Instant Remedy's "Insert Disk 2" -Ears on the Amiga remix album

In 2015 easier tasks exist than listening unreservedly to a newly released Amiga remix album, because the legendary but still great melodies have been played too often up and down in recent years. Things may change when you learn about a new album which was produced by two bona fide pop music producers, while one of them (Holger Lagerfeldt) has even mastered the winning song of the EuroVision Song Contest 2015. So what is it all about Instant Remedy's Insert Disk 2, which has recently been published by the label010101Music? And most of all: How does it sound?

The Commodore Amiga computer proudly turned 30 this year. All over the world fans and celebrities are celebrating together the era of one of the most important cult computers. The Amiga is currently in focus again everywhere - although he was never completely gone. The demoscene have always been active and in recent years fine new games were released. Some of them were dig out of the dirt, others have been ported from different systems such as the Atari ST, or unfinished projects have been completed, as proven by visiting the English Amiga Board. With help of emulators those classic games can be played on modern hardware, because above all the games are the reason why the Amiga owes its status as a legend.

Cult games, cult music
Who does not know the action-packed spectacle Turrican or crushing shoot 'em ups likeBattle Squadron. Is there anybody around who was not impressed by the perfectly designed pinball tables of Pinball Dreams? Didn't you enjoy racing on the slopes with your red car in Lotus Turbo Challenge 2?In addition to graphics and gameplay games like these remained legendary mainly because of their music. Sound virtuosos such as Chris Hülsbeck, Allister Brimble, Olof Gustafsson or Jochen Hippel are inextricably linked with the history of the Amiga. With the album Insert Disk 2Instant Remedy sets these and other artists of the time upas a virtual monument. A total of twelve tracks from well-known Amiga games were adopted by the Swedish remix artist. He hasrearranged these sounds and adapted them technically to modern standards.

Take your time
Almost eight years have passed until Martin Noriander, the real name of Instant Remedy, was able to complete his new album. That's quite some time during which both remix scenes, the Commodore 64 one, as well as musicians from the Amiga corner released tonnes of high-class new arrangements of popular tunes on the web. This means a heavy burden lies on the shoulders of the arranger. Which direction should he take for his songs? Should he dig more into unknown territory and put some not so popular titles into his chest? The 2011 published Sampler Immortal 4 has already demonstrated that this could work in an excellent way. Or should Martin head into the direction of the usual well-known soundtracks of Amiga games? Those which are the reason why the Amiga and its works are immortal.

Eight years in the works, now Martian Noriander, alias Instant Remedy, has finished his Insert Disk 2 album.

The sound of Germany
Well, Instant Remedy takes no risk. He focus on the well proven and familiar styles, is only making subtle modifications here and there. Overall can be said that these cult tunes from classic games sound much cleaner now. A circumstance for which probably Holger Lagerfeldt is responsible for. He took care of the mastering of the CD, while another legend, Thomas Detert, gave advice to the remix artist.

Masterpieces such the ones created by Chris Hülsbeck and Jochen Hippel he summarizes together in a megamix. Tunes from Turrican 1 and 2, Quik & Silva, and Apprentice earn new fame and glory in a 17-minute lasting monster track. Although it seems that here and there the tunes have been speed up a bit the new instrumentation does not reach the quality of the versions that Hülsbeck wrote for his powerful Turrican Soundtrack Anthology by himself. More than once, the main melody sounds a bit thin and imposes itself thinly in the foreground as you would not expect from hearing the original. Even a little more reverberation at some places would have been a good decision to increase the atmosphere. Most of the time Martin Noriander moves close to the original pieces and does not break with the original synth-pop style.

The other megamix, this time featuring music composed by Jochen "Mad Max" Hippel, consists of the awesome soundtracks from Lethal Xcess, Wings of Death, Chambers of Shaolin and Warp. Moreover, even the RSI Theme is included, which dates back to Hippel's demoscene era. With a total running time of 14 minutes this mix is ​​slightly shorter than the one which honors Hülsbeck. Unfortunately the same as before can be said for this megamix. It all sounds neat and modern, is well arranged and well mixed together, but still sounds almost like a 1: 1 copy of the legendary original sounds. Of course there still exists enough pleasure for listening, because we aren't talking about one-hit-wonder music, but of fascinating melodies you can safely listen to up and down to, even after more than 20 years.

Holland vs. England
With the in-game music and the game over track from Battle Squadron, two more classic Amiga game tunes cavort on this disc. While Ron Klaren's first masterpiece sounds as usual, the new version of the Game Over track is enriched by the soft dance style which let your lips whistle to it automatically and gets your feet stomping to the rhythm of these sounds.

Also England's music veteran Allister Brimble is represented on Insert Disk 2with two songs. It's really honorable to hear the theme music from the fighting game Full Contact on this album, because it's one of the less well-known songs by the English sound Wizard. Unlike to the new Battle Squadron Game Over tune version the dance elements in this, originally so atmospheric, Japanese music sounds rather disturbing. Brimble's second piece on this album is unfortunately the theme music from Project-X. Again, I have to say, because it's one of the most remixed soundtracks of the Amiga era. Even on Amiga Works, Allister's own remix album which was one of his not so entertaining ones, this remix failed in gaining the listener's attention. Instant Remedy's version here lacks the freshness which is so desperately needed.

On the other side there's the title theme from the Vietnam game Lost Patrol. Here Martin Noriander has expanded the formative original melody by Chris Glaister with meaningful effects and arrangements. He used perfectly sounding instruments which intensify the atmosphere a lot. Unfortunately that's just a short trip up into music heaven, because the remix of Lotus Turbo Challenge 2 bring your feet down onto normal ground again. Especially the arrangement of the lead melody really misses something, misses some cool sounding stuff which will give you that special kick that lifts up this remix from the original.

Nostalgia cracked!
We're heading towards the end, because there are only three tracks left to listen to. Nightmare, for example, that creepy song used for one of the pinball tables in Pinball Dreams, which also catches the overall impression. But then comes a track that actually does not want to fit into the existing concept, which uses groovy drums and a magical melody to make a successful impression: The music from the legendary Paranoimia Cracktro, originally composed by Enzo Cage. That's ironic, because a cult-track from the pirate scene, remixed in pure perfection, saves this album. Here Instant Remedy proves his skills, showing the courage to innovate and hits the mark with each note.

Nevertheless Paranoimia Cracktro isn't the best track on Insert Disk 2. This honor remains in the hands of music for games. So what's that example of a fresh remix which sounds so fresh and new, which is filled with energy without undermining the fascination of the original sounds? Well, it's a guest appearance, a song from Peter W: Turrican - The Tower. It's really interesting to see how Peter leads the listeners into the wrong direction. At first he stays in the shadows, because it's impossible to recognize what's coming up here with those great sounding drums which create a thrilling mood. Later you'll know which track was remixed here, but that intense atmosphere will never leave you alone till the end is reached. 

Chris Hülsbeck with his brand new Insert Disk 2 CD.

Conclusion
If an Amiga remix would like to knock my socks off in the year 2015 I expect one thing: courage! Courage to innovate, the willingness to break new grounds and not to listen to songs only in better sound quality which I've heard already a hundred times. It is not necessary frantically to pick up every trend for reaching that goal. The 100th dubstep remix can bore to death and miss the necessary atmosphere.

Unfortunately, it's exactly that courage that most tunes are missing on Insert Disk 2. A new bassline has been installed here and some dance music parts have been added there. That all sounds nice, because there's a reason why these iconic sounds are legendary, but that's not enough. Ironically it's guest musician Peter W. who's pointing with his remix of Turrican - The Tower how to make a modern, fresh sounding remix. Instant Remedyis unable to leave that shadow behind, except from the tracks Paranoimia Cracktro- Ready and Lost Patrol, where's he's really close to do so. Unfortunately most other tracks do not impose their selves further on. In my opinion it's the long production time which has a negative impact here, because the remix scene has evolved in the last years.

By no means Insert Disk 2 isn't a bad album, because the melodies ignite even after more than 20 years in an inimitable way. Die hard Amiga fans who just cannot get enough of their favorite tunes, and listeners who value authentic melodies that are close to the original will be well served. However, those who followed the remix scene might be disappointed.

Insert Disk 2 is released through 010101 Music, costs 17,50 Euro (including postage and packaging) and is produced with a nicely designed digipack cover.

Track-List:
1.) Battle Squadron "Ingame"
2.) Lotus Turbo Challenge 2
3.) Paranoimia Cracktro "Ready"
4.) Seven Gates of Jambala
5.) Jochen Hippel Megamix
6.) Lost Patrol
7.) Project X
8.) Chris Huelsbeck Megamix
9.) Battle Squadron "Game Over"
10.) Full Contact
11.) Turrican "The Tower"
12.) Pinball Dreams "Nightmare"

Personal favorites: Turrican - The Tower, Paranoimia Cracktro, Lost Patrol

Thanks to ne7 for proof-reading and correcting the translation.

Image source: Jan Zottmann, Ronald van Dijk