This is one of the songs that was definitely designed with the game's sound effects in mind, Dancer's loud, hollow, steady steps basically being an integral part of the theme
The Dancer of the Boreal Valley was once a member of the royal family of Lothric, the kingdom in which Dark Souls 3 takes place. An evil sorcerer named Sulyvahn staged a coup and seized power from the royal family, taking the "Dancer" (we don't know her actual name) as his personal dancer for his enjoyment. After that he used his magic to turn her into an Outrider Knight. These knights were anthropomorphic beasts sent out by Sulyvahn to the corners of the world to carry out his will. In the events of the game, the Dancer ambushes the player at the start of Lothric Castle, the penultimate area of the game, probably left there as a last line of defense by Sulyvahn. She fights using two swords of fire and magic and is one of the most complex bosses with one of the biggest attack pools in the game partially because of her smooth movements that confuse the player into thinking an attack is coming only for her to punish the roll that is inevitably mistimed with an "off-beat" delayed attack. I swear I've fought her so many times and keep finding new attacks I've never seen before. The ambience of her footsteps and grunts and the music of the fight only add to the tension of the fight.
And out of all the outrider knights in the game, she retains the most "human" movements. The Dancer never feels as rabid as her counterpart, Vordt, or any of the nameless outrider knights, which is why her theme is so starkingly different. Really goes to show how well crafted everything is in these games..
I remember watching a video years ago, which explained that the reason why Dancers attacks feel so off is because she also attacks in 3 beat measures. Her being the only exception from the other bosses.
The stage and the atmosphere really elevate this boss fight, it's incredible. I always think of the statue at the back of the room that you interact with before and after. During the fight, a silent observer. The audience of the dance.
Pontiff's track - and the transition from Phase 1 to Phase 2 - will forever be burned into my memory. I had such a good experience with that boss, it ends up being my favorite boss in DS3 just for the raw experience I had with it. So good.
Fun fact I learned elsewhere: the attacks of the dancer follow a different rhythm than other bosses in the game, which is why some players find the timings for dodges to be unusual. Very unique boss in the series and quite memorable
Music is written in 3/4, compared to more standard 4/4. Imagine counting your steps from left to right. 4/4 is simple, you have: left, right, left, right, repeat. But in 3/4 you do: left, right, left. Then start from right, left, right. Repeat That's why it feels so weird because for us, it's a bit unnatural. Even for trained musicians to walk and play at the same time, because of this. If you can't devide it by 2, it feels weird. Dancer also put a lot of her attacks on off-beat or delay attacks for way longer than other bosses
I'm glad that you're listening to more ds3 tracks, as always great reaction. I would highly recommend Semblante Cautivo from new Blasphemous DLC, its one of the best ost's I've heard and also sounds like a souls track.
'Notes that feel like they're floating and not being held up by anything'. Holy crap, dude, you just described how this boss moves as if gliding/pushing through water, buoyant, sometimes slow, sometimes smooth and fast - it's an amazing sight that makes the atmosphere feel unreal/floaty and thick at the same time.
So talking about Dancer, after Sulyvahn took over Irithill and Anor Londo he ordered Dancer to dance (back then she was still human, and yes this is where her name comes from), after this, Sulyvahn turned her into a monster and sent her to Lothric (just like Vordt). Basically now she is one of Sulyvahn's puppets (just like Vordt), keeping an eye on the twin princes. Talking about Sulyvahn, he is the true tyrant of Dark souls 3, and you should really do an analysis on his OST, I would like to hear your opinion because somewhy I hear "victory" and "power" in his 2nd phase, but it should be something like "terror" instead if we consider his lore. I am really curious what you would "read out" of the chords
I swear you should listen to Pontiff Sulyvahn ost from Dark souls 3! There is a mood change between the 1st and 2nd phase that really confuses me, I would like to hear your opinion about it
Dark Souls III has so many bosses no one asked for but turn turned out to be some of the best in the series. Take the Dragonslayer Armor (Amazing OST btw) for example. If they would’ve cut that fight before releasing the game there would‘nt be anything missing from the final product. This fight offers no lore relevance or was desperatly needed from a game design perspektive. Its just there and it is peak. Its also impressive how Davi actually found out for himself that the dancer has a middle eastern look to it just via the music. Because to most people that inspiration really isn’t obvious.
This one was phenomenal. The fight is as much of a work of art as the music. It all comes together to be one of the best fights fromsoft has ever made in my opinion. Amazing analysis as always, I never quite connected the music to classical Spanish but you're totally right about it I hear it now
Davi, I do hope you'll see her in action one day. The Dancer of the Boreal Valley definitely is one of the most memorable and disturbing boss fights in DS3. For now though... got room in the ideas box for Theme of the Advancing Army from Suikoden?
Thanks for this. Every bit of recognition this awesome soundtrack can get is well warranted, and we appreciate you giving your experience to demystify the music. Cheers!
I love this track. It doesn't sound like anything you'd expect from a boss. In the community the Dancer is considered a noob killer because she punishes those who try to rush her and spam. You need to chill, adapt to her slow pace and "dance" with her to the rythm of the music. That's why she's unlike any other boss. And it's very satisfying and rewarding to feel that connection with her.
Personally, I think that seeing the boss fight to appreciate the music is required for this one. There's sound design of how the dancer moves that add to the track that's lost with just the music itself.
I think reacting to Vordt of the Boreal Valley and how vastly different it is compared to this, would be an interesting video. You fight Vordt before* you fight Dancer, and the juxtaposition of the two themes is incredible. (*unless you kill an NPC early, in which case you can fight Dancer first)
The song itself is so limited in notes as the dancer's mind is in thoughts, that's because she herself became a mindless beast at the service of another important character in the game, for a cuestion of honor, but that honor was soon after replaced for a maniac desire to preform an homicide dance with whoever dares to enter her domains
Could you someday make a video on Limbus Company The King in Binds theme: Audite Pauper and his phase 2 theme: Vovete Miserias? Or maybe Block Tales Hatred theme? great vid tho xd
This song isn’t complete without the Dancers footsteps, it’s like not hearing the orphan of kos screeching over his theme track.
Was looking for this! 💯
footsteps 100% make the track
Agreed. hearing her footsteps makes the track more haunting
Or Cleric Beast doin _RREEEEEEEEEEEEE_
@Blasphemousa i prefer amelia
This is one of the songs that was definitely designed with the game's sound effects in mind, Dancer's loud, hollow, steady steps basically being an integral part of the theme
I was thinking the same thing. those heavy footsteps when it's pacing around you trying to get behind it. Masterpiece
The Dancer of the Boreal Valley was once a member of the royal family of Lothric, the kingdom in which Dark Souls 3 takes place. An evil sorcerer named Sulyvahn staged a coup and seized power from the royal family, taking the "Dancer" (we don't know her actual name) as his personal dancer for his enjoyment. After that he used his magic to turn her into an Outrider Knight. These knights were anthropomorphic beasts sent out by Sulyvahn to the corners of the world to carry out his will.
In the events of the game, the Dancer ambushes the player at the start of Lothric Castle, the penultimate area of the game, probably left there as a last line of defense by Sulyvahn. She fights using two swords of fire and magic and is one of the most complex bosses with one of the biggest attack pools in the game partially because of her smooth movements that confuse the player into thinking an attack is coming only for her to punish the roll that is inevitably mistimed with an "off-beat" delayed attack. I swear I've fought her so many times and keep finding new attacks I've never seen before. The ambience of her footsteps and grunts and the music of the fight only add to the tension of the fight.
It´s also interesting, that her arena is the only area that can be set aflame in the game. Both by herself or the player
And out of all the outrider knights in the game, she retains the most "human" movements. The Dancer never feels as rabid as her counterpart, Vordt, or any of the nameless outrider knights, which is why her theme is so starkingly different. Really goes to show how well crafted everything is in these games..
I remember watching a video years ago, which explained that the reason why Dancers attacks feel so off is because she also attacks in 3 beat measures. Her being the only exception from the other bosses.
this is the fastest i have ever tapped a notification. dancer has one of my favorite dark souls osts but please do darkeater midir!!
Wait! Davi actually never did Midir!?!?! It's about time I'd say :D
@@Moschel91yeah he never did the most melancholic ost on the hardest boss possible xd
The stage and the atmosphere really elevate this boss fight, it's incredible. I always think of the statue at the back of the room that you interact with before and after. During the fight, a silent observer. The audience of the dance.
You need to listen to Pontiff Sullyvan! It's one of the best tracks from DS 3
Pontiff's track - and the transition from Phase 1 to Phase 2 - will forever be burned into my memory. I had such a good experience with that boss, it ends up being my favorite boss in DS3 just for the raw experience I had with it. So good.
I agree, it's always the tyrant that gets the best soundtrack
Fun fact I learned elsewhere: the attacks of the dancer follow a different rhythm than other bosses in the game, which is why some players find the timings for dodges to be unusual. Very unique boss in the series and quite memorable
Music is written in 3/4, compared to more standard 4/4.
Imagine counting your steps from left to right.
4/4 is simple, you have: left, right, left, right, repeat.
But in 3/4 you do: left, right, left. Then start from right, left, right. Repeat
That's why it feels so weird because for us, it's a bit unnatural. Even for trained musicians to walk and play at the same time, because of this. If you can't devide it by 2, it feels weird. Dancer also put a lot of her attacks on off-beat or delay attacks for way longer than other bosses
Beautiful boss.
Everything about her, her arena, and her music is beautiful.
I'm glad that you're listening to more ds3 tracks, as always great reaction. I would highly recommend Semblante Cautivo from new Blasphemous DLC, its one of the best ost's I've heard and also sounds like a souls track.
'Notes that feel like they're floating and not being held up by anything'.
Holy crap, dude, you just described how this boss moves as if gliding/pushing through water, buoyant, sometimes slow, sometimes smooth and fast - it's an amazing sight that makes the atmosphere feel unreal/floaty and thick at the same time.
So talking about Dancer, after Sulyvahn took over Irithill and Anor Londo he ordered Dancer to dance (back then she was still human, and yes this is where her name comes from), after this, Sulyvahn turned her into a monster and sent her to Lothric (just like Vordt). Basically now she is one of Sulyvahn's puppets (just like Vordt), keeping an eye on the twin princes.
Talking about Sulyvahn, he is the true tyrant of Dark souls 3, and you should really do an analysis on his OST, I would like to hear your opinion because somewhy I hear "victory" and "power" in his 2nd phase, but it should be something like "terror" instead if we consider his lore. I am really curious what you would "read out" of the chords
** Bad Posture
** Weilds a dual sword .....
** Starts spinning continuously.
What a great fight, too! One of my favourite souls fights.
I swear you should listen to Pontiff Sulyvahn ost from Dark souls 3! There is a mood change between the 1st and 2nd phase that really confuses me, I would like to hear your opinion about it
It felt weird listening to this theme without the sounds of me breaking furniture and franticaly rolling in to slap her butt.
Dark Souls III has so many bosses no one asked for but turn turned out to be some of the best in the series. Take the Dragonslayer Armor (Amazing OST btw) for example. If they would’ve cut that fight before releasing the game there would‘nt be anything missing from the final product. This fight offers no lore relevance or was desperatly needed from a game design perspektive. Its just there and it is peak.
Its also impressive how Davi actually found out for himself that the dancer has a middle eastern look to it just via the music. Because to most people that inspiration really isn’t obvious.
This one was phenomenal. The fight is as much of a work of art as the music. It all comes together to be one of the best fights fromsoft has ever made in my opinion. Amazing analysis as always, I never quite connected the music to classical Spanish but you're totally right about it I hear it now
Davi, I do hope you'll see her in action one day. The Dancer of the Boreal Valley definitely is one of the most memorable and disturbing boss fights in DS3. For now though... got room in the ideas box for Theme of the Advancing Army from Suikoden?
The high tones also sound cold which makes sense considering the name
Finally been waiting a while for this one. :)
Yesss, my favourite DS3 boss!!! This bossfight and theme are the most atmospheric to me.
I find that the dancers song is also very cold and icy.
Still one of my favorite bosses. Everything, the music, the atmosphere, her design and especially the inhuman, graceful way she moves.
Thanks for this. Every bit of recognition this awesome soundtrack can get is well warranted, and we appreciate you giving your experience to demystify the music. Cheers!
Since we're doing DS3, Nameless King, Darkeater Midir, or Demon Prince.
Just bought Dark Souls 3 yesterday, and Davi uploads a DS3 video. Can't get better than this.
You should really watch the Game Theory episode regarding this song. It's pretty interesting.
One of my favorite DS3 themes is Champion Gundyr. The first phase is constantly playing in my head haha
I love this track. It doesn't sound like anything you'd expect from a boss. In the community the Dancer is considered a noob killer because she punishes those who try to rush her and spam. You need to chill, adapt to her slow pace and "dance" with her to the rythm of the music. That's why she's unlike any other boss. And it's very satisfying and rewarding to feel that connection with her.
If memory serves she fights with the music but on A weird beat
She has a graceful pattern of moves, neither slow nor too fast.
This music genuinely creeps me out. Lore aside, it feels as if that it's trapped in a loop with no definitive end. In the first phase at least
Oh man, one of the best not just in the series but imo the Fromsoft catalogue
Personally, I think that seeing the boss fight to appreciate the music is required for this one. There's sound design of how the dancer moves that add to the track that's lost with just the music itself.
I think reacting to Vordt of the Boreal Valley and how vastly different it is compared to this, would be an interesting video. You fight Vordt before* you fight Dancer, and the juxtaposition of the two themes is incredible. (*unless you kill an NPC early, in which case you can fight Dancer first)
I had completely forgotten that DAvi never played that game, I was 100% sure he had xd
Rykard Lord ov Blasphemy when?
The song itself is so limited in notes as the dancer's mind is in thoughts, that's because she herself became a mindless beast at the service of another important character in the game, for a cuestion of honor, but that honor was soon after replaced for a maniac desire to preform an homicide dance with whoever dares to enter her domains
Interesting track, I wasn't expecting an Andalusian chord jajaja, cool detail. That's it. ¡Adiós!
We want pontiff
Great music for a beautiful boss.
Davi you should absolutely listen to the Persona 5 OST, there is so many amazing songs
hey davi, for a truly haunting theme, listen to the ost for Aldich, Saint of the Deep, or his other title Devourer of Gods
Dark eater midir next? It’s awesome
Hi! Take a look at Iudex Gundir OST from DS III
Could you someday make a video on Limbus Company The King in Binds theme: Audite Pauper and his phase 2 theme: Vovete Miserias?
Or maybe Block Tales Hatred theme?
great vid tho xd
Listen to Sister Friede as well.
Bro ocieros from ds3
Omg