Rumor: Silent Hill composer Akira Yamaoka leaves Konami
by Alexander Sliwinski 
{ Dec 1st 2009 at 10:00AM }
Silent Hill: Shattered Memories producer Tomm Hulett told Joystiq in an interview back in June that Yamaoka's music "adds a special element, it's kind of the atmosphere of the town." He continued, "If Akira's music isn't there, it just doesn't sound quite right. And I'm sure that there are people out there who could emulate the sound and try to get it close, but there would be something missing." We've followed up with the publisher for confirmation and comment.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ClarkyAC @ Dec 1st 2009 10:06AM
Room of angel is one of my favorite songs in a video game
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMvOkUMPZ0g
That and the first level of Shadow of the beast song :p
mcclark @ Dec 1st 2009 10:07AM
I sincerely hope this isn't true. Silent Hill 2 is one of the greatest games I've ever played, and the music plays a huge part in why I love it.
Petebot330 @ Dec 1st 2009 10:10AM
Thank you for reminding me of Shattered Memories--totally stoked for that game.
Bra.
HighFiveJesus @ Dec 1st 2009 10:20AM
Well i feel the wii game which I'm excited for.. is their last chance at making a silent hill game right. If they still can't, then its time to put it on the shelf or make another movie.
Miku @ Dec 1st 2009 10:42AM
No Akira Yamaoka, no Silent Hill. That's all there is to it.
The_Punisher @ Dec 1st 2009 10:55AM
So they just lost the one thing still good about the Silent Hill games?
Great job guys.
Nigeria: Charmy Bee DF @ Dec 1st 2009 10:58AM
I know Konami won't end the series, but the Silent Hill games need to end.
Each series - or franchise - has its own unique atmosphere and, judging from Homecoming, Silent Hill has long strayed away from what made the numbered games so special.
Funkoid @ Dec 1st 2009 11:06AM
Rumor: I will no longer be buying silent hill games.
Seriously, I woke up this morning and first song I played was from sh3. The silent hill soundtracks seem to b the only reason I continue playing the series. I even learned a few songs on guitar.
Reuben @ Dec 1st 2009 11:23AM
I partially agree. The Silent Hill music is some of the best around. I bought the soundtracks, and I too play some of them on my guitar. I've been playing the newer ones for more reasons than just the music, but if this is true than it would mean that there would no longer be any members from Team Silent working on the franchise, which I find somewhat sad. Silent Hill is in my top 3 favorite franchises, so it's difficult for me to just leave like that, but it's possible.
Roger @ Dec 1st 2009 11:55AM
If he leaves then I'd rather have the series killed off.
I'll play any game with the silent hill name on it but unless it says "composed by Akira Yamaoka" on the back, its just another crappy horror game.
Like Siren or Fatal Frame.
Mr.ESC @ Dec 1st 2009 12:36PM
He is quite talented so I'm sure he is going to get a job somewhere else maybe with SE.
As for Silent Hill maybe with this Konami finally will let the series rest in peace and start a new horror franchise.For example Climax is quite talented just let them do something original on their own .I'm sure they will deliver it.
Meghterb @ Dec 1st 2009 1:28PM
Oh no .. Akira Yamaoka is the only one left in Silent Hill and now he's leaving. I hope he joins the rest of his old SH developers in Sony ..
Grimcicle @ Dec 1st 2009 2:47PM
Well this is probably the final nail in the coffin of a dying (but once fantastic) franchise.
R.I.P. Silent Hill.
Zxkenobi @ Dec 1st 2009 3:11PM
The series died with silent hill 5. But yes, this was the nail in the coffin, good bye to any hope of a good SH game...
BruniBrun @ Dec 1st 2009 4:01PM
The series died with Silent Hill 3. But yes, this was the nail in the coffin, good bye to any hope of a good SH game...
aaronx_x @ Dec 1st 2009 4:21PM
well that's depressing.
BPMOmega [XBL, PSN, Steam] @ Dec 1st 2009 7:38PM
He's contributed to the Castlevania series and the various Bemani games, too. He really is great at what he does. Without his talent, Konami music is gonna be... well, probably not nearly as good.
Asmerom (PSN: neon6plz) (XBL: reo6) (Waiting for NMH2) @ Dec 1st 2009 8:23PM
Who can they replace this guy with?
DonsSword @ Dec 1st 2009 8:35PM
Wow. With "Silent Hill Homecoming" not being released in Japan, things must be bad @ Konami for the remains of Team Silent. I wonder if he will jump ship and join Keiichirō Toyama and the rest of Team Siren at Sony?
Asmerom (PSN: neon6plz) (XBL: reo6) (Waiting for NMH2) @ Dec 1st 2009 8:39PM
But wasn't the franchise's beginning in Japan?
Must suck to be a SH fan right now.