Disgaea D2 Arrange Soundtrack
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Album Title: Disgaea D2 Arrange Soundtrack |
| Record Label: Lantis |
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| Catalog No.: LACA-15304 |
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| Release Date: June 12, 2013 |
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| Purchase: Buy at CDJapan |
Overview
The Disgaea D2 Arrange Soundtrack features extended vocal and instrumental themes from the Disgaea D2: A Brighter Darkness soundtrack with some slight arrangement. Does Tenpei Sato select themes that give a good representation of the soundtrack’s style for those who aren’t able to obtain the original soundtrack? Let’s find out!
Body
The album, like the original soundtrack, opens up with the opening song, “CRADLE OVER (Short Ver.),” sung by Minori Chihara. This theme isn’t the full version, which is reserved for a single release back in April, but it does feature an extended track time with some new additions. In addition to powerful blend of orchestra and rock, it features some epic choir work as well as a slow tempo section that really helps bridge the energy between chorus. The other vocal themes also get the extended treatment that really helps to strengthen many of them, sans some of the vocal performances. “Live Arrival” and “Rock’n Princess” really shine with their extended verses and additions of choruses. The latter is definitely one of Tenpei Sato’s strongest non-ballad vocal themes musically speaking. The other vocal themes, “The Story Starts Here” and “Yokubarikkoring♪” don’t really see much difference between the original versions; however, the addition a stunning guitar solo really accentuates “The Story Stars Here.”
The instrumental themes are strengthened as well through their additional track length. “Whisper of Hell ~ Darkness” becomes even more haunting with a stunning violin solo while “Heaven’s Blossom’s” use of the violin solo really helps create a more delicate atmosphere, especially with the addition of a vocal backing during the solo. However, “Moving Express” and “Sailing,” with the improved intros that really help add something new to the pieces, are the same length and could have benefited from some additional arrangement. Similarly, “Crash the Gate” and “Next Departure” add some additional track time, but are a bit light on the arrangement side. “Ray of Light,” however, manages to retain the same track time, but the additional vocal on a solo violin instrument really strengthens the power of the piece. Lastly, the two battle themes, “Dramatic Devil Story” and “Prince of Darkness” really shine with their additional track length. It gives “Dramatic Devil Story” time to add more to the guitar solo and “Prince of Darkness” to add a stunning guitar solo and a very dramatic rock/orchestra bridge.
Summary
As with all of Tenpei Sato’s Nippon Ichi soundtracks, there is always an arrange album produced to go along with it that typically features extended versions of vocal themes and the instrumental BGM. While the Disgaea D2 Arrange Soundtrack doesn’t deviate from the typical formula, it does manage to give a solid collection of some of the game’s stronger themes. For fans who aren’t able to get the original soundtrack, this is a good replacement to give you an idea of the style of the game’s soundtrack. However, it will not appeal to the completists out there or those looking for a more interpretative arranged album.
Do you agree with the review and score? Let us know in the comments below!
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Posted on May 8, 2015 by Don Kotowski. Last modified on May 8, 2015.
About the Author
Don Kotowski Currently residing in Philadelphia. I spend my days working in vaccine characterization and dedicate some of my spare time in the evening to the vast world of video game music, both reviewing soundtracks as well as maintaining relationships with composers overseas in Europe and in Japan.
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