosos of the community, a wonderful player and musician. Light in the Fortress shows off his skills with a highly charged version of two Mega Man X tracks and is eeriely similar to a Konami-made remix that came out later than his version. Fans in Japan perhaps?
Forlorn Dream by Ryan8bit (King's Quest V)
Without Ryan8bit, DoD probably wouldn't have made it past the first year. He supported the site with a new song every month for many years, even taking over a month or two when I was on vacation and couldn't handle it. His music has improved greatly over the years. This is one of his classic tracks, an almost Opeth-y version of a KQV song, with lyrics. Thanks for all the help Ryan.
Flying Hachi Roku by Ailsean (F-Zero)
It'd be impossible to make a list of my favorite songs without having at least one Ailsean track. Ailsean has always had my favorite tone and playing style and I was kind of dumbfounded the first time he submitted something to DoD - this was back when it was a very small site and I was offered something by one of the most popular guitarists in the scene. This is a rockin track with Ailsean's touch on it, even if it is one of his older tracks by now.
StarFox Forever by CarboHydroM (StarFox)
CarboHydroM has a lot of great punk-ish songs, but this one has always been my favorite. This is a cover of Corneria complete with lyrics and soundclips from the game that's well done and uplifting - a real head bobber. While Carbo chose to not submit it as a main entry due his track being inspired by a Matt Murdock version, it was one of the best tracks that month.
Blasphemously Awaiting the Frostbitten Mako Reaction Atop the Highest Crest of a Grim and Anxious Heart While Raiding Weapons on a Fjord Off the Edge of Despair as The Planet Cries (Mako Reaction) by Kadmium (Final Fantasy VII)
If you're a fan of black metal, you've probably identified the genre of this song by title alone. With a combination of heavy guitars, death growls and blastbeats, Kadmium transformed a number of FF7 tracks into a track that is blacker than the blackest black, times infinity.
Crystal Flash by virt (Super Metroid)
Another of the megamedleys, virt took all (or all but one) songs from Super Metroid and melded them together in an ultimate prog-metal fusion. virt's work is always amazing to listen to and any fan of Super Metroid has no excuse to not listen.
I picked a good mix of old and new here. If you're looking for more, try any other song by any of these artists, or any of the top few scorers from any month!
Ashane - Ninjascape (Ninja Gaiden 2)
A classic from the early days of DoD, this song has an 80's rock/metal feel to it. Energetic with some excellent displays of guitar playing.
Darangen - Deadly Promises (Final Fantasy 6)
Ever since Terra In Black, people have been saying there's no reason to do Terra's theme. This song proves them wrong quite thoroughly. A moderately soft rock mix with an excellent texture to it. Quite emotional.
Danimal Cannon - Fear My Lowered Coefficent of Friction (Blaster Master)
It's tough to choose a best song from Dan, as most of his songs are guaranteed to be awesome proggy metal with a touch of Meshuggah-rythyms. This one is moderately aggressive with a break into a slightly more textured section for a great guitar solo.
housethegrate - Waltz of the Dolls (Final Fantasy 4)
Alex is one of those people who could make a living composing all different kinds of music, I think. This is a jazzy hard rock piece with piano, saxophone, and guitar solos, and my personal favorite of his.
goat - The Ice Beam Cometh (Metroid, Super Metroid)
The classic Castlevania remixer, goat breaks away from his trademark series for a bit to bring a Metroid/Super Metroid medley. Mid-tempo, groovy, and all-around badass.
Hale-Bopp - Summertime (Star Ocean)
Looking for something light, fun, and happy? Look no further. This is a vocal pop-punk mix that'll have you tapping toes, snapping fingers, and waving around all sorts of other body parts.
BrainCells and Dennis - Spread Your Fire Against Me (Contra: Shattered Soldier, Super C)
Looking for the opposite of light, fun, and happy? Well here you go. This is a furious death metal song, complete with growls from Dennis Mott of Canadian metal bands Dissolution and Putrescence.
KiddCabbage - That Fuzzy Green Feeling (Super Metroid)
One of Jon's shorter entries but by no means unimpressive. An excellent blend of guitars and synths in a constantly changing and growing metal song (with a dance section!).
Kadmium and Jim Grey - Aria de Mezzo Carattere (Final Fantasy 6)
The obvious focal point of this mix is the vocal work of Jim Grey. Very powerful, emotional vocals over excellent orchestral samples.
Master Hatchet - Sandwich Nova (Legend of Mana)
This song was a personal favor for me in exchange for a sandwich; although the fact that he was compensated makes it less a favor and more selling out. Look for M-H's album guest starring Xzibit and Madonna this fall. Before that, though, listen to this power metal rendition of a song that was just begging for it.
Ryan8Bit - Kuros Shot the Food (Gauntlet, Wizards & Warriors)
Ryan's style varies from awesome to other kinds of awesome, but this particular song is very aggressive rock. A clever blend of two classic themes and my favorite of the MAGfest 6 batch.
pingosimon - Home Sweet Home (Final Fantasy 5)
A little sick of rock? Then try this song. Andre plays basically every instrument that's ever been created, and he used a bunch of them to make this cover. Violin, acoustic guitar, flute, and contrabass at the very least.
Hope Fails - Wow, That Spaceship Looks Just Like a Fish (Darius Twin)
Synth-heavy rock with a distinctly happy feel to it. Very energetic and pleasant, like any of Hope Fails' songs.
AbsoluteZero - Brinstar Unplugged (Super Metroid)
Probably one of the most underappreciated DoD entries. This song is a very groovy acoustic rendition of the classic Brinstar theme.
PrinceOfDarkness - The Hot Pink of Blues (Final Fantasy 6)
A relative newcomer to DoD, Tony has only entered twice--and he won both times! With songs like this, it's not hard to see why. An excellent arrangement and a great, soulful performance on guitar.
norg - Black Ice (Mega Man X)
Another artist that I had a very difficult time picking a song from. George's work is generally similar to an instrumental Dream Theater, and this is no exception; energetic and technical prog metal with lots of synth/guitar interplay.
XMark - Still Alive (Portal)
Look at me still ROCKING when there's science to do. . .
