Monster Hunter Guitar Arrange -BlackLute-
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Album Title: Monster Hunter Guitar Arrange -BlackLute- |
| Record Label: Suleputer |
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| Catalog No.: CPCA-10261 |
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| Release Date: May 30, 2012 |
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| Purchase: Buy at CDJapan |
Overview
Capcom’s current sound team is filled with rock stars. While they principally write orchestral scores for the company’s games, they have been given the opportunity to reflect their rock spirit with several arranged albums lately, BlackLute, We Are Rock-Men!!, and its sequel. BlackLute -Monster Hunter Guitar Arrange- features twelve arrangements of series’ favourites by Tadayoshi Makino and Reo Uratani, who previously worked together on Monster Hunter 3 and Monster Hunter Portable 3rd. Can the series really suit a rock format? And how do the rock stylings stack up?
Body
Following the precedent of The Black Mages, BlackLute is jam-packed with rock renditions of numerous action themes from the franchise. It wastes no time getting started with a rendition of “Seascapes and the Sunrise” from Monster Hunter Portable 3rd. For better or worse, the wild, roaring feel of the percussion-heavy original has been replaced by an upbeat, showy rock sound. The piece sounds thin due to the lack of a full band, though the electric guitar performances from Tadayoshi Makino and Reo Uratani live up to the album’s name. Whether the extravagant takes on the main melodies, the blistering riffs of the rhythm guitar, or the dazzling 80s-influenced solos, the guitar work is consistently excellent. Though a significant departure from the original, the end result is likely to hook most fans of old-school rock music.
The majority of the album follows the same approach as the opener, with fast, energetic, flamboyant renditions of series’ battle themes. This approach tends to work well when the band combines memorable melodies with inspired solos, for example “Searching for the Secret Hot Spring” and “Brave Icon”. However, the arrangement approach is sometimes so formulaic that it is transparent: striking introduction, two straight repeats of the melody, some showy guitar solos, brief reprise of the melody, conclusion around the three minute mark. When combined with the similar shapes of the original pieces and the unyielding focus on electric guitars, the album can grow tiresome. The first half of “Trembling Land and Sea” is especially repetitive, while “Mirage in the Deep Woods” was too tame to sustain my interest.
Perfect for a metal-cladded monster, “Dark Shadow Dancing in the Storm” is the perhaps closest the album comes to heavy metal with its grisly bass lines, dissonant chord sequences, and doubled-up solos. A formidable rival is “Sparkling Blue Light”. Reserved till the end of the album, this track represents the ultimate foe of the series’ latest game, Zinogre. While the original orchestrated form sounded fantastic, the wailing guitars add an even more epic touch. Tigrex’s “Raging Fangs of the Beast” also leaves quite a mark through its bold contrasts between the apocalyptic riffs during its verse and the more motivating progressions in the chorus. Another clear highlight is “Baring Berserk Fangs!” with its lighter, funkier touches. It’s a pity that it’s even shorter than the other tracks here, clocking in at 2:30.
Makino and Uratani dared to incorporate a few arrangements of non-action tracks from the series. “Cute Felyne” is a welcome break from the action with its laid-back tones and bluesy improvisations; while one of the simpler additions to the album, Makino nails the sound required and ends up offering the best version of this series’ staple to date. The main themes from Monster Hunter and Monster Hunter 3 don’t entirely suit the transition from orchestra to rock band. While the arrangements are inherently strong, the melodies — especially “Proof of a Hero” — sound inflated and contrived when presented on electric guitars. “To One with Life” nevertheless features some of the most emotional moments of the album with its tender interludes and uplifting conclusion, ultimately rounding off the album.
Summary
BlackLute -Monster Hunter Guitar Arrange- demonstrates convincingly that rock stylings can fit the Monster Hunter series. Boasting strong melodies and excellent performances, the album is largely an enjoyable experience. This album sometimes tires a solid formula — any follow-up would benefit from more diverse arrangements and full band performances. However, it is cautiously recommended for fans of Monster Hunter and outfits like The Black Mages.
Do you agree with the review and score? Let us know in the comments below!
3.5
Posted on August 1, 2012 by Chris Greening. Last modified on January 17, 2016.
About the Author
Chris Greening I've contributed to websites related to game audio since 2002. In this time, I've reviewed over a thousand albums and interviewed hundreds of musicians across the world. As the founder and webmaster of VGMO -Video Game Music Online-, I hope to create a cutting-edge, journalistic resource for all those soundtrack enthusiasts out there. In the process, I would love to further cultivate my passion for music, writing, and generally building things. Please enjoy the site and don't hesitate to say hello!
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