The Triforce of Bass is an interesting album for me. While I’m not normally a fan of electronica, the best way I can describe most of the album is a mix of classic Zelda music intermingled with some electronic flavor.
This album is a compilation of three artists, each of whom takes a slightly different approach to their five-track contribution.
Tracks 1-5, by DJ CUTMAN and Spamtron, have the most discrete “layers” of all the tracks: the underlying tune is very faithful to the NES sound chip, with electronic additions on top. It could be argued that these tracks are the least remixed, though since many of them cover Zelda II — a personal favorite of mine musically — I’m quite pleased with the results.
Next is Mykah on tracks 6-10, who shifts the balance slightly by having a higher ratio of electronic to classic tunes. The underlying music is more heavily remixed as well. Mykah’s tracks are solid, particularly the standout dungeon remix from A Link to the Past and another take on Zelda II’s palace theme. Mykah blends in each game’s sound effects in some of these to great… well, effect.
Closing out the album are dj-Jo’s tunes, starting with Midna’s Lament. This is a rare remix from 2006’s Twilight Princess, something I have mixed feelings about. It’s a somber piece at its core, and while this version begins true to that spirit, it quickly becomes more heavy techno than anything. While not bad, it’s so far removed from Midna’s theme that it’s a little jarring.
I have a similar love/hate relationship with the remainder of dj-Jo’s tracks: there’s quite a bit I like about them (and major kudos are deserved for including Link’s Awakening), but the techno aspects so strongly overtake one’s eardrums that I found myself listening to these songs much less than I listened to the first ten.
The Triforce of Bass is an album that is both very familiar and a new take on some of the Zelda series’ most memorable tracks. While some of the album wasn’t exactly my style, if you’re more a fan of electronica than I, odds are you’ll get more out of it. Even so, I was surprised at how much I did enjoy of the album, and the Zelda II, A Link to the Past, & Link’s Awakening tracks are strong enough that I recommend checking it out regardless.
