Eminence

Featured, Game Music

OSVchannel: SOULCALIBUR V Limited Edition OST Unboxing Video

February 16, 2012 | Jayson Napolitano | 1 Comment Share this

As promised in our review, here’s our unboxing video of the limited edition soundtrack so you can check it out before you delve in. I mentioned in the video that the 4-disc set has a hefty asking price, but didn’t recall what it was. It’s actually 4,980 Yen, or close of $60 USD, so yeah.

But let the music and the packaging be your guide as to whether it’s actually worth it. This is some great packaging with materials in English and Japanese, which is a treat. Also, if you’re curious, the track playing in the background is “Sacred Dawn,” or Elysium’s theme from the game by Andrew Aversa. Probably my favorite track!

Let us know what you think of the music, the game, the limited edition soundtrack, or other extraneous topics!
Game Music, Reviews

Carving Out Its Own Destiny: SOULCALIBUR V (Review)

February 13, 2012 | Jayson Napolitano | 1 Comment Share this

When it was announced that an international team of composers would be scoring SOULCALIBUR V I think all of us were a little bit nervous about how it may turn out given the consistent quality of the franchise’s soundtracks over the years. Despite the names involved, I wondered to myself if composers like Hiroki Kikuta and Inon Zur could effectively capture the truly epic orchestral yet memorably melodic essence that has defined the series.

While those who picked up the collector’s edition of the game were treated to a single disc “best of” soundtrack in the US and Europe, Eminence has released the full three-disc soundtrack, including some snazzy packaging (an unboxing video to come later) and a special behind-the-scenes DVD.

But will the music do the trick for SOULCALIBUR fans? Find out in our review after the jump. (more…)
Anime, Featured, Game Music

The Secret World of an Orchestrator: Who is Nicole Brady?

May 19, 2011 | Jayson Napolitano | 7 Comments Share this

Maybe you’ve seen the name Nicole Brady and just can’t remember where. Maybe you’ve never seen it. Therein lays the conundrum. Orchestration is a pretty thankless job; all the work they pour in to help elevate the music they work on often gets credited to the original composer, and even most fans don’t give the role much thought.

At GDC 2011, however, I was able to catch up with Nicole Brady, who worked extensively with the Eminence Symphony Orchestra when it was first established as well as being Hitoshi Sakimoto’s go-to orchestrator for projects like the Valkyria Chronicles series, Romeo x Juliet, and others.

Find out who she is and why what she does is so important after the jump! (more…)
Game Music, Japanese

Game Music Laboratory Unplugged Concert Feat. Hiroki Kikuta and Kenji Ito

March 24, 2011 | Jayson Napolitano | Comments Off on Game Music Laboratory Unplugged Concert Feat. Hiroki Kikuta and Kenji Ito Share this

With all that’s going on right now in Japan, it’s hard to think that I was there just a month ago. While I was there, I had the opportunity to attend a concert in Tokyo hosted by Eminence called Game Music Laboratory. This was an acoustic set concert following one of their heavier performances, and I wasn’t really sure what to expect. As it turned out, the evening was dedicated to the music of Hiroki Kikuta and Kenji Ito, and was a blast.

I figured we’d post the setlist, comment a bit on the performance, and give you a photo gallery to enjoy courtesy of Hiroaki Yura and Jillian Aversa. Hit the jump for more! (more…)
Game Music, Reviews

Basiscape to the Rescue: Opoona Soundtrack Is Finally Here (Review)

February 7, 2011 | Jayson Napolitano | 3 Comments Share this

Yeah, I know we posted our unboxing video some time ago, but with the busy holiday season and the OSVOSTOTY 2010 Awards, we got a little behind on posting this review! But it’s finally here. I know many of our readers were looking forward to the Opoona soundtrack as a nice Christmas gift from Basiscape Records, and it is indeed a treat to finally have soundtrack release at last.

I think most fans already know what’s in store for them: some early Basiscape goodness covering a lot of quirky electronic music and upbeat themes. Maybe you played Opoona and loved it, maybe you hated it, and maybe you didn’t play it at all, but regardless of what can be said about the game, the music is fantastic, and you should read our review to find out why! (more…)
Game Music

Hear Last Ranker and More Live at Ayako Ishikawa’s Violin Recital

October 12, 2010 | Jayson Napolitano | Comments Off on Hear Last Ranker and More Live at Ayako Ishikawa’s Violin Recital Share this

While Ayako Ishikawa may not be a household name yet, I encourage game music fans to take notice. This incredibly talented violinist, who has performed as a member of the Eminence Symphony Orchestra in the past, has credits including the Romeo x Juliet anime series composed by Hitoshi Sakimoto, the Passion album and concert by the Eminence Symphony Orchestra, and most recently the Last Ranker arrange album composed by Yoko Shimomura. She was also chosen to perform a special arrangement of the Final Fantasy XIV theme at a pre-release festival in September.

So, when and where can you hear her perform, and what will she be playing? As it turns out, her violin recital is on Sunday, October 17 at 5:00 PM at the Verbrugghen Hall in Sydney, Australia. There will be a number of pieces from videogames performed, including some from the Last Ranker arrange album. While the above video shows her performing a touching piece from Tsubasa Chronicle, the video after the jump shows her talent more prominently as a part of a small ensemble.

More information and tickets are available here.

Check her out if you’re in Sydney, and check out the other video after the jump. (more…)
Game Music, Japanese

Eminent Hiros: Otakon 2010+August 14th Tokyo Concert

July 21, 2010 | Wes Chung | Comments Off on Eminent Hiros: Otakon 2010+August 14th Tokyo Concert Share this

As has just been recently announced on the Otakon 2010 website, Eminence founder and violin virtuoso Hiroaki Yura, composer Hiroki Kikuta and singer Shihori will not only be attending Otakon 2010 in Baltimore, they created the exclusive theme song for the event. A quick jaunt to the Eminence website reveals that it’s called “Shackles of Night,” composed by Kikuta, supervised by Yura and sung by Shihori. There’s also an option to pre-order the CD, which comes with three versions of the song (I’m particularly and embarrassingly fond of the Vocaloid rendition), a B-side tune by Shihori that reminds me a little of Love Solfege and three new collaborations between Kikuta and Yura, all arrangements of unreleased music for an undisclosed but very popular PlayStation (1) fighting game.

In addition to this, Eminence has just announced that they’re doing an ensemble performance in Tokyo on the 14th of August. Those fortunate enough to attend can expect to hear “Beyond the Sky” (the credits song from Xenoblade), “Shackles of Night,” a selection of Secret of Mana music (my money’s on “Meridian Dance” at least, since they’ve performed it before), some Chrono Cross and at least one track from the Makoto Shinkai image album PROMISE, which we just about loved to pieces. Naturally, Hiroki Kikuta, Shihori and Sarah Alainn will be attending, as well as core members of Eminence — and yes, there are plans to stream the Tokyo concert for the other 6.6 billion or so people who can’t be there.

Which includes me! So here’s to hoping…