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Game Music
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Featured, Game Music, Indie Music
Eternal Child: David Saulesco Interview
Since the summer of 2002, David Saulesco has climbed the ladder of success slowly but surely in his lifelong dream to work with video games and music. It was in that year that the then 16 year old composer was launched to indy fame and recognition with Derek Yu’s freeware masterpiece Eternal Daughter. Since then the young man has thrown himself into nearly all ends of both the music and video game industry, producing, arranging, contracting, he even rode on a horse once.
Now, Saulesco is returning to his proving grounds, and will be releasing the Eternal Daughter 10th Anniversary Original Soundtrack on May 1st. With so many projects behind him and in store in the near future, it seemed only natural to have a chat with the man and speak about his views on composing, video games, symphonic shows and everything in between. Saulesco is never short of his trademark charm, and is of no loss of words on any subject.
Click the jump to read our interview with David Saulesco (more…)
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Game Music
Candy for the Skull: Skullgirls OST (Review)
Around the time of PAX East 2011, I was introduced to an interesting 2D fighting game being shown on the Expo Hall floors known as Skullgirls. Being an avid lover of 2D, hand-drawn animation and of fighting games in general, I took an interest, learning it would be released as a Playstation Network and Xbox Live Arcade game sometime within the next year.
It wasn’t until I learned that Michiru Yamane, famed for her works in the Castlevania franchise where I first drew my love of her, was I truly hooked on making this game both a playing priority, and more importantly keeping in on the top rungs of my need-to-listen checklist. Thusly, I set out to indulge myself in a old friend’s musical exploits with Skullgirls.
Find out if the music filled my hollow skull after the jump! (more…)
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Game Music
A Hosoe to the Past: UNDER DEFEAT DC Edition (Review)
This is an album that’s sure to confuse. UNDER DEFEAT was a top down shmup title released on both arcade and ported over to Dreamcast in 2006, and even recently was ported to PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 as UNDER DEFEAT HD in 2011. Here we are in 2012, and this album is being released a re-issue of a past SuperSweep album that contained music from the arcade version and apparently contains the ‘DC Edition,’ although I don’t know what the differences may be.
Still, Shinji Hosoe has become a household name over the years for his mastery of electronic music, and UNDER DEFEAT is no exception. Interestingly, what really turned me on to Hosoe’s work was a remix he prepared for the Phantasy Star Online Premium Arrange album sporting a cool blend of electronics and rock instrumentation complete with a funky slap bass that I hadn’t heard from Hosoe in a long time, until now.
Hit the jump for our review. (more…)
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Game Music
Turrican Soundtrack Anthology: Update #1
It is only one week since Chris Hülsbeck’s Kickstarter project, the Turrican Soundtrack Anthology, was announced to the world. What was then, a hope and dream over a 2 month period to revisit the past, has now become a reality. In less than 7 days, the Kickstarter has reached over $50,000 of the $75,000 asked, and is steadily climbing day by day, surely to exceed beyond the original goal. With the incredible success of the first week, Hülsbeck has provided his first of many upcoming updates.
Now, there are new pledges available. Most interestingly is the new Vinyl option. For $250 you get a LP record with the faithful recording of the original Amiga Turrican soundtrack, as well as the bonus side retro-remix style recording along with the boxset and the digital download which now also includes lossless FLAC files, allowing you to preserve the record as a collectible. The vinyl will also have exclusive artwork and your own name in the sleeve. There is also now an option to pledge 150 to receive 3 box sets as well as 3 individual download codes as well as campaign bonus track.
If you haven’t pledged yet, go to the Turrican Soundtrack Anthology and support this very exciting project, and check back for more news and details as they become available.
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Game Music
The Darkness II: Chilling on Your Spine (Review)
Oh glory! From the Darkness II awakens the horror, walking among us and lingering in smoke and shadow. It will come for you, and when it finds you, it will play the most melancholy melody imaginable — then it’ll probably gut your heart, as painfully and memorably as possible.
How else do you expect the Darkness to regain its health? That’s essentially the Darkness, right? It’s not a big stretch of the imagination to fathom the Darkness as an emotionally confused character, but that feeling fizzles out over the course of playing the game. In reality, the Darkness is often a very harsh and contemptible character, and his music is only harmonious to that feeling throughout the game. The Darkness II soundtrack starts off very grim and slow. For whatever reason, I had a hunch that I would end up forgetting the main theme for The Darkness II. I tested the main theme, to see if I could remember it after playing the game. How does The Darkness II hold out to this test of a memorable melody?
Come this way and read more. (more…)
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Game Music
Etrian Odyssey IV Ditches FM Synthesis For Live Players
Looking forward to Etrian Odyssey IV for the Nintendo 3DS? After checking out the game’s website and hearing the three samples from the soundtrack, I certainly am. The three samples sound remarkably similar to the Live Music by Piano and Strings Super Arrange Version album, and I immediately noticed the distinct lack of retro FM/PC sounds used.
Well, we contacted Yuzo Koshiro and have confirmation that the game will not be using retro synthesis, and will be relying entirely upon live performances paired with modern sample libraries. As it turns out, Norihiko Hibino, who arranged and coordinated the recording sessions for the Live Music by Piano and Strings album is on board for Etrian Odyssey IV and is essentially doing the same thing.
While it’s a bummer that we won’t be getting an FM version of the Etrian Odyssey IV soundtrack, I’m excited about the prospect of a 3DS title having such a high-quality and kick ass soundtrack. Samples two and three are particularly nice.
What do you make of the change in direction?
[Thanks Brandon!]
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Game Music, Indie Music
Just Subtract 84! 100 Rogues Soundtrack (Review)
It was the next step in the evolution of game music. After the hardware-created “chiptunes” of the NES era, the sound banks of FM synth reigned supreme on the SNES. And while we don’t find as much chic or nostalgia for the super lo-fi synth restrictions of the 16-bit days as we do the hardware emulation of chiptunes, it’s great to see today’s composers make use of that strange and wonderful musical palette.
I am talking about the music of Keith Burgun and Blake Reynolds, both of Dinofarm Games, in their first major title, 100 Rogues (available on PC and various mobile platforms). After the jump, our review of the game’s soundtrack. (more…)
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Featured, Game Music
Turrican Soundtrack Anthology By Chris Hülsbeck Kickstarter
At the end of the 1980s, the video game world had found itself many new heroes, rising to their iconic place in video game history through the joyous trip of their virtual worlds and stories, gaining love and recognition from all nations and ages. The gaming landscape had become a place filled with the most vibrant of fantasies, a creative haven for young and old minds alike, creating an golden era of video games that would fill gamers with memories of unparalleled interaction, sound and action.
Turrican would in 1989 be the premier showcase of the power a video game could have, taking the breath away from gamers around the world with incredible graphics, vast worlds and an unforgettable soundtrack as the silver donned hero explored the alien world. It is due to the strength of the soundtrack that the game has become a fan favorite that still survives in the hearts of both new and seasoned gamers even today, a soundtrack composed by Chris Hülsbeck. Hülsbeck became a treasured member of the gaming industry across Europe with the unmatched melodic depth and futuristic appeal of his music, and as he continued his long career, he would go on to inspire many fellow musicians to take the step into the daunting world of video game music. Chris Hülsbeck became an icon, and his contributions and support has been celebrated numerous times, from sold out albums to sold out venues, performing his music in symphony with fans attending from around the world.
Now, Hülsbeck will prepare to celebrate the games which truly launched him into stardom with the announcement of the Turrican Soundtrack Anthology Kickstarter, a project that aims to arrange and celebrate the Turrican series. Among the plans, you find one of the finest orchestras in the world, The WDR Radio Orchestra Cologne, the orchestra most known for the award winning Symphonic Fantasies and Symphonic Shades, to be contributing to the project with all new arrangements from the legendary series. To achieve this, Chris Hülsbeck is now asking his fans to support him in a Kickstarter campaign to make the Turrican Soundtrack Anthology become a reality.
“My first Turrican album has sold roughly 10.000 units over the years. I know that the games still have a following, too. This project is a personal dream of mine and I hope that together with all the fans, we can make this happen!” -Chris Hülsbeck
By pledging $25.00 you get the whole album on MP3 + a PDF booklet, while $50.00 gets you a limited edition numbered and signed 3 CD set. + the MP3′s before the album is printed. Aside from the finished CDs, supporters of the project can get their hands on numerous goodies like posters, t-shirts, Turrican ringtones for their mobiles, or even tickets for an orchestral game music concert that will take place in November in Cologne, Germany. Those who are willing to support the project with a larger sum may take an exclusive look behind the scenes and will be personally informed by Chris about the progress during the production. With the orchestra, studio production, premium booklet and packaging prints, the goal is $75,000, and will run until June 3rd.
For many, our youths would not have been filled with the melodic memories that Hülsbeck provided, and for some, without his soundtracks, they would not be here today instilled with the passion and lifelong love for video games, such as yours truly.
Go to the Turrican Soundtrack Anthology Kickstarter and make sure to support this special project!
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Game Music
The Inspired Journey Continues: Symphonic Game Music Concert 2012 Announced
In 1991, game music maestro Koichi Sugiyama began his new concert series Orchestral Game Music Concert in his native Japan, allowing the unexplored potential of video game music to be fully realized as he employed the Tokyo City Philharmonic Orchestra to perform a wide arrange of material. Sugiyama truly believed in game music as a medium, being a classically trained composer and orchestra conductor himself, and with his support, video game music gained recognition beyond the TV screen, and classical music gained a formidable ally to introduce itself to a new generation of eager listeners.
Thomas Böcker saw video games in the same light. A lover of classical music and an avid gamer since childhood, the young man from Dresden didn’t just dream of a day when game music would be performed by orchestras across the European landscape, he personally made it a reality, and in 2003, Symphonic Game Music Concert was held in Leipzig, showcasing the very best of game music from around the world in all of its symphonic beauty. The drive, dedication and passion of the team that would be formed from these concerts would go on to set the true standard for orchestral performances based on video games, bringing tears and inspiration to young fans from all over the world with concerts such as Symphonic Shades, Symphonic Fantasies and LEGENDS.
After a hiatus lasting since 2007, Symphonic Game Music Concert will return on November 16th in the Funkhaus Wallrafplatz, the same site that held Symphonic Shades in 2008. So far, Journey has been announced to be part of the event, but as time passes, further announcements will come, and OSV will be there to provide a full report of the grand return. Tickets will be on sale at koelnticket on the 16th of July. Be sure to check back routinely for more announcement and news on the show and check out the Facebook event page!
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Experimental, Game Music
SuperSweep’s Latest Trash: NanoSweep, Overdrive Hell, and Trash (Review)
In addition to releasing a ton of great music by composers Shinji Hosoe, Ayako Saso, and the rest of the team at SuperSweep, the SuperSweep label has been host to a number of great music releases, some of which we’ve covered here on OSV. Another benefit that the gain by owning their own label is that they can take more risks, as is the case with their many original composition series that they’ve developed over the years.
We’re taking a look at the most recent batch from these series, including the electronic NanoSweep 12 and 13, the experimental overdrive hell 5 and 6 (sampled above), and Trash007 and Trash 008.
For their 300-500 Yen asking prices, are they even worth your consideration? Find out after the jump. (more…)
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Featured, Game Music
Mitsuto Suzuki Explores His Inner Neurovision and Solo Works (Interview)
If you don’t know what Neurovision is, you need to find out! In our OSVOSTOTY 2009 awards, I noted that it was my favorite album of the year, but at the time we unfortunately did not have an ‘other’ category, so it was relegated to an honorable mention. In a nutshell, Neurovision is Square Enix composer and synthesizer operator Mitsuto Suzuki’s second solo album released on iTunes in 2009. It features dreamy soundscapes, catchy pop-inspired melodies, and some great production values.
We were able to dedicate an entire interview session with Mitsuto Suzuki to this amazing album, and there were certainly more than a few surprises regarding his inspiration and what he has planned next.
If you’re a fan of Mitsuto Suzuki and his solo works, you need to hit the jump! (more…)
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Game Music
All Up In My Head: Lone Survivor OST (Review)
I cannot get over the level of genius and creativity that comes from these one-man indie production teams. Among them, I’ve really come to love the work of Superflat Games (essentially, Jasper Byrne). Last year we reviewed the soundtrack for his stellar, free Flash game Soul Brother. That was a funky drum-n-bass kind of album, like a mix of Daft Punk and other forms of avant garde Euro-pop. In sharp contrast, we have the soundtrack for Byrne’s latest project.
Lone Survivor is a psychological horror / survival sim, and the game itself is excellent, I assure you. As for the music? Well, that’s why we’re here.
Find out about the soundtrack for Lone Survivor, including how to get it, after the jump! (more…)
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