Yamane

Game Music

Soundtrack of the Month 04/2009: Akumajo Dracula X ~Nocturne in the Moonlight~ Original Game Soundtrack

April 1, 2009 | Jayson Napolitano | 10 Comments Share this

Another one that I’ve been dying to do. This is a popular soundtrack, ranking only second as the most collected album on the VGMdb, and with good cause. This game put Castlevania back on the map after its disappointing Nintendo 64 adventures, and also made composer Michiru Yamane a household name… at least for game music fans.

Rock, ambient, electronic, and even jazz, it’s all here, and it still sounds amazing. It’s been awhile since I’ve listened to it, and I’d almost forgotten just how good it is. I don’t think anyone will deny that the Akumajo Dracula X ~Noctrune in the Moonlight~ Original Game Soundtrack deserves to be featured as April’s soundtrack of the month.

Read about this gem of the game music world after the jump. (more…)
Game Music, Reviews

Consolation Prize: The Order of Ecclesia US Pre-Order Disc (Review)

October 28, 2008 | Jayson Napolitano | 3 Comments Share this

Well, Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia was released last week, and I must say that the game’s music is drastically different from anything we’ve heard in previous Castlevania titles. While Iga confirmed to us that Michiru Yamane was handling the game’s soundtrack, we’ve since learned that Yasuhiro Ichihashi also contributed to the score, although we don’t know who was responsible for which tracks thus far.

While we’re likely not going to be getting the awesome looking 2-disc soundtrack that was released with the game’s special edition set in Japan, Konami USA was kind enough to offer a consolation prize in the form of a music sampler for those who pre-ordered the game through Amazon, Gamestop, and Gamecrazy. The disc features 15 minutes of music, and despite the change in musical style this time around, I found myself enjoying what the disc has to offer.

Is this album a worthy consolation prize? Read our impressions after the jump. (more…)
Game Music

Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia Special Edition Looks Oh So Pleasing

August 14, 2008 | Jayson Napolitano | Comments Off on Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia Special Edition Looks Oh So Pleasing Share this

That’s a reference to the Perfect Selection Dracula album from 1991 by the way, which sported some painfully 80s arrangements with English vocals. You should definitely check it out for a good laugh.

You may remember the sweet 20th anniversary bonus that was given to gamers who pre-ordered Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin back in 2006. Well, the latest installment of the series, Order or Ecclesia, will have a similarly cool set of goodies, but this time it’s only available in Japan, and comes via a paid premium. Not as good of a deal, but the freebies of the past were likely enough to wet our appetites for more cool stuff like this, and the special edition set that includes the game, a bound notebook, and a 2-disc soundtrack CD looks pretty awesome.

Will you be dishing out over $80 to hear Michiru Yamane’s latest? Are you with me in hoping for a separate soundtrack album for those of us who don’t care to have the notebook or the Japanese version of the game?

[via Destructoid]
Game Music

E3 2008: Judgment of Ecclesia

July 17, 2008 | Jayson Napolitano | Comments Off on E3 2008: Judgment of Ecclesia Share this E3 2008: Judgment of Ecclesia

“Do you like… Castlevania?” Yes, it’s Psycho Mantis again. While we just took a look at the E3 trailer for Castlevania Judgment yesterday, after getting some time with the game on the floor and speaking briefly with Igarashi, I have more details regarding both Judgment as well as Order of Ecclesia on the DS.

Iga offered an apology for not being able to name the composer(s) for Castlevania Judgment because, in fact, the audio is being outsourced. It’s not being handled by Yamane, but he assured me that there would be many familiar themes from the series. I noticed this first hand, as the match I played against a Konami rep featured the “Dracula’s Castle” track from Symphony on the Night. While it was difficult to hear through all the noise of the floor (thanks Rock Band!), the actual arrangement playing didn’t sound as lush as the original version of the song.

I also spent some time with Order of Ecclesia, which Igarashi noted will feature the music of series veteran Michiru Yamane. While I dug the majestic music that accompanied the introductory movie (which was absolutely gorgeous), the actual in-game music sounded similar to some of the uninspired stuff that we’ve been hearing from Yamane recently. They need to give her a break and let Koshiro take on more tunes!

What we heard on the E3 floor was only a fraction of the music that will be heard in each respective title, so I still have high hopes for the two. Do you think Konami will find a way to butcher even the classic Castelvania tunes that will find their way into Judgment? Should they give Yamane a break from the yearly Castlevania releases?
Game Music

E3 2008: The Verdict On Castlevania Judgment?

July 17, 2008 | Jayson Napolitano | Comments Off on E3 2008: The Verdict On Castlevania Judgment? Share this

Like it or not, a Castlevania fighting game is coming to a Wii near you this fall. I was excited to see the game on the E3 show floor this year, or should I say excited to hear it. Well, here’s a taste of the music from the official E3 trailer, and I must say that I am enjoying the tune that plays throughout.

It’s somewhat reminiscent of “Dracula’s Castle” from Symphony of the Night, although it admittedly lacks the epic rock flair, opting for a more catchy progression. I really dig the chorus section with its ascending and descending melody, ending each measure with synchronized bass drum, crash cymbal, bass, and belltone hits, lending the track a nice punch. I’ll be looking forward to what we hear out of Castlevania Judgement in the coming months.

Is it safe to assume this is Michiru Yamane’s work? What do you think about the music in the trailer?