Retro Reprise Episode 21: Sunsoft’s NES classics

For those who played the Nintendo Entertainment System, the name “Sunsoft” conjures up memories of intense gameplay, slick design, and — of course — terrific music. On today’s episode of Retro Reprise, Syp and Syl delve into the 8-bit treasure trove of video game music from this studio. Grab these vibes and don’t let go!

Retro Reprise Episode 21: Sunsoft’s NES classics (direct download, show page)

• Intro
• “Area 3” from Blaster Master
• “Stage 1” from Journey to Silius
• “Stage 1” from Gremlins 2
• “Streets of Desolation” from Batman
• “Good Weather” from Mr. Gimmick
• “Main Theme” from Ufouria: The Saga
• “Stage 1” from Batman: Return of the Joker
• “Boss Battle” from Fester’s Quest
• Outro (“Stage 3” from Journey to Silius)

Battle Bards Episode 165: LOTRO Composer Bill Champagne

On this Very Special Edition of the Battle Bards, Lord of the Rings Online’s Bill Champagne sat down for an interview to talk about his tenure in this long-running MMORPG as its lead composer. From his surprising origin story to tales behind the scenes at Standing Stone Games to his favorite soundtracks, Bill gives the flip-side of MMO music production while still sharing the love that we all have for these scores!

Special note: Bill picked specific LOTRO tracks for us to feature on today’s show, which is a first for the program! Bill Champagne can be found on Twitter @BillChampMusic.

Episode 165 show notes (show page, direct download)

• Intro
• “Where Dragons Dwell and Kingdoms Fell”
• “Life in Laketown”
• “Beyond All Darkness”
• “Valley Nourished by the Great River”
• “Dread and Drear”
• “Feast in the House of Grimbeorn”
• “Fury of the First Age”
• “She Who Walks in the Darkness”
• “The Remnants of Grárik”
• Outro (feat. “Lingering Shadow”)

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!
• Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitcher, Player.FM, Google Play, iHeartRadio, and Pocket Casts!
• This podcast is produced using copyrighted material according to Fair Use practices as stated under Section 107 of the 1976 Copyright Act.

Battle Bards Episode 164: Away with the fairies

If you ever walked into a forest glade at the light of the first full moon of the year, you may spy an impish fae dancing among the moonbeams and singing to all of the woodland creatures that come out for the annual concert. And if you ever tune in to Battle Bards — in particular, this episode — you may hear a rare recording of fairy music along with very serious discussion involving (a) aerial kung-fu, (b) the taste of fairy wings, and (c) didgeridoos. You are so not prepared for any of this.

Episode 164 show notes (show page, direct download)

• Intro (feat. “Kelethin” from EverQuest II, “All’s Fairy in Love and War” from RuneScape, and “Fairytale” from EverQuest)
• “A Fairy of Peace” from Aion
• “Fairy Academy” from MapleStory
• “Fairy Tale Out of Time” from Allods Online
• “Fae Forest” from Project Gorgon 
• “Fae Wilds” from Trove 
• “The Fairy Valley” from Luna Online 
• “Pixie Beast Tribe” from FFXIV
• Which one did we like most?
• Listener note from Katriana and Caroline
• Jukebox Picks: “The Cause” from Elemental Gearbolt, “Beach Bunny” from Jazz Jackrabbit, and “The Crystal Shards” from Kirby 64
• Outro (feat. “Fairy in the Grove” from Lineage 2)

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!
• Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitcher, Player.FM, Google Play, iHeartRadio, and Pocket Casts!
• This podcast is produced using copyrighted material according to Fair Use practices as stated under Section 107 of the 1976 Copyright Act.

Retro Reprise Episode 20: Chrono Cross

While the game itself was a messy and convoluted sequel to a classic RPG, Chrono Cross has nevertheless persevered over time to become a cult classic that is incredibly beloved for its amazing soundtrack. On the show today, Syl and Syp share a conversation about their favorite tracks and just what made this score so special to hear.

Retro Reprise Episode 20: Chrono Cross (direct download, show page)

• Intro
• “Time’s Scar”
• “Reminiscence”
• “Dreams of the Shore Near Another World”
• “Forest of Cutting Shadows”
• “Dead Sea”
• “Radical Dreamers”
• “Star Stealing Girl”
• “Voyage”
• Outro

Battle Bards Episode 163: EverQuest upgraded

The Battle Bards return to the verdant fields of EverQuest for a look at the updated and remastered soundtrack that came out last year. If you only know EverQuest’s music in its MIDI format, why not venture into the modern era of the game’s score? It’s a trip down Norrath lane, just slightly belated from the MMO’s 20th anniversary!

Episode 163 show notes (show page, direct download)

• Intro (feat. “Main Theme,” “Boomba’s Exchange,” and “Faydwer’s Dusk”)
• “The Jaunty Bardic Song”
• “Dawn Over Norrath” 
• “The Gates of Qeynos” 
• “The Gypsy’s Trek”
• “Faydark”
• “Halfling Habits” 
• “Norrathan Seas” 
• Which one did we like most?
• Listener note from Zinn
• Jukebox Picks: “Victor X” from Ion Fury, “Et Ratio Principalis” from Control, and “Isabelle Battle Theme” from Shadowverse
• Outro (feat. )

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!
• Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitcher, Player.FM, Google Play, iHeartRadio, and Pocket Casts!
• This podcast is produced using copyrighted material according to Fair Use practices as stated under Section 107 of the 1976 Copyright Act.

Battle Bards Episode 162: Mystery abounds

Do you love a good mystery? A hidden secret? A riddle wrapped in an enigma and presented on a platter of puzzle? Then you’re in for a treat with today’s Battle Bards, as mystery-themed music from MMORPGs is served for dinner! Also, Syl and Syp finally throw down over a long-standing criticism regarding song picks. It’s brutal.

Episode 162 show notes (show page, direct download)

• Intro (feat. “Wintertide” from TERA, “A Lost and Secret Island” from Rappelz, and “Mystery Forest of Vikings” from Minions of Mirth)
• “Mystery” from Astellia
• “Heart of the Ocean” from Runes of Magic
• “Winter’s Mystery” from WildStar 
• “Riggle’s Theme” from Avabel Online 
• “The Asura” from Rappelz
• “Secrets of the Second Age” from Lord of the Rings Online
• “Hidden Village” from World of Tanks
• Which one did we like most?
• Listener notes from David and Katriana
• Jukebox Picks: “15F Master Suite” from Luigi’s Mansion 3, “Puzzled Creatures” from Concrete Genie, and “Aqua” from Smurfs’ Nightmare
• Outro (feat. “The Mystery” from Allods Online)

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!
• Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitcher, Player.FM, Google Play, iHeartRadio, and Pocket Casts!

Battle Bards Episode 161: Dragon Quest X

While Square Enix’s Final Fantasy XIV is enjoying rousing success here in the west, its other MMO — Dragon Quest X — never made it across the Pacific. Today, the Battle Bards assemble to examine the soundtrack to this overlooked fantasy game and see how it holds up by itself and in comparison to the Dragon Quest franchise.

Episode 161 show notes (show page, direct download)

• Intro (feat. “Bright Horizons,” “Soprano of Blue,” and “The Race of Water”)
• “Overture”
• “The Heavens” 
• “Good Night Villagers”
• “Town Music”
• “Melody of the Blade”
• “Casino”
• “Exploring the Hills”
• Which one did we like most?
• Listener notes from Druidsfire, Bill Champagne, Katriana, and Wolfy
• Jukebox Picks: “Endless World” from Dragon Quest II, “Main Theme” from Toonstruck, and “Edge Water” from The Outer Worlds
• Outro (feat. “Comedic Fight”)

• Talk to the Battle Bards on Twitter!
• Follow Battle Bards on iTunes, Stitcher, Player.FM, Google Play, iHeartRadio, and Pocket Casts!