Majora’s Mask is a game full of darkness and danger. Depending on the player’s age, they should understand this when they start playing, especially with the very telling music. With this special re-orchestration of the game’s first few minutes, there should be no mistaking that the path the hero walks is not only legendary but fraught with peril and arcane mystery.
Rozen and his “Children of Termina” album have been featured on Zelda Universe before, nearer to the album’s release. The entire album is a real work of art (and I mean that literally—the album cover might merit its own Yuga’s Art Gallery article in the future). When the album was reported on previously, only one track was previewed. During this years celebration of Majora’s Month, it is my pleasure to highlight one of my personal favorites from the tracklist: “The World That Ends in Three Days.”
There are many layers to this impressive remix, both in terms of the music itself and the meticulous breakdown of each segment of the game. The resonant tolling of the bells hearkens to the Clock Tower in Termina’s town square. There are natural sounds like frog croaks that are evident below the introductory theme. The choral highlights provided by singer Celica Soldream make the tune sound more primordial, alluding to the ancient, sinister origins of Majora. There’s a potent moment of sadness employed at the 2:50-minute mark using gentle minor strings, as if even the villain of the story is a victim of fate. Finally, the addition of an organ reflects the Happy Mask Salesman when he teaches Link the “Song of Healing.”
Rozen’s take on the theme adds a brand-new layer of adventure that the original avoided. It almost makes it seem like the Hero of Time was prepared for his journey to Termina, which he was woefully not. But that addition of epic grandiose all the more highlights Link’s heroic spirit in the face of adversity. Despite the strangeness of his surroundings and the primeval, malevolent forces at work around him, he stands his ground and prepares to face whatever comes his way — even if it means stopping a crazed forest imp from sending the moon crashing.
Rozen mentioned in the build-up to his album’s release that he wanted to explore the lore of Majora’s Mask through the music. Judging by this marvelous piece, I’d say his work is cut out for him.
Be sure to check out the rest of our articles from Majora’s Month, our month-long celebration of Majora’s Mask’s 20th anniversary!
