Grant Henry

Miscellaneous

Alexander Brandon “Just Fun” Kickstarter Brings the Talent

February 3, 2014 | Brenna Wilkes | Comments Off on Alexander Brandon “Just Fun” Kickstarter Brings the Talent Share this

If you’re a fan of Dues Ex and Unreal Tournament composer Alexander Brandon, you might be interested in the Kickstarter that went live today. “Just Fun” is slated to be an original album of Brandon’s design, featuring 45 minutes and beyond of original compositions by the gaming composer. Even better than that, he’s not alone! Several big names are lending their musical skills to the project, including Jake “Virt” Kaufman, Andrew “zircon” Aversa, Grant “Stemage” Henry, Erik “Viking Guitar” Peabody and a ton more! All of this on a 14-song album with a ton of extras open to backers, including additional songs, download codes to additional albums, credits in the album notes and more!

Via the Kickstarter:

Roughly three months of full time effort has gone into this album over a period of over a year. Evenings, weekends, early mornings spent by myself as well as the fine folks who have collaborated with me. I’d like the ability to have this release be to a wider audience, with the ability to supply things like cool signed CDs as well as even more digital downloads of previous works.

The Just Fun Kickstarter goal for $6,000 ends on March 5th with several reasonable pledge tiers for the digital album, the physical album and thensome. Check out the page for the full list of contributors, rewards and details of the album!
Chip Music

C-jeff’s “Big Steel Wheels” Now Launched

November 15, 2013 | Brenna Wilkes | Comments Off on C-jeff’s “Big Steel Wheels” Now Launched Share this

A combination of 80’s music and chiptunes? You’d have to be crazy to pass up a union like that! Well, you don’t have to now that chiptune artist Dmitry “C-jeff” Zhemkov has released Big Steel Wheels for public auditory consumption.

Described as “A fictional action music adventure, inspired by works of Vince DiCola, action movies, rock and metal music, chiptunes and the legacy of ’80s!” by C-jeff himself, he combines his skill with a cadre of strong supporting artists. Featuring Grant “Stemage” Henry, Dan “Danimal Cannon” Behrens and Raz Ben Ari on live guitar, Jeff Ball on viola, and even the voice talents of Alexander Brandon, Rich “Disasterpeace” Vreland, George “norg” Nowik and Lamont Bellsarios, the album is packed with talent. Boasting an essence of “Transformers the Motion Picture” with the flair of 80’s synth and smooth guitars and viola backing, it nails a heavy nostalgic feel.

Check it out on Ubiktune or pick up the entire album for $7 on bandcamp and give C-jeff some big steel love.
Doujin, Game Music

Stemage: “Where Good Marbles Go to Die” Album Released

June 4, 2012 | Brenna Wilkes | 1 Comment Share this

It’s been a whirlwind of releases this week, and it looks like Grant “Stemage” Henry wanted to tack on his contribution to the week with his most recent release of Where Good Marbles Go To Die, an arrangement album for the game Marble Madness. The head man of the band Metroid Metal has been keeping himself pretty busy creating the collection and releasing it between his several other projects.

The 7-track release features not only Henry, but several other artists lending their talents as guests to each individual tracks. Including the accompanied expertise of the likes of Lauren Liebowitz of Descendants of Erdrick, fellow Metroid Metal bandmate Micheal “Kirby Pufocia” Molnar, Erik “VikingGuitar” Peabody and several talented others, the release has a fantastic mix of different types of melodies and genres contributing to its overall collective sound. Sporting the arranged music from all the levels of the original arcade release, and boasting wonderful art by Nate “FoxxDragon” Horsfall, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!

<a href="http://stemage.bandcamp.com/track/pipe-dream-ft-lauren-liebowitz-of-descendants-of-erdrick">Pipe Dream (ft Lauren Liebowitz of Descendants of Erdrick) by Stemage</a>

Where Good Marbles Go To Die is an exciting collaboration between talents and brought together on an arrangement album for a game that deserves its time in the spotlight. Available on Stemage’s bandcamp for the always reasonable “Name-Your-Price” to download the entire album, there’s also the option to donate $5 (plus shipping) in order to gain the overly-retro reward of a cassette tape of the album! How can you lose with that?!
Doujin, Game Music, Reviews

Six Surefire, Face-Melting Missiles: Metroid Metal’s Expansion Pack (Review)

August 25, 2010 | Patrick Gann | 4 Comments Share this

I was having a nice, quiet, peaceful day, when all of a sudden, Metroid Metal decides to drop a 6-track EP on the VGM community. In 0.28 seconds, my face was officially melted. Third degree burns EVERYWHERE. It was a mess of hyperbolic proportions. Because, you know, I tend to dwell in the realm of hyperbole.

We at OSV have talked about Metroid Metal before: album reviews and a concert report, to be specific. We’re kinda sorta into them, because they happen to be amazing performers. You’ve never, ever heard Metroid music quite like this.

The Expansion Pack EP is set for physical and digital release on September 4th, 2010. We got our hands on the full 6-track mayhem ahead of time so we could tell you about it. The details come after the jump. (more…)
Chip Music, Doujin, Game Music

MAGFest 8: Day 1 and Night 1 (Feat. Metroid Metal)

January 2, 2010 | Patrick Gann | 4 Comments Share this

I’ve been to a fair number of conventions in my time. I used to think it couldn’t get any better than E3. You know, seeing new and upcoming games, hanging with industry big-wigs. That’s all good stuff.

But today, I experienced my first MAGFest. Music And Games has been going on in Alexandria, VA (just outside Washington DC) once a year for eight years now. It’s remarkably close to my hometown. How am I only finding out about it now?

During the day, I took in all the sights. LAN parties, a huge gaming room where people bring their own consoles and equipment to share all kinds of good stuff from the last 3 decades. Classic arcade cabinets lined the hallways of the Hilton Hotel. And merch, merch, merch! All sorts of cool stuff for sale. Hats and prints and some hand-made “Pixel Art” using legos (thank you MC Death Bear!). Good stuff.

One of the best panels I went to today was “The Being, The Business, and the Evolving of an Indie Game Composer,” led by composer Josh Whelchel. Josh talked about interacting with a game’s designer or producer, and how to sell yourself without “selling out.” A lot of people that attend MAGFest have their own fan projects, and Josh (who has begun to break into the industry himself) gave some great tips for everyone at the panel.

This isn’t a big convention with game developers and the like. This is by the fans, and for the fans. All of the people here, male or female, young or old, have an undying love for games and game music. I witnessed that love, firsthand, later in the evening, when the second round of concerts started. Sadly, I missed the New Year’s Eve show, and I won’t be staying for the rest of the convention. But if there was one night to make, I think this is the one I wanted, and needed, most. Find out why after the jump. (more…)
Game Music

Steamy Stemage: Grant “Metroid Metal” Henry Interview

September 8, 2009 | Audun Sorlie | 8 Comments Share this

Yesterday we gave you the review of Metroid Metal: Varia Suite, and called it one of the best CDs of 2009. For many years fans have only dreamed of a full studio album from Metroid Metal, and finally it’s here. With the CD being such a masterpiece and activity within the band being at an all time high, we couldn’t help but chat with the mind behind this project.

So today we are happy to bring you an interview with Grant Henry, the man behind Metroid Metal! After many years as a fan favorite through his website, he’s today having great success with live shows and the new CD with his band mates. Find out where the project started, what Metroid game Grant prefers and how a bald man swept him off his feet. It’s all here. Special thanks to Tommy Ciulla for helping out with some great questions!

Read the interview after the jump! (more…)