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I urge you to listen to the Ultrakill soundtrack, most importantly Requiem and Cybergrind (Act I specifically, since Act II uses lietmotifs from Act I)
Honestly Charles, you've barely scratched the surface of this masterpiece of a soundtrack. I know you don't do multiple videos on the same OST often if at all but in my humble opinion this soundtrack should be the exception. Sealed Vessel (the best song), Greenpath, Hornet and SO many more, I would love to see more of this OST. Thanks for covering it Charles, I just finished and I miss it already
It's a shame he didn't have enough time to go over the INCREDIBLE use of themes throughout the soundtrack. Absolutely genius work from Christopher Larkin and how he places themes throughout the various locations in the game to create a sense of continuity and setting.
Agreed, it's hard to recognize a lot of stuff without playing the game IMO. Even the theme of "down" that's presest especially in early game songs, pushing the player deeper into hollownest.
Part 2 is absolutely a must. The hollow knight theme, eminating through the beatuiful Sealed Vessel, and the dramatic Broken vessel. The nail biting tension of Radiance, the haunting calm of White palace and of couse, the straigh up banger songs Mantis Lords and Hornet. All of these are incredible, and deserve a part 2.
I love Dirtmouth's descending chords. The first time you hear it, you've just fallen down into town and have to fall down farther to start your real journey
Getting to dirt mouth was such a special moment. I wish I could live it back, there was just that feeling.. I can't describe it but it was haunting yet so beautiful
There's a similar moment in celeste called reflection where you get close to the peak but then fall all the way back down and the music in that section fits so well It still gives me chills listening to it
Christopher Larkin is the king of 2 on 3. Most of this soundtrack is done without drum lines yet the boss music remains driving and intense because of his use of meter. Truly genius.
@@whatever2045 I''ll get two of my friends first, so that it's a 3V1 just like your damn mantis theme, and then i'll fight you, coward ! For real tho i also like Mantis fight theme better, but all of the OST is really good, i didnt find a low point, and the constant lietmotivs / theme referals really made it one smooth atmosphere throughout. I wouldnt have made it through the harder / later parts of the game if not for the OST (yeah i was / am a metroidvania noob)
And these are just atmospheric world songs. Christopher Larkin REALLY shines in his use of leitmotif, and his dynamic songs often used for boss fights. Hornet Boss Theme and Mantis Lords are both UNREAL tracks. Thank you so much for looking at this incredible OST, but if you can please look further, there is SO MUCH MORE!
I love how Christopher Larkin (The Composer) uses leitmotifs in his score to convey theme/information on different locations and characters. One of my favorites is the underlying leitmotif in City of Tears, Soul Sanctum, and the Soul Master boss fight. In the city it starts of as an incredibly soothing melody but once you enter the sanctum it become dark and twisted until it crescendos in the boss battle and the hidden atrocities being conveyed becomes clear.
True, I also really like how any songs with any relation with the king share the same leitmotifs. Even before I truly understood (the OST and the lore) I could feel like the white lady (for example) had this royal component to her
I never noticed until you pointed out that Resting Grounds lingers in that C minor spot but it makes so much sense because it’s Resting Grounds. In the game, the dead physically don’t go anywhere, but their spirits interact with you very animatedly. What a beautiful and brilliant way to capture that compositionally. (Please do look at more of it, it will not stop delivering haha)
Charles talking about how the piano isn't just sitting on a pedal tone constantly because the melody is doing other things as if we're going somewhere but constantly rooted, he just unintentionally explained the entire plot of the game on a meta perspective while talking about the music. Christopher Larkin is a genius You'll definitely have to do Silksong when it comes out.
okay am I the only one who also kinda wants him to look at some of the more up tempo pieces like Nightmare King Grimm and also the Hollow Knight final boss fight music? (which gives me goosebumps every dang time still)
It gave me goosebumps about 50 times straight a few nights ago when I couldn’t beat the damn thing. Beautiful tune, and HK stabbing the infection had me elated and determined to be victorious
If you're interested, the University of Maryland Gamer Symphony Orchestra featured a philharmonic orchestral arrangement combining City of Tears and Soul Sanctum that we dubbed "City of Hollow Souls" in our spring concert from last semester. I think you'd enjoy it.
Christopher Larkin is a genius, and it was so cool to see you break down the Hollow Knight soundtrack!! Especially with Silksong just around the corner (hopefully, maybe)
One of my favorite video game OSTs ever. The fact that almost every song has its standard version and battle version is brilliant, the technical engineering behind making transitions seemless when combat begins and ends in the game is incredibly understated.
i’m currently taking AP Theory at my high school, and al the stuff you discuss in these videos really helps me comprehend some stuff we’re talking about in class. keep it up!
There is so much more to this masterpiece of a soundtrack that you’ve barely scratched the surface of. Would love to see a play through of the game, or just more in depth of the full tracks
Hollow Knight, next to being one of my favourite games, also has one of my favourite soundtracks. I cannot stress enough how much I'd love to see a part 2 to this video, there are such absolutely amazing tracks in this game! Larkin worked some voodoo with motifs too, genuinely baffling.
This soundtrack is what motivated me to buy a keyboard, buy your beginner class, and start learning to play piano. Watching you analyze this feels like everything is coming full circle (even though I’ve only been practicing for about 6 months lmao) and it makes that much more excited to keep learning. Anyway, thank you for all of your videos, and your class and can’t wait for you to analyze the Silksong soundtrack 🤡
If you want a beginner friendly version of Dirtmouth (with free sheet music) and haven't found it already, check out Torby Brand's arrangement: th-cam.com/video/AVDJM01hI6g/w-d-xo.html
@@wavynocturne I totally agree. if you're looking to learn how to really bring the best out of the pieces, Ryan has it down. And some of his recent videos help you understand how he approaches them. He's so good.
Absolutely loved the music and atmosphere of Hollow Knight. If you're looking for similar games in the same vein to analyze, I'd highly recommend Ori and the Blind Forest/Ori and the Will of the Wisps. It'd be neat to hear your analysis on the music of those games.
I love how deep into it you went for each track! And I wouldn't mind it at all to see more Hollow Knight around here sometime in the future 👀 there's certainly plenty more to bite into :)
I'm pretty surprised you haven't talked about "Journey" soundtrack yet! It should definitely go on your list. Gentile polyrhythms in "Apotheosis" and "Nascence" never fails to give me chills.
Thank you Charles for covering this game!! I love your channel and this game so much! It would be awesome if you went over more of the music because it is all so amazing
Great video Charles, I know you don’t usually do a part 2 to anything like this but this soundtrack is probably the best video game soundtrack ever and deserves a follow up video
Hollow knight has my favorite game soundtrack of all time, and seeing this video where you analyze it and give your thoughts about it makes me really happy! Such a great video Charles.
As a certified Hollow Knight fan; I'm kinda bummed that you didn't review any of my favorite songs from the game (or any of the boss music at that). I'm still happy you made a video over the game though!
This OST honestly deserves and entire series for just the use of leitmotifs and the way Larkin blends them together as the story progresses -- it's truly stunning writing, and I would definitely watch a whole series of you looking at every track
I love what Christopher Larkin's work in Hollow Knight. The piano collections by Christopher Larkin and David Peacock is just as gorgeous, especially City of Tears. Christopher Larkin just loves using polyrhythms in this soundtrack. I definitely would love more coverage of it on the channel. I've only found you recently, but I completely love and enjoy the breakdown of the musical pieces as such a huge videogame and music nerd!
you absolutely have to make a part 2, or even a series for hollow knight, it has one of the best soundtracks in recent years, and some of the emotions it conveys are incredible
Hollow Knight was the game that got me interested in video game and film composition. Would love if you looked at more of this OST, I and seemingly everyone else thoroughly enjoyed hearing you play with HKOST :D
the absolute entirety of Hollow Knight OST with expanded dlc is all of this and more! This videos shows the excitement of exploring such hauntingly pretty melodies woven into the game's lore. In particular, Sealed Vessel (Hollow Knight theme remixed into it) is a great track.
I’d love for you to check out Omori’s soundtrack. It’s very diverse in emotion and tone. One of the most impressive parts of the soundtrack has many subtle leitmotifs and waltzes.
I know I'm joining the large amount of people saying to check out the rest of this OST. But also if you get the chance you should absolutely check out some of the areas and context this music starts playing in. I think you'd really enjoy it. As always love the videos.
i can't believe i haven't suggested this topic from you considering this is my favorite game of all time. i got SO excited when i saw this in my feed. keep it up!
Please please please do this again. I would love to hear what you have to say about mantis lords or grimm troupe, there's so much good music and it all flows together while still being their own music pieces. Great video as always, looking forward to more!
hollow knight's Reflection theme is one of the only video game songs that consistently brings a tear to my eye. it features the Dorian mode with major-second chordioids that feel unresolved until landing on the brilliant 4 major chord. like a streak of light in the dark tunnels of hallownest. definitely worth a listen.
I am so happy you are doing this video. Hollow knight is one of THE BEST video games, including its soundtrack. Absolutely the king of making the most of very little
honestly I would LOVE to see you continue this as a series, or do a full play through of the game - it’s easily the most interesting, beautiful, and kind of terrifying work of art I’ve ever played. Thanks for all your hard work!!
Thank you so much for doing this! I've been hoping to see this for a while now! Love the whole thing, got goosebumps several times from your improvs. And I'll echo the rest of the comment section: this entire soundtrack is phenomenal, and has more than enough content for a series! I recommend Mantis Lords, Soul Sanctum, Sealed Vessel, and White Palace for starters!
Charles, you barely covered anything. This game means so much to me. The emotions roll through you, and the soundtrack amplifies it. You need to make so many more videos on this OST. In my humble opinion, it is the best video game soundtrack ever. This game has made me cry so much. It’s music makes you feel something indescribable, something deep down, some primordial feeling that has no name resonates with you when you listen to it. I beg of you, please do more of this.
My favorite part of these types of videos isn't necessarily the teaching and education part though that's awesome. It's watching the fellow musicians truly enjoy the music they hear
For Hollow Knight I would love to see you take a look at „Mantis Lords“ and „Hornet“ On a different note (no pun intended), I’d also like to see you react to the Ori Series (so „Ori and the Blind Forest“ and/or „Ori and the Will of the Wisps“). For the first one, „Light of Nibel“ or „Restoring the Light, Facing the Dark“ for example is beautiful to listen to and for the second one, „Escaping the Sandword“ or „Shriek and Ori“ would be my suggestions, but for that one, there are basically no wrong choices
Not a lot of channels that have looked at the HK ost have focused solely on the area themes. Glad to see such an in-depth look at the glorious beauty of the game’s calmer themes. Thanks so much for looking it. I would love to see your thoughts on the boss themes. 🥰
I am so, SO Glad you are covering Hollow Knight, also you need to do more than one video on this soundtrack. I suggest Troupe Master, Nightmare King, Soul Sanctum, and Broken Vessel.
so happy you’re doing this game. I was told I had to play this game based on the soundtrack alone and this game is such an insane experience. in my top 3 of all time
Bc I follow you and saw this vid when you first posted it I decided to give this unknown game a whirl. EVERYTHING about the game is gorgeous, and the music is the solid gold icing on the cake. Great vid Charles, but we’d love a longer version. Keep it up
Would love to see a part 2 to this! Especially covering the Greenpath and Fungal Wastes themes from Hollow Knight. Another suggestion that I don't think you've done is the Celeste soundtrack! It's got so many cool things going on in it.
This music truly made this game as good as it is, I dont think you have barely scratched the surface of this soundtrack! Love your videos would be nice to see Ori and the blind forest as well if you have not already done one. That in my opinion is one of the best soundtracks to any game!
Theory-wise I think the thing to really focus on would be springing off the pedal tone and talk about how often the music grounds you with things like that or recurring patterns (City of Tears does that in the upper octave). The most important thing in Hollow Knight's music though is themes; and 8-bit Music Theory already did a great job with that.
I can’t decide if it’s good or bad that I will actually listen to White Palace/Pop on repeat for hours on end while studying. Just takes me back to listening to it for hours on end my first playthrough
I've been waiting for this video for a while. Charles is one of my favorite content creators, and Hallow Knight is my favorite game. It's my favorite combination of my interests ever. Amazing video.
You've got all this, and then you have the fun tracks like grimm. Amazing soundtrack. This game is so satisfying visually, audibly, and the gameplay itself is fluid.
Charles, you NEED to do a video on the music for the Ori games ("Ori and the Blind Forest" and "Ori and the Will of the Wisps"). Absolute MASTER-CLASS in thematic writing. 😊
In reference to your analysis/breakdown of "Resting Grounds" I want to add a little bit to it, based on the lore/story of the game. In the world of Hollowknight, the area Resting Grounds was where a tribe once lived, but has since passed on or been killed aside from one. It is also the only graveyard in the game, and is overall influenced by death in every single one of its subareas. The movement within, but no change in, key indicates the change within the area, moving with time but not developing or growing and almost existing separate from the rest of the world.
I was so hoping you'd do Mantis Lords or Greenpath... or maybe that lovely call and response at the very end of Sealed Vessel when the conflict is resolved. Still, the fact that you can extract so much appreciation from so short of clips from this marvelous album just speaks to the skill and art of it.
I haven't played Hollow Knight myself, but I watched someone play a little bit on a Livestream a while back and was immediately drawn to the music. So much of it is just so haunting and beautiful. Such a good OST. I think Resting Grounds, Greenpath, and Crossroads are some of my favorites from it
I haven't played it either but The Consouls cover a couple of years ago drew my attention to it and they re-released a cover a week before Chrales' video! th-cam.com/video/io9Cl_Knsp0/w-d-xo.html (Fans might request that they do covers of the other tunes you mentioned.)
I think you’d absolutely love the development in Soul Sanctum (my personal favorite from this OST). It starts with a Cm6 arpeggio and the rest of the track uses that idea to develop further and further.
So happy to see Hollow Knight covered on here. The story, art style, and especially music evoke so much emotion. Just listening to some of it again on here made me tear up a little. I love Christopher Larkin and his work. Thank you for covering this.
There are some videos on TH-cam about the leitmotifs used in the Hollow Knight soundtrack. You should check them out, it’s really interesting. Maybe even do a second video on this amazing OST. I know you never do two videos about the same soundtrack, but there’s always a first time isn’t it.
I know you rarely revisit a soundtrack in these videos but the Hollow Knight OST is a masterclass in themeing amd utilisng shared ideas across the entire soundtrack to express ideas. Also the baroque-esque tracks are a lot of fun too. Incidentally if anyone hasn't played this game, it's one of the best metroidvania's ever made. Amd woild atrongly recommend it. It's extremely rare for a game to make me go 'whoa' in wonder, but this game did that one my 1st playthrough.
I cannot stress this enough. You need to PLAY this game. Team Cherry made something truly special and Christopher Larkin wrote a masterpiece OST to keep you company the whole time. I love this game so much
I am SO HAPPY you touched on this. This is one of my favorite soundtracks of all time and has music that actually makes me cry just from how beautiful and powerful it is. It's stunning work and I'm glad to watch someone else get wowed by it too. - QUICK EDIT: Just for funsies: blend this and your last episode together and go grab a listen to GaMetal's cover of Grimm/Nightmare King. It's magnificent.
When you are talking about the music in the game, it reminds me of the feeling of playing the game, and how it is represented very well. Starting the game it makes you interpret a moving on, in dirtmouth it gets happy, but keeps going back to the dark roots. Damn, I love this game..
Yessss the Hollow Knight OST is one of my favourite videogame soundtracks along with Octopath Traveler, Celeste, Cuphead, and Mario Galaxy. Literally so good. Loved the video❤ You NEED to react to Sealed Vessel (I personally have a preference for the piano arrangement)
ONE WEEK LEFT to get all 3 of our improvisation-related courses for the price of one! It's the best way you can support the channel AND learn to improvise while you do! Thank you guys SO much for your support, you're all amazing. cornellmusicacademy.com/improvessentials
Charles! I STRONGLY urge you to check out the slime rancher soundtrack! Specifically the song “ranch night”
I urge you to listen to the Ultrakill soundtrack, most importantly Requiem and Cybergrind (Act I specifically, since Act II uses lietmotifs from Act I)
Thanks for checking this one out! I was wondering if you could check out Sky: Children of the Light?
Do Jhin's theme from league of legends!
HK OST is one of my favourites as well, nice!
I’ve waited for this video my entire life thank you Charles
Honestly Charles, you've barely scratched the surface of this masterpiece of a soundtrack. I know you don't do multiple videos on the same OST often if at all but in my humble opinion this soundtrack should be the exception. Sealed Vessel (the best song), Greenpath, Hornet and SO many more, I would love to see more of this OST. Thanks for covering it Charles, I just finished and I miss it already
Same with Breath of the Wild
False knight and hornet are incredible. Wish he'd talked about them
Mantis Lords, just saying
Bow down to the Nightmare King
Up!
This needs to be a series. Too much left out, we need *more, please.*
I need a mantis lord review
YES YES YES
I really want to watch Charles listen to the Dung Defender theme. It's a banger!
8bit music theory made a video about hallow night, it was really good and what got me to love the music
PLEASE
It's a shame he didn't have enough time to go over the INCREDIBLE use of themes throughout the soundtrack. Absolutely genius work from Christopher Larkin and how he places themes throughout the various locations in the game to create a sense of continuity and setting.
I have a feeling you might have already seen them, but if not, I'd recommend 8-bit Music Theory's videos about HK for more about that.
Yeah, there are so many more themes and leitmotifs with subtle meaning to this OST than are immediately apparent. Would love to see more on this!
could you please do the OMORI OST
Agreed, it's hard to recognize a lot of stuff without playing the game IMO. Even the theme of "down" that's presest especially in early game songs, pushing the player deeper into hollownest.
8-bit already did that topic justice
Part 2 is absolutely a must. The hollow knight theme, eminating through the beatuiful Sealed Vessel, and the dramatic Broken vessel. The nail biting tension of Radiance, the haunting calm of White palace and of couse, the straigh up banger songs Mantis Lords and Hornet. All of these are incredible, and deserve a part 2.
Sorry for all the typos. I wrote it on my phone and didn't check it after.
Yes, yes, yes, yes, and absolutely yes!
heheh "nail biting"
8 bit music did a shortish 3 part series on leitmotifs in hollow knight if you haven't seen that content
These are all the best ones 😭
I love Dirtmouth's descending chords. The first time you hear it, you've just fallen down into town and have to fall down farther to start your real journey
Getting to dirt mouth was such a special moment. I wish I could live it back, there was just that feeling.. I can't describe it but it was haunting yet so beautiful
There's a similar moment in celeste called reflection where you get close to the peak but then fall all the way back down and the music in that section fits so well It still gives me chills listening to it
Christopher Larkin is the king of 2 on 3. Most of this soundtrack is done without drum lines yet the boss music remains driving and intense because of his use of meter. Truly genius.
Just the first 5 words are needed
He used 6/8 to its full potential as well
Saw the title and immediately clicked on it. I love Hollow Knight so much.
same, usually I would have deleted the notification but I couldn't resist this one
Same
Good timing with the latest release by The Consouls! th-cam.com/video/io9Cl_Knsp0/w-d-xo.html
Same :)
Have you seen Ryan McGaughey's performance of the piano version of this? th-cam.com/video/wocalm1caWk/w-d-xo.html
Would love to hear more Hollow Knight. Dung Defender theme, Hornet theme, Sisters of Battle, Soul Sanctum...there are so many good ones
Mantis Lords sounds better than Sisters of Battle, fight me.
@@whatever2045 I''ll get two of my friends first, so that it's a 3V1 just like your damn mantis theme, and then i'll fight you, coward !
For real tho i also like Mantis fight theme better, but all of the OST is really good, i didnt find a low point, and the constant lietmotivs / theme referals really made it one smooth atmosphere throughout. I wouldnt have made it through the harder / later parts of the game if not for the OST (yeah i was / am a metroidvania noob)
We need a part 2! Theres too many good songs in this OST to not look at!
He didn't go over Greenpath which is my favourite :'(
There's only one song I think and it's the City of Tears one
@@whatever2045 Brilliantly covered here by The Consouls th-cam.com/video/io9Cl_Knsp0/w-d-xo.html
@@whatever2045 agreed! So beautifull but tbh, all the music of this game is highly underated!
@@The_Ramonster what I meant was literal, that's the only piece which is technically a song. It's noty favorite from the game.
12:29 I've never seen anyone more happy to hear an E flat major. 😄 Larkin's work is spectacular.
Haha yeah that was amazing. I came to comment on that same time stamp. "Resolve! Resolve!... Yes!"
Man said "im resolving, im RESOLVING" 😩
And these are just atmospheric world songs. Christopher Larkin REALLY shines in his use of leitmotif, and his dynamic songs often used for boss fights. Hornet Boss Theme and Mantis Lords are both UNREAL tracks.
Thank you so much for looking at this incredible OST, but if you can please look further, there is SO MUCH MORE!
Yo Salt! 😜
At least he looked at City of Tears, good timing after The Consouls' latest release th-cam.com/video/io9Cl_Knsp0/w-d-xo.html
I've said it before and I'll say it again. Larkins use of Leitmotif does half of the story telling in hollow knight.
@@rolstadt True
I love how Christopher Larkin (The Composer) uses leitmotifs in his score to convey theme/information on different locations and characters. One of my favorites is the underlying leitmotif in City of Tears, Soul Sanctum, and the Soul Master boss fight. In the city it starts of as an incredibly soothing melody but once you enter the sanctum it become dark and twisted until it crescendos in the boss battle and the hidden atrocities being conveyed becomes clear.
True, I also really like how any songs with any relation with the king share the same leitmotifs. Even before I truly understood (the OST and the lore) I could feel like the white lady (for example) had this royal component to her
I never noticed until you pointed out that Resting Grounds lingers in that C minor spot but it makes so much sense because it’s Resting Grounds. In the game, the dead physically don’t go anywhere, but their spirits interact with you very animatedly. What a beautiful and brilliant way to capture that compositionally. (Please do look at more of it, it will not stop delivering haha)
Oh hello
@@OnlyTryingTH-cam General Ken
@@dwoptical 😳
Charles talking about how the piano isn't just sitting on a pedal tone constantly because the melody is doing other things as if we're going somewhere but constantly rooted, he just unintentionally explained the entire plot of the game on a meta perspective while talking about the music.
Christopher Larkin is a genius
You'll definitely have to do Silksong when it comes out.
okay am I the only one who also kinda wants him to look at some of the more up tempo pieces like Nightmare King Grimm and also the Hollow Knight final boss fight music? (which gives me goosebumps every dang time still)
Part 2 maybe? In the meantime enjoying this by The Consouls th-cam.com/video/io9Cl_Knsp0/w-d-xo.html
It gave me goosebumps about 50 times straight a few nights ago when I couldn’t beat the damn thing. Beautiful tune, and HK stabbing the infection had me elated and determined to be victorious
If you're interested, the University of Maryland Gamer Symphony Orchestra featured a philharmonic orchestral arrangement combining City of Tears and Soul Sanctum that we dubbed "City of Hollow Souls" in our spring concert from last semester. I think you'd enjoy it.
518 views, and yet it's in the suggested search terms when I write city of hol
Nice! I I’ve been enjoying The Consouls’ cover of City of Tears th-cam.com/video/io9Cl_Knsp0/w-d-xo.html
Wow that's really good, thanks for sharing
We and our? Did you play in it, if so what did you play? ^^
@@sinnlos229 ye, tenor sax. It was a hell of a concert lol
Christopher Larkin is a genius, and it was so cool to see you break down the Hollow Knight soundtrack!! Especially with Silksong just around the corner (hopefully, maybe)
10 months max to go now!!!
Silk song! Coming soon! (10 years later...)
Any day now . . .
One of my favorite video game OSTs ever. The fact that almost every song has its standard version and battle version is brilliant, the technical engineering behind making transitions seemless when combat begins and ends in the game is incredibly understated.
There's a great jazz cover of City of Tears too th-cam.com/video/io9Cl_Knsp0/w-d-xo.html
Day one of requesting a Charles Cornell hollow knight playthrough
I second this, one of the best indie games lore wise imo
YES HANDS DOWN, I've completed it like 5 times and it's even more beautiful every time
New gaming channel incoming
I second!
Jaaaaa
i’m currently taking AP Theory at my high school, and al the stuff you discuss in these videos really helps me comprehend some stuff we’re talking about in class. keep it up!
There is so much more to this masterpiece of a soundtrack that you’ve barely scratched the surface of. Would love to see a play through of the game, or just more in depth of the full tracks
Easily my favorite video game soundtrack just for how simple and gorgeous it is
Also brilliant done as jazz by The Consouls th-cam.com/video/io9Cl_Knsp0/w-d-xo.html
check out the piano version: th-cam.com/video/wocalm1caWk/w-d-xo.html
Yes! I would love to see more from Hollow Knight, especially some of the most popular songs like Mantis Lord, Hornet or Sealed Vessel. Awesome video!
Nailed those recommendations
@@whatever2045 hehe, _nail_
Hollow Knight, next to being one of my favourite games, also has one of my favourite soundtracks. I cannot stress enough how much I'd love to see a part 2 to this video, there are such absolutely amazing tracks in this game! Larkin worked some voodoo with motifs too, genuinely baffling.
This soundtrack is what motivated me to buy a keyboard, buy your beginner class, and start learning to play piano. Watching you analyze this feels like everything is coming full circle (even though I’ve only been practicing for about 6 months lmao) and it makes that much more excited to keep learning. Anyway, thank you for all of your videos, and your class and can’t wait for you to analyze the Silksong soundtrack 🤡
If you want a beginner friendly version of Dirtmouth (with free sheet music) and haven't found it already, check out Torby Brand's arrangement: th-cam.com/video/AVDJM01hI6g/w-d-xo.html
Have you seen Ryan McGaughey's performance of the piano versions? so inspiring: th-cam.com/video/wocalm1caWk/w-d-xo.html
@@Devoncs I remember watching his videos awhile ago, I still come back to his performances because they're really amazing!
@@wavynocturne I totally agree. if you're looking to learn how to really bring the best out of the pieces, Ryan has it down. And some of his recent videos help you understand how he approaches them. He's so good.
Absolutely loved the music and atmosphere of Hollow Knight.
If you're looking for similar games in the same vein to analyze, I'd highly recommend Ori and the Blind Forest/Ori and the Will of the Wisps. It'd be neat to hear your analysis on the music of those games.
Yes!
I love how deep into it you went for each track! And I wouldn't mind it at all to see more Hollow Knight around here sometime in the future 👀 there's certainly plenty more to bite into :)
I'm pretty surprised you haven't talked about "Journey" soundtrack yet! It should definitely go on your list. Gentile polyrhythms in "Apotheosis" and "Nascence" never fails to give me chills.
Omg, literally one of the best soundtracks ever.
Totally agree!!!
I’ve met the guy who did the interaction system for Journey! His name is John Nesky
Thank you Charles for covering this game!! I love your channel and this game so much! It would be awesome if you went over more of the music because it is all so amazing
Great video Charles, I know you don’t usually do a part 2 to anything like this but this soundtrack is probably the best video game soundtrack ever and deserves a follow up video
Hollow knight has my favorite game soundtrack of all time, and seeing this video where you analyze it and give your thoughts about it makes me really happy! Such a great video Charles.
Hollow Knight has no shortage of wonderful tracks, would love to hear you analyze more of it.
As a certified Hollow Knight fan; I'm kinda bummed that you didn't review any of my favorite songs from the game (or any of the boss music at that). I'm still happy you made a video over the game though!
Game has one song and it's the City of Tears moth lady. Rest is spectacular too but no singing so...
@@whatever2045 *butterfly lady. 🙂
At least he covered City of Tears - as did The Consouls th-cam.com/video/io9Cl_Knsp0/w-d-xo.html
This OST honestly deserves and entire series for just the use of leitmotifs and the way Larkin blends them together as the story progresses -- it's truly stunning writing, and I would definitely watch a whole series of you looking at every track
I love what Christopher Larkin's work in Hollow Knight. The piano collections by Christopher Larkin and David Peacock is just as gorgeous, especially City of Tears. Christopher Larkin just loves using polyrhythms in this soundtrack. I definitely would love more coverage of it on the channel. I've only found you recently, but I completely love and enjoy the breakdown of the musical pieces as such a huge videogame and music nerd!
Have you seen Ryan McGaughey's performance of the piano collections? th-cam.com/video/wocalm1caWk/w-d-xo.html
You might also like The Consouls (re-)cover of City of Tears released a week before Charles' video th-cam.com/video/io9Cl_Knsp0/w-d-xo.html
you absolutely have to make a part 2, or even a series for hollow knight, it has one of the best soundtracks in recent years, and some of the emotions it conveys are incredible
Hollow Knight was the game that got me interested in video game and film composition. Would love if you looked at more of this OST, I and seemingly everyone else thoroughly enjoyed hearing you play with HKOST :D
the absolute entirety of Hollow Knight OST with expanded dlc is all of this and more! This videos shows the excitement of exploring such hauntingly pretty melodies woven into the game's lore. In particular, Sealed Vessel (Hollow Knight theme remixed into it) is a great track.
I’d love for you to check out Omori’s soundtrack. It’s very diverse in emotion and tone. One of the most impressive parts of the soundtrack has many subtle leitmotifs and waltzes.
I know I'm joining the large amount of people saying to check out the rest of this OST. But also if you get the chance you should absolutely check out some of the areas and context this music starts playing in. I think you'd really enjoy it. As always love the videos.
i can't believe i haven't suggested this topic from you considering this is my favorite game of all time. i got SO excited when i saw this in my feed. keep it up!
Aaaa I really wanna hear you cover more of the Hollow Knight soundtrack, there's so much good music in it and your analysis is really fun to watch!
Please please please do this again. I would love to hear what you have to say about mantis lords or grimm troupe, there's so much good music and it all flows together while still being their own music pieces. Great video as always, looking forward to more!
Please ask for a part two, we need as many people as possible to ask for the best chance of him making one.
Bro I have never clicked on a video so quickly, I've been playing HK recently and the music has just melted me
YES I'm so glad you're going over this, my favorite game of all time. Music is so good
hollow knight's Reflection theme is one of the only video game songs that consistently brings a tear to my eye. it features the Dorian mode with major-second chordioids that feel unresolved until landing on the brilliant 4 major chord. like a streak of light in the dark tunnels of hallownest. definitely worth a listen.
I am so happy you are doing this video. Hollow knight is one of THE BEST video games, including its soundtrack. Absolutely the king of making the most of very little
honestly I would LOVE to see you continue this as a series, or do a full play through of the game - it’s easily the most interesting, beautiful, and kind of terrifying work of art I’ve ever played. Thanks for all your hard work!!
Thank you so much for doing this! I've been hoping to see this for a while now! Love the whole thing, got goosebumps several times from your improvs. And I'll echo the rest of the comment section: this entire soundtrack is phenomenal, and has more than enough content for a series! I recommend Mantis Lords, Soul Sanctum, Sealed Vessel, and White Palace for starters!
Thank you for being one of the only content creators I watch that has a 4k option. It's so satisfying😌
In all honesty City of Tears could full a whole hour-long video by itself. It's by far the most complex and intricate song in the ost.
Please ask for a part two, we need as many people as possible to ask for the best chance of him making one.
You might like what The Consouls did to it th-cam.com/video/io9Cl_Knsp0/w-d-xo.html
The song ain’t that deep
@@lt_johnmcclane It most certainly is. E flat Lydian to C major with outlandish chord progressions in-between.
I wouldn't say by far. Soul Sanctum has also a crazy progression
Charles, you barely covered anything. This game means so much to me. The emotions roll through you, and the soundtrack amplifies it. You need to make so many more videos on this OST. In my humble opinion, it is the best video game soundtrack ever. This game has made me cry so much. It’s music makes you feel something indescribable, something deep down, some primordial feeling that has no name resonates with you when you listen to it. I beg of you, please do more of this.
It felt like he didn't even listen to resting grounds after the first loop, didn't even get to the point where the root changes.
Cannot believed you didn't cover sealed vessel. Most impactful song in the soundtrack, for sure.
My favorite part of these types of videos isn't necessarily the teaching and education part though that's awesome. It's watching the fellow musicians truly enjoy the music they hear
For Hollow Knight I would love to see you take a look at „Mantis Lords“ and „Hornet“
On a different note (no pun intended), I’d also like to see you react to the Ori Series (so „Ori and the Blind Forest“ and/or „Ori and the Will of the Wisps“).
For the first one, „Light of Nibel“ or „Restoring the Light, Facing the Dark“ for example is beautiful to listen to and for the second one, „Escaping the Sandword“ or „Shriek and Ori“ would be my suggestions, but for that one, there are basically no wrong choices
Not a lot of channels that have looked at the HK ost have focused solely on the area themes. Glad to see such an in-depth look at the glorious beauty of the game’s calmer themes. Thanks so much for looking it. I would love to see your thoughts on the boss themes. 🥰
I WILL SIT THROUGH YOU TALKING THROUGH EVERY SONG OF THE SOUNDTRACK, THE DLC TOO, DO IT CHARLES.
please.
I LOVE the Hollow Knight ost! It's gorgeous
You might also enjoy the City of Tears cover by The Consouls released a week before this video th-cam.com/video/io9Cl_Knsp0/w-d-xo.html
The pedal tone in resting grounds theme fits very well for me, it's almost like a deep dark bell tolls over the silent sorrowful graveyard.
I am so, SO Glad you are covering Hollow Knight, also you need to do more than one video on this soundtrack. I suggest Troupe Master, Nightmare King, Soul Sanctum, and Broken Vessel.
PLEASE DO A PART 2 theres so much more to this OST!!!!
so happy you’re doing this game. I was told I had to play this game based on the soundtrack alone and this game is such an insane experience. in my top 3 of all time
I wish Greenpath was included in this, would love to hear your thoughts! So much good stuff in the Hollow Knight OST.
Bc I follow you and saw this vid when you first posted it I decided to give this unknown game a whirl. EVERYTHING about the game is gorgeous, and the music is the solid gold icing on the cake. Great vid Charles, but we’d love a longer version. Keep it up
Would love to see a part 2 to this! Especially covering the Greenpath and Fungal Wastes themes from Hollow Knight. Another suggestion that I don't think you've done is the Celeste soundtrack! It's got so many cool things going on in it.
One of my favorite games. You really connect with the characters, the story is very well written, and of course, the music is brilliant!
This music truly made this game as good as it is, I dont think you have barely scratched the surface of this soundtrack! Love your videos would be nice to see Ori and the blind forest as well if you have not already done one. That in my opinion is one of the best soundtracks to any game!
FINALLLY THANK YOUUUUU !! The lore of this game and how the music leitmotivs relate to it is amazing !!!
Would love a part 2! There's so many amazing pieces in this game!
Theory-wise I think the thing to really focus on would be springing off the pedal tone and talk about how often the music grounds you with things like that or recurring patterns (City of Tears does that in the upper octave). The most important thing in Hollow Knight's music though is themes; and 8-bit Music Theory already did a great job with that.
Hollow Knight is both my favorite game of all time, and has my favorite game OST of all time. Love to see the coverage!
You might also enjoy this timely release by The Consouls th-cam.com/video/io9Cl_Knsp0/w-d-xo.html
I can’t decide if it’s good or bad that I will actually listen to White Palace/Pop on repeat for hours on end while studying. Just takes me back to listening to it for hours on end my first playthrough
I've been waiting for this video for a while. Charles is one of my favorite content creators, and Hallow Knight is my favorite game. It's my favorite combination of my interests ever.
Amazing video.
Part 2 has to happen, the way he uses motifs throughout the soundtrack is incredible. Also you missed the best song in the soundtrack(Sealed Vessel).
You've got all this, and then you have the fun tracks like grimm. Amazing soundtrack. This game is so satisfying visually, audibly, and the gameplay itself is fluid.
Charles, you NEED to do a video on the music for the Ori games ("Ori and the Blind Forest" and "Ori and the Will of the Wisps"). Absolute MASTER-CLASS in thematic writing. 😊
This.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^this^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Yep, 100%
Especially Will of the Wisps!
It's literally the best soundtrack I've ever heard in my entire life. I'd love to see a video about it :)
@@juicy_oranges5529 Literally 100%!! 😃
We need more of this!
Would love to see your reaction to hearing Hornet - definite tone shift from the ones you covered here and very fun, musically.
Been waiting for this, awesome! We definitely need more of the OST!
In reference to your analysis/breakdown of "Resting Grounds" I want to add a little bit to it, based on the lore/story of the game. In the world of Hollowknight, the area Resting Grounds was where a tribe once lived, but has since passed on or been killed aside from one. It is also the only graveyard in the game, and is overall influenced by death in every single one of its subareas. The movement within, but no change in, key indicates the change within the area, moving with time but not developing or growing and almost existing separate from the rest of the world.
We gonna need a part 2 for this one my dude there are so many other pieces in Hollow Knight that hit hard. Mantis Lords theme and many others.
hollow knight is a great game, and its music is really good too. thanks for covering the game's ost, charles.
Especially good timing after The Consouls (re-)release of their cover of City of Tears th-cam.com/video/io9Cl_Knsp0/w-d-xo.html
I was so hoping you'd do Mantis Lords or Greenpath... or maybe that lovely call and response at the very end of Sealed Vessel when the conflict is resolved. Still, the fact that you can extract so much appreciation from so short of clips from this marvelous album just speaks to the skill and art of it.
Please ask for a part two, we need as many people as possible to ask for the best chance of him making one.
YES HK IS SOO GOOD AND IM HAPPY HE FINALLY REACTED TO IT
Please ask for a part two, we need as many people as possible to ask for the best chance of him making one.
I haven't played Hollow Knight myself, but I watched someone play a little bit on a Livestream a while back and was immediately drawn to the music. So much of it is just so haunting and beautiful. Such a good OST. I think Resting Grounds, Greenpath, and Crossroads are some of my favorites from it
I haven't played it either but The Consouls cover a couple of years ago drew my attention to it and they re-released a cover a week before Chrales' video! th-cam.com/video/io9Cl_Knsp0/w-d-xo.html (Fans might request that they do covers of the other tunes you mentioned.)
1:07 Wow, so this is the Moonlight Sonata 1st movement by Beethoven
I think you’d absolutely love the development in Soul Sanctum (my personal favorite from this OST). It starts with a Cm6 arpeggio and the rest of the track uses that idea to develop further and further.
been waiting for a video on hollow knight's soundtrack, i genuinely think its amazing
So happy to see Hollow Knight covered on here. The story, art style, and especially music evoke so much emotion. Just listening to some of it again on here made me tear up a little. I love Christopher Larkin and his work. Thank you for covering this.
There are some videos on TH-cam about the leitmotifs used in the Hollow Knight soundtrack.
You should check them out, it’s really interesting. Maybe even do a second video on this amazing OST.
I know you never do two videos about the same soundtrack, but there’s always a first time isn’t it.
I know you rarely revisit a soundtrack in these videos but the Hollow Knight OST is a masterclass in themeing amd utilisng shared ideas across the entire soundtrack to express ideas. Also the baroque-esque tracks are a lot of fun too.
Incidentally if anyone hasn't played this game, it's one of the best metroidvania's ever made. Amd woild atrongly recommend it. It's extremely rare for a game to make me go 'whoa' in wonder, but this game did that one my 1st playthrough.
I cannot stress this enough. You need to PLAY this game. Team Cherry made something truly special and Christopher Larkin wrote a masterpiece OST to keep you company the whole time. I love this game so much
I am SO HAPPY you touched on this. This is one of my favorite soundtracks of all time and has music that actually makes me cry just from how beautiful and powerful it is. It's stunning work and I'm glad to watch someone else get wowed by it too. - QUICK EDIT: Just for funsies: blend this and your last episode together and go grab a listen to GaMetal's cover of Grimm/Nightmare King. It's magnificent.
LETS GO
I have a feeling he adores the whole thing
Please ask for a part two, we need as many people as possible to ask for the best chance of him making one.
When you are talking about the music in the game, it reminds me of the feeling of playing the game, and how it is represented very well.
Starting the game it makes you interpret a moving on, in dirtmouth it gets happy, but keeps going back to the dark roots.
Damn, I love this game..
Yessss the Hollow Knight OST is one of my favourite videogame soundtracks along with Octopath Traveler, Celeste, Cuphead, and Mario Galaxy. Literally so good. Loved the video❤ You NEED to react to Sealed Vessel (I personally have a preference for the piano arrangement)
Your list reads like a list of fantastic VGM covered by The Consouls!
OCTOPATH YEAH
That is surely a lovely sight, one of my favourite music youtubers analyzing one of my favourite soundtrack, I´m really happy to see that.
I love Christopher Larkins’ work!!!!!
Please, please, please from all of us do a part 2 or even 3 on this OST! The best is yet to come, and it is so very genius OST
Gotta be my favourite video game OST. Love nearly every song.