Music to my Ears (Castle Levels!)

Suicide Mission

I'll admit I'm not really the biggest fan of it, it's one of those more atmospheric pieces that likely truly shines either in its source or with the emotional attachment to its source.  It also falls to the same issues I have with "I Am The Doctor", mostly it feels like it repeats itself too much and what it repeats isn't all that interesting to the ear for me.  

Warthog Run

Liked this one a lot more, the drumbeat rocked and the mixup of instruments throughout the theme kept me engaged for its duration.  

Indigo Plateau

I'll admit this one's kind of ruined by its platform, a really commanding theme but it being mostly beeps lets it down.  Fortunately awesome versions like this exist.  

The Galaxy Reactor

Yep, this is a brilliant one, and I consider it a sin that I actually forgot it myself earlier.  It's themes like this that make you wonder why it took Nintendo so long to embrace proper orchestration with their music given the power it can lend to them.  

Lorule

It's funny, the moment you say something is another song reversed you immediately start to hear it.

Crystal Tower

Funny this should come up, as I was toying with mentioning both it and Forbidden Land of Eureka.  As you say, on the short side of things, but but epic masterpieces.  It's funny really, most people when they rave about Final Fantasy's older soundtracks mean VII and VIII, personally III and IV are the ones that get my nostalgia running.  Gah, listening to these made me want to spend the evening going through the classics from those two games!  

Also the gamerip version of Bravely Second's final dungeon doesn't do it justice, the OST version still has that compressed horn, but it's a lot better than it was in the game.  

Final Destination

The problem I had with this was it's more a final boss theme than a final area theme to me, that said either way it's a got all the keys to a glorious theme, awesome tempo, great use of variety, and a fantastic rendition of the game's main theme.  I absolutely love it when games cleverly bring the game's main theme home in the final musical act.  

Rainbow Road

I'll admit I'm more a fan of the Wii's version, but all rainbow road themes are top stuff.  

Athrun's beaten me to the punch, natch.  Melty Molten Galaxy, so good I've posted it here again, is possibly the best lava music in gaming, knocking the also-jolly-good-but-not-as-good-Drunka-may-disagree Freezeflame Galaxy fire version into a cocked volcano.  But, y'know, I think this is one area where SMG2 can almost challenge its predecessor on soundtrack.  Melty Monster Galaxy has a very different vibe, more appropriate for a galaxy where you're running away from Magmaws the entire time.  I think it's almost as good.

And of course Jas mentioned Lethal Lava Land, but this is actually a place where I feel SM3DW shines with Fort Fire Bros.  I'll let Jimbob post the world theme, should he wish.

Death Mountain's a source of great fiery pieces, of... wildly varying types.  Compare and contrast.  BotW's Goron City also falls into the latter category.

Mt. Chimney is, I think, a rare example of Game Freak actually improving on the GBA original in Pokémon ORAS.  A nice upbeat tune.  I'm sure Athers can find a remix that improves on it, mind.

It may be Nontendo filth, but Undertale's Another Medium is one of the very finest lava area tracks.  A complete different vibe to the vast majority, this feels a bit steampunk, like the throbbing of a vast geothermal engine.  And here's the Smooth McGroove version.

I'm not cheating: I'm picking pieces that only appear on Norfair, i.e. SSBB original remixes.  That said, the Norfair track itself is pretty bobbins.  Samus' theme, meanwhile, is brilliant, as is the ending theme.

Strictly, fire music - but seeing where it's from, I doubt Jay'll object.  F-F-Fire!

How the heck did I forget XCX's Cauldros!? Like most of the franchise's pieces, it's an utter belter. Silly Balla.

There's no way this wasn't going to be a thing!  David Wise's Scorch 'n' Torch, rivalling the SMGs for the most epic of lava pieces.  Would probably be my favourite of all, were it not for the weird sound around 1:34.

JayMoyles wrote:

My first pick is a remix of Super Metroid's Lower Norfair - it's Metroid Prime's Magmoor Caverns.

A classic example, can't argue there.

Quote :

My second pick is Harth from MH4U. It's not foreboding and menacing like Magmoor Caverns as Harth is one of the game's village areas, but there's plenty of industrial clangin' and bangin' coupled with a surprisingly chirpy track for a village built on magma.

YASSSS! Love Harth, and it is a great twist on the standard lava theme.

The_Jaster wrote:

Crazy bongos
Awwwwwweeeeeeeeeooooohaaaaweeeooooooh

Another pair of untouchable classics I can't really add to. Good work that Jas.

Athrun888 wrote:

Fortunately awesome versions like this exist.

SICK.  

Quote :

Starting things off with a Nintendo pick this time, Melty Molten Galaxy from Mario Galaxy, also my favourite theme from the game.  Easily one of my favourite lava level themes, the perfect choice of instruments highlight the hot feeling of the area, while the rest of the theme takes it to a epic level.  Honourable mention to Melty Monster Galaxy for almost reaching the same highs as its predecessor, high praise indeed considering.

I've always got time for Galaxy tracks. Both good'ns, though I generally prefer the jauntier, more adventurous level themes in those games.

Quote :

A Searing Struggle.  This one's hot, just like the location.
Place of Reticent Lava

Can always trust Athrun to bring some great Ys music I'd never heard of. Both tracks are absolutely cash, as ever. Good stuff!

Balladeer wrote:

It's Balla, it's Balla time.
Athrun's beaten me to the punch, natch.  Melty Molten Galaxy, so good I've posted it here again, is possibly the best lava music in gaming, knocking the also-jolly-good-but-not-as-good-Drunka-may-disagree Freezeflame Galaxy fire version into a cocked volcano.

Obsessed, aren't you?
Anyway, I actually don't disagree. Good choices of tunes.

Quote :

Mt. Chimney is, I think, a rare example of Game Freak actually improving on the GBA original in Pokémon ORAS.  A nice upbeat tune.  I'm sure Athers can find a remix that improves on it, mind.

Very nice stuff. Brings back memories of hiding under the covers until stupid o'clock levelling up my Torkoal then being tired for school the next day

Quote :

It may be Nontendo filth, but Undertale's Another Medium is one of the very finest lava area tracks.  A complete different vibe to the vast majority, this feels a bit steampunk, like the throbbing of a vast geothermal engine.  And here's the Smooth McGroove version.

Not at the top of my "best Undertale tracks" list, but a successfully hot track that suits the locale.

Quote :

There's no way this wasn't going to be a thing!  David Wise's Scorch 'n' Torch, rivalling the SMGs for the most epic of lava pieces.  Would probably be my favourite of all, were it not for the weird sound around 1:34.

I think the weird singing man is the best bit. Each to their own, I guess.

And only slightly less irritating than the drunk neighbours currently talking so loudly they sound as close as the next room with loud bass heavy music thumping through the place at midnight!

Athrun888 wrote:

Melty Molten Galaxy from Mario Galaxy...  Honourable mention to Melty Monster Galaxy for almost reaching the same highs as its predecessor, high praise indeed considering.

No complaints here!

Athrun888 wrote:

Moving on I go back to Ys Felghana for some godly rock with A Searing Struggle.

A bit 'generic rock' for me, this one.  I'm sure it works very well in-game, mind.

Athrun888 wrote:

To wrap things up I head back to Ys Seven with Place of Reticent Lava...

Was put off this at the start due to the weird percussion sounds (like someone blowing lots of small raspberries), but once it hits its stride it's pretty nice.  As you say, something different.

Drunkalilly wrote:

Jeez, Balla sure can write a music post!

#toomuchcontent

Drunkalilly wrote:

First up for me, a Nontendo pick: Blast Furnace from Metal Gear Solid

Atmospheric stuff.  Not much to say on this, I'd enjoy it enough while playing it and then forget it entirely I think.

Drunkalilly wrote:

Back to Mario, and the forgotten 3D game: Corona Mountain from Super Mario Sunshine.

I remembered this!  It's just... a bit meh.  I like the ostinato bass, but the piece itself, especially the melody, doesn't do much for me.  Although it does sound vaguely like the boss theme sped up, I notice.

Drunkalilly wrote:

Staying on theme, we've got Grumble Volcano from Mario Kart.
Not my favourite track...

You said it, not me!  Probably not helped by it being a bobbins circuit, IMHUAOWO.

Drunkalilly wrote:

Lastly, Molten Caverns from Bayonetta 2.

Now we're talking!  From what I've heard, most of the Bayo soundtracks are pretty good.  I do prefer the faster tracks, but if there's a piece in this thread that screams 'Hell' to me, it's this one.