For starters, let me clearly state that “Thugs” didn’t turn out at all how I intended.  I was working on a deathmetal battle theme and instead it turned out like this.

<sigh>

Rather than throw it out and start again, I decided to wrestle with the piece a bit longer and flesh it out as more than just an 8-bar theme.  Maybe someone out there can find a use for the cheesy rock style as the theme song for… something?

“Thugs” is awfully repetitive for my taste, but it did end up being fairly catchy.  Unfortunately.

(last updated 27 May 2010)

After a brief introduction, the first theme is introduced. Depending on your familiarity with Baroque music, you may notice a strange similarity to Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D Minor.  (Please follow that link and listen to the original piece if you’re not familiar with it – it’s spectacular.)  I did indeed use Bach as inspiration for the first movement of this piece, though I imagine he’d heartily disagree with my use of a cheesy drumbeat alongside an otherwise nice melody.

Meh.  I always envisioned Bach as being kind of a prick, so I’m not too concerned with hurting his feelings.

After the Bach-ish theme, you’ll notice a pleasant middle bridge marked by an electric guitar (not sure why I picked that instrument, but I left it in the remaster since it’s been that way forever).  Once the second movement hits, you may notice its theme as “Remember,” another piece already available on this site.  “Remember” was originally written as the second half of “Cyaron’s Gate,” and it wasn’t until years later that I pulled that theme out and gave it its own piece.

I’ve tried to leave the instruments somewhat synthy so you can get a feel for how this piece sounded 10+ years ago when it was first written.

(last updated 20 April 2010)

Known as “It Begins” back in TGP/TLA days, this song is a simple arcade-style theme song.  I based it loosely off “Cold” by matchbox twenty and I’m still fond of it even though it hasn’t been online for several years.  I don’t know why I never uploaded this before – it’s a decent theme.

Regardless, the ocean sound effect at the start is because Tiberia is located on the ocean (obviously).  Unfortunately, MIDI horns comprise most the song, but the mp3 version manages to hold its own.

I once had someone ask me if this song has words.  It doesn’t.  If you would like write words (so it could be a true national anthem), feel free.  ;)

I originally wrote this piece as the character theme of a vengeful monk…so take that into consideration when listening. :)

Technically, I don’t know where this fits musically. The main melody isn’t even a melody – it’s a simple chord progression.  The 2nd section is a 4-part harmony (correctly harmonized for the most part), and the final section is distinctly modern.  The instrument mix is all over the place but was designed to be largely “churchy” in nature (hence the organ and choir throughout).  The percussion was added as an afterthought because I felt it added some oomph to the epic sections of the song in a way only percussion can do.

Even I was surprised at the outcome.  This song is epic.  This song is beautiful.  This song is grand.

The intensity of this simple piece comes entirely from instrumentation and subtle melodic varations between the separate voices.  Harmonically, I think this song is one of my best accomplishments.  “From Here” is very simple, but very moving.  I guess this is a lesson to stick to simple structures rather than complex ones – as I’ve written elsewhere, the best themes are always the simple and memorable ones!

Some have said this song sounds familiar to Braveheart; in retrospect I suppose it does.  Another friend mentioned that it would have fit well in FF6.  I’m still looking for a game deserving of this great little song…and hopefully I’ll someday find a home for it.