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: Maridia - Rocky Underground Water Area by Minako Hamano (Super Metroid Soundtrack)

Sometimes I just feel like highlighting a classic. I’ve had Super Metroid on my mind a lot recently, both from coincidental conversations with various people and because of the upcoming sequel, Other M.

Super Metroid is my favorite game of all time. The soundtrack, composed by both Minako Hamano and Kenji Yamamoto, had a very ominous tone to it. It did a great job of creating a lonely atmosphere as you explored the many cavernous regions of the planet Zebes.

Maridia was always an area that stuck out to me. I’ve always had a sense of eerie dread while playing underwater levels in games, and the theme for the rocky underground section of Maridia sent chills down my spine.