KDSD-00619: SOUL SACRIFICE ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK

[Argentis]

The JPN demo for this sound very promising

[LiquidAcid]

Didn't listen to the samples yet, but the combination Mitsuda / Hokoyama is interesting in itself

[Xenofan 29A]

They had a recording session in Hollywood a few months back. Probably the best orchestral musicians Mitsuda's had the chance to work with so far. I'm just disappointed that it's only one disc. Mitsuda, release more music!

[LiquidAcid]

Well, better less music but quality stuff, than hours of badly produced crap.

[Jormungand]

I can't find a single demo playthrough on youtube where you can reasonably hear the music. Is it that hard to record a vita in stereo?

[Efendija]

Originally Posted by LiquidAcid

Well, better less music but quality stuff, than hours of badly produced crap.

Very, very true

[Xenofan 29A]

Originally Posted by LiquidAcid

Well, better less music but quality stuff, than hours of badly produced crap.

Of course, but Mitsuda's such a perfectionist that he wouldn't want to release hours of badly produced crap.

Only samples I've heard from this so far are from the trailers.

[Don]

If I remember correctly, there was a nice presentation with the composers and in it, I think they mentioned that Mitsuda was responsible for the vocal theme while Hokoyama was responsible for the BGM in the game, but that's not something I'm 100% certain on.

[Argentis]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LO0DMSUiz9s
Skywalker Symphony Orchestra? This just keeps getting better

[Jormungand]

I'm interested. It seems that both composers were present for at least some of each other's sessions. I wonder if that means this is a more collaborative score than we thought?

I admit I'm a bit surprised by the orchestral focus on Mitsuda's end. When seeing footage of the game for the first time I was certain that his harder and darker folk/ethnic style would fit perfectly. I guess director Hokoyama thought otherwise.

[skitch_84]

Looks like the cover art has been released!
http://www.jp.playstation.com/scej/t...ja/soundtrack/

Also, I asked Mr. Mitsuda on Facebook if he composed more than the main theme. He said that he and Mr. Hokoyama each composed half of the score.

Here are his exact words:

PS3のゲーム「アフリカ」の音楽を手掛けた鋒山亘さんと半分ずつぐらい作曲しています。
鉾山さんの楽曲もめちゃめちゃカッコイイので是非お楽しみに！

Also, here's a live video of the orchestra playing Mitsuda's main theme at Skywalker Sound! Link to the official site:
http://www.jp.playstation.com/scej/t...d/mitsuda.html

[Jormungand]

Originally Posted by skitch_84

Also, I asked Mr. Mitsuda on Facebook if he composed more than the main theme. He said that he and Mr. Hokoyama each composed half of the score.

Rejoice! That's great news, thanks skitch.

[skitch_84]

Originally Posted by Jormungand

Rejoice! That's great news, thanks skitch.

He says that Mr. Hokoyama's music is also very cool, so look forward to that!
I've been a Mitsuda fan for so long, though, that I just couldn't help but be thrilled to hear that he's doing a big portion of this soundtrack. Especially with such an amazing orchestra at the helm. I'm expecting very good things from this one.

[skitch_84]

I preordered it and Amazon.jp was nice enough to ship it out the day before release date. Which means I'm listening to it as I type this. Only three tracks in, but the quality is astounding.

[LiquidAcid]

Also got my shipping confirmation today (YesAsia), but it'll take probably three weeks until it arrives at my location. *excited* *G*

[skitch_84]

Originally Posted by LiquidAcid

Also got my shipping confirmation today (YesAsia), but it'll take probably three weeks until it arrives at my location. *excited* *G*

I'm lucky enough to live in Japan, so I got it delivered right away. I'm on track 14 right now, and I'll tell you that it is going to be well worth the wait for you! Mitsuda is at the top of his game in terms of writing for a full orchestra. Xenosaga was one of my favorite OSTs (and basically Mitsuda's first time writing for a live orchestra), but comparing the orchestra work he did on that to what he's doing here, you can really see how much he's grown.

This is my first time listening to Hokoyama-san's work, but it is holding its own on this soundtrack. He is really impressing me with his pieces so far!

[Phonograph]

yodobashi has also other arranger credits, Tim Davis and Rick Giovinazzo
but it should be confirmed

[Efendija]

Tim Davies is a conductor and/or orchestrator so it should be very likely.

[doppel9014]

Anyone know what was the female voice singing in last track? I heard part Japanese with strange pronunciation, part English and part I don't know what language it is...

[skitch_84]

Originally Posted by doppel9014

Anyone know what was the female voice singing in last track? I heard part Japanese with strange pronunciation, part English and part I don't know what language it is...

There are four soloists credited in the booklet beneath the chorus:

Briana Gantsweg, Jennifer Youngdahl, Laura Arthur, and Ryan Nelson

It could be one of the three women.

There is also an additional vocal credit for Sussan Deyhim for whatever track(s) were recorded at The Village. This is a good possibility. However, I asked Mr. Mitsuda on his Facebook page. I'll post here when/if I get a response. He usually responds to me on there, so I should get an answer before too long.

[isdapi]

After several listens to this album, I can't say I like it much, rather the opposite. This album had all the ingredients to be a fantastic album, but somehow it but it doesn't deliver anything exceptional. I find the music unmemorable and soulless, it tries too hard to sound grand and epic but it lacks of any subtlety and depth.

I feel bad for Mitsuda, his pieces are the only ones with real content, but man, whoever did the orchestrations completely butchered them. Also, the vocals in this album are, at the very least, inspired by Nier, which undermines the originality.

I can't deny the production values are astounding, that's the reason for my average rating. Even so, the music is so formulaic, it never deviates from the cinematic form: uneasy strings, blasting fanfares, epic chorus, loud percussion... And underneath of all that: nothing.

That's how I feel.

[dissident93]

Originally Posted by isdapi

I find the music unmemorable and soulless, it tries too hard to sound grand and epic but it lacks of any subtlety and depth.

I agree. 95% of all Hollywood-esque orchestral soundtracks are like this. VGM is backwards, in the way that it's better with more limitations (I.E. chiptunes). I'm sure the music fits perfectly in the game, but on it's own it's no different from any other blockbuster type soundtrack.

[CHz]

Is "Nozumu Furukawa" exactly how it's printed on the album, or is that a typo in entering the data? My assumption is that it's Nozomi Furukawa ⇢ http://vgmdb.net/artist/4502

[eduhunter]

Originally Posted by isdapi

Even so, the music is so formulaic, it never deviates from the cinematic form: uneasy strings, blasting fanfares, epic chorus, loud percussion... And underneath of all that: nothing.

Everytime i listen to orchestral pieces like this i think about that. This make me sad.

EDIT:

Added Play-Asia link.

[dancey]

Updated tracklist times for proper cddb querying.