This is somewhat related to my previous thread Do these count as the same recording? but these recordings are a little different and I wanted some opinions as this will apply to many tracks on Power of Darkness, Volume 2: Action.
So far the tracks I have looked at that prompted this topic can be heard here:
Argovia vs Argovia (alternate mix)
Argovia (no choir) vs Argovia (alternate mix, no choir)
He Who Brings the Night vs He Who Brings the Night (alternate mix)
He Who Brings the Night (no choir) vs He Who Brings the Night (alternate mix, no choir)
So these tracks, unlike my previous topic, don’t appear to add or remove anything in the “alternate mix” versions and appear to be volume changes like a remaster. However, after reading the remix definition at Terminology - MusicBrainz I am not sure if they are a remaster or a remix.
Generally, all Two Steps From Hell tracks consist of stems that create the final track, they are just not always available to the public, as is the case with these. So now rather than the “normal” version and “alternate mix” being modifications or a single consecutive recording, each stem is adjusted and then combined to make the released track.
Exaggerated hypothetical example (since I don’t know the particular stems here and basing off stems from other tracks):
Argovia stems:
choir: 100%
drums: 100%
guitars: 60%
orchestra: 90%
bass: 70%
piano: 90%
violins: 100%
Argovia (alternative mix) stems:
choir: 80%
drums: 70%
guitars: 100%
orchestra: 60%
bass: 80%
piano: 70%
violins: 80%
In this scenario does this still count as a remaster or do these count as a remix because individual parts were adjusted and then combined into a different version?