Chez; thoughts on: Akira Yamaoka.

[Chez Daja]

Akira Yamaoka is a genius. He wrote the Silent Hill soundtracks - games of which I have been a fan of since SH1. Akira's industrial rock and noise theme in the SH games really bought a hell of a lot of a fear factor into them by complimenting the games' dark outlook. Silent Hill is not for the weak of mind - but what I discovered most haunting was the music - and at certain times, the lack of. They really perfected these games with noises, sounds and music. Even though a lot of people fail to understand the point of industrial rock is that a lot of the noises are mismatched to create atmosphere. Players of Silent Hill, will instantly notice that the sound waves are changed frequently during every piece of music, particularly the more rocky and industrial themes. Aikra Yamaoka is great. Silent Hill was really more atmospherec because of his music...

What do you guys think?

[Dragoon Joe]

i thought u were talkin about the anime
'akira'
but the games r gr8 so i think hes cool

[Chez Daja]

Erm...

Anyway, Akira Yamaoka has inspired me with his music; the Main Menu theme for Silent Hill 4 was really weird. It was a repeated loop of stringing, used on top of a very quiet humming, together it creates a perfect atmosphere and you know the music throughout the game is most likely going to freak you out.

There is, however, a song (which I'm not sure of the name)... but when you enter into Apartment World the 2nd time that it plays in the background -- it's quiet a calming theme which, as by this point, the end of the game is drawing closer, really relaxes and does well for a before-the-last-battle calm-down.

As a big fan of survival horror and horror/action based games and genres, I am always on the look out for a new game that'll have a frightening effect. Though it's usually the soundtrack that means the most to me, because music speaks more to me then visual does - if the music is haunting or frightening, then that#s obviously a really good sign.

I cannot compliment Akira Yamaoka's work on the Silent Hill series soundtracks anymore -- he really did a wonderful job.

[Akira]

I concur completely. The effects that Akira's music has on one during gameplay helps to present the setting and "sell" the authenticity of the game. Without it, the games wouldn't have been half as scary.

Examples of this are the sudden silence of the music whihc is followed by a few moments of silence and then a sudden loud noise which gets your adrenaline going. Similarly, the noise that the radion makes throughout the games always hints towards a potential enemy in the area which further psyches you up.

I personally prefer Silent Hill to other horror action games since the gamemakers at Konami always know exactly what they are doing. And I'm actually one of those that had a Resident Evil title before an SH one. However, Resident Evil was more a puzzle game in my opinion rather than a true horror piece. Silent Hill is the true epitomy of a creepy game and even goes so far as to be scarier than 90% percent of the horror flicks out there (again my opinion).

[Chez Daja]

Agreed. Resident Evil was full of puzzles, challenges and empty kills. Silent Hill was raw killing and raw horror.

The sound of the radio was quite creepy -- not an edition on Silent Hill, other then in the apartment, and can only be used to detect hauntings inside of the apartment of the main character, meaning noises in this game were even more something to look out for.

True horror.

And glad somebody agrees.

[Chez Daja]

Sorry for the double post, but I was REALLY hoping what with the release of the Silent Hill movie in cinema's, that maybe we could resirrect this for a bit?

I saw the movie. Oh my god... There's a track, called "Promise (Reprise)", which blew me away. It's the most beautiful piano song I have ever heard. If you're a fan of Silent Hill, or Akira Yamaoka's music, I really recommend buying the SH movie soundtrack or downloading it, as the music from the film was just breathtaking... Has anybody else taken an interest in the music from the movie? A lot of it was taken from the games, some of it remixed.

[Loki]

As a fan of the games myself, i'm also a huge fan of Akira's work. There really is no track I despise in any of his soundtracks, everything is just a brilliant piece of work; and thats an understatement if you ask me. Since this is a thread about his music, I'm curious to hear other people's favorites.

I'll name my top 10 to start it off. Feel free to add a description aswell as to why you like the particular song.

1. Silent Hill 1 - Tears Of.. [ This is the track that did it for me, I seriously love this one to bits and is my single most favorite. I just love the mood it sets, really calming. I feel at ease everytime I listen to it ]

2. Silent Hill 1 - Killing Time [ This has a very grungy feel to it but still maintains to feel the beauty of his work, I really like this one aswell. It was a hard choice between this and Tears Of ]

3. Silent Hill 2 - Promise (Reprise) [ Definetley one of my favorites from the 2nd game. The piano in this one is just the most relaxing thing ever. Maybe i'm weird, but I definetley see this one fitting James. Such a sad piece and very fitting for his story. Beautiful track ]

4. Silent Hill 2 - Forest [ Another awesome Piano piece. Relaxing yet dark and sad at the same time. SH2 really has some beautiful music ]

5. Silent Hill 2 - True [ I can't help it, almost every single Piano piece with a hint of a dark medly catchs my ear like no other. I also love the addition of the violin near the end ]

6. Silent Hill 3 - Sickness Unto Foolish Death [ Akira was trying something different when he composed with SH3. I love it to death ]

7. Silent Hill 3 - Rain of Blass Petals [ I can't quite think of the instruments played in this one but the combination is definetley awesome. A very stellar track. Dark and yet relaxing at the same time. ]

8. Silent Hill 4 - Melancholy Requiem [ Probably my favorite from SH4. The suffering violin and piano is just too good for words. The melody is really something else ]

9. Silent Hill 4 - Silent Circus [ This plays during the first time you meet Cynthia; I instantly fell in love with it, beautiful track ]

10. Silent Hill 4 - Drops of Silence [ Slow paced and sort of creepy but yet still it retains a nice tune to it. It took me a while to decide on no.10 hehe ]

[Chez Daja]

An excellent idea, Kalisto.

As I haven't yet finished downloading the soundtracks yet, I'm probably not going to be able to write ten whole tracks, as some of the names of my favourite tracks I am unsure of, although I'll name the tracks I do like a lot, and then once my downloads are complete, I'll name the rest...

. Silent Hill 2 - Promise (Reprise) - It's just amazing the way that the piano matches the mood of the game -- it's also in the movie, which also suits a lot of what's happening.

. Silent Hill 1 - ((Good ending track?)) - I downloaded it, although it didn't have a name except for "ending4" ... Anyway, it's a guitar / piano song which just sounds beautiful and has always been one of my most favourite songs ever.

I cannot choose which of the above I prefer, so I didn't not number them.

I also like the tracks...

Silent Hill 2 - Promise.
Silent Hill 2 - Theme Of Laura.
Silent Hill 1 - (Otherside).


I haven't heard enough of SH3's tracks to really comment, though. Sorry.

[Angantyr]

Well I still think Nobuo is the best but Akira comes in a close 2nd. I think the music is amazing and I love the way he makes it sound like a Vinyl recording. I have only heard the SH1 OST and Tears of Time is a beautiful peice. Also I will mention Not Tomorrow as this peice is soft but also eerie

Spoiler: Its the bit when blood comes out of Lisa and she turns into a Zombie

and the first few tracks from SH2. If anybody can give me any of the releases PM with your MSN, Zip them up and send them, I found a site with them but I have to grab it track by track and there is like 60 of them (I am a perfectionist and have to have complete albums)

[Chez Daja]

Thanks for posting, WM.


I also got my list!

Yaaay!

1. Tears Of... - SH1
2. Promise (Reprise) - SH2
3. Null Moon - ?
4. Laura Plays The Piano - SH2
5. Killing Time - SH1
6. Silent Circus - SH4
7. Theme Of Laura (Reprise) - SH2
8. Not Tomorrow - SH1
9. True - SH2
10. Forest - SH2




WM, I also love the "vinyl" sound. It's really awesome. Thanks again for posting here.

[Snave]

Who knows a site where I can get the music "You're not here" from the introduction of Silent Hill 3? I absolutely love the song! Whats up with the soulseek thing? Do I have to download it first?

[Chez Daja]

Yeah, and it's also sorta... illegal...ish. ^^;

I'm not quite sure where to find the song other then through Soulseek. I'd download and send you the track, but not only would that also be illegal, but slow, since my PC hardly lets transfers in, let alone sending out...

Grrawr.

If I find a site with soundtracks on, though, I'll let you know, yeah?

[Loki]

I'm more then happy to share all 4 soundtracks and the remixes I have with anyone that wants them; just give me a PM and i'll zip them up for you. My upload is around 30-40KBs, not optimal, but better then nothing, right?

Oh, and for anyone that has the SH2 ost, take a listen to Alone in The Town from it. I overlooked it all this time, but it's a stellar piece.

PS. Great list Chez, those are some really awesome tracks.

[Chez Daja]

Wow... I'm actually extremely tempted, but my computer is so very slow. =(

I'll d/l Alone In The Town later, I think, since I'll probably not have much to do today. Your track list also rocked, Kalisto. ^_^ ESP since we have a lot of the same tracks on 'em. xD