Close Up: Metal Gear Rising Revengeance Vocal Tracks (First Edition)

Despite carrying the Metal Gear name, Metal Gear Rising Revengeance is in many ways completely different from the original franchise. In terms of gameplay, pacing and style, but also in terms of its music.

Two different soundtracks were created for the game. One consists of instrumental music, this cd was included with the Premium Package. The other is called ‘Vocal Tracks’, and it contains all the songs with lyrics. Put together, both cds comprise all music of the game. All of the songs were composed by Jamie Christopherson, who wrote the music for multiple well-known games.

For the Vocal Tracks (all of them heavy metal songs) Platinum Games was assisted by Machine Head guitarist Logan Mader, the vocals performed by various artists. The songs have been remixed for the game with the help of a group called Maniac Agenda. Other remixes were done by Platinum Games’ Akira Takizawa.

As a result, the game contains a total of 29 tracks, most of which can be heard during the gameplay sections and boss fights, sometimes when the boss is near defeat. There are 13 original tracks with lyrics, 12 instrumental versions of those same songs and 5 remixes. The songs are loud, energetic and in-your-face, and the complete opposite of the music normally heard in Metal Gear games, but they fit this action oriented spin off like a glove.

Along with the Japanese release of the game, on February 20th 2013, Konami released the Vocal Tracks as a separate soundtrack cd for ¥2940. Aside from the normal album, a special edition was sold through KonamiStyle Japan, called the First Edition.

Metal Gear Rising Vocal Tracks First Edition is identical to the normal release, aside from the inclusion of a booklet, its case and its limited availability. It has a holographic logo on the cover. The booklet that is included contains the track list, some artworks and the lyrics to the songs.

There’s also a more plain looking booklet with the Japanese lyrics in it.

Here are all the tracks on the cd:

-1-
Rules of Nature
Platinum Mix
Jamie Christopherson, vocals by Jason Miller
Plays during the fight against Metal Gear RAY and Grad.

-2-
The Only Thing I Know For Real
Maniac Agenda Mix
Jamie Christopherson & Logan Mader, vocals by Tyson Yen
Plays during the fight against Samuel ‘Jetstream Sam’ Rodrigues.

-3-
Dark Skies
Platinum Mix
Jamie Christopherson, vocals by Greame Cornies
Plays during the Sukhumi stage.

-4-
I’m My Own Master Now
Platinum Mix
Jamie Christopherson, vocals by Greame Cornies
Plays during the fight against Blade Wolf.

-5-
A Stranger I Remain
Maniac Agenda Mix
Jamie Christopherson & Logan Mader, vocals by Free Dominguez
Plays during the fight against Mistral.

-6-
Return to Ashes
Platinum Mix
Jamie Christopherson, vocals by John Bush
Plays during chapters 3 and 4.

-7-
The Stains of Time
Maniac Agenda Mix
Jamie Christopherson & Logan Mader, vocals by Kit Walters
Plays during the fight agains Monsoon.

-8-
Red Sun
Maniac Agenda Mix
Jamie Christopherson & Logan Mader, vocals by Kit Walters
Plays during the fight against Sundowner.

-9-
A Soul Can’t Be Cut
Platinum Mix
Jamie Christopherson, vocals by Kit Walters
Plays during chapters 5 and 7.

-10-
Collective Consciousness
Maniac Agenda Mix
Jamie Christopherson & Logan Mader, vocals by Jimmy Gnecco
Plays during the fight against Metal Gear EXCELSUS.

-11-
It Has to be This Way (Platinum Mix)
Maniac Agenda Mix
Jamie Christopherson & Logan Mader, vocals by Jimmy Gnecco

Plays during the final battle against Senator Armstrong.

-12-
The War Still Rages Within
Jamie Christopherson, Pete Crossman, James Chapple, David Kellt & Graeme Cornies, vocals by Graeme Cornies
Plays during the credits.

-13-
The Hot Wind Blowing
Platinum Mix
Jamie Christopherson, vocals by John Bush
Plays during the fight against Khamsin (Blade Wolf DLC).

-14-
A Soul Can’t Be Cut
Platinum Mix – DLC Version
Jamie Christopherson, vocals by Tyson Yen

-15-
Dark Skies
Platinum Mix – Low Key Version
Jamie Christopherson, vocals by Greame Cornies

-16-
Return to Ashes
Platinum Mix – Low Key Version
Jamie Christopherson, vocals by John Bush

-17-
A Soul Can’t Be Cut
Platinum Mix – Low Key Version
Jamie Christopherson, vocals by Kit Walters

-18-
Rules of Nature
Platinum Mix – Instrumental
Jamie Christopherson

-19-
The Only Thing I Know For Real
Maniac Agenda Mix – Instrumental
Jamie Christopherson & Logan Mader

-20-
Dark Skies
Platinum Mix – Instrumental
Jamie Christopherson

-21-
I’m My Own Master Now
Platinum Mix – Instrumental
Jamie Christopherson

-22-
A Stranger I Remain
Maniac Agenda Mix – Instrumental
Jamie Christopherson & Logan Mader

-23-
Return to Ashes
Platinum Mix – Instrumental
Jamie Christopherson

-24-
The Stains of Time
Maniac Agenda Mix – Instrumental
Jamie Christopherson & Logan Mader

-25-
Red Sun
Maniac Agenda Mix – Instrumental
Jamie Christopherson & Logan Mader

-26-
A Soul Can’t Be Cut
Platinum Mix – Instrumental
Jamie Christopherson

-27-
Collective Consciousness
Maniac Agenda Mix – Instrumental
Jamie Christopherson & Logan Mader

-28-
It Has to be This Way
Platinum Mix – Instrumental
Jamie Christopherson & Logan Mader

-29-
The Hot Wind Blowing
Platinum Mix – Instrumental
Jamie Christopherson

Top 5

Collective Consciousness
The song that plays during the fight against Metal Gear EXCELSUS, piloted by senator Steven Armstrong. It’s one of those tracks that gets better the more you hear it. Electrifying, energetic and memorable, this is the best song on the cd.

The Stains of Time
The fight against Monsoon is one of the most over-the-top battles in the game, and in the case of Rising, that’s saying a lot. Helicopters get thrown into Raiden’s face, Monsoon can split himself into tiny pieces… and this track suits it all perfectly.

The War Still Rages Within
The song that plays during the credits, more subdued than the other tracks on the cd. It’s also the longest track, and with its slower pace and more faint vocals provides a nice contrast to the preceding chaos of the game.

A Stranger I Remain
The track that plays during the boss battle against Mistral, and a little less loud than the other songs. It’s the only track on the list that has female vocalist. The song is about someone who is a stranger outside of the battlefield. Some of the lyrics are actually sung in French, reflecting Mistral’s French heritage.

It Has to Be This Way
Many people who played Rising will probably remember this song, even if it’s only because it plays during the hardest fight in the game, against senator Armstrong. That means you’ll be hearing it a lot – each time you’ll have to retry. Fortunately, it’s also one of the game’s best tracks.

The regular version of the Vocal Tracks is widely available in online stores selling merchandise and on eBay. The First Edition is harder to find, and consequently a lot pricier. Since the contents are exactly the same, there is no reason to hunt for this version unless you’re a collector. It is, however, a very nice looking case, and its rarity makes it an attractive item for those who do care about building their Metal Gear collection.

Metal Gear Rising Revengeance Vocal Tracks (First Edition)
Something Else Music Works
2013
GFCA331

Sources used: Platinum Games Blog, Metal Gear Wikia