Composer(s): Masahiko Kimura, Motoaki Furikawa, Mariko Egawa

There are certainly a lot of things to be said about the N64’s Castlevania titles. Often-forgotten or maligned entries that pale in comparison to the majesty of the PlayStation and Saturn’s entry, Symphony of the Night. But of course, that’s a topic for another time, and one of the things I think most should be able to agree on is that the OST is still exceptional.

Though more fondly remembered titles and those boasting the most iconic themes will likely garner more favor for their soundtracks, the sprawling, cinematic, and diverse nature of Castlevania 64 (as it’s often referred to) and Legacy of Darkness’ scores are still deserving of as much attention as their contemporaries. From the planetarium to the rose garden to the the many rooftops and towers of the titular castle, rooms and characters are scored with a particular sense of mood and dynamic sensibilities that matches well with the way the franchise had always managed to capture the wide scope of its setting.

In a classic Castlevania move, however, the team of composers, which features future series stalwart Masahiko Kimura in one of his earlier projects for Konami, starts off the game by utilizing a classic piece of Castlevania music in a haunting new arrangement for the intro sequence. Originally featured in Rondo of Blood for the PC Engine CD, the track “Divine Bloodlines” with its racing metal guitar-like synth and driving bass kicks off that title like a bullet from a gun. Richter Belmont charging his carriage into town to defeat Dracula and his minions, and of course, rescue his fiancée, is a brilliant opening afforded by the technology of the CD format that gets the blood pumping for some serious 2D whipping action.

Plugging the Castlevania cartridge into your N64, on the other hand, results in a crack of thunder as we swing across the skyline of Castlevania itself. Its new 3D rendered glory basking in the glow of a blood moon, the string orchestra crashes in with the call-and-response scales of our new arrangement, “Opposing Bloodlines.” Ascending then descending, violin then viola, smooth then staccato, they tug back and forth on each other before the scene gives way to a young soloist, standing in the spotlight, playing the main theme of the piece.

This is Malus, one of our key figures in the game’s story. The rest of the string orchestra, percussion, and piano join back in as the piece crescendos again before another party — not Malus — caps us off with the main theme once again. Softly, on piano, slowly and deliberately. What else awaits in the darkness? Who else lurks within the walls of Castlevania?

Mklachu’s cover of “Opposing Bloodlines” isn’t a strikingly different interpretation or performance, but the cosplay, the video editing, the arrangement — all on point. It’s extremely enjoyable and I’m glad to see someone so devoted to doing this piece justice.