Music info: VGMdb
Info
In 2015, somehwat obscure and short-lived doujin circle OLD GAME☆Maniacs released the first of four arrange albums celebrating the 30th anniversaries of various classic game series. The circle was operated by someone named Akiaajyu, though the primary arranger was Kousuke Matsuoka, who did about 75% of the arrangements across all four albums. That’s right, at long last we’re eki posting again!
Their first album was for the Gradius series, covering a few random tracks from the first three arcade games, as well as Salamander and a couple of the home games. This album features the most contributions by someone who isn’t Matsuoka, with more than half of the album being handled by Akiaajyu and third arranger, くろうま, whom I couldn’t find any information about. Their tracks are generally in pretty classic doujin style you might’ve heard downloading random arrangements from Japanese websites 15-20 years ago, melodically conservative covers with synth leads in styles that lean toward EDM or rock, the kind of stuff where your enjoyment will largely come down to how much you like the original piece of music.
Matsuoka got a little more adventurous with his arrangements in terms of adding solos or extra material, though they’re all still more melodically conservative than the arrangements he did for Alpha Secret Base. Aside from one track, an orchestral arrangement of “Morning Music” that’s jarringly different from everything else on the album (though very fitting for the source tune), his tracks are all rock, often proggy of course though sometimes just some straightforward, uplifting rock. His production has improved a little since we last saw him in 2008; it’s especially noticeable in the guitars, which are more realistic than before, though still definitely sequenced. Which is fine, because fake instruments rule.
Recommended tracks:
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“We Followed The Sun (Stage 1 BGM)” (Matsuoka, orig. unknown from Gofer no Yabou Episode II) has a sick new bit starting at 1:13
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“Free Flyer (Stage 4 BGM)” (Akiaajyu, orig. Miki Higashino from Gradius) expands the bassline with some slappiness, important addition to the original
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“Easter Stone (Stage 5 BGM)” (くろうま, orig. unknown from Gradius III) is here because of the strength of the original piece, though the more electronic treatment and sound design enhance the oppressive atmosphere
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“Power of Anger (Stage 1 BGM) ~ Poison of Snake (Boss) ~ Burn the Wind (Stage 5 BGM) ~ Destroy Them All (Stage 6 BGM) ~ Starfield (Stage 4 BGM)” (Matsuoka, orig. Miki Higashino from Salamander) is the proggiest arrangement on the album, which makes sense as the big medley track that randomly switches to different pieces of music
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