Album Details

• Artist: Akira Yamaoka
• Album: Silent Hill 2 Original Soundtracks
• Label: Konami Music Entertainment
• Year of Release: 2001
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: solitaryman on 2008-05-31

For Silent Hill 2, Akira Yamaoka decided to take a new approach to the series of twisted mental horror. Instead of focusing most of his attention on soundscapes, ambient and discordant noise and looping samples, he's started working more with a full band. There are some wonderful piano melodies, rock songs and the old familiar tension-building moments that give plenty to offer.

"Theme Of Laura" is a splendid rock opener, and an excellent track to open the game up with. "Forest" introduces the usage of piano melodies, something Akira loves to use and something that flashes up all over the disc. Those who've seen the Silent Hill feature film will recognize many of these tracks, such as the low-key and disturbing "Ordinary Vanity" and the soulful, breezy and catchy "Alone in the Town". "Angels Thanatos" has the distinction of being the heaviest song on the album, almost deserving of being dubbed metal. The piano of "Magdalene", also from the feature film, is one of the more easily recognizable and enjoyable melodies in any of the games. My personal favorite track is "Betrayal", which utilizes a foreboding-sounding electric drum/sample pattern and some distorted vocal samples to create the perfect setting for a boss fight (which I believe is what this track is used for in the game). Awesome.

While this isn't my favorite SH soundtrack, Akira Yamaoka took the entire idea in a new and more exciting direction with Silent Hill 2 Original Soundtracks. More than the previous installment, this soundtrack can be enjoyed front-to-back by video game music fans, rock fans, or just plain old music fans. It features deft craftmanship of sound and style, as it transcends several genres of music to create a haunting and strangely beautiful atmosphere. 

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