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I like this one; very classical, expressive, and fluid. Piano, plain and simple. This is something I'd like to hear live.

I just discovered this, and I can't stop watching

First of all, thanks. Second of all, I'm probably going backwards than everyone else, but I've been listening to the bonus, both released and unreleased, and alt tracks first; they're glimpses into a world of probability, are possibly fairly wacky/zany, and provide intriguing context for the rest of the album. I know these aren't exactly the meat and potatoes of the SoS, but there's still some gems in here that I don't want people to overlook. CD 5 Track 1 [No Better Time Than Now] I have to admit this is a incredibly freaking awesome song. Very cool. I really like how it breaks in at 0:47 without loosing that piano and that techno-effect such as 2:30. Don't miss out on this one. Track 2 [standing Up] The slow pace to this song is nice and allows for the melody to come through. Very relaxing with an undercurrent of quiet urgency. It might just be me, but at the end as the drums become more prominent, they seem more out of place. Track 3 [Go The Distance] I don't really care for how the intro plays back and forth with my stereo, jumping between left and right. Still, there is an impressive amount of high quality shreddage going on here. A tad too techno, but very Guitar Hero worthy. Bonus Tracks (most of here on out is WIPs, so there's only so much I can say....) Track 1 [Mint (Test Demo)] I really like the guitar/jazz fusion direction this was going. Since it's not technically finished, it isn't to flashy, but what is here is very good and worth checking out. Track 2 [Drifting Into Dreaming] Now this is nice, I really love the rippling effects in the intro. It makes this piece feel fluid and organic, and it vaguely reminds me of something from Twilight Princess. Track 3 [Raine (WIP)] The jazzed up piano is really cool here. It's like dire techno-jazz. It's an amalgam of many things, but it works out so well. Still, the lead synth is probably a little overused and around 2:50 it gets a little rough for the ears, but it is just a WIP and, as such, is already pretty fantastic. Track 4 [Hollowed Battleground (WIP)] The intro sound like one of those plastic tubes with the noise makers that slide up and down as one flips it over and over. Definitely march/military like, it unfortunately doesn't really expand on its theme until almost halfway through. Currently it's too percussion reliant, imho. Track 5 [battle Royale (WIP)] This is definitely quirky and feels very deliberate. It's obvious this was the groundwork for something greater, but when I heard the "Let's get ready to rumbaaaaalllll...." at 3:09 I laughed out loud. I wish this could have been developed further and made the cut. Track 6 [Adventure Is All About Gold & Chicks (Instrumental)] I could see this being played at some jazz lounge that Indiana Jones frequents. Very smooth, slick, and jet-setting. It's a shame the xylophone wasn't introduced earlier though. There isn't a whole lot going on here, but it works very well as a minimalist. Track 7 [Fighting of the Spirit (Mario Paint Mix)] Just listen to it. Track 8 [Autumn Spirits Whisper (WIP)] Nicely classical and ever so slightly melodramatic and contemplative. Its drawn out, yet absorbing. Though the sudden break at 2:04 tends to snap the listener back. Track 9 [silence the Memories (WIP)] This track tries to be too many things at once, most prominently classical/jazz fusion. It also doesn't help that the saxophone here sounds off/artificial. As a WIP , a lot of this can be understood though. Track 10 [Love Song (Test Demo)] Yup, it's definitely a love song, or at least highly reminiscent of every stereotypical love song I've heard. Nothing much else going on here. Track 11 [Old Familiar Scent of Iselia (Mario Paint Mix)] This is you just need to listen to. Track 12 [Old Familiar Scent of Iselia (Reggae Mix)] Pleasepleaseplease, just turn this in to a full blown mix. This is most likely, singlehandedly, the best bonus track released. Track 13/14 [Old Familiar Scent of Iselia (Symphonic Mix/ Trance Mix) Both are delicious ~40 second snipits, which I wish were developed a little further. The Symphonic Mix reminds me of LoZ: Wind Waker and I can't place the trance mix. Track 15 [My Way with You (WIP)] Imho, this track is a little o.0; Having some techno voice repeat "having my with you" is not the most undisterbing thing. Other than that, this is some nice lighthearted techno reminiscent of Breaking Benjamin. Track 16 [Royal Treatment (Triumph)] Very nice ivory manipulation here. Just plain and simple, which can be very satisfying sometimes, like vanilla.

Quick question: what's the difference between the "No Better Time Than Now" in the album and the one alternate version for download? Thanks.

After some deliberation, there is several songs I'd like to see blended/mixed together. 1: Fei Long's Stage/Something from Okami So whenever I first listened to Mr. Aversa's Flying Heaven, I think to my self that it sounds so familiar, and then it hit me: Okami. So therefore a mix of Fei Long's Stage and a theme from Okami needs to happen. I know it's mixing Chinese and Japanese, but, hey, it could happen.... 2: Storm Eagle's Stage/Sandopolis Zone Storm Eagle's theme from Mega Man X is something I've just recently discovered. As sounding vaguely Egyptian/desert stage theme, I immediately thought of Sandopolis Zone from Sonic 3. I mean, why not? 3: Quickman Stage/Ice Cap Zone Hidden deep within VGMusic.com's archive is the humble beginnings of a quickman/ice cap mix. If this could be a potential candidate for graduation of OCRemix's Finishing School for Remix Ideas, then pleasepleaseplease . If not, forget I ever suggested this. Thank you so much in advance

A wonderful treat for the ears. This is just proof that sometimes simplest is best.

Yes please. That'd be awesome. Kthxbai.

I've really been enjoying listening to the bonus/alt tracks as I download via torrent. I especially love the Mario Paint mixes From what I've listened, it's mind blowing, and I can't wait to check out the rest of the album. Also, thank you all for posting lyrics for the tracks that have them. It can be annoying to listen to something and not have anything to follow along with.

This definitely should belong on any party playlist. Awesomely pulse pounding and energetic. Very nice.

The mix takes a -long- while to build up, but it does become more cohesive/coherent as it goes along. Still, it's to repetitive for my tastes, but I do like what the mix is trying to present though.

I love the storm as intro. It really sets this piece as melancholy, reflective, and wistful. Then it gets trancy and beat-ful. Very groovalicious.

Oh, yesssssssss..... While I wouldn't want to choose between this and Powerglove's, this is still crazy good I really like the screaming eagle that punctuates the mix; it's feels just so appropriate.

The mix reminds me of something one might here in some nature film; like the initial chimes would be timed with water dripping off a leaf, etc. It has this weird mechanical/hydraulic precision going about it, and I can't really think of where else I've heard it. Yet, it is completely placid and organic; a very contrasting and complicated mix and worthy of being listened to.

I haven't really thought about this mix in terms of "on drugs" before, but, well... hindsight is 20/20. Oh, wow... That really puts this whole mix into perspective and makes it that much more enjoyable. This is an absolute must download. One just can't listen to this mix and not be smiling.

This mix is heavy, mellow yet purposeful, contemplative, very oceanic i.e. deep, solemn, with a subtle yet noticeable ebb and flow. There's nothing that really that's flashy or jumps out at me in this mix, but that's fine; it works great by being subtle. Perfect rainy day music. Ultimately, I like it and think it's good and worth downloading.

The introduction gives an impression of the action of someone's life passing before their eyes, which, combined with the dire atmosphere, makes this mix effectively unsettling. For some reason it just captures a tinge of morbidness that comes from watching a video will or something like that, some weird, obtuse connection between the living and the dead. Considering that this is all based from Doom where death and morbidness is the norm, this mix is amazingly effective and constructed extremely well.

For shame. Anyway, I can understand why the piano would be a little skittish for the intro, but that can be overlooked for what comes after. This isn't just any lounge/jazz music though; its full of caffeine giving it a very nice jittery, upbeat, energetic vibe going on. On a related note, I was confused for a few seconds, but in the actual album this track is listed as "Higher than the Sun."

It is as the prophecies foretold. The end of days are upon us.

Subtle things going on here which makes this so interesting. There is an undercurrent mingling each theme throughout the mix. While each theme is distinctive, they're extremely fluid, well woven together, and revisited appropriately. What I'm trying to spit out like a popcorn kernel wedged in my teeth is that this is no average, run-of-the-mill, "ho-hum", ordinary melody; this is something far greater and more delectable. I highly agree, nay demand, that if there ever is a Legend of Zelda movie (curse you IGN for breaking my heart ) that this needs to be part of the movie score.

This is amazing; I can't believe I haven't heard this yet. Hearing Zelda's theme on guitar is astoundingly beautiful. If you haven't heard this yet, shame on you. Go download it now. Mournful, longing, love-filled, saddening, remembering the happy times. This is the kind of mix that can soften anyone up inside.

I like this one a lot. Powerful and full of energy. Definitely Rockin' out.

I am Sparticus!

Quoted for truth. One of the biggest factors in gameplay is total immersion. Naturally, the more one can relate to any given character, the more addictive the game is, but there has to be some distance between the characters and the player. If you allow a player to directly insert themselves into a game, then the immersion fractures. It's more or less easier to relate to someone else instead of oneself, which is why the silent protagonists of FPSs work. For example, if a character that a player named after themselves's fellow friend dies, the player is more likely to think "I've never liked you, good riddance" or something to that effect. Whereas, if a character has the default name and his friend dies, the player is more likely to think "Wow, I know just how that guy feels..." At least, this is all my quasi-philosophy/rationalization for always using the default name when choosing character names, and hopefully that all made sense. Also here is a good place to start for some things to not do.

I think the title here is a bit of a misnomer; truthfully I was expecting something a little different, but after listening to it, I can't complain. This has some vaguely tropical notions/vibe going on, which I personally wish were more expounded on, but still what's been given is awesome. This mix has 'go and get an ice cream cone on a warm spring day' written all over it. If I had to pick one word to describe this mix, I'd say "carefree." Great work. Just some irony to be appreciated.

To me most of this mix seems very 'light', like it was walking on eggshells. Fairly hush-hush, somewhat tense, and very deliberate. Except for the electric guitar parts naturally. To me this puts into my head an image of some mellow electronic band on stage and every now and then an electric guitarist walks across stage while he shreds on his guitar. All in all, its not bad; definitely original and a fresh take on things.