[Album] Shadow of the Colossus Original Sound Track (KICA-1379)

Catalog Number: KICA-1379
Release Date: December 7, 2005
Release Type: Studio Release
Media: 1 compact disc
Arrangement by Kow Otani

Track List:

1. Prolog - Inishie no Chi e
2. Kindan no Jutsu
3. Okite
4. Kuroi Chi
5. Sosei
6. Kyozo no Kehai
7. Igyo no Monotachi - Kyozo to no Tatakai
8. Hirakareru Michi - Kyozo to no Tatakai
9. Tatakai no Owari
10. Guzo Hokai
11. Midori no Kyuryo
12. Araburu Kaiko - Kyozo to no Tatakai
13. Yomigaeru Chikara - Kyozo to no Tatakai
14. Kohan
15. Seijaku - Kyozo to no Tatakai
16. Chikara e no Ifu - Kyozo to no Tatakai
17. Wanda no Shi
18. Saihate no Chi
19. Shinobiyoru Kage - Kyozo to no Tatakai
20. Haigo kara no Shisha - Kyozo to no Tatakai
21. Hangeki - Kyozo to no Tatakai
22. Choso
23. Tozasareta Toshi
24. Hanatareta Bannin - Kyozo to no Tatakai
25. Zetsubo to no Wakare - Kyozo to no Tatakai
26. Inori
27. Shunba
28. Haikyo no Monban - Kyozo to no Tatakai
29. Seiiki
30. Gishiki no Shuen - Kyozo to no Tatakai
31. Otte
32. Fukkatsu no Yocho
33. Epilog - Nokosareshi Monotachi
34. Kibo
35. Hi no Ataru Daichi
36. Kioku
37. Koya
38. Daichi no Koe
39. Shitsugen
40. Ikari
41. Saigo no Tatakai
42. Saihate no Chi (Reprise)

Kow Otani is possibly best known by composing the OST for Haibane Renmei. Haibane Renmei had a rather ambient air to the music, the shadow OST takes some inspiration from this and expands on the premise of heavily orchestrated yet elegant musical composition. For this review I have selected tracks that I think fully illustrate the strong cummonings of this album.

Starting with the first track one will realize the depth of ambiance that is accomplished. The opening starts very subtle and dynamically shifts into a sense of instrumental abundance, yet is still very pleasing to maintain a ambient depth.

Going to track 9 "Kyozo to no Tatakai" the mood is very unsettling and contrasting at the same time. At first the mood is very somber, after a bit the somber mood shows a dark and haunting side. The two contrasting sides allow the depth of emotions to be illustrated, one feels in an open area yet this open area is confining.

Track 12 is part of the battles that take place in shadow this track is meant to be loud and intruding, but at the same time it also is executed with out creating a harshness that would be annoying.

Track 15 creates a mood of uneasiness with a chilling combination of stringed instruments but with a very large scale, almost majestic overtone.

Track 30 is executed with a choir style ambiance and quickly becomes fully orchestrated then back into a choir style once again. I like how dynamic this track is, at the end when you get the heavy orchestral components with the choir.

Track 33 is long, dynamic, haunting, and beautiful. As you begin this track a peaceful feeling is bestowed followed by very hallow ambiance. A few minutes in and the complexity of this track takes off. After each majestic session in this track the listener is once again confronted with a sense of hollowness. The song is nicely completed by an elegant sense of a contrast of a happy tone followed by a underlying sense of uneasiness.

Track 34 shows how Kow used some concept from earlier music compositions, mainly Haibane in the shadow OST. The track is comprised of Piano, Harp and a very dark use of sythnesized strings.

Track 35 is a very interesting composition, it is very hard to explain. It is out of place but at the same time sort of fits in with the rest of the OST. It sets up for a very energetic tone.

Track 36 once again shows that Kow did this OST, it is a solo piano piece with an air of distance to how the song is executed.

In all i give this sound track a 8 out of 10, i feel some constancy issues are present. Most tracks are vivid and well composed while a hand full are poorly executed.

Jam it back in, in the dark.