Tag Archives: iOS

V.D. -VANISHMENT DAY- SOUNDTRACK (SRIN-1134)

If you’re a fan of Yoko Shimomura (you are), then you’ll likely want to check out the V.D. -VANISHMENT DAY- SOUNDTRACK. The game is a mobile/web strategy RPG with anime-inspired visuals, and the soundtrack offers up classic Yoko Shimomura with elegant orchestral and piano work over an upbeat action-oriented electronic foundation. SuperSweep Records has published the soundtrack, which features a number of great moments.

From the opening notes of “Departure,” you’ll think you’re listening to Shimomura’s counterpart to Hitoshi Sakimoto’s Valkyria Chronicles score with its militaristic march that seemingly prepares you for battle. From there, though, there’s nothing too serious. All of the combat tracks are tinged with a playfulness that ensures an upbeat listening experience. Both “Built a Fire” and “Sortie!” sport cool and sleek electronic backings, with “Sortie!” bringing in a nice woodwind melody. “Rock on the Heavens” brings in explosive drum ‘n’ bass percussion with a big orchestral sound and romantic piano sections that are classic Shimomura. There’s the tense and ominous “Just Beat That Which Lies Ahead of the Road,” the tragic “con fuoco,” the beautiful sweeping “At Night Where Scarlet Flowers Bloom,” the pumping and driving “Nervous Vision,” the chaotic “The Tempest” with its melancholy breaks, the decisive “The Brave Force,” the triumphant “Our Truth,” the tense and mysterious “Instability,” and the heartbreaking piano and strings closer, “No One Knows the Answer,” which hints at something dark and unsettling.

In all, this is solid work from Shimomura, and there aren’t any duds to be found across the album’s 40+ minutes. It’s available at CD Japan for only $20 USD if you’re interested.

Review: Final Fantasy Brave Exvius

Noriyasu Agematsu is a name gamers and even game music fans may not be familiar with, but they should be. He’s had a pretty prolific career working with Elements Garden and other groups. I first came to know his work thanks to the excellent Chaos Rings soundtracks that Square Enix put out a couple years ago (I actually have review notes of these albums but never wrote my reviews… maybe I need to). For those who are super familiar, I’d love to hear some recommendations, as Agematsu has another hit on his hands with Final Fantasy Brave Exvius, and it seems as though game music fans are now taking notice.

The score features orchestral fantasy with high production values, working in lots of Final Fantasy love throughout with bits of “The Prelude,” “Final Fantasy,” and the opening notes of the original Final Fantasy battle theme as well. It feels upbeat, yet mature, as conveyed through its contemplative opener, “Moment of Recall.” There’s everything from the energetic “DUEL!!” with its addition of rock percussion and Celtic influences, the gorgeous and serene “Peaceful Village,” the spooky and dangerous “Not of this World,” and the decisive military march, “The Initiation.” The acoustic guitar and string section in “Walkabout” are incredibly upbeat and uplifting, while “Overcome the Menace” gets industrial, the grandiose “Tree of Tales” sports beautiful harp work and string swells, the soothing “Snowdrop” includes angelic choir and bells, the exotic “Mirage Palace” brings in tribal percussion, and “Amigo de Chocobo” offers a bluegrass spin on the classic. “Antiquities” is another great track that combines ethereal pads with funky synth bass, while the playfully dangerous “Force and Furious,” the amazing organ concerto “End is Night,” and the epic “Celestial Battle” close things out.

A few of my absolute favorites include the sweeping and majestic “Great Voyage,” the relaxation-inducing sway of “Joie de Vivre,” and the contemplative and mysterious piano of “Mystic Ruins.” But really, the entire score is fantastic.

So, now on to the bad news. Apparently Square Enix sold this soundtrack exclusively through their online store, and according to CD Japan, who was taking special orders for it, it’s out of print.  Fortunately it is on iTunes for $15.99, so I suggest grabbing it there.

Review: ADVENTURES of MANA Original Soundtrack

Most know the Seiken Densetsu franchise for the second game in the series, which is known outside of Japan as Secret of Mana. However, the first game, originally released on the Game Boy and again on the Game Boy Advance, is now enjoying yet another re-release on iOS, Android, and the PlayStation Vita. It also gets another arranged soundtrack, putting Kenji Ito’s memorable melodies in the hands of former Falcom JDK member Noriyuki Kamikura, Nobuo Uematsu protege Tsutomu Narita, and Ito himself.

From the lovely strings and piano of the moving main theme, “Rising Sun,” to the blazing rock with epic organ of “The Final Conflict,” this album acts as a great introduction to a soundtrack that many may have missed. “Bloodsands” sports chugging guitars and the battle cry of brass, “Village Theme” features sleepy and comforting woodwinds and acoustic guitar, and “Town Theme” is a bouncy, bubbly piano, flute and guitar piece that would be right at home in a drunken tavern, and is easily my favorite track on the album. There’s also the rocking overworld, “Endless Carnage,” that gets the blood pumping, the orchestral-rock fusion track, “In Search of the Sword of Mana,” with its pumping octave-jumping bass, the dark and mysterious “Dungeon Theme 1,” and even a funky version of Uematsu’s chocobo theme. Then it’s the exotic droning and sitar of “Dungeon Theme II,” the angelic “The Mana Shrine,” and the sweet harp tune, “Say it With a Song.” From there you have all the remaining RPG trappings, including a synth rock battle theme, a regal castle tune, a comical moogle theme, and several melancholy ballads.

This is really a classic score from Kenji Ito, and Narita and Kamikura have done a great job with the arrangements. Anyone who’s an Ito fan or is looking for a classic JRPG romp, I recommend picking up the album from CD Japan.

Metal Saga: The Ark of Wastes Original Soundtrack (BSPE-1056)

Basiscape Records has released the soundtrack to the fifth game in the Metal Max series titled Metal Saga: The Ark of Wastes (Metal Saga: Kouya no Hakobune in Japan). The Android/iOS title once again features RPG combat on foot or via vehicles, and Basiscape composer Yoshimi Kudo (Tekken 6, Muramasa, Odin Sphere: Leifthrasir) provides an impressive metal-infused orchestral score. It’s always surprising just how well the team at Basiscape can incorporate Hitoshi Sakimoto’s signature sound into their work, so fans of his should also be pleased with this soundtrack.

The opening track, “Crack down!,” is pure metal with high productions values and English vocals. From there, “Mortal Engines” brings big brass and percussion to this upbeat Sakimoto-esque march, “Workaholics Jam” sports funky bass and rock organ, and “The Earth and the Wind” features a gritty Western sound with twangy electric guitar. Theres the playful “March of 65536 Steps” which incorporates Celtic instruments, “No Bullets, No Life” which is a cool spin on electronic-infused metal, and “Rhythm Show,” a loungy funk tune. There are ethereal pads in “Into the Silence,” drum ‘n’ bass in “On the Edge,” playful and silly dubstep in “Elegant Resuscitated Person’s Dance,” and industrial glitch rock in “Bolt and Nut Girl.” Finally, there’s the desperate “Moment of Truth,” the cheery electric pop tune, “Don’t Stop the Heartbeat,” the smooth electronic “Fragment 2 Fragment,” the explosive electronic “Giant Killer” with its massive choir and tension, and the upbeat and funky “Yesterday’s Friend is Today’s Enemy” with its lightning-fast rock.

In all, Metal Saga: The Ark of Wastes offers an eclectic mix of songs, but it’s all well produced and shows of Kudo’s versatility and talent. Pick it up at CD Japan if you’re interested.

Review: Schoolgirl Strikers Original Soundtrack

What an unexpected surprise! Square Enix put out this unassuming soundtrack to their recent iOS/Android title, School Strikers, with music by Mitsuto Suzuki and Kengo Tokusashi. Upbeat melodies, great electronic atmospheres, and some great productive values all make this an enjoyable and surprising listening experience.

Let’s jump in! Continue reading Review: Schoolgirl Strikers Original Soundtrack

Review: Arcadia no Aoki Miko ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK

We unfortunately don’t see a lot of mobile games that are coming out in Japan. One such game from Square Enix, Arcadia no Aoki Miko, remains a mystery to me, but Square Enix has released a soundtrack album featuring music by Naoshi Mizuta, and I think RPG fans may be surprised by what they hear.

Check out some impressions if this somewhat brief album below. Continue reading Review: Arcadia no Aoki Miko ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK

Special Order: Winter’s Hedgehog by Tellement

We have a special release just in time for the winter season. Scarlet Moon Artists’s own Goomin “Nauts’ Nam started recording with a Korean indie pop/rock band called Tellement, who celebrated the release of their debut album, Winter’s Hedgehog, in early 2014. You can read reviews of the album on Higher Plain Music and VGM Online. The album features catchy melodies and a slow winter’s pace that is perfect for the holidays and beyond, but it’s been hard to get a hold of outside of Korea.

Scarlet Moon Records is pleased to announce that we’re now taking special orders for Tellement’s Winter’s Hedgehog. Ordering will be simple, with payment handled through PayPal. Email jayson[at]scarletmoonproductions.com for instructions and order total (international shipping rates will apply).

As an added bonus, we’ll be including special authentic Bar Oasis coasters with each order. For those who are unfamiliar, Bar Oasis is a popular iOS drink-making simulation title by Corners Studio with music by Goomin Nam. The game and soundtrack are definitely worth your attention, so check them out, and enjoy a free heavy-duty coaster with your order of Winter’s Hedgehog.