Silent Hill

Game Music

Bone Chilling Bonus: Silent Hill: Shattered Memories Pre-Order Soundtrack

September 14, 2009 | Audun Sorlie | 3 Comments Share this

Silent Hill, a series with a massive fan following, has always been noted for it’s excellent use of audio, from the creepy sound effects, to the vocal themes tied to the game. With the re-imagining of first title, titled Silent Hill: Shattered Memories being right around the corner, there’s alot to be excited about for the common Silent Hill fan. Especially with the confirmation that Akira Yamaoka is back to compose the game as noted in the interview we had with SHSM producer Tomm Huelett at E3 2009.

So how can you sweeten the deal further? Well, turns out if you pre-order the game today, you will receive the Silent Hill: Shattered Memories Soundtrack! The CD is expected to contain new composed music along with some arrangements of older material. Make sure to put a pre-order in now as the game is set to launch November 3, 2009.

What’s your thoughts on the direction they are going for with the game, and do you think Yamaoka’s work will be as good as the earlier titles? Let us know!
Game Music

Game Music Mishegoss: An Interview with Gamasutra’s Leigh Alexander

August 27, 2009 | Gideon Dabi | 8 Comments Share this

Welcome to Game Music Mishegoss! This is the first in a series of interviews with famous faces in the video game and video game journalism industry about their thoughts on gaming music. Our first ~~victim~~ entrant to this series is Gamasutra News Editor, Leigh Alexander. She is the writer of the very popular blog, SEXY VIDEOGAMELAND, and is one of the most accessible and present voices in the industry. We are very excited to have her aboard for this and think you’ll enjoy it, as well!

What soundtracks have resonated with Leigh? Which have been a bust? And is game music an under-appreciated artform? Find out the answer to these and other questions after the jump! (more…)
Game Music

E3 2009: Konami Press Conference Sights and Sounds

June 5, 2009 | Jayson Napolitano | 1 Comment Share this

Konami is usually pretty on top of their stuff when it comes to audio in their games. There was a lot to see and hear at their press conference a couple days ago, so I thought it’d be fun to tell you about our first impressions of the audio in some of their newly-announced projects.

With three new Metal Gear Solid titles in the works, a new Castlevania, some DDR news, and our first look at Akira Yamaoka’s “Always on my Mind” arrangement for Silent Hill: Shattered Memories, the only thing missing was a new Suikoden title! Maybe we’ll have to wait until Tokyo Game Show for more about my favorite series ever, but I’d saying the spread of titles shown in the press conference are far from disappointing.

Read our first impressions after the jump. (more…)
Game Music

E3 2009: Silent Hill: Shattered Memories Interview

June 3, 2009 | Jayson Napolitano | 26 Comments Share this

Well, here we are again. Another year, a bigger E3, and boy, I’m already pooped. I spent most of the day staring in awe at the Nintendo booth, not knowing what to start with, but eventually made my way over to the Konami booth to check out Silent Hill: Shattered Memories and Vandal Hearts. As it turned out, we were in luck, as Shattered Memories producer Tomm Huelett was on hand to talk to us about the game’s music and audio direction.

I’m happy to report that the title will feature a blend of old and new. There are some familiar names involved with the game’s score as well as a few surprises regarding vocal themes and the technology behind the game’s sound, so join us as we learn what’s in store for fans from Silent Hill: Shattered Memories this fall.

Our interview with Tomm Huelett is waiting for you after the jump. (more…)
Game Music

Contest Extension: Silent Hill Homecoming Soundtrack

February 26, 2009 | Jayson Napolitano | 1 Comment Share this

We realize that most of you probably missed this contest announcement buried under both the review of the album and the recent Mirror’s Edge Is Still Alive Contest. Needless to say, we’ve extended the deadline, and will take entries up until 11:59PM PST on Thursday, March 12. So here’s your chance to win a copy of the promotional Silent Hill Homecoming Original Soundtrack.

Just comment on the original post with a description of your experience with the music of the Silent Hill series. This is another easy one to enter, so get those entries in!

Have you had the opportunity to hear the music in Silent Hill Homecoming? What are your thoughts about the late (although much appreciated) soundtrack album?
Game Music

Silent Hill Homecoming Soundtrack Review and Contest: We Were Right!

January 23, 2009 | J.P. Arevalo | 8 Comments Share this

Frequent readers of OSV might remember our Silent Hill: Homecoming interview with Akira Yamaoka and our question about a possible soundtrack release. Since Yamaoka had mentioned that the soundtrack would be out along with the game in September in the United States, and since the game came and went with no word on a soundtrack release, we thought we might have had a misinterpretation on our hands.

But!

At the end of November, Gamestop stores around the country started receiving boxes of the soundtrack as a promotional bonus. A little late, but still very welcome! So, if you bought Silent Hill: Homecoming in the past, you may want to go bug your local game retailer for a copy before they end up as eBay fodder a year down the line.

This is, of course, great news for any Silent Hill or Akira Yamaoka fans. To celebrate the fact that we were right all along while you called us liars and slung mud at our faces, OSV is giving away its spare copy the promotional soundtrack!

Hit the jump for details on how to enter and to read our brief review. (more…)
Game Music

A New Kind of Fear: Silent Hill Homecoming Interview with Akira Yamaoka

September 26, 2008 | Jayson Napolitano | 14 Comments Share this

Silent Hill Homecoming is almost upon us. It’s due out on September 30, and we’ve been fortunate to speak with Akira Yamaoka, who is reprising his role as composer and producer, regarding his work on the title. Not only do we discuss a new kind of fear that will be featured in the game, but we also touch on his work habits and his philosophy about games.

Yamaoka confirms that there will be a soundtrack release by the end of September, featuring approximately 70 minutes of music, and even hints at an upcoming project that he belives will be his biggest project to date.

Read the full interview with Akira Yamaoka after the jump. (more…)