METAL GEAR SOLID 4: GUNS OF THE PATRIOTS OST
Composers: Harry Gregson-Williams, Nobuko Toda, Shuichi Kobori, Kazuma Jinnouchi and Norihiko Hibino.
Release: May 2008
Length: 47 tracks
Label: Sony Music
Does Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots sound as good as it plays?
The Metal Gear Solid series plays out very much like an epic film saga. The games’ dramatic and sometimes lengthy cut-scenes are further proof of Hideo Kojima’s dream to be a big-time movie director. It’s no more apparent than in his most recent instalment, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. For Solid Snake’s last mission, Kojima invites a host of brilliant composers – including the incredible Harry Gregson-Williams – to produce a worthy fanfare for Snake’s final curtain call.
The two disc soundtrack was primarily composed by Gregson-Williams, and threesome Nobuko Toda, Shuichi Kobori, and Kazuma Jinnouchi. Norihiko Hibino also makes a contribution to the soundtrack through his audio production company, GEM Impact. GEM has arranged music for past Metal Gear Solid games and spin-offs, however, only fifteen minutes of his original ninety-minute score features on this two disc soundtrack.
Gregson-Williams, who composed 14 tracks, has heavily armed the soundtrack with big orchestral scores and soft melancholic pieces. The opening track “Old Snake” is an intense passage, complete with an assortment of sweeping electronics and a beautiful acoustic guitar melody. Gregson-Williams is extremely varied in his approach and his compositions rarely maintain the same timbre through out. Some, like “Breakthrough”, reach violent crescendos, while others, such as “Father and Son”, take the listener on a poignant journey, the aforementioned track being a highlight of the soundtrack; with its marching drums and deft bugle solo. The main theme that Gregson-Williams composed for the third game is reprised in an innovative manner. “Metal Gear Saga” begins with cascading rhythms, but eventually calms as an acoustic guitar is introduced to start the songs ascension to its brilliant conclusion. Overall, Gregson-Williams has given the soundtrack splendour and the game a big-blockbuster experience.
The difference between the tracks composed by the three musicians that collaborated together, and the well-praised Briton is striking. The standard is still professionally high, but their approach is something different. For example, their opener, “Love Theme”, features Jackie Presti singing lyrics in Hebrew, which were written by Hideo Kojima. The soulful singing by Presti is unnerving, but when mixed with Snake’s remorseful monologue in the game’s introduction, we’re given one of the greatest video game openings ever. “Drebin 893” is another track that stands proud, feeling like a subversive spy theme for the cryptic arms dealer, which is awash with mystery and sorrow.
The soundtrack for Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is a mellow and slightly depressing listening experience. There are a few fast-paced tracks to compliment the game’s superb action sequences, including “War Zone” and “Next-Gen Control”, but the soundtrack approach to Solid Snake’s inevitable end is the winning factor. We wouldn’t go as far to say that this soundtrack is the best in the series, but it’s a spectacular score for a spectacular game.
11/13
Recommended Downloads:
Metal Gear Saga
Father and Son
Old Snake
This article was originally published in Issue 22 of Thirteen1
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