Aeropause claims that Akira Yamaoka, the man responsible for Silent Hill's evocative sound, has apparently left Konami after 16 years and is currently vacationing in Europe. Fans of the survival-horror series would rightfully claim that Yamaoka, whose work has been a constant in the entire series, is inextricably linked to Silent Hill.
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 (18)
Posted: Dec 1st 2009 10:06AM ClarkyAC said
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
Reply
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMvOkUMPZ0g
That and the first level of Shadow of the beast song :p
Posted: Dec 1st 2009 10:07AM Silvercross said
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.
Reply
Posted: Dec 1st 2009 10:10AM Petebot330 said
Thank you for reminding me of Shattered Memories--totally stoked for that game.
Bra.
Reply
Bra.
Posted: Dec 1st 2009 10:20AM HighFiveJesus said
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.
Reply
Posted: Dec 1st 2009 10:42AM FluffnNonsense said
No Akira Yamaoka, no Silent Hill. That's all there is to it.
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Posted: Dec 1st 2009 10:55AM xThePunisherx said
So they just lost the one thing still good about the Silent Hill games?
Great job guys.
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Great job guys.
Posted: Dec 1st 2009 11:23AM Funkmaster General said
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.
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Posted: Dec 1st 2009 11:55AM One Stomy Night go watch it said
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.
Reply
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.
Posted: Dec 1st 2009 1:28PM (Unverified) said
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 ..
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Posted: Dec 1st 2009 3:11PM (Unverified) said
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...
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Posted: Dec 1st 2009 7:38PM BPMOmega XBL PSN Steam said
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.
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Posted: Dec 1st 2009 8:39PM (Unverified) said
But wasn't the franchise's beginning in Japan?
Must suck to be a SH fan right now.
Reply
Must suck to be a SH fan right now.
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