Why Hades' Soundtrack is a Masterpiece
A Review of Hades's Soundtrack, explained from the perspective of a Music Producer & Composer.
Let's talk about the music that Darren Korb, Austin Wintory and Ashley Barrett wrote and why it hits different.
00:00 - Intro
00:25 - Radiohead influences in Hades
01:24 - In The Blood Vocals & Orchestration
03:20 - Music Theory Explained with Hades Gameplay
04:30 - Hades - In The Blood (Spanish Guitar Remix)
05:01 - The Hades Motif
07:38 - Dope basslines in Hades's OST
08:29 - Hades = DOOM Eternal?
09:16 - Is Hades's Soundtrack good?
------- ▼MENTIONS▼------
- Buy the Hades OST on Bandcamp: supergiantgames.bandcamp.com/...
- Austin Wintory's Channel: • HADES - On the Coast /...
- Hades OST in DOOM Eternal Style: • What if the Hades OST ...
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------- ▼CREDITS▼------
Game: Hades (Supergiant Games)
Composer: Darren Korb (@supergiantgames ), Austin Wintory (@awintory ), Ashley Barrett
Video Thumbnail: @hotcyder
Пікірлер: 706
Your enthusiasm is so damn infectious my friend. Honored to again grace your channel :) Also that Spanish guitar vibing over this.
@Gabagoomba
3 жыл бұрын
Your work is utterly beautiful. Thank you for sharing it with the world!
@CringelordJen
3 жыл бұрын
a serious chef's kiss indeed
@biomutarist6832
3 жыл бұрын
Hats off to you, Ser Wintory.
@grungeguy97
3 жыл бұрын
I love your previous work on the Journey OST, too!
@sotoskun861
3 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for showing us the modern way to play the bouzouki!
I can't even count the number of times I've seen people get to Eurydice for the first time and they just stop to listen to Ashley Barrett sing "good riddance". Something that can stop you in your tracks from the non stop action and make you appreciate how good the music is proves what an incredible job they did. Everything else about the game is wonderful too. Supergiant outdid themselves.
@AX02Crusnik
3 жыл бұрын
Yeah I stopped several times during my first playthrough of Transistor to just listen to Red (Ashley Barrett) hum along to the BGM
@timezero8409
3 жыл бұрын
Yep! I love good music in video games and I'm one of those who stopped to listen to Good Riddance, not only the first time, but many times in my runs.
@GonSlapper
3 жыл бұрын
I stopped to listen for a while to Zia's singing at Prosper's Bluff
@rafaelbordoni516
3 жыл бұрын
I stopped to listen to her in Bastion too, I think the song was called Build a Wall or something. Instantly recognized her voice when I saw Eurydice and stopped to listen, of course.
@nekuchan900
3 жыл бұрын
First time I stopped and heard her perfom it twice completely before talking to her I always stay for at least half of it intentionally
It's crazy that Darren also voices Zag and Skelly in the game, his music and voice is with us the whole way.
@EstebanBrenesV
3 жыл бұрын
He has an amazing vocal range and it shows, hades in general is an artistic masterpiece and every single member of supergiant made an amazing job that shows their passion in it.
@daz211
3 жыл бұрын
What blows my mind is he did all that... AND he's apparently a damn good speedrunner at the game
@animeotaku307
3 жыл бұрын
The funny part is that Zag starts out terrible at playing music/
@MissPoplarLeaf
3 жыл бұрын
One of my favorite lines is when Zag compliments Orpheus on writing “In the Blood” - it’s Darren voicing one character complimenting another character he’s voicing, on the song he wrote 😆
@yoyo777
6 ай бұрын
@@animeotaku307 tell me you haven't 100% the game without telling me you 100% the game
Canonically, this song is sung by Orpheus and Eurydice, but I hadn't considered Ashley's singing as a stand-in for Persephone. It definitely adds some weight to the idea that she's pulling him free from the underworld with the upward swing of the motif. I will also say that "Home, it's not where you live, but who cares when you're gone" is basically my favorite lyric in all of 2020. CHILLS every time I hear it.
@arathain2
3 жыл бұрын
I mean, and some spoilers here... when you hear the track Zagreus is returning to the House of Hades, at her side. As in, instead of Zag returning in death to the beginning, they both return to the beginning in life.
@princessthyemis
3 жыл бұрын
Oh my GOOOOD!!!!!! that lyric is amazing!!!!!! That's so freaking BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!🤩🤩🤩😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍
@Zikzager
3 жыл бұрын
@@arathain2 not really. This song mostly about Persephone, that tryed "run all you like from the place you belong", but her own kin, "her blood" - Zagreus - followed her "to the beyond". Icluding that Zagreus himself probably god of blood and family bounds, all his path can be counted as Persephone "call of blood" - her hidden desire to be with family
@maximeteppe7627
3 жыл бұрын
But the doomed quest of Orpheus is a parallel to Zagreus's own - so thematically it all resonates quite a bit.
@arathain2
3 жыл бұрын
@@Zikzager I don't disagree, but well written verse rarely means just one thing, and the song worth playing over the credits should tie together the themes that underlie all the stories of the game.
His reactions are addicting to watch tbh
@Ryan-li8qc
3 жыл бұрын
They're very descriptive
@arisenpai
3 жыл бұрын
Most people just hear music. Some of us choose to feel it. You can see he does too. I guess that's why.
@supremeoverlord0
3 жыл бұрын
I know, right? I typically don't care for watching people's reactions, unless it's like a 'really' hyped thing that happened, but Alex always has such good things to say!
@amzarraif3616
3 жыл бұрын
Nice seeing you
@jotaro4734
3 жыл бұрын
Where were you from several months!!glad to see you back!
I love how in "In The Blood" the vocals are performed by Darren and Ashley but in character as Orpheus and Eurydice. I think that's why the male is higher pitch than the female. Orpheus is the more sensitive, timid type while Eurydice is much more outspoken and confident.
@WestleyTaninger
3 жыл бұрын
I remember reading(/hearing?) an interview where Darren Korb mentioned part of the reason was also that Orpheus was supposed to have an enchanting, unique voice, and the best way he could think of to represent that was to have him only sing in falsetto. It's an amazing choice.
@TournamentArc
3 жыл бұрын
The musical Hadestown also does a similar thing with Orpheus singing higher than Eurydice. Fun stuff.
@andrewhegstrom2187
2 жыл бұрын
This isn't the first time that Darren has sung countertenor to Ashley's alto, I think he just appreciates how it sounds compared to traditional music.
It's kind of underwelming to name those videos "reactions". A lot of people just listen for a bit and just smile and say it's cool, but you add context to the songs and it makes me appreciates the songs a lot more. Also adding your own interpretation and creating your version of the songs. It's a lot more like a critique / lesson than just a bland reaction.
@souledgar
3 жыл бұрын
Calling it a reaction in the title is probably better for him in the context of playing the KZread game. "Analysis" or "Breakdown" might be too intimidating for newcomers. The rest of us channel regulars know what they are, so really it doesn't matter what they call them.
@rensten4893
3 жыл бұрын
@@souledgar All honesty and respect, but people learn the difference and what they're looking for. I'm sure either is fine but both would cater to a different audience on first perception.
@souledgar
3 жыл бұрын
@@rensten4893 I mean that this is just playing the KZread game, same as how his thumbnails have his face doing some dramatic reaction. Using the word "reaction" is a known tactic to reach more new viewers, and its just in Alex's best interest to call it that. He is, when all is said and done, a KZreadr after all.
@ahmedamine24
3 жыл бұрын
@@rensten4893 It's like "VFX artists react"
My mind exploded when you explained how Hades' Motif summarizes the whole story
@dejuanthomas4953
3 жыл бұрын
That shit gave me chills bruh ❤🎶😫😫❤
YES Hades! I live for the Alex bass treatment!
@statz3697
2 жыл бұрын
I wasn’t expecting to see you here amazing fallout 2 videos btw
Alex! 🤘 Thanks for including my Doom version of Out of Tartarus! I have your funk bass version of the painful way on loop right now. So good.
@Far_Dee
3 жыл бұрын
Just waiting for the two of you to collab on something now. Whether a bit of music or just two super smart music nerds analyzing something together, I'd watch it. Big fan of both of you.
Have you ever considered making a bandcamp with full versions of the songs you edit, like "Hades with Spanish Guitar" or "Hades Bloodborne Style?" I swear some of the edits you make sound so unbelievably good. If you ever did I'd buy the lot of them in a heartbeat.
@GlitchToph
3 жыл бұрын
Same. I still hold hopes for an extended "Castlevania" Bury The Light
@GoldGiggler
3 жыл бұрын
I didn't know I needed a Bloodborne X Hades until I heard Alex make it. Phew!
The addition of the Spanish guitar literally gave me the chills. See, this? This shit right here? This is why I'm subscribed.
Darren Korbo mentioned that Orpheus (the character who's singing) has a higher voice to evoke a more ethereal effect given the character's singing is legendary.
Please try to get a sit down or a jam session with Darren Korb. The world needs to know his genius!
@GoldGiggler
3 жыл бұрын
Second this! Don't know how much this is related but I was moved with the latest God of War's documentary, and talking about Alex sitting down with Darren, I thought maybe it'd be nice to have Bear McCreary join in?
@eggsandtomatoeswithcolesla5669
3 жыл бұрын
Throw in the Godspeed himself, Masahiro Aoki and you have the two holy patrons of awesome videogame music
When Alex actually turned that one little section of the hades soundtack into a bloodborne themed one I actually started chuckling out-loudly because it was super effective, and fit super well with the games soundtracks motifs and such. It made me pretty happy to hear hahahaah very well done, indeed!
I love music in games. I don't 'understand' the music from a technical perspective, I never got to really learn much of it when I was growing up, but listening to you break it all down is both educational, and as others have said, entirely infectious. I love it, and the things I learn I can translate into the Film work I do. Your passion really shines, and my god is it glorious.
damn how many fancy coats do you have
@respectfulevil9022
3 жыл бұрын
Infinite
@alexp9101
3 жыл бұрын
Yes
@dandelyon2796
2 жыл бұрын
All of them
Darren is an incredible composer he utilizes the instruments, his voice, and Ashley's voice to perfection. Does he has a recognizable style? Yeah, most composers do. But it's a damn good and a damn powerful style that conveys so much that never gets said in the game.
Darren wrote the score, sang in some songs, voiced Zag and Skelly and apparently, he also holds the speed run record for Hades in SGG lol
You can inject that Hades -> Bloodborne transformation straight into my veins
By far my favorite song from Hades is “King and The Bull.” The drop in that song when the fight begins is absolutely god tier.
OOF haven't finished the video but HAD to comment about that Spanish guitar addition because GOT ZAM was that sexy
@Alex-vl1mk
3 жыл бұрын
I always feel so sad that there's not full covers like that, like during the genshin video when he did a mini funk remix
@Sirolfusable
3 жыл бұрын
If you love spanish guitar, check out the Blasphemous OST
@cappachino20
3 жыл бұрын
@@Sirolfusable Blasphemous the game with the pinhead knight? Had no idea that game has Spanish Guitar I'm gonna listen right now. Thanks!
The Bloodborne moment literally sent chills down my spine.
So proud as a Greek that games like Hades reflect so much of ancient and modern Greece. Everytime I hear the music of the game I cant ignore the modern tone of bouzouki playing in the backround.
8:38 Darren described Hades’ soundtrack as a whole as “Mediterranean prog-rock Halloween music” so take that how you will
Oh shit its a Hades OST reaction vid from Alex! IN THE NAME OF HADES I ACCEPT THIS VIDEO
@GoldGiggler
3 жыл бұрын
Underrated comment!
Ooooh, give me that Bloodborne Hades motif, that's just AMAZING! Great video as always, Alex!
Man I already miss this game, I'll do another run then
@MarakamiSG
3 жыл бұрын
However many times it takes.
@ThePoodle
3 жыл бұрын
@@MarakamiSG no will to break
@marleytarver9759
3 жыл бұрын
Woah, hey, wrong game!
@marleytarver9759
3 жыл бұрын
@Andrei Salvaleon No, no no, go back-
4:36 That inclusion of "What if" is golden. I didn't expect you to throw that Spanish guitar in there, but I love that you did!
Yup, Ashley Barrett did all of the vocals for Transistor's music, and was the voice of Red, the main/player character. She's so good. EDIT: I forgot that Logan Cunningham joined in on the duet for "Paper Boats" over the end credits, my mistake.
@rocketscientist14
3 жыл бұрын
He’s insanely talented dude. God this game has the greatest ost ever.
btw a lot of people miss this OST in hades since it requires to go deep in the story the song is called "The Unseen Ones" Its the best
5:25 I love the investigation and analysis of motif's and their meanings in the context of the game. Reminds me a lot of 8Bit music Theory channel!
"Lament of Orpheus" has been on repeat for me for weeks now haha I only watched a playthrough but that song really caught my attention. I bought the soundtrack just for the 2 versions lol But overall, the music is amazing. The composer/voice actor guy who does so many things on the game is so talented!
Your brief reddit/twitter clip of you jamming to "The Painful Way" is what led me to your channel - love your work and am eager to see you possibly release more work towards this game, and all the others!
Supergiant has always had incredible music, I've preordered every game and soundtrack since bastion, really glad you got round to looking at it. I'll admit it took a few listens for this track to grow on me, Darren's voice was very unsettling at first, but in my top 5 tracks now. Also, this song gives me very strong James Bond theme song vibes. If someone had played me this and said a new bond film called "In the Blood" was coming, I'd have believed it
"Hades music sounds freaking funky." Maaaaaan, we all know what that means
You called it! I was just listening to Darren Korb interviewed on the Lost Beat 6 podcast and he said Radiohead was one of his inspirations for Hades. So cool that you spotted that
I just realized the music you get when you die is the motif 🤯
That Bloodborne/Hades combo was deadly. Fantastic work as always.
Glad to see Alex giving Hades and Supergiant the love they deserve! "God of the Dead" and "Unseen Ones" are the two best boss tracks in recent memory, no question.
I've watched this and your funky version SO many times! I really hope Hades II not only pays off but you do another few videos on them! Absolutely legendary breakdown, despite me being just a musician (drums, guitar, vocals), I couldn't even attempt orchestral movements and writing.
One thing I want to note about your In The Blood analysis, backing up the idea that it's a song sang from the perspective of Persephone, is that Orpheus's line "the feeling inside" (or something to that effect) following Eurydice's line with Hades' motif actually uses the melodic motif from "Off The Coast," the theme used when you reach, well, the coast at the end of the game. A neat little detail that lends weight to your theory. Great video as always, Lord Moukala of the House of Funk, never ceases to amaze me what happens when you cross great music with an equally as great producer.
Reaction is underselling it, this is a straight up full analysis, I love this
This is the algorithm find of the month for me! Great analysis with some light music theory, original mixes/enhancements, shoutouts to multiple other channels, and fun to watch your energy and excitement about the music. Got yourself another subscriber!
2 fun things: Korb describes the soundtrack as (I believe) “proto-rock Halloween music” and that menacing motif is actually pretty similar to the popular motif for death the Dies Irae (the difference being that the two last notes go higher and lower respectively)
The persona 5 OST in the background give such a touch during the commentary.
Oh damn, that improv over the song with the acoustic was amazing!
ok, i was planning on buying the game eventually, probably on sale on steam, but you made me buy the physical switch copy for all the extra goodies. didn't know the music was THAT good! didn't see much gameplay, wanna go blind in it once i play.
@TykoBrian7
3 жыл бұрын
the whole ost is in supergian't games' youtube channel.
Every time there a game that I play like "wow, there's some damn good music here" two things happen: 1) Alina Gingertail makes an awesome cover 2) Alex Moukala puts the awesome music into words Which I find quite awesome
It's so fascinating to listen to you walk us through some of the considerations and nuances. The soundtrack is amazing but you're able to deepen my appreciation of it. Thanks!
Honestly the orpheus of hades reminds me a little bit of the orpheus of hadestown bc of their tones and how they're higher in pitch then their eurydices
I'm not usually all that much into reaction videos, but I like these because Alex doesn't just sit and watch something and just make faces and "Get hyped" and call it a day. He really explains why its so amazing, the intricacies of the music and the techniques being applied and also demonstrates how they are made and can be used in other ways. It really shows a lot of dedication and knowledge, which for me takes this beyond a "mere" reaction video. Keep up the good work. :)
Dude, I watched you doubling up on that bass 10 times by now and I can't stop! Awesome!
Yooo I love how you break down this song! Hades has such a solid soundtrack, it's so fun! I like how in Austin Wintory's notes on the orchestration for In The Blood, someone noticed that the song integrates both motifs from Hades (the overarching musical motif in the game) but also the flourishes that come from Persephone's theme (the later portion of On the Coast). Orpheus and Eurydice sings the duet at the credits sequence (as Ashley Barrett & Darren Korb also provide their singing voices). In a way the song serves as the homecoming for Persephone and Zagreus to the House of Hades. 😊 That Spanish guitar addition's amazing! As well as the funky bassline too! Heck yeah!
I could listen to you talk about this soundtrack for DAYS.
This kind of content is lacking nowadays in KZread. So glad it has you to cover it. Keep up the great work Alex!
I love the analysis! Especially how the main motif is basically symbolic to the whole game’s theme of “no escape.” Appreciate it!
6:10 ... That, was pants shittingly terrifying, and BEAUTIFUL
He finally covered the Hades soundtrack!! Was JUST listening to In the Blood, such a good soundtrack! Love your reactions so much
I adore your channel and I have so much respect for your brilliant musical mind, impeccable ear, and monster talent! Constructive criticism however! Modes aren’t just a modified version of a scale at least not like in the way explained. “Mode” usually implies sharing all the notes with another set of scales but starting on different notes. C Major’s Phrygian mode is E but your example still starts on C. That’d make it a parallel key but not a mode. Also your example isn’t Phrygian, it’s Phrygian dominant, because of its major 3rd. C Phrygian dominant is the 5th mode of F harmonic minor. Same notes but different starting note. Hope that makes sense. Keep up the incredible work!!
@GrooseyGroose
2 жыл бұрын
I used a comment searcher to see if anyone had mentioned the Phrygian dominant distinction. Good clarification! It was causing me a lot of confusion being a newcomer to music theory.
can we ask for a spanish guitar cover ? and please , please ! that blood born sound like , needs a full ost remake ! much love for the great breakdown that i didnt expect you to play in it and actually sample the stuff that you imagine !
Man your insight, your passion, your fun personality, and your style all just work so well together! Keep up your awesome work!
Man the bloodborn part is incredible !!! Gg for the video it's amazing like always
Love the music breakdowns, surprised this doesn't have a million views, so good.
6:03 my legs shaked with this, so awesome
mind blowing!!! i know nothing about composing but you made this so easy to understand and i have a profound new respect for this soundtrack. (also your guitar bits slapped!)
i love the way you explain things, i freaking love music but i'm far from a pro and the way you simplify it for us laymen is really well done and entertaining. you make me love music even more man, cheers
I have a crush on your videos and that last part with the bass 😭
I love the fact that you love this soundtrack so much.
That's exactly how I feel when I listen to the soundtrack of Hades. All the different sounds & mixes of genre like metal & greek music.. It's just satisfying. And then I think about the story of the game & combine it with the music & everything just make sense. Plus the art style is gold.
Always happy to support this man !! Love these reactions !!
8:38 "This right here freaking SLAPS" God, that's such a MOOD the first time you hear that.
Your admiration and detailed breakdown of the soundtrack make me love it even more, and it was already high. The motif usage was brilliant throughout the game, it made it mean more during the final battle. I remember even geeking out when one song was very reminiscent of Schism by Tool. This whole entire score deserves praise for years to come.
I really like these type of videos! I'd love a Transistor analysis as well, that game has a incredible soundtrack
This is incredible! Shame I took so long to see this, love Hades a lot
Thank you so much for this review! I know nothing about music and LOVE to hear someone break it down for an ignorant person like me. I absolutely love the Hades OST but can't tell you why it's so amazing except that it hits me so deep. Thank you also for using simple language to explain the technicalities. This is an amazing video!
Love the depth of the analysis! I know nothing about music composition yet I understood every word you said somehow! Amazing work bro!
Ooooh, that distorted bass you played on the patron credit roll was tasty!
Amazing cover!! Your voice works hauntingly well for the piece!
Genuinely impressed by how detailed and understanding your analysis is. Not a lot of video makers have such a fantastic breakdown (and is also so engaging). Nice work dude!
I've been following you on twitter for months and didn't know about your youtube channel til this literally just hit my feed wtf
Exceptional explanation of the way modes work. I am so grateful I found this video!
Great stuff! It should also be pointed out that the second half of the motif is played every time you die in game, really cementing the concepts you mentioned
Thank you , Alex! I’m somebody who is particularly vulnerable to and enthralled by music and storytelling, so explaining how this gripping soundtrack tells the story through song and music was a huge treat. Thanks for walking me through it.
This commentary opens my mind up completely differently when it comes to thinking about OST's. I haven't noticed or at least haven't thought about the similarities that the songs contain and connect, but I do remember listening to the whole soundtrack and you do notice them, it's just hard to be mindful of them if you don't put thought into listening to it. I will start listening to music differently from now on.
This is a great reaction for many reasons. He doesn't linger on a point for too long, he incorporates his opinion and knowledge, he shows examples when he refers to something off topic, he teaches interesting facts, and he gives interpretations and theories he has. This is my unprofessional and unlicensed reaction to this reaction video.
about time you covered this never stop making videos alex :D
This is really interesting! also had no idea that Austin had worked on this!! :D
Full funk cover of The Painful Way when?
I absolutely love your channel! Supergiant makes some great soundtracks, so glad you’re covering Hades!
We gonna need that spanish guitar cover, Chief. Amazing analisis and skills as usual coming from you.
Amazing video as always. Hades have a great music, I want to play it now.
Your effort in making these videos is amazing
Okay when you whipped out the Spanish guitar I nearly fell out, that was TOO clean I'm so glad you made a video for this, I LOVE Hades and you were excited about all my favorite parts so it felt like I was gushing with a friend over the game (I only have 1 friend who plays so I haven't had much chance to talk about everything I like).
I’m constantly impressed with your talents man. That’s so inspiring.
Hades is an amazing video game. The soundtrack is great. Understanding how the music affects me is MUY LOCO.
Here I'd thought I was clever for noticing the motif just in the title, last boss fight, and the stinger that plays when you die. I had no idea how much more prevalent it was. Wonderful, wonderful video.
please Please PLEASE do full length versions of the Spanish guitar and baseline segments you did. They were SO GOOD I can't stop groovin
This is one of the best video game music related videos I've seen. Someone with actual knowledge in both music and video games, explaining both aspects and jamming to it as well? Where has this channel been all my life‽
OMG I cannot believe that I am catching this so shortly after post, and I am so happy I did. Alex, you are so great. Thank you for doing everything that you do.