Soukaigi Original Soundtrack :: Review by Z-Freak

	Album Title:	Soukaigi Original Soundtrack
	Record Label:	DigiCube
	Catalog Number:	SSCX-10017
	Release Date:	June 11, 1998
	Content:	1 CD - 17 Tracks
	Purchase:	Buy at eBay

Overview

After the great successes of Seiken Densetsu 2 and Seiken Densetsu 3, Hiroki Kikuta had made a name for himself as being among the top-notch Square composers like Nobuo Uematsu, Kenji Ito, and Noriko Matsueda. What isolates Kikuta from the rest of the Square music team is that not only does his music hold a more Eastern cultural sound/feel, but he was the first to make a full soundtrack with real live instruments instead of the usual synthetizers, as he proves with his last project with Square: Soukaigi.

Track-by-Track Reviews

1) Ancient Power

At the start of the track, you hear some small chimes backed up by some drums and a few violins; later on, the track moves into a silent yet distressing passage with more violins. By the end, it sounds quite foreboding as if some awful event is taking place, eventually ending with a creepy tone. This has got to be one of the most impressive opening themes of any action-RPG released to date.

2) Angel's Fear Again

This could probably be the title theme. Here, we are treated to a lovely acoustic guitar solo; for some reason, it reminds me a lot of Mitsuda's works from Chrono Cross because of the way the guitar is utilised. It only lasts a minute, but it is still a masterpiece in my book.

3) Quake

No, this has nothing to do with Id Software's popular FPS series! Instead, it's a lovely vocal piece sung in japanese. Here we see a lot of variety in instruments, such as drums, violins, and chimes, some of the trademarks of Kikuta's compositions.

4) Fire Wire

Finally, we get to hear a battle theme. It's an unusual one, however, since violins are the main instruments, backed up by a piano and some drums. It certainly gives the mood of fighting regular baddies. At one point, the violins stop briefly so the piano gets a short solo, then the violins make their return before the track loops. I guess the reason that it has that title is that violins are string instruments, and since they are used in such an upbeat fashion, we could say that their wires are on fire. OK, I know that was a lame pun. Sue me!

5) Strange Promise

Here's another winner! It gives me the impression that it is a dungeon theme. Unfortunately, I can't describe this one very well, but I do like the passage where we hear an echoing piano playing for a good while. It sounds jazzy at best.

6) New Day

This could be a town theme, as it is quite cheerful and happy. It sounds somewhat Celtic-influenced, reminding me of Mitsuda once more. The main intruments here are mostly percussion instruments and a bit of violin. It's an enjoyable listen.

7) Absolute Lady

This one is pretty interesting, as you hear some vocals behind an organ background. Lots of percussion instruments and piano notes are later heard, building the track towards a marvelous musical climax before looping. Before the loop, you actually hear a few lyrics.

8) Riot Emotion

"Riot Emotion" mostly features percussion and a bit of piano. It touches on a rock style a little later on, but no electric guitars are featured. The best part of this track comes just before it loops, however.

9) Sign

This one has more of an Eastern flavour to it, despite the use of violins throughout. A lot of drums and chimes are also presented here, which enhances the cultural flavour more.

10) Frequency

A more rhythmic piece, "Frequency" also features a nice acoustic guitar passage backed up by a piano and percussions. Where would this track be used in the game now? I'm wondering.

11) Labyrinth

This sounds like a final dungeon theme to me, as you can feel hope presented in the music. A lot of percussion instruments and violins are used for most of the piece, but a flute joins in soon enough. You can imagine the player being confused while he travels in the perilous dungeon, and this music fits the scene really well.

12) Broken Memory

Here we are treated to an obvious sad theme. The violins play a big part in conveying emotions through the player's mind. It holds its ground fairly well and, as the Square Enix Music Archive Forums have seen, is a surprising crowd winner.

13) Energy

Yes! This is it! It's the boss theme, at last! Kikuta finally gets out his electric guitar and plays us a solo that would make Yoshihiro Sato of Cyberorg fame jealous. It's not all hard rock, however, as a piano interlude is also introduced. The electric guitar makes a quick return, however, pleasing all Kikuta's fans. This clearly fits the mood for a major battle in my opinion.

14) Die on Destiny

Oh boy, this is no doubt the final boss theme. Kikuta once more uses his electric guitar here and gives a solid performance. Like his previous works for the Seiken Densetsu series, Kikuta does not disappoint in this final boss theme. Like the others, he makes them full of vigor and power. "Die on Destiny" is certainly no exception, even if live instruments are used to enhance it.

15) Regret

This is the third electric guitar-based theme in a row. However, it doesn't sound battle-like, at least to me. There are bells, piano, and percussions used in this track, too, which gives it a nice unique flavour.

16) Lovely Strains

The infamous vocal song of Soukaigiis incredibly beautiful. Kotomi Kyouno deserves to be known the world over for singing it so wonderfully. To my ears, this vocal piece beats all Final Fantasy vocals themes so far. Of course, it is in Japanese, but it is so pretty that you just don't care while you listen.

17) Silence

We end with a cute little arrangement of "Lovely Strains," except with no vocals. It's a quaint track and the name suits the fact it features no vocals.

Summary

So there you have it. Now comes the usual question: to buy or not to buy? I clearly recommend getting this CD as it's pretty good for an obscure game like Soukaigi. However, you'll have to fish around eBay to find it, since it became obsolete following DigiCube's bankruptcy. Good luck finding it!