Galactic Assault Prisoner of Power: A Future Where Metal Gears Won (Review)

I just realized that the words words “metal gear” come out of my mouth way too often.

I’m going to come right out and say that some of the music on this album sounds uncannily like Metal Gear Solid. I’m actually fighting the urge to don the voice of Psycho Mantis as I’m typing this, as I’m sure you’re already tired of that joke. I guess it makes sense that Russian composer Sergey Khmelevsky (how do you pronounce that?) would create something like this if you believe the accusations that the MGS theme itself was plagiarized from the work of a Russian classical composer.

Anyway, I guess I missed out on this RTS title when it was released in 2007, as I’ve never heard of it. It’s apparently based on a Soviet-era novel, and didn’t fare well with the critics. I suppose it’s interesting to hear music that sounds like MGS in an RTS title, so maybe that’s something to pique your interest.

Check out full impressions of Galactic Assault Prisoner of Power after the jump.

The album opens for what sounds note-for-note like Metal Gear Solid music. Aptly titled “Main Theme,” rhythmic percussion plays throughout while string stabs voice a powerful melody. The brass section that comes in later with marching snare drums is the strongest “MGS moment” on the album.

Many of the other tracks here offer up some effective war-time ambiance, with “Fog of War 1” standing out with its slowly building metallic percussion line and occasional bass drum hits. Electronic whirs and the sound of electricity add an element of danger. Airy pads are used extensively through many of the tracks, bringing the echoes of war to the forefront of the aural landscape.

“First Strike” is a cool track, starting off quietly with some distant bass drums and building slowly into an amazing and startling choral crescendo fit for a horror flick, after which fast-paced rhythmic percussion and string stabs spring loudly into action. A very cool experience to be sure.

As somewhat of an oddity, “Insular Empire” features what sounds like a Chinese zither and shakahuchi before an electronic funk takes over. I really dig the Asian/electronic fusion. Another track, “The Attack,” sports a repetitive, yet catchy brass section alongside an uncertain string progression that actually sounds a little bit like… Batman? At this rate, I think I’m going to convince people to buy this album just to figure out what the hell I’m talking about.

“The Battle” jumps back into MGS mode with tense strings and synthesized bass. An electric guitar makes its way into the mix alongside dramatic string stabs, likely accompanying the final battle with what may look like a Metal Gear. Maybe. The closing track, “Breath of Freedom,” ends on the same note as the “Main Theme,” putting it in the running for a “most-like-MGS” award.

The album is actually a limited printing, with only 500 copies in existence. The booklet included gives information about the game and also features an interview from Game-OST translated into English. This is a nice touch. The cover art could use some work, as it already looks dated despite the game being released in 2007.

So, I poke a lot of fun here, but the music is actually pretty good. There’s nothing spectacular that will blow you away, but for $6.99, can you really complain? If you’re a fan of Metal Gear Solid, you may want to check it out for kicks. There’s a lot of ambiance here as well, which is great stuff to have in the background if you want to make your living room sound like it’s on the verge of war.

Did anyone catch this game in 2007? Do you think sounding like Metal Gear Solid a compliment or an insult?