Originally created for Dwelling of Duel's monthly contest, the theme of July 2024 being a free month, where it placed 12th out of 32 main entries. The original mix can be found here.

Continuing this trend of VGM mashups in 2024 from Seph and myself, this heavy take on the final battle from the first generation Pokemon games features our pals Xaleph on organ and Cyril the Wolf on bass. Putting it all together was a blast to do and wouldn't have been possible without stellar performances from our collaborators.

Essentially, it's Final Battle! (Rival), but what if it was Damage, Inc?

Stats for Nerds

Key: E Phrygian, E Locrian, E Mixolydian

Time/Tempo: 4/4 @ 172bpm (with a single bar of 2/4 before the first verse)

Sources:

“Final Battle! (Rival)” by Junichi Masuda

”Battle! (Gym Leader)” by Junichi Masuda

”Battle! (Gym Leader - Kanto)” by Junichi Masuda; arr. Go Ichinose

”Damage, Inc” by James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, Cliff Burton, and Lars Ulrich

Credits:

ParadiddlesJosh (arrangement, drum programming, add. organ programming, VST guitar programming, mixing, lyrics)

PixelSeph (guitars, vocals, lyrics)

Cyril the Wolf (bass)

Xaleph (organ, mastering)

Joo *Johnnyz* Buaes on VG Music (MIDI transcriptions)

VST Instruments Used:

• Arturia B3 V2
• iK Multimedia MODO BASS 2 (P Bass)
• ML Sound Lab ML Drums
• NI Kontakt 6 (Hunter’s Tonewheel Organ - Fundamentals, Impact Soundworks Shreddage 3 Stratus FREE)
• Spitfire Audio LABS (Astral Forms - Bowed Guitar Drone)
• Steven Slate Drums 5.5

VST Effects Used:

• Arturia Bus EXCITER, Chorus DIMENSION-D, Comp DIODE-609, Comp FET-76, Comp TUBE-STA, Comp VCA-65, Delay TAPE-201, Flanger BL-20, Pre 1973, Rev LX-24 Rev PLATE-140, Rev SPRING-636, Tape MELLO-FI
• Audio Assault Amp Locker, KLANK
• Celemony Melodyne 5
• iZotope Ozone Advanced 10, Ozone RX 8
• Korneff Audio El Juan Limiter
• Plugin Alliance Ampeg SVTVR Classic, brainworx_opto, Black Box Analog Design HG-2
• Presonus Binaural Pan, Compressor, Gate, Mixtool, Pro EQ
• TDR Nova
• Signalizer
• Spectre Digital Cockblocker
• STL Tones Emissary, NadIR

Pixelseph's guitars recorded using a Line 6 JTV-59 Variax through a Line 6 Helix LT, vocals recorded using a Focusrite Scarlett CM25 mkIII LDC mic into a Solid State Logic SSL2 into Studio One 4.

Cyril the Wolf’s bass recorded using a Yamaha RBX765A. Direct signal went through a Rupert Neve Designs RNDI into an Audience ID14MK1. Amped tone went into a Bad Monkey Overdrive, MXR 76 Bass Compressor and Tech 21 VT Bass Deluxe into a Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 via ADAT into an Audience ID14MK1.

Xaleph’s M100 organ patch recorded using a Panorama P6 controller in Reason 13.

Arranged in Guitar Pro 7 and TuxGuitar. Edited and mixed in Studio One 4. Mastered in Reason 13.

LYRICS:

Just picked out my starter Pokemon

My rival always picks the opposite one

Grandson of professor - what’s-his-name?

Since he’s asking me, it’s something lame!

Running into tall grass for a rat

Catch a bird or three just like that

Never go again into the cave

If I see another Zubat, I will rage

Bulbasaur to Mew

Pets that battle for you

(It's Janken with extra steps)

Catching Pokemon is what I do

Saved my master ball for that Mewtwo

Getting all the badges, one by one

And stomping all my rivals ‘til I’m done

Battling is my only excuse

Try avoiding trainers, but it’s no use

Everyone who sees me wants to play

I'm never gonna lose, what do you say?

Bulbasaur to Mew

Pikachu, I choose you!

(Pika Pikachu!)

We’re going to the top

We’re never gonna stop

Straight through the Elite Four

And now we'll steal your thunder

(Indigo incorporated)

Fire, water, 'lectric, grass and bug

Fighting, psychic, normal, ghost and poison

Ground and flying, dragon, fairy, ice

Dark and steel and rock all will suffice

Recoil move users I will shun

You won't ever see me use Submission

Make a hundred fifty-one new friends

And send Team Rocket blasting off again!

Bulbasaur to Mew

It's Red versus Blue

(Indigo Incorporated)