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Raidou Kuzunoha VS King Abaddon Soundtrack :: Review by Cho Hakkai
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Album Title: | Devil Summoner Raidou Kuzunoha VS King Abaddon Soundtrack |
| Record Label: | Atlus | |
| Catalog No.: | Promotional | |
| Release Date: | October 23, 2008 | |
| Purchase: | Buy at eBay |
Overview
This is a promotional CD that came with the Japanese copy of Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha VS King Abaddon. It contains all the new compositions made by Shoji Meguro for the sequel of Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha VS The Soulless Army plus some arrangements from the previous soundtrack. While the latter spanned two discs for a total of just over an hour, this album consist of only one CD and lasts around fifty minutes. So, how does Meguro fare with this one?
Track-by-Track Reviews
1) Theme of Raidou Kuzunoha 2008
The album opens with the first of three arrangements from the previous game. We are treated to a fresh and renewed "Theme", first heard in the Shin Megami Tensei Devil Summoner Raidou Kuzunoha Vs The Soulless Army Complete Music Works. The track mantains the playful and jovial feel of the original through the use of trumpet. However, it adds some new elements to the mix, such as a shakuhachi playing in the intro, a new piano line that gives somewhat of a light hearted feeling, and a greater focus on percussion. Overall, I think this piece manages to better its predecessor and represents a great opener to the soundtrack despite its short length. (9/10)
2) New Battle
This piece is a return to Meguro's roots. It is very similar to the upbeat battle tracks heard in the soundtrack for Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne, characterized by powerful and persistent use of drums, cymbals, and electric guitars and a final moment of relief marked by a gripping piano melody. It may not be that new coming from Meguro, but it's sure to get its job done and please the listener's ears thanks to its catchy and fresh motif. (9/10)
3) Prologue
Reminiscent of some character themes from the Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne, the track opens with a slow and poignant piano and strings duet. The forces suddenly dissolve to make room for a steady drums and cymbals line backed up by a sleek bass leading to the piece's conclusion. Smooth and without too many claims, this track is certainly not a highlight in the soundtrack and has limited instrumentation, but is ultimately decent. (7/10)
4) Everyday Detective Agency
What I guess is Narumi Detective Agency's theme is a laid back and relaxing jazzy piec, featuring piano, light percussion, and a lazy bass. The tune is catchy and quietly runs for the one minute duration of the piece. Very short and quite repetitive, but a nice addition to the score. (8/10)
5) The Wind of Tsukigata
Feeling ominous and dangerous, this track features a heavy drum beat, suspended strings, and a somber piano line. Unfortunately, we are trated to a mediocre piece that surely serves well its purpose of creating tension in the game, but that's not very interesting to listen to in a stand alone basis. (6/10)
6) The Summoner of Tsukigata
After an introduction by some keyboard instrument, a trumpet joins in and gives life to this mysterious sounding piece. It is spiced with electric guitars, a subtle piano motif, and occasional sounds resembling electric shocks. A lively track that is maybe too similiar to something heard on the Shin Megami Tensei Devil Summoner Raidou Kuzunoha Vs The Soulless Army Complete Music Works. Still, definitely a good listen. (8/10)
7) Talk
Lively and upbeat, this short track must be the one played while talking to demons in battle much like previous Megaten titles. It features a jazzy tune led by a trumpet, piano, and synths. Nothing major here, just a little filler track. (5/10)
8) Treat Me Well From Now On
Again, a nice joyful and upbeat piece. As dictated by Raidou Kuzunoha's policy, it is led by an Hammond organ, a playful trumpet, electric guitars riffs, and steady percussion. In the end though, this is just another short filler track. (7/10)
9) Decisive Battle
Here we have what should be one of the boss battle tracks. It features some ominous electric guitars and cymbals in the intro and then develops in a solid rock piece with captivating guitars and trumpet motifs backed up by heavy percussion. It really delivers the feeling of fighting a though battle against a feared enemy while struggling not to fall prey to him. A good battle track, although not the best one on this soundtrack. (8/10)
10) The Darkness of Tsukigata
Once again, there is a slow drum beat introduction to this poignant track. It is prevalently led by a moving piano melody backed up by a sax, guitar riffs, and strings. They all create quite an emotional setting for one of the more touching pieces in the soundtrack. Even though Meguro isn't new to this kind of track, I feel this is another good sentimental theme from him and surely a worthy addition to this promotional CD. (9/10)
11) The Family of Tsukigata
The track is led by joyful and carefree woodwinds backed up by a steady beat of drums, guitar riffs, and piano with some occasional interventions by an Hammond organ. A light-hearted track with a catchy tune. (8/10)
12) Adventure
Another relaxing laid back piece featuring trumpet and sax together with a subtle and modest piano melody. As usual, the track has an accompaniment of drums and cymbals. Nothing exceptional but, as before, it's a good listen. (8/10)
13) Determination
"Determination" begins as an ominous track given the scratching electric guitar accompanied by the usual heavy drum beat. It turns in a nice optimistic track in the end, though, thanks to the addition of a catchy trumpet melody. Too bad it loops despite its short length — it could have been more developed. (7/10)
14) Battle -Raidou- 2008
I have a sort of mixed feeling for this track. This is certainly a great piece as anarrangement of the battle theme of the previous Raidou Kuzunoha game; that theme wasn't even included in the soundtrack for unknown reasons and instead was part of the Devil Summoner Hyper Rearrange Collection. However, I feel that Meguro made the track less particular, reusing virtually the entire electric guitar line and simply emphasizing the percussion, which are now more powerful, uniforming the track to the overall promotional CD sound. It is by no means a bad piece, but could have been better. (7/10)
15) Tsukudo-Cho 2008
Another track originally included only in the Devil Summoner Hyper Rearrange Collection. This time I think Meguro managed to better himself, adding a new and refreshing character to the jazzy keyboard rhythm of the original with larger use of trumpets and stronger funk elements. A great arrangement and a good addition to this soundtrack. (9/10)
16) Omen
The track begins with tremolo strings and militaristic percussion. It then evolves until it reaches its second part where there is a short ostinato raising tension leading the listener to predict adverse events. The abrupt and anticlimatic ending leaves the listener with a sense of incompleteness typical of themes of this genre. If nothing else, its name fits. (7/10)
17) Misfortune
Much in the vein of the previous track, "Misfortune" begins with militaristic percussion and some strings with an ominous tone. This builds tension through the short track length. Given it comes directly after the previous track, this is quite superfluous and serves as a filler. (6/10)
18) Demon Battle
Probably another boss battle theme, we are introduced to this track with a heavy drum beat that is immediately flanked by the usual electric guitars. Again, the steady percussion rhythm is reminiscent of the Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne battle themes. The downside of this theme is the sudden interruption just before the loop after the climax that makes it lose part of its charm. Nonetheless, it still is a worthy Meguro battle tune and will certainly not disappoint his fans. (8/10)
19) Movement
After a brief strings introduction, an ominous and subtle piano makes his appearance and repeats the same note until the end of the track. Useless and uninteresting on a stand alone basis, though it will most likely have its merits in the game. (3/10)
20) Apocalypse
Starting with a repetitive piano line and electronica beat, "Apocalypse" then adds a sax and some strings to create quite an atmospheric feel. However, it is ultimately boring and it really goes nowhere. (5/10)
21) Whole Sadness
What begins as a duet for strings and a melancholic piano is enhanced by a trumpet that begins to play a slow and reassuring motif. Shortly later, the percussion kicks in creating a solemn and hopeful ballad that permeates emotion. Definitely one of the best tracks on this soundtrack. (9/10)
22) The Final Decisive Battle
After a short introduction for synth, some fast paced percussion join in and catchy tuned electric guitars lead this gripping track of Meguro's typical rock flavor. Again, it will satisfy the composer's fans, but some might be disappointed by the lack of variety in instrumentation. (8/10)
23) Ending Theme
The closing track for this promotional CD is, as expected, the one that plays during the game credits and is particularly cheerful and upbeat. At the beginning it features some militaristic percussion and a hopeful piano motif, but then an electric guitar and trumpet join in and the track comes alive revealing all of its lively and optimistic spirit. Halfway through, a Hammond organ makes its appearence and performs in a joyful solo after which the trumpet comes back with its already known motif. This is without a doubt a great track and a good conclusion to this soundtrack. (9/10)
Summary
This promotional CD is stylistically very close to Meguro's work on the soundtrack for Raidou Kuzunoha VS The Soulless Army. However, the composer seems to have returned to the more heavy and crude tonalities of Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne for the battle tracks featured in the soundtrack rather than continuing the path of experimenting those jazz, rock and electronica fusions he delighted us in the more varied soundtrack for Raidou Kuzunoha's previous adventure. Nothing new from Meguro then, but rather a good rehash of the excellent rock he has accustomed us to. So in the end, this is sure to satisfy all Megaten fans and especially Meguro aficionados, but those who hoped for something new or already own the Devil Summoner Raidou Kuzunoha VS The Soulless Army Complete Music Works may find this album something of a letdown.
