Site Contributors :: James (aka Pandemonium)

Biography

Having been with this site pretty much since its birth, I have seen it grow from an interesting aside into one of the most comprehensive and entertaining resources for Eastern game music in the world. It makes me proud to know that I have contributed to this in my own small way.

My relationship with video game music started with the Final Fantasy series. I was never a big gamer but enjoyed the engaging plots and wonderful graphics of PlayStation Final Fantasy games. I knew I enjoyed some of the music but never really gave much thought as to whether there was an actual soundtrack for a long time.

It was the Final Fantasy VIII opening track "Liberi Fatali" that compelled me to trawl the internet in a vain hope for some form of download. I inadvertently stumbled into a world that I hadn't even considered existed. I was a little bemused at first that there were entire sites devoted to the music of video games but I was entrigued and slowly I began getting drawn in.

At first I believed my enjoyment of the music stemmed from nostalgia, memories of the locations and characters coming back to me through the music, that was when I discovered the Final Fantasy VI soundtrack. I had not played the game at the time so I presumed it wouldn't have the same effect as other soundtracks I had listened to but when I heard the iconic "Aria de Mezzo Caraterre" I was blown away. I immediately had to work out the tune and chords on the piano and it really changed my perception of game music. It was then that I fully lauched myself into the community and started observing the forums of various sites and slowly gathered information. After a while I tentatively introduced myself at SquareSound before taking a quick sidestep into Square Enix Music Online, I haven't looked back.

Video game music indulges my passion for music of all genres but has a certain level of obscurity which keeps it fresh and exciting. It has opened my mind musically to a huge amount of different styles through the endless variety of the music and I like nothing better than discussing soundtracks with the intelligent and interesting people that you can find here. I hope you enjoy your experience as much as I did.

Contributed Reviews