Music of Dynasty Warriors 7

One of the most unique aspects of this title's support is the fact the official Japanese site has been updating us with music to listen to whilst we excitingly await it's release.

It's only over a few weeks away from Shin Sangokumusou 6 releasing in Japan for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. During our time we have had six music tracks to enjoy, so I'm going to go through and explain more so my thoughts on each one the best I can.

Titled ''OPENING'' it's clear that this theme suits rock and will welcome it's fan-base to the newest Shin Sangokumusou, although it leaves behind it's typical self for a new take of introductory music. Waiting to be heard in the opening footage, this BGM was first heard outside of Japan in TECMO KOEI Europe's exclusive Dynasty Warriors 7 presentation at the London MCM Expo last year.

The most noticeable sound of music coming from this franchise is that of a guitar. The lead sound producer and guitarist of KOEI's Dynasty Warriors soundtracks is known and credited as MASA whom I have covered in a past blog. Yet confirmed of his presence for the score of this video game, the OPENING and THEME OF LU BU being vital to the series sound is likely him responsible again, as he takes these particular themes for himself and Lu Bu's is reminiscent of his past compositions.

Now to say some thoughts on this piece. With the guitar being the central point which we can hear, the main course is that of a fast noise including drum and percussion. There're it's steadier paced sections, but the gist comes from how lively, catchy and dynamic it is. My most fond and favourite musical soundtrack as heard at this point of time.

Wei's ''Prelude'' (Japanese) or ''Overture'' (English) was the first kingdom record to be heard a few months back. From listening you can sense how it can be seen as quite a moody and steady example of music. The drums in the background are much more forcibly struck in this compared to the OPENING. Seemingly the sound of a march is given along with sorrow from the horn.

Representing the new kingdom of Jin, Jin's Prelude was the next in line. The kingdom's background music starts off similar and steadily paced all the way through like Wei's Prelude with drumming being present as well as the horn instrument. However, unlike Wei, Shu, or Wu's music, this classical type theme has the extra aspect in the way a choir is heard and heard immediately; which the vocals can be viewed as very soothing and also uplifting. Although even though the choir is recognisable throughout it's more so during the chorus, I wouldn't say KOEI has pushed the sound to an extreme and used a sense of overpowering vocalists, but just to give that feel of a dramatic scene and a new era approaching.

                                           

Wu's Prelude was updated on the official Shin Sangokumusou 6 website after Jin's. It's probably my least favourite part of the OST (Original Soundtrack), however I can reflect on the fact that it's the most peaceful, serene of the lot. The drumming pattern in this in particular sounds softer and somewhat harder to follow, although the beautiful use of the horn leads to quite the epic drum hit at the end.

                                           

Shu's Prelude is the final out of the four preludes revealed and is arguably the most tragic of them all. The drums in reason are inconsistent and not as continuous as the other soundtracks ranging from softer hits to much stronger. With the support of the horn like all the others, it's backed up with bigger pauses and even haunting echoes to give off that dramatic emotion to the audience.

''Lu Bu's Theme'' or also known as ''Theme of Lu Bu'' has always been one of the most anticipated tunes as much as people looking forward to his appearance. It's a very important thought for one of KOEI's most known characters to have a thrilling BGM to give some more depth to his persona. Relying on hard rock, Theme of Lu Bu has been revealed and promoted, used in presentations in the past to symbolize KOEI's latest Dynasty Warriors games as iconic.

This version does not displease and has been praised to be a step forward by many. There's distinguishable notes that remind us of it's relation to his songs in the past, such as the first twenty seconds. It's intensely urgent, perhaps the most so out of the whole series. The usual exciting guitar riffs are present and also the lately used techno influence that was used in Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce and Dynasty Warriors 6; although I'm rather seeing the techno as somewhat of it's flaw.

Lu Bu's Theme's rock, guitar riffs and distinguishable similarities to the former music tracks makes this one of the most liked so far (which will still be once we have the entire OST).

That is it for this update. Thanks for reading!