Ages ago, when we were working a decrepit drum counter at our then-local Guitar Center, we figured out we could use auxiliary and bluetooth connections to send audio into certain monitors. This meant that we could covertly drown out the drivel of corporate overhead radio stations with whatever we could access from our phone.
But what could we play that was subtle enough to pass as a hardware test? Well, that’s where our 8-bit journey really began. Obviously, we grew up playing games with 8-bit soundtracks, but they quickly gave way to 16 and 32-bit, and then of course the 2000’s saw the meteoric rise of mp3’s, digital files that not only saved spaced, but allowed for the import of larger compositions.
(Yeah, we were blasting this while selling drum sticks, moon gels, and hardware.)
Somehow, we happened on the idea that streaming 8-bit covers of prog metal and math rock wouldn’t disturb the customers so much as intrigue them, especially if we just tell them we are testing the capabilities of various speakers, receivers, etc. Did it matter that we were listening to Between the Buried and Me‘s seminal work Colors as interpreted by 8BitProximusic, confounding the masses at every turn? Not really – in the end, it worked for over a year before anyone said anything, which was time enough for us to transfer to a different department where streaming high-fidelity audio couldn’t get you fired.
So if you find yourself in a similar position, unsure how to keep your ears occupied but and not fully committed to particular dynamic, try these covers below. There are hundreds more out there to enjoy, especially if you like heavier music, but for now, these are the 8 best 8-bit covers we could find when it comes to math rock classics.
1. TTNG – “26 is Dancier Than 4” (rearranged by xFallenDemon99x)
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xFallenDemon99x made sure to include the all-important vocal lines on this cover, and it’s a great context for Stewart’s extended lines to see new life. The guitar melody is spot-on too, making for a busy but tranquil ride through the math rock anthem.
2. Protest the Hero – “Sequoia Throne” (rearranged by Ninja914)
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This one goes crazy – Ninja914’s interpolation of each instrument gives “Sequoia Throne” even more boss-vibes, which is a feat because almost all of Fortress feels that way without the 8-bit treatment. In fact, xTwilightxxPrincessx covered almost the entire album this way so if you’re looking for an extended thrill-ride, check it out here.
3. Tera Melos – “Trash Generator” (rearranged by Tridenttail)
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This chip-y cover from Tridenttail (Tera Melos tribute there) feels a lot like an old-school battle sequence from something like Pokemon or Dragon Warrior thanks to it’s accentuated modal manglings, but more importantly the rhythmic wackiness crave in those drums. One musician’s 8-bit trash, another gamer’s 8-bit treasure, we say. Except it’s not trash at all.
4. Delta Sleep – “The Detail” (rearranged by max!!)
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Almost as soon as we heard “The Detail” off of Delta Sleep’s last year’s Spring Island, we knew we’d want to hear an 8-bit cover of it. It’s friendly, it’s smart, and the stop-start interplay between the vocals and guitars translates perfectly to the chirpy world of chip-tune.
5. Don Caballero – “June is Finally Here” (rearranged by Luigi Cierello)
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This is an exceptionally well done cover – it almost feels like it bends the rules to fit the context of 8-bit, but it’s actually faithful to the free flowing original in a way that feels like a perfect homage to a band we thought was too weird to turn to translate. Thankfully, we were wrong!
6. Slint – “Good Morning, Captain” (rearranged by B4rbaric)
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This is another one we didn’t expect to love, but ended up being a perfect addition. B4rbaric captures the songs, seasick, floppy guitar lines in a way you still feel in your gut with some deep modulation, taking us to moments in Final Fantasy or Kingdom Hearts when you’re traveling through sketchy environments or talking to unscrupulous characters.
7. And So I Watch You From Afar – “BEAUTIFULUNIVERSEMASTERCHAMPION” (rearranged by Pixel Q6)
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You’d be forgiven for thinking that there’s no way an 8-bit cover of one of ASIWYFA’s most massive songs would be terribly exciting. However, Pixel Q6 nails the important parts – in this format, “BEAUTIFULUNIVERSEMASTERCHAMPION” is an absolute celebration on all fronts. What’s funny is after hearing the song like this, you could see how it wasn’t such a big stylistic jump from Gangs to it’s joyous followup, All Hail Bright Futures.
8. CHON – “Sleepy Tea” (rearranged by Aeroix)
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Ah, CHON and 8-bit honestly go together like pizza and red wine… it’s just snazzy, you know? This slick cover of “Sleepy Tea” was originally done by xFallenDemon99x, but Aeroix but bass on drums on it after, making for a very full, and very nostalgic blast of energy despite the song’s title.
BONUS ROUND: standards – “8bit”
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In all fairness, nearly the entirety of Fruit Town plays like a game of Mario Party, but “8bit” gets a special shoutout for obvious reasons. One could easily argue that standards’ music has been dying to be used in video games for a long time, but we’re routinely overjoyed by their work in the present context – let ’em cook, we say.
BONUS ROUND: SUDDEN DEATH
Closure in Moscow – “ピンクレモネード”
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We couldn’t resist passing this one along in case you’d missed it back in the day. At the end of the band’s bombastic 2014 album Pink Lemonade, Closure in Moscow capped things off with this 8-bit fever dream featuring Midori Kurihara of YMCK. Enjoy it as many times as you need. But don’t try to comprehend it. You probably don’t need to.
(Thanks for playing! For more music, check out our Bandcamp compilations here. If you like us, or possibly even love us, donations are appreciated at the Buy Me A Coffee page here.)