Hibino

Game Music

In Singapore This Weekend? See Norihiko Hibino Perform at Video Games Live!

June 17, 2009 | Jayson Napolitano | Comments Off on In Singapore This Weekend? See Norihiko Hibino Perform at Video Games Live! Share this

Yeah, I know, you’re probably not going to be there, but we wanted to let you know that Video Games Live is hitting Singapore this weekend, and they’re bringing our friend and contributor Norihiko Hibino along with them to jam out “Snake Eater” from Metal Gear Solid 3. I imagine it will be a lot better than the rendition we saw in the fan-made video that won our MGS contest last year.

As a bonus, Tommy was kind enough to pass along this busy promotional poster for the show. See Hibino’s portrait tucked way in the corner? Almost looks like the text should say, “A Challenger Approaches!” Anyway, it sounds like a good time.

Wish you could make it out to the show? Would you like to see Hibino at other VGL shows around the world?

Read the official VGL press release after the jump. (more…)
Game Music

OSV Exclusive: 7th Dragon Arrange Album Preview

June 9, 2009 | Jayson Napolitano | 3 Comments Share this

Looking forward to the 7th Dragon piano and strings album due out next month? We revealed the tracklist to you a couple weeks ago, and now we’re providing you with an exclusive sneak peak of the music itself. We’ve been fortunate enough to hear the album in its entirety, and if you’ve been wondering what to expect, I don’t think you’re going to be disappointed.

While I love the music from both 7th Dragon and Etrian Odyssey, this sophomore effort from the Koshiro/Hibino duo takes things to a whole new level. From the variety of styles presented to amazing performances that will capture your complete attention, this album is an upgrade in every sense of the word, and that’s not saying the Etrian Odyssey arrange album wasn’t also an amazing piece of work!

Read our full preview of the Live Music by Piano and Strings 7th Dragon Super Arrange Version after the jump. (more…)
Game Music

Live Music by Piano and Strings: 7th Dragon Super Arrange Version Track List

May 18, 2009 | Jayson Napolitano | 3 Comments Share this

Another RPG from Yuzo Koshiro, another arrange album produced by Norihiko Hibino. Last year Koshiro’s work on Etrian Odyssey received numerous arrange albums produced by Norihko Hibino, the last of which was the Live Music by Piano and Strings: Sekaiju no Meiq I+II Super Arrange Version, but this time around it’s Koshiro’s latest project, 7th Dragon that’s receiving the small ensemble treatment.

Due out on June 24 from 5pb. Records, the arrange album will once again see the return of both Koshiro, Hibino, and a number of live performers to recreate some of the most memorable pieces from the score. Recording is already complete, and we’ve been fortunate enough to receive the official track list for the album, so start saving up for that import now!

Were you a fan of the Etrian Odyssey piano and strings album? Are you looking forward to a similar approach with the 7th Dragon arrange album?

Find out which tracks made the cut after the jump. (more…)
Game Music, Reviews

Norihiko Hibino Meets Ron Burgundy On XBLA/PSN… Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3 (Review)

April 17, 2009 | Patrick Gann | 4 Comments Share this

One of Capcom’s latest forays into the world of retro-style downloadable content features some of the downright funkiest music we’ve heard in ages. And it comes from our pal, Norihiko Hibino!

There’s a touch of Hibino’s old Metal Gear Solid espionage-friendly tunes on this shortie-but-goodie. But Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3 is no Metal Gear Solid in terms of gameplay. The developer, Backbone Entertainment, created a familiar top-down shooter (like the other games in the Commando series).

How this type of gameplay manages to involve a soundtrack that sounds like it’s performed by Will Ferrell’s fictional character Ron Burgundy (from the film Anchorman) is beyond my comprehension. But if you’re ready for some funky, dirty, almost industrial jazz (complete with jazz flute!), then take the jump to read our full review of the Commando 3 soundtrack.

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Game Music

GEM Impact and The Outer Rim Take on the Ninjas: Ninja Blade Original Soundtrack (Reviews)

February 18, 2009 | Tommy Ciulla | 5 Comments Share this

I’m an honest guy, so let me just tell you something right up front before we get into this album – up until recently, I wasn’t a huge Norihiko Hibino fan. I was familiar with his work on the Zone of the Enders and Metal Gear Solid series and appreciated whatever music of his I had heard in-game, but until I had the pleasure of checking out The Outer Rim album I was merely a spectator to his work. As I listened to the spacious jazz of The Outer Rim my curiosity was piqued and I became more eager to learn more about Hibino and his musician friends at GEM Impact.

A couple of weeks ago I heard the Ninja Blade Main Theme and was completely floored. Where had I been while Hibino and the GEM Impact team were making such great music? As I thought about it, songs like “Yell ‘Dead Cell'” and “Twilight Sniping” from MGS2 came rushing back to the forefront of my memory and I realized that I had been here all along, and as such I had lots of music to search out and enjoy. And the first album up? The Ninja Blade Original Soundtrack, composed by Hibino and the rest of the GEM Impact team. And, believe you me, this is an excellent soundtrack.

Join me after the jump as I pull my head out of the sand and take a closer look at the Ninja Blade Original Soundtrack. (more…)
Game Music

Ask Hibino: American Ninjas and Crazy Japanese People

January 29, 2009 | Norihiko Hibino | 4 Comments Share this

[Editor’s Note: I guess we were overly ambitious with our once monthly plans for Ask Hibino, but we wanted to let you know we didn’t forget! This time, it’s more like “Hibino Tells,” as Hibino-san talks about GEM Impact’s work on Ninja Blade, including some behind-the-scenes details and anecdotes about the creation of the soundtrack. Be sure to check it out!]

Hello! Sorry that it’s been so long since I’ve written the “Ask Hibino” feature. GEM Impact has been quite busy, but I am happy to say that our current project, Ninja Blade, has be released in Japan today (January 29th). I thought this would be a good time to talk about the background behind Ninja Blade and the behind-the-scenes details of our work on the title.

Read the details after the jump. (more…)
Anime, Game Music, Reviews

When Anime and Game Music Collide: Get The Message Or Get Lost! (Review)

January 7, 2009 | Jayson Napolitano | 8 Comments Share this

Whoever came up with this idea is a genius. How about taking a group of accomplished game composers and pairing them with talented anime vocalists and seeing what they come up with? That’s exactly what Message is, and it has yielded wondrous results. I was excited when it was announced, and completely satisfied after hearing it.

While I admit I’m not too familiar with anime vocalists, I’m sure you know most of the game composers involved, including Motoi Sakuraba, Kenji Ito, Shinji Hosoe, Yoko Shimomura, and Norihiko Hibino, just to name a few. As far as style goes, classical, experimental, cinematic, pop, and retro are just a few of the adjectives you can use to describe Message.

Read about what you’re missing after the jump. (more…)