ASH -Archaic Sealed Heat- OST | |
![]() [back cover] |
Catalog Number: SVWC-7503/4 |
Released On: October 24, 2007 | |
Composed By: Hitoshi Sakimoto, Masaharu Iwata, Isao Kasai (1-28) | |
Arranged By: Hitoshi Sakimoto, Masaharu Iwata | |
Published By: Aniplex | |
Recorded At: Unknown | |
Format: 2 CDs | |
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Tracklist: Disc One
01 - Main Theme02 - Millinear Kingdom 03 - Everyday Scenery 04 - Coronation 05 - Aisya's Tear 06 - Flame Serpent 07 - Sortie 08 - Bullnequ's Battle 09 - End of the Battle 10 - Flame Goblin 11 - Ash Warrior 12 - Please Take Care 13 - Rebirth 14 - Attack the Enemy 15 - Everyone's Help 16 - Aisya's Theme 17 - ASH 18 - Team Tactics 19 - Samnelshia Army 20 - Green Woods 21 - People of the Forest 22 - Iron Device 23 - Kutloran's Theme 24 - Machinist Soldiers 25 - Light of Fate 26 - Underground Maze 27 - Ancient Hatred 28 - Orgel Recollection 29 - Blaze and Rebirth 30 - Maritie's Theme 31 - Sea Patrol Airship, Barusa 32 - Machinist Soldiers' Factory 33 - Mercenaries of the Wind Total Time: 73'00" Disc Two
01 - Climax02 - The King's Ambition 03 - To You 04 - Giant Machinist Soldier 05 - Despair 06 - Unescapable Sadness 07 - Solitude 08 - I Will Fight Too 09 - Level Up 10 - The Stars' Intentions 11 - Battle with History 12 - Transmigration of the Soul 13 - To the Future ~Internal Sound Source ver.~ 14 - Millinear Kigdom 15 - Everyday Scenery 16 - Coronation 17 - Flame Serpent 18 - Bullnequ's Battle 19 - Flame Goblin 20 - Ash Warrior 21 - Please Take Care 22 - Attack the Enemy 23 - Aisya's Theme 24 - Team Tactics 25 - Samnelshia Army 26 - Green Woods 27 - People of the Forest 28 - Iron Device 29 - Kutloran's Theme 30 - Machinist Soldiers 31 - Underground Maze 32 - Ancient Hatred 33 - Blaze and Rebirth 34 - Maritie's Theme 35 - Sea Patrol Airship, Barusa 36 - Machnist Soldiers' Factory 37 - Mercenaries of the Wind 38 - The King's Ambition 39 - Giant Machinist Soldier 40 - Unescapable Sadness 41 - Solitude 42 - I Will Fight Too 43 - The Stars' Intentions 44 - Battle With History 45 - To the Future Total Time: 69'40" |
Hitoshi Sakimoto and Masaharu Iwata have worked together on many projects, from 1993's Ogre Battle to last year's Final Fantasy XII, and their particular orchestral idiom has remained near-constant throughout, although their music has become more technically complex. when Hironobu Sakaguchi, creator of the Final Fantasy series, wanted music for his strategy RPG for the Nintendo DS, ASH Archaic Sealed Heat, he turned to these two veterans, each of whom composed roughly half of the game's music. The soundtrack itself is two discs. The first disc and a portion of the second comprise the version created before the transfer into DS synthesizers. These tracks are looped, and all of the tracks from the game appear to be included. The remainder of the second disc contains the music after the conversion to DS synthesizers. Fanfares and shorter tracks are excluded, and none of the tracks are looped. The sound quality on the DS version tracks is lower, of course, and many of these tracks are shorter than a minute, so they sound unfinished at times. The orchestration seems slightly different, as well, so some tracks on the DS side may be preferable. Hitoshi Sakimoto's music, as usual, is thematic. Many of the game's main themes are presented within the soundtrack's first track, and these show up throughout many of Sakimoto's tracks. For those who disliked Final Fantasy XII's marked diversion from Sakimoto's previous work, note that some of the chaotic style of that game's writing seems to have become part of Sakimoto's style. The furious timpani line in "Battle With History," the dissonant brass line in "Iron Device," and the very odd counterpoints and turns in "Aisya's Theme" feel very much like the "new" Sakimoto that Final Fantasy XII introduced. However, ASH's themes are easier to digest, and the phrases simpler, partially because this score was not in gestation for as many years as FFXII's, partially because the tracks themselves are shorter. However, because of this, the score lacks the depth of some of Sakimoto's better work. The main theme is good, but it feels more strained than FFXII's memorable 11 note sequence, and nowhere near as versatile. Additionally, because Sakimoto has been writing music for no less than 5 projects in the past year, one might wonder if he could become the new Sakuraba. Luckily, his music hasn't shown strain yet, and his orchestrations remain as fresh and surprising as ever. The entire orchestra gets a workout, along with a rich and diverse percussion selection. Masaharu Iwata's tracks do not have the thematic consistancy of Sakimoto's contributions, but they complement the rest of the score well. Iwata creates very tense atmospheres with his music, and he exercises that skill again here with work such as "Flame Serpent." He also wrote a celtic flavored rhythm for "Team Tactics," and the synth choir and gong of "Maritie's Theme" have surprising depth, and sound something like Koji Kondo's "Spirit Temple" for Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Compared with Sakimoto's tracks, Iwata's are generally more straightforward (except possibly in "Sea Patrol Airship, Barusa"), but also often more dissonant, eschewing his sudden turns and bizarre melody lines for more consistent rhythms. ASH: Archaic Sealed Heart's soundtrack is rich and diverse, but not as strong as many Sakimoto/Iwata collaborations. It doesn't have as striking an ending as Stella Deus did, and it lacks the longer tracks of Final Fantasy Tactics. However, there are few faults with this soundtrack, and it remains a very good soundtrack in its own right. It is a worthy purchase for both the Basiscape fanatic or the general fan of orchestral-style video game music. Reviewed by: Ben Schweitzer |