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When it comes to recent masterpieces in video games, Panzer Dragoon Orta surely ranks in my top ten. Every aspect was clearly a labor of love, and TOKYOPOP wants you to celebrate the audible result of that work with the release of the U.S. version of the soundtrack. As if that weren't enough, they have also included a bonus for U.S. listeners and Panzer Dragoon fans alike: three tracks from the previous Panzer Dragoon games in the series. We'll get to those tracks later though, because they're at the end of the CD. First things first . . . The opening track, the aptly named 'Fall of the Ancient World', is an ominous and lush piece, which is used in the game's storyboard sections. It is understandably short, as is the next song, the tense and tribal 'Dragonmares'. The pace is kept up with 'City in the storm', which manages to go from menacing to lulling, soft and melodic, while remaining very busy throughout. By track number four, 'Altered Genos' it becomes apparent that a marriage has been made between tribal rhythms, classic synthesizers, and simulated strings and flutes; and will be the common element of this record. 'The Fallen Ground' brings the pace down to a nice relaxing cant with a clay pot and slow, lilting flute combination that really works well. At times it is hard to tell if the instruments being heard are in-fact real. 'Ancient Weapon 1' takes an organic and agreeable approach to it's goal of announcing a battle, while 'Ancient Weapon 2' later rushes into a stressful dance beat with heavy synth noise. 'Worm Riders' is an exceptional track, that really shines. Unfortunately, it is simply a flash-in-the-pan, weighing in at a mere fifty-two seconds. 'Gigantic Fleet' is well-composed despite the choice of a painful, if brief, honking horn sound. It is triumphant incarnate. 'Pain' and 'Eternal Glacies' fit well together, likely being two of my favorite tracks. Without giving too much away, they recall for me of a particular level in the game that involved snow, and simply took my breath away. 'Legacy' could be another track slowed down to half speed, and really doesn't offer any variety here. 'Forbidden Memories' is another track that must have been attached to a level in the game that was exceedingly hard, (the end, if I remember correctly) and I am sure that I have listened to it twenty-five times in my attempts to master that stage. Haunting. 'Imperial City' begins by expertly building it's intensity toward what is certainly a sort of discord, and is almost painfully similar to other tracks. 'The End of Destiny' is unremarkable in it's layered and imposing synth rhythms. The album ends on some bright notes however, with the vocal and instrumental arrangement of 'Anu Orta Veniya', the track that plays during the ending sequence of the game. Additionally, the short but sweet Iva separates them nicely. But wait, there's more! I mentioned the exclusive U.S. bonus tracks, and all three are are good, with my preference being the first two. It is apparent that the style of the entire soundtrack borrows more from the Panzer Dragoon Zwei approach to music, with complex rhythms and a quickly paced melody. Even a beautiful game with excellent control needs a great soundtrack, or it comes off like a beautiful woman that opens her mouth only to sound like a man with a head-cold. This soundtrack adequately enhances the experience of the game play. So how does it fare on it's own? Getting right down to it, some of the tracks sound similar, and most seem to borrow from the same style at a different rhythm or pace. This lack of variety wasn't really noticeable during the game. Also, a great deal of the tracks don't actually "end", but fade out with no resolution. This suggests that they simply loop in the game, and really makes them seem like incomplete ideas. To be fair to the composer- were this same music remixed to actually end, and then performed (with real instruments) by a live orchestra, it would likely be a good reason to visit the symphony. As it stands, it's just not entertaining enough to hold up on it's own. Apart from the other pieces of the game, it just makes for great background music. On the plus side, if you want to be reminded of some amazing flights and discoveries without the rigors of playing, it will certainly remind you of the sense of awe you've (likely) experienced during the game. This is highly recommended for fans of Panzer Dragoon Orta, or the series, who don't need music with a distinct, memorable melody, but just want music to fill the empty air while concentrating on other things. -scott-
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