Shadow of the Colossus was first released in North America in 2006. The game was touted as an important example of video games as art. Cited as one of the greatest video games of all time, it is often brought up in discussions concerning emotional perspectives and artistic elements in video games.
With a sprawling original soundtrack composed by Kow Otani, the player only hears the sweet orchestral melodies when fighting colossi or during cut scenes. The rest of the time is spent listening to the main character’s movements, his horse’s hooves, and the ambiance of the world around him, which is all part of the pressing solitude.
During battles with the Colossi is where the game’s music really delights. Heavy beats harken the battle when first seeing the towering creatures players set out to battle. The score changes to one of triumph as players climb up their bodies, finding their weak points to exploit. The music is as much a part of the game as the Colossi themselves.
Feeling the notes deep in his soul, Ferdk, a musician from Buenos Aires, Argentina, has given Otani’s original soundtrack a heavy metal makeover titled Battle with the Colossus. Ferdk composes symphonic metal, where he combines gritty guitar work with heavy orchestration, often gaining inspiration from video game soundtracks. A Youtube Creator, he has amassed over a million views for his takes on Persona 5, Final Fantasy X, and more.
Ferdk delighted in an opportunity to pay homage to one of his all-time favorite games, saying in a press release:
The soundtrack to this game is almost like a character of its own. It defines the experience just as much as the art direction and gameplay. It’s truly a masterpiece of a game and one of my all-time favorites, so I’m pleased to be able to release my tribute to the game and its soundtrack.
Battle with the Colossus features 11 tracks reimagining the game’s adventure through the Forbidden Lands. It has been released on all platforms through Materia Collective, a video game music publisher based out of Seattle.
