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Diagnosis? Rhythmortis: Crypt of the Necrodancer Original Soundtrack (Review)

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The Original Soundtrack to Crypt of the NecroDancer is my first experience with music composed by Danny Baranowsky who has composed the music for Super Meat Boy,  The Binding of Isaac and who has also worked on some excellent arrangements including Super Metroid: Relics of the Chozo.

The soundtrack contains 42 tracks and is a blend of chiptune rock and electronic melodies with a runtime of just under two hours.  I listened to the soundtrack through at least three times and was blown away with the blood pumping beats and pleasant repetition and alternate versions of tracks.   My first play through of the album was during a drive from Ottawa to New York State to camp over the Victoria Day long weekend in Canada.  If you’re in the USA you can look forward to Memorial Day weekend next week.  Read on to find out if you should pick up this soundtrack to kick off your weekend.

The opening track on the album “Tombtorial” is a chilled out electronic tune, and a nice way to start off the album.  I began listening to the soundtrack on the highway as I was stuck in traffic.  Normally traffic is a stressful impatient time, but I was a happy driver once track two “Rhythmortis” started.  The track starts simply with a chippy melody which builds into a much larger sound and is a stand out track on the album.  The great thing is that the track returns later in a filtered version in track 27.

Rhythmortis” (Lobby) – Crypt of the Necrodancer


I have not played the game, but I have watched some good game-play videos [2] by YouTube user tokshen.   The idea behind the game is that all actions you take are supposed to be in rhythm with the music and you dance through the dungeons.  Along the bottom of the screen is an image of your beating heart that beats with the music.   It seems like it takes some time to adjust to this method of gameplay, but one you get the hang of it you really can groove to music.

Crypt of the Necrodancer [3]

The soundtrack is split between the level tracks, and the shopkeeper versions.  I burned the album onto two CDs for my long drive and the first disc represented the first 26 tracks, the remaining tracks contained all of the shopkeeper tracks.  The game seamlessly alternates between these versions when you enter a shopkeeper’s location in a dungeon.  The difference is the shopkeeper adds operatic vocals to each track which are quite enjoyable and even humorous at times.

Track 3  “Watch Your Step” evoked memories of Blast Corps with its synth horns, and alarm sounds in the background.

Dance of Decorous” (3-2 Cold) – Crypt of the Necrodancer

After multiple listens there are standout tracks that I would skip back to.  My favorite track has to be both versions of “Dance of Decorus” after listening to the shopkeeper version of the track its almost impossible to listen to the normal version without imagining him singing in the background.  I had visions of line dancing skeletons in tuxedos with Death at the turntables, but that’s just me.  The follow up track 15 “March of the Profane” takes the same melody and cranks it up a level with electric guitars (courtesy of artist FamilyJules7x, who worked on several tracks of the album) – so in my imagination, Death is having a coffee break and the Devil is rocking out performing with his back up band.

March of the Profane” (3-2 Hot feat. FamilyJules7x) – Crypt of the Necrodancer

Track 17, “A Hot Mess” (again featuring FamilyJules7x), also opens with some great rock guitar and into a melody variation that is subbed out for vocal sin the shopkeeper

Track 22, “Deep Sea Bass”, is  smooth sexy song with an epic bass track that reminds me of what would be playing in a discotech run by vampires.

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The game does have a custom music mode where you can add your own songs, I don’t think I would use the option because composer Danny Baranowsky has crafted such excellent tunes that work so well.  And by adding your own tunes you won’t  have the option of the shopkeeper tracks, which is an listening experience on its own in or outside of the game.

The soundtrack has also spawned two remix albums albums on Bandcamp Crypt of the NecroDancer: The Melody Mixes [5] and Aria’s Ascent – The Crypt of the NecroDancer Metal Soundtrack [6].

The original soundtrack to Crypt of the NecroDancer is available on Bandcamp [7] for $9.99 which is  a pretty reasonable price for a two hour dance party, if you’re not planning on picking up the game.

Have you played Crypt of the NecroDancer?  What’s your favorite track on the album?

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#1 Comment By Kalvin On May 26, 2015 @ 2:11 pm

Nice review, i totally adore the game including its Soundtrack.
Its hard to Pick a favorite, but ill go with “A Hot Mess (3-3 Hot)”.
The concept of fluidly swapping between the hot and cold theme in Stage 3 adds a little hype to that, and the use in the initial Trailer/Teaser got me hooked from the beginning i think.

I wanted to add a little info regarding the two Bandcamp remix Albums. They have actually bee added in the official Release of the Game ! (at least in the Steam Sountrack version, not sure about the regular Version)

*Minor Spoiler warning*
They play by default along to the first and second unlockable character that are represented on the Cover Artwork as well.

Greetings from Germany,
Kalvin

#2 Comment By Brenna Wilkes On May 26, 2015 @ 8:51 pm

The switch band and forth between hot and cold in the third stage was something I enjoyed also, and I loved FamilyJules7x’s renditions of the “hot” versions. Such a smart gameplay quirk.