Jam of the Day: Super Metroid performed by the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra (Game Music Concert 4 ~ Live Best Collection)
This is probably one of the earliest arrangements of game music I heard. From the fourth Game Music Concert album, this eight minute Super Metroid medley was arranged by Toshihiko Sahash, conducted by Kosuke Onozak, and performed by the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra. It’s worth every minute of your time.
Jam of the Day: Full of Life by Protricity (Relics of the Chozo: A Super Metroid Musical Collaboration)
I’ve decided to feature more Metroid music this week since the 25th anniversary just happened.
Relics of the Chozo was the very first full album put out by OverClocked ReMix back in 2003. I was very excited when it came out. Albums covering an entire game’s soundtrack were not common in North America at the time. To make things even better, the tracks flowed into each other giving the album a very cohesive feel.
Full of Life is one of those arrangements that perfectly captures the spirit of the original. You could argue its lack of ambition, but sometimes I enjoy a good “update” style of remix. It would fit along seamlessly in an HD version of Super Metroid. Speaking of which, somebody should make that.
Jam of the Day: Phendrana Drifts performed by Metroid Metal (Varia Suite)
Today marks the 25th anniversary of Metroid. Metroid has always been one of my favorite game series of all time. I still consider Super Metroid to be the greatest game ever made and Metroid Prime isn’t far behind. Other M certainly was a mixed bag, but hopefully the series will continue on strong.
It’s been a great 25 years. Here’s to 25 more!
Jam of the Day: Torvus Bog by Metroid Metal (Originally from Metroid Prime 2: Echoes)
“Dude, where’s my music?!”
That was my first reaction to Metroid: Other M, which I picked up earlier today. Overall, I’ve been having a lot of fun with the game so far, but to say the soundtrack has been minimal would be generous. I can only hope the music picks up later, but my gut tells me Other M will be the most forgettable Metroid soundtrack to date.
So to balance this out, I bring you Metroid Metal’s rendition of Kenji Yamamoto’s Torvus Bog from Metroid Prime 2: Echoes. Metroid Metal does some really great arrangements of the series’ music. I saw them live last year at PAX ‘09 and will see them again this weekend at PAX ‘10. You should definitely check them out.
Jam of the Day: Crashed Ship Frigate Orpheon by Kenji Yamamoto (Metroid Prime Soundtrack)
With the impending release of Metroid: Other M, I’ve had Metroid on the brain lately. For Metroid Prime, Kenji Yamamoto was able to utilize a wider variety of sounds, no longer being limited to the hardware of the Super Nintendo.
While I still prefer the soundtrack to Super Metroid, Prime’s soundtrack suited it well, giving a similar feeling of loneliness and wonder. The underwater themes are always the best, and “Crashed Ship Frigate Orpheon” is no exception. It’s no Maridia, but it’s a damn fine track regardless.
