A Cruel Angel's Thesis but it's actually dark and depressive (Evangelion OP)

[@PianoDeuss]

Sheet Music (transcribed by Giovanni Dalesandro): www.mymusicsheet.com/pianodeuss/53833 Spotify: open.spotify.com/album/2xvtwTJaerC1ryvkipz1qp Tutorial: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oGiakoWZgdaYrLs iTunes: tinyurl.com/2hwz54ck

[@mailboxxy]

Lovely playing btw

[@jlbjlb]

I like it Putting it on 2 speed makes it sound like the normal thing

[@JohnTitor2036]

I was just telling myself "Damn, I wish it was on Spotify". Thank you!

[@ixxmsc9663]

Giovanni Giorgio!

[@danielrios1362]

@@ixxmsc9663 I am amused to see what your comment translated into Spanish says Juan Jorge

[@tsukinousagi3229]

Now we know what was playing on Shinji's mp3 player

[@exhed12]

If you’d like to listen to some of the actual music that he listened to, look up “Lilia - From Ys” on KZbin. Surprisingly the video has very low interaction despite being the only video I could find with the songs he played.

[@jakubszt9817]

we know what he was playing bc we could hear it

[@raulfernandez57]

And here I thought he was always listening to Linkin Park, goddammit...

[@cat-roomba3444]

I was super confused because I haven’t seen the rebirths. Lol

[@leeccdoo]

You mean a walkman lol

[@WelcomeToDERPLAND]

It always did strike me as slightly strange that such a deep and dark song was so light and upbeat.

[@lennartstockl5826]

Very hard to create a dark athmosphere while still making the piece recognizable.

[@ViewTube_Emperor_of_Mankind]

That was on purpose. Moneybugs wanting a loud earwormy upbeat intro for your anime. Make what they expect but convey your message via sublety and aspects the moneybugs are too dumb and moneyfocused to understand/realize.

[@arcaiedaltair6524]

@@ViewTube_Emperor_of_Mankind wtf are you talking about bro, are you off your meds?

[@kliffalibur3497]

@@arcaiedaltair6524 I think they mean that considering how Evangelion subverted its genre, it would have been a lot more difficult to sell it well if it was presented as it was than if it conformed to the typical, popular sci-fi and cool robots themes that people at the time enjoyed. A lot of other animes and mangas probably took the same approach in order to first get the sales to sustain themselves.

[@imanabuiqran9246]

I assumed it was a contrast meant from an artistic standpoint, that I'm not sophisticated enough to begin to understand, like how they wanted the cheery 'fly me to the moon' covers to come up right after intense and meaningful scenes that light my skin on fire. buuut the sales approach thing sounds more realistic lol

[@MiraiChiaki]

_A Cruel Angel’s Thesis but it actually matches Evangelion’s mood_

[@J4ckkn1fe_12]

a little to tranquil in my opinion

[@carmendevitalazzarini5030]

i agree

[@nopeinserts5476]

That's kinda the point, Evangelion is a show which decieves you by having a happy fun sounding opening before thrusting you into the dark reality of the setting. It is an incredibly thematically relevant realisation to come to, especially if you actually watch the opening. This is because the visuals of the opening are at times extremely disturbing images that foreshadow the happenings of the show. This rearrangement misses the point of the opening entirely by opting to make it reflect the story and characters. At its core Evangelion is a show about the creator, Hideaki Anno's, experience and battle with depression. It is about the childish view of society and the word being tarnished by dark things and nightmares which an unfortunate amount of people have to face without help. At its core, this rearrangement as amazing as it is misses the point behind the opening of the anime and rather detracts from the message of the show and the journeys its characters take.

[@axelchua8336]

@@nopeinserts5476 I love how whenever a fan of the series gets brought back to NGE days, we always go all out. I love your view on this piece, I feel the same way.

[@kawikaduff7102]

@@nopeinserts5476 you right. but the music does match the mood though don'tcha think?

[@randomguy2462]

Me: Evangelion can't get any more depressing than this PianoDeuss: Hold my piano

[@blanka8484]

Hold my piano i cant

[@jynx2949]

I play pianos and fall over them

[@lenny8785]

But PianoDuess, you need your piano to play the song

[@neo9403]

690 likes... nice

[@skyarland]

😂 you got me with this one.

[@warnberger8968]

The first 15 seconds seemed very much like an amazing adaptation to "song of the ancients" from Nier

[@libertjohan6000]

I thought i ws the only

[@zachbrass472]

I heard it too! Glad I wasn't the only one lmao

[@khirek5335]

I thought about grandma lol

[@warnberger8968]

@@khirek5335 It's something between the two i guess, I can see hear grandma in it as well

[@umariichanu7752]

Truuee

[@smithy1578]

You managed to take the only happy and upbeat thing from Evangelion and make it like the rest of the show…. Thanks I guess

[@berrichen]

gotta match the vibes

[@GetShuShine]

Драма, хули

[@DrunkTigerGrill]

Hey there not true There is always the happiest song in the show Komm susser tod AKA Tumbling down tumbling down tumbling down

[@TheTravelExplorer_]

Pen pen

[@bloopy7299]

I mean ep 8/9, 7 (maybe?), 26, and vol 4

[@alxndrmzksm8387]

Now this sounds like if you had Beethoven do a cover of Cruel Angel's Thesis

[@DanielCh9393]

Sounds more like Chopin to me.

[@channel_void]

chopin*

[@cecilabbott6092]

@@DanielCh9393 I don’t get Chopin vibes at all. Haven’t listened to enough Beethoven to comment about him though

[@mathmaniac3033]

@@cecilabbott6092 I agree. The techniques used feels closer to Liszt than Chopin or Beethoven. There's a lot more romanticu music breaks in this arrangement for it to feel like Beethoven, as he was the start of the romantic period. Chopin, although virtuosic, doesn't employ as many time signature changes (or what feels like time signature changes) in what I've experienced from playing Chopin. Liszt has been known for difficult octave passages and especially octave jumps, which account for a significant portion of this piece. The time signature changes also follow his style of virtuosity. Correct me if I'm wrong though. It's been a while since I looked into composer styles.

[@Josef_1186]

Imo this doesn’t match Beethoven at all. Nor does it match Chopin as some of the other commenters have suggested. It’s hard to think of a classical composer to compare it to.

[@cryjay]

You managed to capture the eeriness and that heavy feeling so well! Even the ‘higher notes’ seems almost ‘fleeting’ as if to cover up the lower notes in a sense. That one part with just lower notes and the build up was my favorite part, overall another beautifully well done song!!

[@24DracoAmericanus]

Even after being adapted to sound dark and depressive, the chorus is still hype af

[@nitroxide17]

Hype hype hype

[@呂紹瑜-w5t]

try 1.5x

[@theheadguy1212]

The actual song that plays in people's heads when they do their final thesis.

[@abystory2588]

what's the name of the anime?

[@NightWolffff]

@@abystory2588 Neon Genesis Evangelion, pretty good watch imo

[@alan_7390]

Their Cruel Angel Thesis...

[@biomech9751]

writing an essay thesis to this rn

[@espumosoYT]

I was expecting to be A Cruel Angel's Thesis in a minor key but holy, was this a surprise. The notes are exactly the same as the original but you made it sound so different, actually fitting the mood of Evangelion. Props to you, great arranging skills. Awesome cover of this epic anime opening!

[@ZeroPlays17]

Que!? Pra mim é uma música totalmente diferente de A Cruel Angel's Thesis

[@SluggishGA]

Cruel Angel's Thesis is already in a minor key! Well the intro part is, then it switches to the relative major of C minor, D# major, but it's still all the same notes. This arrangement reharmonizations the melody beautifully with new chords, fully C minor.

[@pleasednut3881]

4:42 this looks like something straight out of a sheet music boss video!! holy shit well played!

[@breadlord2855]

Rush E-vangelion

[@monkeymuncher2]

it's just octaves dud

[@pleasednut3881]

@@monkeymuncher2 "be glad you watch the streamer... not smell the streamer" -BTMC

[@monkeymuncher2]

@@pleasednut3881 what??

[@edinsabani8522]

the outro... powerful, emotional, dynamic, idyllic, dramatic, breathtaking and just excellent, this is how you end a piece.

[@otterboy8653]

Holy crap, you really outdid yourself this time! This is was absolutely amazing! A perfect mix of every emotion. As always, absolutely amazing work and I can't wait to hear what you have in store next! Keep up the excellent work!

[@luisraygoza1210]

I'm not one to comment on yt very much but damn! This is so impressive. Most people just downbeat the song and throw some "dark" chords and done! You've managed to trully transform the song and still let it remain a cuel angel's thesis in its core. Bravo my man, bravo

[@ilovemyorange5989]

maybe because he just played it at half its speed

[@mrbencker1074]

@@ilovemyorange5989?

[@ilovemyorange5989]

@@mrbencker1074 ?

[@l10XDE]

I love this cover tbh. Although it's significantly less upbeat than the og, it still feels hopeful in a way? But when coupled with the rest of the song it's more bittersweet sounding than anything (imo) . Great cover!

[@Jaybird2136]

The only thing missing from this, to truly make it a masterpiece, is the standing ovation at the end. Bravo, and to all the children, Congratulations!!

[@gwutch4392]

ur getting touched tonight

[@thomas5036]

ya man, you're fantastic making a song so "happy", dark and sad is really complicated, but you succeeded as always, great master

[@ilovemyorange5989]

i dont think its that hard to play songs at half their speed and call them "dark and depressive"

[@thomas5036]

@@ilovemyorange5989 didn't ask

[@ilovemyorange5989]

@@thomas5036 i dont need to be asked in order to speak

[@thomas5036]

@@ilovemyorange5989 you can speak just when the comment isn't useless, and in this case, it is

[@moon_and_water]

This sounds so much like Nier music. You can actually hear that they took inspiration from evangelion for the games

[@Zorooooooooooooooooooooooooooo]

buddy... this is not how the original series sounded at all, this is an adaptation.

[@Mmannk]

@@Zorooooooooooooooooooooooooooo Chord study perhaps. Changing the instruments and key completely changes the sound even though it’s “the same song”. Though, I don’t play the games so I can’t say more on this than a common sense approach.

[@Ray-mj5mj]

Yeah, the song it sounds borrowed from is Grandma from the first game.

[@real-uc7ec]

YES

[@nelgius]

2:54 This part always gets me and reminds me of all the sad and funny things in this anime, a lot of depressing twists and turns that makes you question your life, anyways I really do love this part of the song :3

[@jakeeynick1369]

Finally, a version of the theme that properly reflects the show

[@luisambriz3028]

I'm new to this channel. This is an absolute masterpiece. Did he really write this version? That's what being truly gifted really means. This is beyond epic.

[@RebornMasculine]

probably

[@libertjohan6000]

EXACTLY how i wanted it to be u just dropped a masterpiece !!

[@txfoh]

Nier vibes... that's why I'm in love with this masterpiece

[@Hantark92]

Wow this sounds like something that would perfectly fit in NieR therefore I FREAKING LOVE IT, two masterpieces in one

[@ВасилийТурин-х6д]

First part has literally Song of the Ancients chords

[@lousyspiritowo7793]

It’s so beautiful especially that part 0:24 it’s wonderful 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻❤️

[@fatheralexanderanderson3829]

Did that Cruel Angel ever get his PhD?

[@goostiferthegoose]

Not sure

[@smammy4105]

I always thought it was a shame that the rebuilds never had any version of Cruel Angel's Thesis but I got it could never really fit in. But if this played during the third impact it would have been...well, amazing.

[@nimaalikhah9047]

3:40 to the end was FIRE!

[@wouldyoulikesomewiessedtea8757]

IKR

[@altrovic815]

I see people here saying that THIS is what Evangelion REALLY is about. And I would disagree. There's absolutely nothing deceiving about the upbeat nature of the original opening song for this to somehow be a more authentic version of it. The burning pathos (literally) that the original OP encapsulates is as important of an aspect of the series as its tragic or disturbing moments. Not only that - it perfectly matches how all three blend together. There is no contradiction between them - and if you really think that there is - your perception of the Cruel Angel's Thesis is extremely surface-level. By stating this I'm in no way trying to devalue this masterful cover in any way. My take is that it's is just a very classical-sounding piece on its own. It doesn't have to be declared a somehow more true version of the show's opening to be enjoyed. I'd even go so far as to say that it's standalone. It doesn't even have to be closely tied to Evangelion to conjure up fantastically melancholic (or melancholically fantastic) imagery in your mind.

[@choliosis2551]

YOO THIS IS A SICK COVER!!!! I love how it feels like variations on a theme at some point it's super cool, and that ending was aptly dramatic! Bravo!

[@hellofrominside8524]

As someone with virtually no understanding of music the visual really makes me appreciate how much skill is involved.

[@BlueMageDaisen]

I like how nearer the end it gets a cruel playfulness to it Like a marionetted on strings it does not comprehend

[@имяфамилия-д6в4ч]

I would never have thought that such a hopeful song could ooze with such hopelessness

[@Acidvengy]

I'm in awe, this is simply astounding.

[@Novorious]

This should be played on the part where Asuka is having a mental breakdown from her past.

[@mepsa3030]

Ждём следующий шедевр

[@AndresPerez-tk2ex]

Im agree!

[@stoique10]

@@AndresPerez-tk2ex hello agree

[@Shadow-qy5mi]

Same

[@ШІНДЖІстаньЛеҐЕНДОю]

підтримую

[@desrucca]

The song in ep 26 if Shinji accept instrumentality 🗿 "Uncongratulations"

[@trashkidd]

great composition! really liked how you voiced notes in the melody that sounded positive and uplifting to give them more of a sinister tone. very well done!

[@ANGEL-pi6cr]

This gives me nier vibes at certain points in the song I love it

[@krishnaT17]

best verson of Cruel Angel's thesis I have heard

[@reyhanerezaei8495]

I love the way you always play and cover songs but this one was really smth else . Well done 😭👌

[@kerz5383]

A Cruel Angel’s Thesis but it is about a balloon salesman who's wife died and he never fulfilled his dream.

[@defeatSpace]

I am tingling numb after listening, this is gorgeous.

[@cursedayanami]

Different at the first view but slowly brings us a memorably song. Excellent, I could personally use at my own funeral

[@tloariart]

This piece absolutely blew my mind. i was transfixed the whole way through! There is something about the darkness of the arrangement combined with the airiness with which it is plaid that makes it almost haunting. i LOVED how you managed to create a whole new classical-like piece of music that feels so different and yet make sure that the core of the original song is never lost. Breathtaking work!

[@PS1Fan1991]

It sounds amazing! Fantastic work!

[@sophiaodegbo-olukoya7324]

This is to good!! You are so underated. I hope to be able to play like you someday. This is one of the few times the piano moved me very very emotionally.

[@EnriqueTDL]

Absolutely incredible. Amazing work and love what you've done here to really make it something different.

[@Vanukas2]

I really love the reharmonization, and the arrangation b4 2:05 sounds like Liszt meeting Evangelion :D Great work!

[@roberthall585]

This was an absolutely amazing anime. This sounds way more like neon genesis than the original.

[@eitanshpitser9702]

this is a masterpiece beyond human comprehension

[@bymiraj]

this was absolutely perfect !!

[@Mnemoniforma9.00]

I can actually feel the mood, going from shell shock, to disbelief, to anger, to despair and finally, insane laughter, echoing to the empty winds.

[@dylanrice69]

Whenever something involves evangelion I'm suddenly interested

[@charakiga]

This OP is the only mental support you get during the anime, we dont need it to be depressing lmao. Nice cover btw.

[@az5752]

No es posible deprimirse con esta obra tan hermosa ...

[@locanosantricanos]

It's not necessary dark or depressive. It's immersfull! Gonna like it.

[@jackscrievner5222]

Pianodeuss always somehow sprinkles a little bit of depression in all the anime music he makes, it’s amazing

[@Ornitorenkus]

This is real deal! I have been sleeping with this music for some time now. I have the most epic dreams. And sometimes i dance in my dreams. So when it is time to wake up, i miss the alarms and arrive late to the work. It is dangerously charming. Thanks for this version!

[@nobuffer101]

PianoDeuss: "Cruel Angel's Thesis but it's dark and depressive." Me: "Would that make it Cruel Angel's Evangelion?" "Evangelion" means "Good News", so hearing "good news" from a "cruel angel" probably isn't actually a good sign.

[@fish-zb4tg]

Bad pun

[@sleeper5905]

@@fish-zb4tg no its not

[@fish-zb4tg]

@@sleeper5905 smh imagine explaining your own pun

[@conorrigoli7578]

@@fish-zb4tg he didn't make the pun asshole

[@263kiki]

its so good i forgot to breathe when like a minute in, really well done mate. i wish they could have played this in the actual show during the emotional and depressing moments. beautiful.

[@simondanielssonmusic]

You say sheet music isn't available, but I'll just say anyway that I really want the sheet music for this! This is gorgeous and I want to play it too :)

[@JuanPalomoM]

I just wrapped up evengelion a cpouple days ago. What. A. Ride. Also that was OK'd as a kids show when it released. How times have changed!

[@kaylenducharme9236]

this song fits more the actuall anime then its normal intro

[@reitatakayuki5431]

im tryin to learn a piano and tried to use this channel but this dude is too insane…

[@graysonking1775]

This fits the tone of the series so much better than the original OP, it would absolutely be right at home playing during End of Evangelion. I genuinely enjoy this version much better, it is a masterpiece.

[@Lucksterino]

A Dying Angel's Thesis

[@prateek2136]

A reimagine of original ending with this song would freak the living hell out of me

[@agestatsega]

Great Arrangement As Always, PianoDeuss! I'm Enjoying This!

[@qwcovzyx]

At 1:30 you could start with 'For the damaged coda'/'evil Morty'

[@rmk6222]

No matter what the chorus will always sound hopefull and cheery.

[@solavila802]

I like to think that Kaworu is playing this

[@alexd3470]

I love the first 15 seconds of this song!

[@paolob.5667]

Song's so epic that even in this version the chorus has still a fuckton of energy

[@markzao_1]

gorgeous waves

[@kanyesouth4490]

This reminds of the nier series soundtrack the games were amazing and made me remember them when listening to this

[@it-s-a-mystery]

tingles all up and down at the 3 minute mark. fantastic arrangement

[@sushim0nkey]

I want this playing at my funeral

[@IIwII_usxx]

fun fact, the people that made this song took a short look a part of the script of eva and made, a cruel angels thesis.

[@khuongoan8898]

the intro was so impressive and a little creepy, i cant stop listening to it

[@VirtuesOfSin]

Jokes on you, Cruel Angel's Thesis is already dark and depressive.

[@nicklinnik5862]

There are still bits of hope even in the this version. Guess there is no way to erase them from this song completely

[@xenoplethoraclips7414]

This gave me shivers holy shit 💯

[@klistr]

this is too good

[@ILOVECALGARY2024]

It is all but a burning memory

[@dsnv6898]

This would fit Hollow Knight perfectly

[@nerafuu]

still the best piano cover

[@noctisvigil470]

Wouldn't quite call it depressive... but there is some slight touch of it fitting for dark... that said I think it would be more fitting to call it an intense-cinematic/epic sort of piano arrangment. Because such are the words I think more about on this adaptation. Which I will say is a pleasant thing to listen to, this arrangment I could see happening to be put into a movie or animation of Evangelion with ease. And to that I say bravo

[@Project_SalvationalWorld]

This ver. Of the song gives me the feeling of someone winning yet losing at the same time such a strange feeling

[@amaire_ov]

Evangelion is not even a fucking depressing anime. Yes, it is painful and hard to watch, but on the contrary, it encourages you to act and think. This anime is designed to be watched, studied, and then the viewers would delve into their own minds. Yes, it is difficult to understand Evangelion, but this is its essence: no one will give you ready-made answers, you need to look, feel and realize what you need. This is a very metaphorical anime. When I started watching it (and this happened quite recently, less than a week), I had a strong feeling that I was watching some kind of art house. The atmosphere is great and exciting, and my mind couldn't give me an answer to the question: "What the hell is going on here?". As an esoteric person, I have always been told to strive to find myself. To transform myself. So that I don't run away from myself. So that I don't run away from the world. To not be passive and indifferent. Oddly enough, the anime reminded me of this again. Even if I leave out the esoteric context, it just so happens that I was the greatest escapist. I was constantly hiding from everyone around: from problems, from people, from the world, from myself. I resonated with Shinji and his behavior. At my 20s, I'm painfully like him: deep down, I'm just like Shinji too. Plus, I can't hide forever. If I want to achieve my goals, then I have to get my head out of the sand and work hard. Even before losing my pulse, I don't care. I suppose even if the anime told me this directly, then this is a sign. The most visible and obvious sign. I'm deeply thankful to those who created Evangelion.

[@geniusme707]

THIS IS SO GOOD

[@Mira-hw5ij]

Incroyable

[@_fonti]

All I can say is: Bravo. It was beautifull.

[@paul.facciolo6985]

This definitely matches Evangelion better than the original

[@tirsden]

Love how it spirals off into demented carnival territory and doesn't back down.

[@biancaechtey8766]

this song is literally my favorite anime intro/japanese song and it'd be so cool if it was the intro music for the new neon genesis evangelion series

[@nimrodszocs2795]

If this doesn't deserve a sub, then I don't know what does.

[@demikhovsky]

Is it just me or does it remind you of the Nier Automata OST? I feel some of it's vibes here.

[@nichegotakogo]

In the beggining it really sounds like a copy of Nier: Replicant

[@atalanto123]

I'm starting to just feel a ton of parallels in general between N:A and NGE.