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AKIRA-YAMAOKA

Amazing Guitar Covers Of Silent Hill And Chrono Cross Music

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on March 03, 2013 @ 3:01pm
Category: Music / Videos

I love video game music, always have, always will. From the great 8-bit tracks on the NES to the sweeping orchestral passages on today’s consoles, there are tracks that I will never forget, no matter what. I can still rattle off the music from Karnov, The Legend Of Zelda, Chrono Trigger, Secret Of Mana, Castlevania, and so much more.

Something I love seeing and hearing are people taking memorable video tunes and playing them on other instruments. As a guitarist, I find that I’m drawn to the guitar covers, but really any will do. And so, with that being said, below you can hear a classical guitar cover of Silent Hill 3‘s “You’re Not Here” as well as the SuperGuitarBros. dual guitar version of Chrono Cross‘s “Time’s Scar” (a track I’ve always found to be particularly beautiful). Enjoy! READ MORE

Woman Covers Silent Hill And Animals As Leaders On Celtic Harp

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on February 17, 2013 @ 3:45pm
Category: Music / Videos

YouTube user Mashuggah Halcyon, who hails from Russia, is a multi-instrumentalist who has uploaded videos of her covering various songs, both video game related and from the metal genre. They’re rather incredible as she plays these pieces with near effortless grace (while wearing a metal shirt). Particularly, her cover of Animals As Leaders‘ “On Impulse” gives the song a completely different feel, almost as though it belongs in a Legend Of Zelda game. Also, her covers of Silent Hill 1′s “Not Tomorrow” and Silent Hill 2′s “Promise (Reprise)” are fantastic.

Give ‘em a listen below! READ MORE

[Best & Worst '12] Jonny Picks His Worst 5 Albums Of 2012

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on January 01, 2013 @ 1:00pm
Category: Music / Editorials

While I wish I could focus entirely on the best offerings of 2012, I have to let you know about my worst albums of the year as well. Some of the albums below took me several listens to realize that they were lacking while others I knew right away were terrible. But in the end, these were albums that disappointed on a great many levels. Check ‘em out below.

Make sure to check out my Top 10 albums here. READ MORE

[Random Cool] Hear The Silent Hill Otherworld Siren Anytime You Want With A Push Of This Button

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on December 19, 2012 @ 9:00am
Category: Music / News

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you felt like the world was melting around you, exposing a far more nightmarish and disgusting face? Have you ever thought, “Man, I feel like grabbing a pipe, a broken radio, and a pocket flashlight and entering a dense fog? But where would I hear the siren that beckons my arrival?” Have you ever wanted to randomly hear an air raid siren because…well, just because? Fear not, dear readers! For now, at the press of a button, you can hear the Silent Hill 2 siren whenever you want. Simply head on below and click to your dark heart’s delight! READ MORE

Hear Silent Hill Composer Akira Yamaoka’s Eternal Slumber Remix Of Dir En Grey’s “Rinkaku”

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on December 18, 2012 @ 11:00am
Category: Music / Videos

Tomorrow sees the release of “Rinkaku”, the new single from Japanese prog extreme metal band Dir En Grey. While we already posted about the new song and the really disturbing video, what we haven’t yet written about is the “Eternal Slumber Remix” done by Silent Hill composer Akira Yamaoka. Below you can hear his version of the song, which bears all the earmarks of what you could possibly want from Yamaoka. It’s eerie, atmospheric, haunting, and emotionally charged, taking the original and gives it a completely new sound. In short, it’s fantastic and gives me new appreciation for Yamaoka and his skills.

If you’re willing to pay a tad extra for shipping fees, you can pre-order the deluxe edition here. READ MORE

The Original Silent Hill Theme Gets A Christmas Makeover

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on December 14, 2012 @ 8:00pm
Category: Music / Videos

“Just hear those sleigh bells jingling, ring-ting-tingling tooOH MY GOD THERE’S A MANNEQUIN TRYING TO VOMIT ACID ALL OVER ME!!! ”

Composer Blake Robinson and his project The Synthetic Orchestra are doing a Christmas advent calendar of music that takes memorable video game themes and gives them the good ole’ holiday cheer once over! For the 11th day, Robinson took the theme song to Silent Hill 1, which was composed by Akira Yamaoka. You can hear the final product below (highly recommended)! READ MORE

Dir En Grey Release 60-Second Teaser For “Rinkaku”

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on December 10, 2012 @ 9:00am
Category: Music / News

Japanese progressive metal band Dir En Grey has released a 60-second teaser for their upcoming new track “Rinkaku”. The song will be made available on Dec. 19th, 2012. You can check out the teaser below.

Silent Hill composer Akira Yamaoka will be doing a remix of “Rinkaku” that will be included on the single. “The new single from DIR EN GREY will be released with two tracks which will include a new rendition of “Kiri to Mayu” previously released on the album ‘MISSA’ (25.07.1997) and a remix of “RINKAKU” by famed sound designer of horror game series ‘Silent Hill,’ Akira Yamaoka. Once again Tue Madsen came on as the Mix Engineer for this release after lending his unrivaled expertise on ‘DUM SPIRO SPERO.’”

Check out Kyo’s Top 10 Horror Movies here as well as our interview with guitarists Kaoru and Die. You can also check out my review of their last album Dum Spiro Spero here. READ MORE

8 Scariest Silent Hill 1 OST Tracks

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on October 31, 2012 @ 1:01pm
Category: Music / Editorials

With the horrible taste that Silent Hill: Revelation 3D left in my mouth, I found myself returning to classic Silent Hill music to remind myself of how amazing the series was (and is, thanks to Downpour (review)). And as I was listening to Akira Yamaoka‘s Silent Hill 1 OST, which I used to fall asleep to (that probably explains a few things about me…), I felt something that I hadn’t felt from the latest film in any way, shape, or form: fear. Trepidation. Unease. I was looking over my shoulder as each track unfolded and I felt my nerves begin to stretch and tighten.

Since it’s officially Halloween, I wanted to share with you my 8 Scariest Silent Hill 1 Tracks as a way of revisiting the past to one of the most terrifying video games ever released. Head on below for a playlist that will make your Halloween party that much more spooky! READ MORE

Akira Yamaoka Unveils New Solo Album Artwork

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on October 31, 2012 @ 10:15am
Category: Music / Images

Silent Hill and Shadows Of The Damned composer Akira Yamaoka has unveiled the album artwork for his upcoming solo album Revolucion through his Facebook page. It was also announced that fans would be able to pick up a copy of the album at V-CONCERT on Nov. 10th at Foro Vallarta, Guadalajara in Mexico, where Yamaoka will be playing. That being said, no official release date for Revolucion has been set. Check out the album artwork below! READ MORE

[Editorial] 9 Great Horror Soundtracks

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on October 29, 2012 @ 9:00pm
Category: Music / Editorials

It’s nearly Halloween. Outside, the wind is howling. The trees are bare, the branches looking like skeleton limbs crudely stuck together. Leaves cover the ground, causing each step to elicit a satisfying crunch. The sky is steel grey, threatening rain, thunder, and lightning. In a simpler way of putting it, it’s the best time of the year.

For me, one of the best ways to celebrate this time of year is by putting on some of the creepiest, eeriest, scariest music that I can get my hands on. There is something deliciously fun about scaring myself with shrieking violins, out-of-tune pianos, otherworldly choirs, and bizarre ambient tones.

And since this time of year is something special to a great many people, I wanted to share some of my favorite horror soundtracks, the ones that make me want to curl up under a blanket and play one horror movie after another, until the saving grace of the sunrise saves me. Join me below for 9 Great Horror Soundtracks! READ MORE

Silent Hill: Revelation 3D OST Gets Release Date

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on October 25, 2012 @ 1:45pm
Category: Music / News

The official soundtrack for Silent Hill: Revelation 3D has been given a digital release date of Tuesday, Oct. 30th as well as a physical release of Dec. 18th. The Lakeshore Records release will contain 14 tracks of music composed by Jeff Danna (Resident Evil: Apocalypse, The Imaginarium Of Dr. Parnassus) and Akira Yamaoka (Silent Hill, Shadows of the Damned). The full track list can be seen below. Warning: the titles may contain spoilers.

Danna comments, “[Director] Michael Basset was clear that he wanted the score to be more musical for this film than for the first Silent Hill movie. He said, ‘I definitely want there to be an emotional arc to these characters and this story, and I need you to inject more musicality and orchestral elements into the score to support that.’ In that way, the score is going to differ from the first film and from the games.”

Continuing on, Danna explains, “The challenge for this film was unique. Michael Bassett’s storyline required that I combine Akira Yamaoka’s otherworldly textures and sound designs with music that was more emotionally driven and conventionally harmonic. The dark string passages that intertwine with the intense industrialized sound of SH2 are a unique chemistry. I’d look forward to the chance to work again with Akira Yamaoka on another Silent Hill film.” [Note: the last line does not confirm a third Silent Hill movie is in the works.]

Make sure to check out my review of the album here. READ MORE

[Album Review] Jeff Danna And Akira Yamaoka ‘Silent Hill: Revelation 3D’ OST

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on October 24, 2012 @ 4:30pm
Category: Music / Reviews

In two days, Silent Hill: Revelation 3D, the sequel to 2006’s Silent Hill, will hit theaters. Having been a huge fan of the game franchise since the first one was released, I was there when the first film came out. While I had a few minor issues with the film, I thought it was, and still is, the best video game-to-film adaptation ever released. Part of that was because the music of the film was Akira Yamaoka’s original cues with some simple additions here and there, courtesy of Resident Evil: Apocalypse composer Jeff Danna.

Now we have the sequel’s OST to look at. In a recent press release, Danna stated that director Michael Bassett (interview) told him, “…I need you to inject more musicality and orchestral elements into the score…” Danna once again collaborated with Yamaoka to create the aural landscape that we will be hearing in the film. But how does it fare on its own? Read on to find out. READ MORE

Akira Yamaoka Does Remix For New Dir En Grey Track

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on September 27, 2012 @ 3:00pm
Category: Music / News

Japanese prog metal band Dir En Grey have announced that Silent Hill composer Akira Yamaoka has done a remix of their upcoming brand new single “Rinkaku”, which will come out Dec. 19th. The single is the first new material from the band since 2011′s Dum Spiro Spero (review).

Straight off the band’s official website: The track is unlike anything you have heard before, almost overturning the band’s musical concept on a new scale, coming in with a range full of depth with Kyo’s vocals that evoke classical elements in this beautiful and intricate melodic track which builds up dramatically with the intertwining guitars and bass.

The new single from DIR EN GREY will be released with two tracks which will include a new rendition of “Kiri to Mayu” previously released on the album ‘MISSA’ (25.07.1997) and a remix of “RINKAKU” by famed sound designer of horror game series ‘Silent Hill,’ Akira Yamaoka. Once again Tue Madsen came on as the Mix Engineer for this release after lending his unrivaled expertise on ‘DUM SPIRO SPERO.’

I loved Dum Spiro Spero, so I’ll be thrilled to check out this song AND the remix. How about you? You ready for this kind of epic creepiness? READ MORE

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[Rumor] Akira Yamaoka Composing New Music For Silent Hill: Revelation 3D: Hear Two Tracks From The Film

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on September 24, 2012 @ 2:15pm
Category: Music / News

According to a Silent Hill: Revelation 3D facebook fanpage, Akira Yamaoka, who composed Silent Hill 1-7 as well as the Silent Hill arcade game, has composed three new pieces for the upcoming film. Now, it was confirmed by director Michael J. Bassett in his blog that Yamaoka would be working with Jeff Danna, who helped compose the first movie. So, there might just be some validity to this. I can’t however find where Danna stated that this was the case, so until then I remain skeptical. I did however find that on his official website, you can stream two tracks from the upcoming score. They’re well worth checking out here!

Directed by Michael J. Bassett (Solomon Kane, Deathwatch), original cast members Sean Bean (HBO’s Game Of Thrones, Lord Of The Rings), Deborah Kara Unger (The Game, 88 minutes, The Samaritan) and Radha Mitchell (Man On Fire, The Crazies, upcoming The Frozen Ground) return in Silent Hill: Revelation 3D, starring along with rising stars Adelaide Clemens (X-Men Origins, upcoming The Great Gatsby, No One Lives) and Kit Harington (HBO’s Game Of Thrones) as well as Carrie-Anne Moss (The Matrix, Disturbia, NBC’s Chuck) and Malcolm McDowell (A Clockwork Orange, The Artist).

In the film, “Heather Mason (Clemens) and her father (Bean) have been on the run, always one step ahead of dangerous forces that she doesn’t fully understand. On the eve of her 18th birthday, plagued by horrific nightmares and the disappearance of her father, Heather discovers she’s not who she thinks she is. The revelation leads her deeper into a demonic world that threatens to trap her forever.”

Silent Hill: Revelation 3D will be released wide October 26, 2012 in time for Halloween. READ MORE

Watch Composer Akira Yamaoka And His ‘Silent Hill’ Band Perform Live

Games
Posted by Adam Dodd on September 14, 2012 @ 2:00pm
Category: Games / Videos

Now this is cool. It would seem that former Silent Hill composer Akira Yamaoka has taken a break from composing for video games so he can take his mad skills on the road and perform it live, in front of people, here in the States. Usually, when it comes to Konami’s survival horror series, Japan gets the good stuff (I’m looking at you, Silent Hill Sounds Box), but this time we’re getting something that normally would’ve been reserved for the lucky souls across the pond. I’m sure a majority of you are fully aware of this, but the Silent Hill series has some fantastic music. It just so happens that these haunting tunes sound just as good when we’re not hearing it whilst traversing a foggy town infested with countless twisted monsters that want to consume our souls. Check out a glorious hour’s worth of Yamaoka and friends goodness after the jump.
READ MORE

Silent Hill Composer Akira Yamaoka Has An Official Silent Hill Band

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on September 13, 2012 @ 12:00pm
Category: Music / Videos

Akira Yamaoka, the composer of the first seven Silent Hill video games, Shadows Of The Damned, Lollipop Chainsaw, and more, has formed a live band that will be playing several of his compositions live. Footage of the first live event of what fans are calling The Silent Hill Band was taken at the Sept. 1st show in Glendale, AZ. You can watch the entire concert (minus the first four minutes) below and photos can be seen here.

The remaining line-up of the band features vocalist Mary Elizabeth McGlynn, a longtime regular on Silent Hill soundtracks, bassist/back up vocalist Troy Baker (who voiced Silent Hill 2′s James Sunderland in the Silent Hill HD collection), and drummer Joe Romersa, who has played on several Silent Hill soundtracks as well as laid down vocals.

I can’t even begin to describe how excited I am to hear this. I’m such a Silent Hill music obsessed little fanboy. This is basically like finding out that all eight of my Hanukkah gifts are EXACTLY what I wanted. Now I just have to hope that this band will embark on a US tour and come near me. It would kinda make my dreams come true (hint hint Mr. Yamaoka).

Also, thanks have to be given to BD Infected Member AfterTheAsylum for the awesome heads up and TJ for shooting this over to me! READ MORE

Akira Yamaoka Briefly Discusses Score For Silent Hill: Revelation 3D

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on August 09, 2012 @ 4:52pm
Category: Music / News

In an interview with MusicJapanPlus, Akira Yamaoka discussed his work in the Silent Hill franchise including a brief passage about his work in the upcoming Silent Hill: Revelation 3D, the sequel to 2006′s Silent Hill.

When asked about the score and the film, Yamaoka responded, “The experience was extremely interesting in many ways. Since I’d been part of the Silent Hill team since the beginning, as the concept of the movie started to work out I could just relate every detail, scene and character with every game. I enjoyed the process so much because not only was it interesting, but also very, very nostalgic. It was a succession of memories, one after the other, so I was really happy remembering the work I had done back then when working in these games. All the fans will enjoy it for sure, and it’s going to be awesome.”

Directed by Michael J. Bassett (Solomon Kane, Deathwatch), original cast members Sean Bean (HBO’s Game Of Thrones, Lord Of The Rings), Deborah Kara Unger (The Game, 88 minutes, The Samaritan) and Radha Mitchell (Man On Fire, The Crazies, upcoming The Frozen Ground) return in Silent Hill: Revelation 3D, starring along with rising stars Adelaide Clemens (X-Men Origins, upcoming The Great Gatsby, No One Lives) and Kit Harington (HBO’s Game Of Thrones) as well as Carrie-Anne Moss (The Matrix, Disturbia, NBC’s Chuck) and Malcolm McDowell (A Clockwork Orange, The Artist).

Silent Hill: Revelation 3D will be released wide October 26, 2012 in time for Halloween. READ MORE

[Reaction] I Beat Silent Hill: Downpour And Here’s What I Thought Of The Sound And Music

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on August 03, 2012 @ 9:00am
Category: Music / Editorials

The other night, I beat Silent Hill: Downpour. For those of you who are sitting back and scratching your head wondering, “Didn’t this game come out a few months ago?”, you would be right. But here’s what happened. I bought Silent Hill: Downpour and managed to squeeze in a few hours. Then, the following week, I bought Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City, brought it home, popped it into my Xbox and BAM! Dead Xbox.

So, for a few months, I was without an Xbox 360 and was suffering every moment of this long and unexpected video game exile. It got to the point where I couldn’t take it anymore. I caved, bought an Xbox, and dived immediately into the world of…..Minecraft. Yeah, I had to face some creepers to get my hands used to the 360 controller once again. And after building a badass world with TJ (and a little bit with Adam, even though he likes to destroy other people’s creations), I got my mitts all set again. I was ready to enter that foggy world once again! READ MORE

MSI’s Jimmy Urine And Akira Yamaoka Chat Lollipop Chainsaw Music

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on April 07, 2012 @ 4:15pm
Category: Music / Videos

Mindless Self Indulgence singer Jimmy Urine and video game composer Akira Yamaoka recently sat down together to discuss what you’ll be hearing when you play the upcoming zombie action game Lollipop Chainsaw. The video (which you can watch below) shows footage from the game as well as a description on how the music was envisioned and, ultimately, brought to life.

If you’re as excited for this game as I am, this video is definitely worth a few minutes of your time. READ MORE

[Retro Review] Silent Hill 1 OST

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on April 02, 2012 @ 10:04pm
Category: Music / News

silenthill1ostcover [Retro Review] Silent Hill 1 OST

It’s hard to believe that it was over 13 years ago that Silent Hill for Playstation came out. Has it really been so long? Have so many years ticked away? It seems like only yesterday that I was playing the game with my friend in his basement, our eyes wide with fear, every creak the house made a warning that something, some THING, was after us.

It was also the time that my now obvious near-obsession with Silent Hill began. For me, Silent Hill was to The Shining in the way Resident Evil was to Aliens. And as much as I love Aliens (a WHOLE LOT), The Shining is the movie I go to when I want to get scared. Part of the appeal is the work of renowned composer Akira Yamaoka whose name became synonymous with the franchise. Yamaoka’s work was nothing short of terrifying, creating an aural horror that assaulted the senses even when nothing was happening.

So, in honor of March and the release of both Silent Hill: Downpour (OST review/game review) and the Silent Hill HD Collection, I decided to go back to my mid-teen years and revisit the OST to original Silent Hill, the one that started it all.

Games
Posted by Adam Dodd on March 23, 2012 @ 7:26pm
Category: Games / News

Now this is something I didn’t see coming. One of my favorite games of last year, the delightfully deranged Shadows of the Damned could be getting a sequel. That is, if a few hopeful words from Silent Hill turned Shadows of the Damned and Lollipop Chainsaw composer Akira Yamaoka is to be believed. In a recent interview with Eurogamer, Yamaoka expressed interest in a sequel, saying “I’m thinking of a sequel, actually. I can’t tell you here, but clearly I’d like to.”

21 Shadows of the Damned Sequel A Possibility, Says Composer Akira Yamaoka

Shadows of the Damned was met with some decent reviews, but sold very poorly, shifting under 40,000 copies in its first month in the US and Japan. That’s not a great number, but it doesn’t look to be completely detracting developer Grasshopper Manufacture from considering a sequel. What’s even a little more intriguing is Yamaoka’s comment when asked if he thought EA would back a sequel — since they published the original — to which he replied with a “Probably,” before saying “Well, yes.” So what would you like to see in a Shadows of the Damned sequel? READ MORE

[Review] Silent Hill: Downpour OST

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on March 12, 2012 @ 7:02pm
Category: Music / News

Tomorrow sees the release of Konami’s eighth entry into the Silent Hill series, Silent Hill: Downpour. For the past seven entries, fans have enjoyed the terrifying tones of Akira Yamaoka. However, the shock that everyone felt when it was announced that he would not be returning to compose this entry was felt far and wide. Upon the announcement that Dexter composer Daniel Licht was stepping in, there was a tentative sigh of release. After all, here was a man who had worked in horror for years, tackling Hellraiser, Children of the Corn, and many other beloved entries. But does the Silent Hill: Downpour OST do this series justice, especially after everything that Yamaoka has done?

Games
Posted by Adam Dodd on August 15, 2011 @ 7:35pm
Category: Games / News

Suda 51 is a strange dude who makes even stranger games, and while his work has had limited appeal in the past, his next effort might buck the trend. I mean, come on, the game is called Lollipop Chainsaw, features a chearleader with what looks like an oral fixation for lollipops, and zombies filled with pink blood. This game doesn’t really need a trailer, it’s premise sells itself. But here it is, and it’s exactly what you’d expect.

I’ve always wanted to cut a zombie in half and be greeted by a beautiful rainbow. Really, I think that’s what video games have been missing. I don’t know about you but I am definitely intrigued, and those rainbow-spewing zombies might also have me a little aroused. Lollipop Chainsaw brings a little color to the world when it releases sometime next year for the PS3 and Xbox 360. READ MORE

Lollipop Chainsaw Is Unveiled, Wins Award for Best Game Title Ever

Games
Posted by Adam Dodd on July 20, 2011 @ 10:28pm
Category: Games / News

As if the title wasn’t enough to sell you on this game already, let me take a moment to fill you in on exactly what Lollipop Chainsaw is all about. First off, it stars a zombie slaying cheerleader named Juliet Starling, who has to use her incredible acrobatic skills and an assortment of cheerleading moves to vanquish the zombies that attack her school. It’s also an action/horror game that’s being worked on by Suda 51′s Grasshopper Manufacture, otherwise known as the team behind the mind-blowingly incredible Shadows of the Damned.

1 Lollipop Chainsaw Is Unveiled, Wins Award for Best Game Title Ever

Not quite sold? How about the fact that Silent Hill composer Akira Yamaoka is scoring the soundtrack? Still not sold? Man, you’re a tough sell. If I were a car dealer this is the point that I’d start pulling out the big guns, so I think I’ll do just that. Lollipop Chainsaw has pretty pink gore. That’s right, there’s no need to rub your eyes and re-read that last sentence because you read it right the first time. This game has pink blood. Oh, and it’ll also be coming to both the PS3 and Xbox 360. Now wipe yourself off and head past the break for some screenshots. READ MORE