Japan’s struggle to rebuild after the massive earthquakes feverishly continues, and the relief efforts from around the globe continue to support the people of Japan in their hardship. The latest relief project to come out in support of the country looks to use the power of music to help those in need, and it looks like it will be quite powerful based on who’s involved.
Play For Japan has announced a benefit album to be released in May via iTunes, led by the renowned Japanese video game composer Akira Yamaoka (Silent Hill, the soon-to-be-released Shadows of the Damned). In his statement, Yamaoka says that the album is a collaboration between video game composers from both the East and West, and so far, it’s a damn fine list of people to be confirmed for involvement.
From the East: Yamaoka, Yasunori Mitsuda (Chrono Trigger, Xenogears), and Nobuo Uematsu (duh). From the West: Jason Graves (Dead Space), Bear McCreary (SOCOM 4, the stellar Battlestar Galactica and The Walking Dead television series), and Inon Zur (Dragon Age, Fallout 3). And more will surely be announced as time goes on.
Outside of the fact that the purpose is admirable and helps all those in need, I’m particularly excited to see both Western and Eastern composers working collaboratively. Lately, I’ve been digging Western composers a lot: Graves’ Dead Space scores are standout examples of implementing unique sound design and orchestration, and Zur’s Fallout 3 score fit the Wasteland scene perfectly (I’d know, I spent 180 hours with that game). McCreary’s dramatic and percussive score for Battlestar Galactica really brings a lot to that show, and I love his work on The Walking Dead (particularly the opening theme); I haven’t heard his video game scores but I’m sure it’s in line with the aforementioned body of work.
And then we have the classics. Uematsu doesn’t really need any further explanation, and to an extent, neither does Mitsuda – one of the best opening themes ever, in my opinion – nor Yamaoka. It makes sense (to me, at least) that Yamaoka is spearheading the project, as his work with the Silent Hill series blends both Western and Eastern styles pretty well.
So the question is: what’s it going to sound like? Will they rework some old material with new orchestrations or write entirely new material inspired by the Japan earthquake? Will Yamaoka and Graves team up to make some awesome horror-themed music for a game that doesn’t exist? Maybe McCreary will bring those thunderous drums to complement an Uematsu piece?
I’m getting way too excited for this. They already have my money. Hopefully everyone else follows suit to help out Japan and get what is sure to be a unique musical experience.
