There are certain things you shouldn’t do in the dark. Playing horror games, reading scary stories, and even listening to certain songs. This is one of those songs that I shouldn’t have listened to in a pitch-black room — but it is certainly one that needs to be listened to.
The Marcus Hedges Trend Orchestra is well known for covering various pieces of Majora’s Mask songs using digital programming and software, and while I have covered a few before, this one, though short in length, stands out to me on a whole different level. The cryptic introduction to this song can invoke a sense of fear with it’s eerie, echoing piano, shivering strings, and an ominous heartbeat that pounds throughout the entire song.
Certain points in the piece also remind me of the sturdy beat of the Stone Tower, the dungeon where this song is required. In fact, I’m fairly certain the melody of the Stone Tower would overlap quite nicely — though it’s not necessary and might even take away from the feel of unease that the song creates. Still, I appreciate the integration of these two elements.
As the song comes to a conclusion, it begins to take on a more somber tone. In a sense, it reminds me of King Ikana, how scary and disturbing he was when first appearing, but learning about the devastation of his kingdom, it only makes sense to end the piece in a more sorrowful manner. It all comes full circle, leaving the listener with a distinct feeling of emptiness once the tune finally ends, leaving no melody, only heartbeats. The music has become a shell of itself, just as Link can now create a heartless, empty soldier to stand in his place.
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!
