Chris Christodoulou - Coalescence | Risk of Rain (2013)

[@JagaimoLoco]

perfect music to hear when the game offers you infinite power on a platter and starts to warn you that you might need it.

[@boyo7918]

Yeah man, Providence is so strong

[@percher4824]

Providence is a pushover.

[@raidrionomegasigma342]

Nightmare Cookie bold statement

[@DiggitySlice]

That has to be the most well written KZbin comment I've ever seen.

[@FORCED_REASSEMBLY]

15 things 14 legendary cooldown things 1 use able rocket result: not even goku can beat you

[@crabraz4873]

Hey Chris, I just want to let you know: It's been almost 8 years and this song still makes me cry like a bitch.

[@yomama531]

Drips with emotion

[@conect514]

BRO I REALLY LIKED THAT CRY LIKE A BITCH

[@laikoz8741]

Bruh 8 years and Im crying more than before

[@Vitae_]

Yup

[@HaggyWaggy1234]

I've never played ror 1 but this song made me burst into tearsl by how innocent it is

[@Morjingan]

I find it interesting how people do not care about the story of this game. Reading the monster logs really gets me interested. I mean, he goes to a foreign planet and suddenly peaceful creatures turn hostile to him and only him? Why did this happen? What was on the ship? Who is controlling the monsters in the first place? Also when you kill providence, the monster log drops and your character says that he felt like he made a terrible mistake. Why? Who was providence? I think people underappreciate the story of this game.

[@lol10801lol]

I recognized him from the security footage... he was the one who blew the cargo hatches open. He was the one who killed everyone. Providence, as I came to call him, moved faster and with more purpose than anything else I've seen on this planet. He must command great power, for he seemed to easily control two great gilded wurms of a species similar to the Magma Worm. Is he able to command everyone on this planet? I don't know his purpose, or his reasoning, but he did not give me a choice. I had to kill him.. so why do I feel like I made a terrible mistake? ... Why did we have a teleporter from this planet in our cargo hold? Providence, Bulwark of the Weak (literally means defender of the weak)

[@MrSigurdur12]

Doctor Doc, MD Sure but it seems pretty obvious to me that the ship was some sort of slave ship and that providence was the defender of the planet and it's inhabitants, I think the developers wanted to make a game where you play as the villain without knowing it. "I had to kill him.. so why do I feel like I made a terrible mistake? ... Why did we have a teleporter from this planet in our cargo hold?". This sort of tells the whole story I feel.

[@GreyMercury]

Sigurður Þórarinsson The Contact Light was a cargo train, not a slave ship. It's not clear why Providence downed it, but I have a theory that it had something to do with the fact that it was carrying one of the teleporters from the planet. Given that the planet is full of hostile monsters and the cargo train was headed towards the Sol System full of civilians and whatever, I guess it was to stop the teleporter reaching the humans and warping in a load of monsters? At the end of the game the survivor leaves the planet on the ship, unintentionally carrying the teleporter in the cargo bay along with it. You hear it activate at the end of the cutscene after the screen fades to black implying that something else is using it. I don't know if it's supposed to be a sequel hook or something, but it does imply something sinister is going on. If Providence had killed the survivor, then it stands to reason that the teleporter never would have left the planet and what ever disaster it causes would have been averted. I think the plot is some kind of 'nice job breaking it, hero' thing.

[@LDD714]

GreyMercury My theory is a little similar to that, but in reverse. What if providence feared that humans would come and kill the natives of the planet? Could Providence have possibly forced all the normally peaceful creatures to become violent in an effort to stop the player from being able to bring the teleporter back to his home in order to protect the natives and the planet itself?

[@Protoman2024]

Yknow...I never really thought that through. Im starting to think there's something fishy going around here. Whoever the cargo bay was owned by, sounds like a company as dark and secretive as Weyland Yutani or Ultor.

[@lookingglass4422]

"Are we the baddies?" the OST

[@AstronautDown]

And of course there's the "It's Numberwang!" piece ;)

[@AstronautDown]

@@geronimobellicoso1438 Wow... A typo after all these years! It's Numberwang!

[@beggar6042]

@@geronimobellicoso1438 It's a reference to a comedy skit, by the same group that did the "Are we the Baddies?" skit

[@brasingt]

And that’s Numberwang!

[@dean_l33]

In the end, does it matter?

[@whe6372]

so many people cherish this song in their hearts from the first time they got to the end. I was only 6, i didn’t even know what i was doing half the time. But, one day i got to the end. I loved music as a kid (i still do, but when i was younger i couldn’t do anything without music basically) and this song got stuck in my head. I loved it. i beat providence, and went on with my day. but the song was still stuck in my head years later, but the problem is i had completely forgotten what risk of rain was called. risk of rain 2 releases, and it all comes back to me. thank you for all of those fun nights i had jamming out to your music years ago, you really know how to make a bop! always a pleasure to hear this song play from my playlist when i shuffle, definitely in my top 5. you’re amazing my guy. stay safe out there, and keep making god tier music please.

[@AstronautDown]

You might be the youngest person I've heard from! I hope music will be you always!

[@dutybound2211]

Bruh how did you beat the entire game when you were 6, I'm 18 and can't even get past the second level. Am I just bad?

[@yohhh6715]

bro had that gamer lean ready ever since he was 6

[@whe6372]

@@dutybound2211 little help with my dad learning the game, but i was a decently smart child. it’s very fun coming back to this game though

[@knightshousegames]

@@dutybound2211 I've gone back to games I played when I was a kid and been like "how the hell did I beat this when I was 6?" Brain plasticity is a hell of a weapon

[@beastrelmhd5312]

"Providence, as I came to call him, moved faster and with more purpose than *anything* else I've seen on this planet." "He must command great power, for he seemed to easily control two great gilded worms. Is he able to command *everyone* on this planet?" "I don't know his purpose , or his reasoning, but he did not give me a choice. I *had* to kill him..." *"So why do I feel like I made a terrible mistake..?"*

[@FORCED_REASSEMBLY]

"Why did we have a teleporter from this planet in the cargo hold?"

[@rollingdice3679]

He doesn't move fast he just teleports over you

[@itol2201]

@@rollingdice3679 yeah... That's moving fast

[@NicoTheCinderace]

@@FORCED_REASSEMBLY "Who is responsible for this mess...?"

[@The_WumboTM]

Uhhh because you left a planet on a spaceship. That had holes on it.

[@AstronautDown]

Thank you! When I started writing I didn't think too much of the genre but mostly the sound palette. I just wanted a dark sound. It started with influences from the 70s electronic/rock psychedelic music but in the end my old ghosts creeped in there and ended up with black metal and blast-beats (see Double Fucking Rainbow). Recording the tracks was extremely fun :)

[@samuelandrews1564]

@Cosmatic congrats

[@momo4081]

@Cosmatic whoa, 5 hours ago

[@medkip2174]

Momo whoa 1 day ago

[@samuelandrews1564]

@@medkip2174 woah, 1 hour ago

[@Oqwert]

@Cosmatic I wonder what the original comment was

[@lukelikessharks]

I love this piece so much it’s a real tearjerker. I keep coming back to it on long nights. Somehow really existential, people like you who create such amazing art alone is what makes me think humanity is so cool, and that’s just the OST alone without thinking about the game itself. You’re truly an awesome person Chris, even if you don’t read this I needed to write something as a testament of my love for your work.

[@AstronautDown]

It's amazing to me that people still regularly listen to this, let alone having an emotional response! Thank you for the kind words!

[@lukelikessharks]

I think music is one of the purest forms of art. It’s probably bias but in my opinion art as a whole is so amazing and music just happens to be my favourite form. I think anything that elicits a major emotional reaction and is so portable is something that can be listened to regularly, a good metaphor is this song is like my ice cream on a lonely night that helps me cope and get back down to Earth, it puts things into perspective for me I suppose you could say. The irony that the lore behind this song is interstellar and it brings me down to Earth is hilarious to me by the way

[@memeodo]

@@AstronautDown I wouldn't expect you to regularly respond to comments, but you seem to be doing a good job at it. Great music by the way, and I can understand why people would have an emotional response. Music is just nice and one of the easier (at least for me) ways to just deal with stress or other problems. Keep it up!

[@Turtl1938]

@@AstronautDown man do we need to call an ambulance also love your work still listening now owning the game but planning to

[@moghlordofblood730]

Nice name, *laughs in r1*

[@orlevari591]

The fact that Chris is still replying to comments 7 years after releasing the song on KZbin is cool

[@chickenpower5732]

or lev ari Damn right, feel like that's just him letting us know he's still kickin and alive.

[@weirdo7319]

@@chickenpower5732 Is it not obvious already considering he is making music for Risk of Rain 2?

[@AstronautDown]

If I don't reply send an ambulance.

[@_DarkMoves]

@@AstronautDown Dude you're insane. I'm so glad people like you play such a big part in the community. I've never played RoR, but this song is so good. Oh also, The Rain Previously Known as Purple is straight up fire. Thank you. Thank you so much!

[@zefmudprawo]

@@AstronautDown i think 80% of the success of deadbolt couldn't have been without your music

[@I-will-become-back-my-money]

Can't wait to hear another version of this in risk of rain return's

[@I-will-become-back-my-money]

Probably going to be something like this but might be a mixture of con lentitud poderosa

[@MouthfulofBees]

Same here, best track out of both games imo

[@m4rcyonstation93]

i think it will just be original, idk if chris is REMAKING all the old tracks

[@I-will-become-back-my-money]

Who can really say

[@AstronautDown]

I can.

[@TsunamiTD]

..and so he left, with everything but his humanity.

[@DaRaccoon010]

...and so he left, mutaded beyond recognition.

[@TheCzarcastic]

Raccoon Rock And so he died... In a hilarious pose.

[@TheRevsReturn]

Raccoon Rock And so it left, servos pulsing with new life...

[@WhisperingEntity]

..and so they left, the sound still ringing in deaf ears.

[@DraconianoIta]

VeronaVile ...and so it left, with a new hunger: the hunger to be left alone.

[@300IQPrower]

This song is so peaceful when you first hear it. Then the realization of the game's events sets in. And that calm serenity gains an underlying ominous horror.... Serious Chris, you did a *masterful* job with this game. This is one is a game where such a peaceful, almost low key track is used for both the final level and final boss, and in doing so has more impact than than most any of the many high energy sorts of final themes you'd find in these games. This game is atmospheric as hell, and a large part of that rests on you.

[@kdhelehenwkx]

i found a way to win the game every time just farm stage 1 no artifacts untill only vagrants and scavengers spawn and get infinite items

[@loserville442]

Hey you gotta give credit to the other devs, Chris himself has stated he just makes the music and placement was all on the other guys. So I THINK if you like the placement with it you should rant to the other guys too >:)

[@EluTran]

Relistening to this beauty before the RoR2 release update comes out. This one always stuck with me a ton. Very excited to hear the work you did for the final stage for 2, Chris!

[@souperchicken9395]

I've already heard it, it's amazing

[@gorg7837]

_ArE YoU tHe UnDeRTaIL gUY?!?!!????!?_

[@AstronautDown]

No.

[@gorg7837]

@@AstronautDown Oh, my bad

[@Justin-ee1mv]

@@AstronautDown Great job as always, I keep coming back to this song as it is one of my favorites and I will definitely be going back to the ROR 2 ending ost

[@Koopahunter197]

After the lore revelations of Providence and Mithrix, we can say definitively that this is Providence's theme. Still ever so lonely on this planet which he's dedicated his life to making a safe haven for creatures of dying planets, and living with the regret of trapping his brother on a dead rock for an eternity. He's left just staring at Commencement, wondering if he and his brother can ever make amends. The worst part? That time will never come. They're both dead, now - killed by invaders who where only trying to survive against an alien planet which wanted to kill them.

[@theepicone8996]

You know... no matter how many times you beat him, Mithrix’s logbook entry will always tell you that you’ve never killed him before. So I think it’s very possible that he’s still alive, somehow

[@pizzaparker1651]

Amends? He let his brother travel to the moon and intentionally left him there, knowing he lacked the skill to build his own teleporter. By Mithrix's own account of how long he's been trapped there, Providence had thousands of years if he wanted to 'make amends'. Providence did not want to make amends. He didn't even want to talk to his brother, and he damn sure didn't want anyone else talking to him either, given he personally executed anyone who was caught holding the beads of fealty. He also doesn't allow any of his 'guests' to leave if they so wish, likely because while he pretends to offer these creatures houseroom on the planet, they are really part of his collection of soul.

[@willow1011]

@@theepicone8996 when you beat mithrix the moon is destroyed by void and we can see that mithrix's helmet is now broken, suggesting he died, though it is possible he just took it off and is now in the void

[@lazyer0511]

@@theepicone8996 Mithrix is a strange one indeed. By his own accounts and detailed in the 'A Moment, Whole' log book, Providence has apparently 'erased' Mithrix twice with Mithrix's own creations. What this exactly means is unclear, but it could be that Mithrix is a paradox, unable to truly die for one reason or another

[@thelastroman9077]

Greek tragedy in two parts

[@aguywhodoesstuff6090]

i dont care if this is unseen i dont care if this is is never read this is the most beautiful music piece i have ever heard thats the truest thing ive ever said

[@AstronautDown]

I'm sure you'll read this randomly in five years and find it hilarious, but for the time being, I saw it.

[@aguywhodoesstuff6090]

@@AstronautDown epic

[@johnkeller8773]

@@AstronautDown Beautiful how you reply to all these comments, it genuinely is lol

[@twilink5810]

@@AstronautDown man it's been nine years and it's always good and the music in the second opus with the dlc is also a banger.

[@helix33933]

@@AstronautDown Honestly this is pretty good music. You did amazing! (Love the survivors of the void ost, btw. In case you see this. Listen to it all the time!)

[@Killerabbet]

This was the perfect way to set the mood for the final level.

[@plattiewhack]

+Killerabbet I know. When I found out that Jabba The Hut was Mace Windu's mother and this song was playing, I cried for hours!

[@moatghoul]

+jordon6853 lolwut

[@Killerabbet]

zachary Smith Wow did you not ever beat the game? That's whats happens you moron.

[@szt5477]

Yeah... and that moment when Jon Cena appeared was truly amazing. Just the way he beat Darude Sandstorm down was so empowering.

[@moatghoul]

Oh yeah! now I remember, Phase 2 against Juan and Anti Little kid was amazing, and very difficult to beat as the dude.

[@micasa47]

Threw me into a minor existential crisis, 10/10 would listen to again

[@acidicreaver3024]

Wow, your skin must be made of tissue paper lul.

[@Faceplates330]

I've always thought Risk of Rain - and more notably, its sequel - was one of the best roguelites I'd ever played, for a very specific reason. As you progress through the game, as you grow more powerful and go from struggling with a few crabs to decimating Stone Titans in a few shots, you get more and more relaxed with the slaughter. You actually start to think that you can escape, that you can get back to the Contact Light and back to home with your humanity intact. And then you look at your character, unrecognizable beneath the syringes and antlers and teeth and lenses and phantom limbs, an entity who can't be recognized by any definition as someone who was once human, and you realize your humanity broke a long time ago. The planet had a part to play in making you like this. Providence had a part, Mithrix had a part, every living creature and droid and golem on Petrichor IV and its moon had a part. But in the end, it was you that got rid of your own humanity, and all you can think about is surviving. Chris' soundtrack nails that realization, that sudden acknowledgement that whether you've surpassed humanity or whether you've descended to a more animalistic set of instincts, you are more powerful than when you started out... and you don't recognize yourself, either. Makes me want to write a story about it. The aftermath of Risk of Rain. What happens when a demigod comes back to Earth and claims it used to be human? Edit: "Chapter One" of the story is about 42 comments down in the replies.

[@Tonatsi]

...and so it left, with everything but it's humanity...

[@Faceplates330]

Somehow I went from wanting to write _this_ to writing a Beauty and the Beast crossover. I don't know what happened.

[@xflyinglizardx]

i like how you mentioned the syringes, that's what risk of rain is all about ladies and gentlemen

[@PopADoseYo]

What a great read while listening to this song.

[@conwaysquest6961]

"A demon fallen from the sky. Powerful enough to slay providence and his wurms. Two arms, two legs, and 22 unblinking red eyes.

[@fox0427]

Everytime I hear this song, I wish I could relive that moment when I entered the final level for the first time... I saw the name, and then heard this chilling music. If it weren't for this music, the theme of that last level wouldn't have been given the last push it needed to be driven home.

[@Myst3rytwins]

Exactly my thoughts

[@Rasarack0200]

*Coalescence* is the process by which two or more droplets, bubbles or particles merge during contact to form a single daughter droplet, bubble or particle. It can take place in many processes, ranging from meteorology to astrophysics. For example, it is seen in the formation of raindrops as well as planetary and star formation. There can't simply be a more fitting name for this amazing track.

[@dasverlorenewort8498]

Never knew that. Thx ;)

[@quackl]

thanks for basicly doing wikipedia's entire job

[@IMFERMO.]

too late but came back for risk of rain 2. also, the name just sounds like condolence

[@Chokoboh]

So that's why the Logo of RoR2 is two planets colliding. They want to pull this track out of their Pocket for the Final Stage again.

[@FirelMusic]

Oh yeah, it's all coming together

[@ApollyonMathy]

Chris,if you are reading this,i want you to know that you created a very nice song and you are amazing!

[@AstronautDown]

Thank you :)

[@moazcheese5126]

im sorry but why is your pfp omori fully dripped out lmao

[@makinishikino7920]

@@moazcheese5126 nah thats not omori thats astro boy

[@Alex-nm7ei]

@@makinishikino7920 wrong person lol they're talking about OP

[@Trueshiriko]

I love all the music in this game, but Chris man, this one's the magnum opus. It's just... atmospheric. One of the most atmospheric songs from any game, and it's so fitting as the final level in this overall very melancholy game. You outdid yourself, I still listen to this song, indeed this OST, quite often.

[@travis.t7773]

+Alphys the Royal Scientist to true

[@MatthewFrightening]

+Travis.T 777 you're everywhere

[@Trueshiriko]

+Matt Fright If you listen to a lot of different VGM, then that may be true. Though I doubt I"m the only person with this name

[@travis.t7773]

+Matt Fright what do you mean?

[@MatthewFrightening]

Travis.T 777 nuclear throne videos, undertale videos, risk of rain videos, deadbolt videos, you're everywhere i go lol

[@paIapin]

Only one word describes that music perfectly Electric.

[@erik34350]

This ost really is a ukelele printer.

[@gabrielx24_44]

like the ukelele

[@ancient-murderer]

And his music was... Electric.

[@jacobgutierrez9642]

Having read the relevant logbooks, the story of Petrichor V and what happened resonates within my head every time I hear this song. A beautiful tale of two brothers: a compassionate savior and an ambitious engineer, striving to do what they believe is best for their worlds. In a stroke of tragedy, the use of the first teleporters forces Providence's hand to trap his brother on the barren and shattered wastes of Commencement, feeling this is necessary due to the unfortunately warlike nature of his brother. As shown by the Imp logbook entry, even potentially decades after, he is still filled with regrets and potentially hopes. Despite everything that happens between the two, Providence still dreams of a future where shattered bonds are mended or a past of strengthened cooperation: he feels as if he needed to imprison his brother, but is deeply saddened by his duty. Contrary to this, Mithrix feels nothing but rage towards his brother; not just for his ultimate betrayal, but for placing simpler and weaker life on Petrichor V for safekeeping, calling them "vermin" and accusing Providence of acting more akin to a greedy slaver or dictatorial jailer than rightful savior, accusing him of parading them around in his collection of souls. Even after all of this, Mithrix still subconsciously cares very deeply for his brother, even calling out for his assistance once defeated. Ambition and compassion, war and peace, a beginning and an end.

[@algots5291]

Beautifully worded my friend.

[@eccen-to6fp]

awesome！

[@eccen-to6fp]

could you please tell me more about thr imp logbook？i failed to get providence‘s regrets

[@parm8215]

@@eccen-to6fp If i recall correctly, an imp scout just saw providence staring at the moon for a while and found it amusing

[@TmanTheTdog]

@@eccen-to6fp (From the imp log) “Whenever we can observe him unnoticed, he stands in the open, transfixed by the moon. I find some small humor in that.”

[@eightbyte1]

The start of the song sounds so... regretful, slowly turning into peace and acceptance. this fits so well into just why the USS Contact Light(it's not actually called the risk of rain) is on the planet. the ship stole one of the sacred teleporters. that's how providence: bulwark of the weak teleported on, and it was the only thing in the entire ship that was left undamaged, when you kill him, the shield of the weak, and the wall to tyrants says one of three things, "what...have you done" "you monster" this refers to just how many weak and helpless things you have killed, they were defending themselves from what they saw as a terrifying alien, a being made of naught but steel, with no mercy. "what...are you?" I believe that providence was a god figure to be beings on the planet, as he was the guardian of all those who could not guard themselves, and a wall to those who would oppress the weak. notice how the stronger temple guards are called "sanctuary guards", for they are the strongest of the temple guards, and so, protect the sanctuary that is where providence lives, as he teleports them on. but what about providence's shadow, this blighted form You killed their god, and only guardian. The USS Contact Light stole one of the things that was integral to the peaceful survival of the world. The Crew Slaughtered hundreds, maybe thousands of innocents, who were just trying to defend their home. You killed their god. You left. with cargo that will one day cause eternal suffering to the world. "And so he left, with everything but his humanity." "And so he left, mutated beyond recognition." "And so he left, with his Pyrrhic plunder." "And so she left, her soul remaining on the planet." "And so it left, servos pulsing with new life." "And so he left, more steel and circuit than man." "And so he left, adrenaline still rushing through his veins." "And so they left, the sound still ringing in deaf ears." "And so it left, entirely forgetting it's previous purpose." "And so he left, ready to rebuild his life, brick by brick." "And so it left, with a new hunger: To be left alone."

[@svendbf2468]

Mind=Blown

[@MrMcArmenio]

WoW(not world of of warcraft), how did you figured it out?

[@dark7element]

I really like this explanation, it is quite well thought out, and I partially agree. However, I have a more ambiguous interpretation. I don't think it is as simple as the survivor being the 'bad guy' and Providence being good. I believe that both the survivor and Providence are sympathetic but tragically flawed, and in much the same way. If we're assigning blame, I would say Providence is slightly more at fault. Let's not forget that Providence struck first - there is no implication that the Contact Light seized the teleporter by force, in all likelihood they just found it laying around and didn't know what it was, much like all of the other mysterious/cursed artifacts they seem to specialize in transporting. Providence just teleported in with a swarm of creatures and killed everybody without a word. Since new creatures stop swarming in to attack you once you defeat Providence (and he summons some during the fight), it seems likely that Providence is controlling the planets creatures, so you can forgive the survivor for initially feeling justified in doing so. Now, when you see him doing this in the opening cutscene, I think you're supposed to assume that he is just an evil boss alien who's hostile for no reason. But when you find that teleporter on the Contact Light and think back to how the game started, you realize that Providence was in the same position as you. I see his reaction as not so much anger that his world has been defiled - how are the portals necessary for life on the planet, when all they end up doing is getting people killed? Rather, I think Providence's reaction was "Oh shit, why did my teleporter bring me to an alien spaceship instead of the usual place? I better turn it around before my home is lost to me forever." Think about it... the portals on the planet are one-way. The only way to continue on, in hopes of escaping back to your home, is by killing everything in the vicinity of the portal. This could be some kind of safety mechanism for the portal, or the portals could actually be activated by mass death (those blood-sacrifice shrines around the planet and the fact that you're always rewarded for killing makes you wonder). In any case, it becomes clear that, just like the survivor, Providence saw his only option as to kill all of the 'strange' aliens around him and redirect the ship to return home, without making an effort to understand them or interact peacefully. Which is exactly what you, the player, do. So, to me, Risk of Rain is about the tragedy of beings from (literally) different worlds being unable to understand one another, and resorting to violence not because they are evil or callous, but because they see it as their only possible option. Most significantly, the Survivor didn't understand Providences motivation until after killing the alien... even though the key to that understanding was aboard his/her/their own ship. Therefore, the game subtly suggests that the root of inability to understand others who are different is an inability to understand ourselves.

[@mistertwisty1693]

[SPOILERS!] This theory is strongly supported by Providence's Log Entry, where the survivor says, "I don't know his purpose, or his reasoning, but he did not give me a choice. I had to kill him.. so why do I feel like I made a terrible mistake?" and ... "Why did we have a teleporter from this planet in our cargo hold?"

[@Protoman2024]

This deserves to be on Game Theory

[@lippek1280]

And so he left, his soul still remaining in his moody masterpiece.

[@dootdoot6130]

And so it left, with a new hunger, to be left alone.

[@GibbyGrant]

My son used to play this game years ago, and ever since, this music will come randomly, pleasantly wafting through my mind.

[@chillinscorpion]

did anyone else come back to this song after listening to …con lentitud poderosa?

[@zztoopie]

yup

[@westarwedson]

Hell yeah

[@SlammedOnGasoline]

Yep.

[@medkip2174]

Yup

[@TheSabreKnight]

I never played RoR1, so I had to see what everyone was talking about. The original’s soundtrack still doesn’t fail to impress.

[@asahi366]

The title 'Coalescence' is also well devised. Every track's name is a series of terms related to weather condition or rain. So it doesn't mess up the theme. And you can also interpret 'Coalescence' as a psychological term if you consider the endings of the characters, which in this case implies coalescence of the existing personality of the protagonist which would be normal and ordinary and the insanity which the protagonist obtained as a by-product of the massacre he committed in the name of 'survival'.

[@asahi366]

it instantly just makes an image of a man who already abandoned all hope and just accepts his pathetic fate, knowing he can't ever be the way he was before. hopeless, desperate feel.

[@Skelatalmaniak]

+Ikari. I can see what you mean there. It really shows in the end that the protagonists have been changed psychologically, because it says something like "And So he left, with everything but his humanity" Its deep.

[@tolelexiter5376]

And so he left, never wanting to be human again.

[@Ben-qw1mw]

"And so she left, her soul remaining on the planet."

[@NailsnTape]

"...And so he left, more steel and circuit than man."

[@iShamelessly]

Chris, I own all of your available work on vinyl now, and after many, many rotations throughout the years I can say that you have definitely become one of my favorite artists of all time. Growing up with the works of Nobuo Uematsu, Jeremy Soule, and Tim Follin - I had always struggled to find a composer who could top their works using chiptune-esque works, and you stand out on top of the last 20 years. I used to work in the video game industry when RoR1 came out and had a chance to play an early version of the game and was blown away by the soundtrack - I've been recommending you ever since. Cheers.

[@AstronautDown]

Thank you :)

[@freshlymemed5680]

"What have you done"... That question still lingers, is it because we killed him? Is it because we left the world with artifacts of mass destruction? Or is it the mountains of corpses we left in our wake all for the sake of "survival"?

[@Brunosky_Inc]

Not as if the survivors were given much of a choice. Their only crime is wanting to return home with their lives after being trapped on an alien planet where literally everything was out to kill them dead. There's no ambiguity to why the survivors had to fight back. They didn't land there and start murdering everything for fun and profit. They were attacked, crash landed in the planet with nearly all their friends dead, and then every single creature in the planet made a beeline for their asses. Guilt over having to do all that killing for the sake of survival is innevitable, but to call them "the actual evil ones" for doing it is pretty shortsighted. It's a lot more nuanced than that.

[@generallyunimportant]

@@Brunosky_Inc you can kill someone and they won't be dead? alr.

[@unx74]

1 million well-deserved views here

[@rogueeBLU]

*Stupid Fucking Mistakes Man*

[@jipeh]

forsenCD

[@thegrunch6448]

2 million well-deserved views here

[@erik34350]

forsenBased

[@sunbroastora9973]

This... This is a monument to all game ost's. Not every ost has meaning or impact... but rain isn't always purple isn't it?

[@orangetabby7122]

there was like one time the rain was orange but otherwise the rain is purple yeah

[@TheClobberer]

@@orangetabby7122 was really wierd because a while back the rain was green idk

[@videogames8261]

some places the rain is cyan I think

[@jamesegg7372]

for me the rain is like.... navy blue!

[@zan821]

sometimes the rain is rainbow gay rain

[@Warricane]

This song is an epiphany. It's the sound of seeing blood on your hands.

[@mikeseff6361]

Warricane it’s the song of seeing that blood for the first time where you truly realize the gravity and intensity of what you’ve done and how much blood there truly is on your hands

[@IAmGameAddicted]

1:28 ... the start of the characters mental decline, like something is scrambled and confused

[@lowearthsurfer]

The horror....... The horror.....

[@thegrunch6448]

@@lowearthsurfer The horror....... The horror...... The horror..... The horror.... The horror... The horror.. *The shart* ......

[@princesidon6606]

Hey uh, maybe go into poetry or literature? Idk your wording was great

[@ghotiphoti]

HAN-D: *change da world* *my final message. Goodby e* 3:57

[@ivanmarquez2218]

Well, that was a very obscure reference to get here.

[@samsam-hm2ow]

"And so he left... No he just left he does not really care about the planet or the harm he did he just left."

[@apersonontheinternet7595]

Hah, good one

[@owenthornton5731]

Hey Chris, I'm coming back and listening to this again after the release of risk of rain returns, you have done a incredible job with the new tracks and the remasters. The risk of rain games have been very important to me the past few years and have helped me get through a lot of difficult times and I know that it wouldn't have been the same without your incredible soundtracks. Thanks for all the good work, you've made some real art here. (Ps, Deadbolts soundtrack is brilliant as well, not enough people talk about it)

[@ftyean08]

When I reached this level for the first time, the first thing I noticed is the music. It fits the feel, atmosphere and situation of the final level perfectly. Kudos to you +Chris Christodoulou

[@ftyean08]

+Chris Christodoulou Just bought your album on iTunes. :3 Keep up the good work!

[@maccheesey2746]

Exactly what I thought

[@hichamousalah8931]

Usually, the last levels in games get always messed up by chaotic hardcore stressing tracks, damn it feels good to have such a track instead. So much genius, so much deepness, you have to play it to feel it. Bravo Chris.

[@tropiayung]

I always think about how Chris feels listening to this song 10 years after he made it.

[@AstronautDown]

Huh... It doesn't feel like a very long time to me, despite my life is drastically different. I don't get much nostalgia from these because I've been too close to ROR for all these years to get any sense of distance or longing. I enjoy them a lot, and mostly my observations are about my skills and approach to music then and now.

[@tropiayung]

​@@AstronautDownI love this song because it reminds me of the old days. For me, it's really good, but I'm still amazed to see that you can surpass what was already perfect for so many people.

[@pitfall356]

I feel like games that go through with a quick, angry/excited soundtrack and end the game with a slower, remorseful/regretful song like this one have an infinitely higher emotional impact. Overall, this was the best song from the game, and definitely meant more than any other one of them. Wonderful job.

[@FabulousTomcats]

This. IMO it helps to reflect on the game; I tend to find them much more memorable in the end. The last boss in dark souls comes to mind.

[@pitfall356]

Fabuchs Precisely what was on the front of my mind.

[@petergriffin8086]

@@FabulousTomcats gwyn made me cry bro...

[@trdl23]

After grueling hours, I finally beat the game. And when I teleported for the first time to the USS Contact Light... this music greeted me with somber serenity among all the slaughter I caused. Thank you, Chris. Thank you.

[@confetti8160]

+trdl23 It's this music that makes you realize something is wrong. The rest of the songs in the game are fairly upbeat/lets-kill-all-the-things, but this song, especially the beginning, is like "You were never the good guy."

[@donovanjoseph737]

Grueling hours? On normal difficulty, I beat the game my very first run with the commando. Will definitely play on monsoon more

[@M3gaNinja]

9 years later, this song still brings the tear to the eye just like Disasterpiece's Panacea from Hyper Light drifter. God I love indie games, and the soundtracks made by people just like you Chris make them at least two times better. Thank you Chris, and continue to make more amazing music.

[@jamessanders6750]

Favorite piece of music in the game

[@mailerxxdaemon]

***** You had me very confused for a moment there

[@CarlosMaupoey]

+James Sanders Agree

[@Heartless7747]

The chills when I first heard this... this track is incredible.

[@ssp9181]

Just bought RoR1 yesterday and the soundtrack is, much like the second game, incredible. Great job as always, Chris. Can't wait to see what music you bring us in Survivors of the Void

[@saquial]

Both "Coalescence" and "...con lentitud poderosa" are SO good. It's a good thing that we can listen both.

[@zan821]

con letitud podererosa is just the coalescence of ror2

[@thryke9919]

Hey Chris so I'm a bit late to the party, but really thank you for your contribution to the RoR community, your pieces have been with me for years and you've made a huge impact on my life through the music you've composed.

[@AstronautDown]

Thank you! It's means a lot and it will never be late to say it :)

[@Reinoiro]

It's genuinely amazing an artist on youtube responds to comments on almost every video for over 10 years. The amount of care circulating in all parts of this community makes it truly a gem

[@tedective4427]

Sometimes I like a song so much I get chills down my spine. It's difficult to appreciate a song that much a second time around. Every time this starts up, I reminisce of everything I did in the run to get here. I would pay money for a remastered album.

[@GaMeRzOwN100]

Chris Christodoulou I wish there was a physical release of this album.

[@SejhaIsHere]

Chris Christodoulou Hey release me some sheet music and I'll be ALLLLLL over that

[@Chaossituation]

Chris Christodoulou I believe you will have enough money for it at the second or third anniversary, because, if I may use thug-speak, Risk of Rain is da bomb. I usually refrain from using words in such a manner, but this game... is f*cking awesome.

[@tedective4427]

:v

[@SilkySenti]

***** IndieBox is doing a limited print for Risk of Rain. It includes a physical CD soundtrack. But it also includes a DRM free USB game card for windows/Mac/linux, printed manual, steam key, custom box, and other collectibles. It is a subscription service, but I think it is worth every cent. Every month they ship a critically acclaimed indie title to your door step.

[@CreationProblematic]

I haven't even played the game in years now, but I just keep coming back to the soundtrack. And this particular piece you absolutely aced. There's not a single note I could see being changed. I must've listened to this hundreds of times now, and it's just as good every time. Bravo, Maestro. Bravo!

[@AstronautDown]

Thanks so much!

[@novascarlet1292]

+Chris Christodoulou I've been wondering where I've heard about RoR, nonetheless I'll be listening to the sound track whenever I need it, Bravo to you Chris, Bravo you caught my interest.

[@elethia9792]

I swear this song just touches my soul, it gives me feelings that no other piece of music gives me. Thank you Chris ❤

[@TanlKula]

So Chris, I've played and finished Deadbolt and I love these old school-retro games. I have commented on some of the OSTs of Deadbolt about how i loved them so much. (we even had a conversation about what piano did you use hehe :P) 3 days ago I've bought Risk of Rain. After playing for a while, the music style reminded me of Deadbolt's. When I googled the OSTs of the game, I found out that you produced them.. I was shocked and saying "WTF" repeatedly because i said to myself while playing the game, "I guess i have found another artist that makes music that i like." but it was you Chris... I noticed this when i heard "Coalescence". It was like "Reaper and Blues" I ain't got nothing to say from now on just.. I really love your music. Nice work man.

[@AstronautDown]

And that is your curse: finding new music you like and always being written by me :) Glad you liked RoR, especially *after* listening to Deadbolt, usually it's the other way around for most people. I guess they do sound familiar since I have some favourite production techniques and the way I structure my pieces, and even some favourite sounds, like that EP in Coalescence and R&B :)

[@TanlKula]

You put various instrument all together in your music and that makes it fun to listen. You can track thing like "oh there goes bass" "there is the drum" you know :P I guess thats why Coalescence and R&B are similar. But still, R&B gives that 60s vibe hehe :)

[@dagooncore953]

I loved the music in R&R and I loved the DEADBOLT's too!

[@dagooncore953]

The thing here with the DB soundtrack is that it's there to fit in somewhat "boxed up" areas, while R&R isn't like that at most(all) of times.

[@dagooncore953]

Oh wait,I might've said it somewhere already.

[@valeriorocket3620]

Finally, this music reached a million, I am so happy!!!!!!

[@sagurdofastora3245]

There are good soundtracks . There are great soundtracks. There are amazing soundtracks. This is unbelievably amazing.

[@CelestineNight]

This song has a special place in my heart, honestly the most sad yet happy songs Ive ever heard and when my bro showed me it I was so in love. I have this song playing whenever I go to play RoR1 and RoR2. Thank you Chris Genuinely.

[@AstronautDown]

You are very welcome!

[@Madalovin]

Here you see in a field covered in a haze of smog and dust. Standing amongst the rubble of defeated foes, a single soldier stands, a cracked yellow helmet in one hand, a small instrument in the other, slouched with hours of never ending combat, covered in useless trinkets that he believes will aid him. The hundreds of defeated opponents lay around him. From the shadows more rise, purple scales, whirring electronics, walking mountains and firey eyes surrounding him once more. The soldier simply looks up, places his helmet back on, and raises that small stringed instrument, for his music, was electric. edit: just felt inspired to do a quick type up. Anytime I listen to this song, it can't just be the once, I have to listen to it over n' over. It gives me shivers, man.

[@tycho6503]

Chris, you are genuinely not only one of the coolest music writers for any game ever, you also seem like a really cool guy. I hope you read this and I hope you have a wonderful day on the day you do. Late Merry Christmas.

[@AstronautDown]

All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream. Happy new year!

[@Skelatalmaniak]

**Loads in** Oh hey, this isn't that bad. Lots of chests **10 Seconds Later** OH FUCK WHY ARE THERE SO MANY JELLY FISH

[@tolelexiter5376]

*Wandering Vagrants

[@boyo7918]

I usually run through there as fast as possible and hope I can get some keycards along the way

[@August090401]

It really isn't that chaotic for me. I just obliterate everything, grab keycards, gain max health and rip through enemies

[@66Kusmu]

+Totole “Risqué Jester” *Young Vagrants

[@boyo7918]

+Webber The Spider >2016 >not exclusively playing with sacrifice equipped

[@figloalds]

I love how this song goes from calm, simple, organic to insane, convoluted and distorted, it's story telling through music writing.

[@theecrunchytaco5501]

Truly there is no other song that gives me that distinct "chills" feeling of it every single time I turn it on, I know everyone and their mother loves this song, but I feel like I have to say how much of a masterpiece this shit is, dude. Excellent work Chris, keep up the good work, every single song of yours ive ever listened to has been an absolute BANGER

[@Ashen75]

When I reached the final level for the first time, the music was the first thing I noticed. The feeling was just so different from previous songs, and gave me a regretful and calm mood. I just stayed still for like 10 seconds just to listen to the song.

[@August090401]

and standing for 10 seconds is HUGE in this game, where standing for five seconds gets you slaughtered or brings the difficulty up

[@ShayminKeldeo421]

And then you died, I presume?

[@Ashen75]

Crixalis the Sand King Almost died. Thankfully, I had enough regen items.

[@Myst3rytwins]

Alot of the dialogue in ROR makes you feel sad for the enemies you slaughter and the main character trying to survive but thats the thing that makes this song so good

[@gahbunga]

God this fucking song. This song does something that almost no song I've ever heard is able to do, be both melancholy as hell and epic as fuck at the same time. The song has such an awesome build to it all leading up to that blast of a synth solo at the end. Every time I get to the last stage I always pause for a little bit just to hear that music box-like xylophone that sends shivers up my spine. It's truly beautiful in every way. Chris I salute you you are a credit to us all.

[@cellphonelightsaber]

Chris Christodoulou ...and his music was electric.

[@cellphonelightsaber]

I don't need to say much now. Dude.

[@Badgerclops-fm1zz]

Having this be the song for the Final Area in RoR2 is so beautiful to hear It gives this feeling that you're really somewhere in which you'll never be the same, or familiar to it Great job, Chris!

[@gphil7856]

you think it lived up to what you expected?

[@marwaniithewildassofmesopo7252]

It's art. The music delivers the sadness after you've completed the journey. You've lost all that made you human, leaving you with nothing to return to, and your only motivation for finishing is the longing for a sense of closure.

[@annikinlu3038]

Chris, your music honestly makes the game a whole other experience. It's amazing how immersed you feel when the music is playing.

[@maudlife]

This is still such an iconic song. I love coming back to it sometimes, just to have sad, mellow jams. I wish Chris's music was in more things, it's always an absolute treat.

[@swiftsabre28]

First time I got to the end of the penultimate level: Killed everything and got to the teleporter. Didn't read the text. Pressed E. >:|

[@viridian6013]

HAH yeah i accidently went back levels at that tele but it was ok because i had the sacrifice on and i was grinding away as huntress

[@kyutora1024]

I played it for a long time never knowing there was a final level. I had to look it up on the internet because I'm so stupid to never read what it says on the teleporter.

[@infinitcheez]

same breh

[@alicestolze8327]

F

[@DarkPillWarrior]

@@kyutora1024 Happens. I learned to read the text a lot more because of Risk of Rain 2. I kept giving my equipment away to equipment drones, before I learned. I haven't had that much trouble with accidentally looping in ror1, since then.

[@rainycandy22]

4:42 I think I just melted in my seat after that.

[@CrystalHakurei]

This part still gives me chills, even after all these years

[@sadrarezaee3190]

@@CrystalHakurei SAME omg EVERY HAIR ON MY BODY FEELS THAT

[@jeff3221]

Such a perfect final level track. The somber start, reflecting on what you've had to become to survive, the realisation that you're not some innocent survivor in the eyes of the planet, and the acceptance of it all as you fight the progenitor of the whole ordeal. It matches the story and gameplay so well, truly a work of art.

[@Zebo12345678]

I have to say Chris, I still get goosebumps and tears in my eyes when I listen to this. You are truly a master at music production.

[@_DarkMoves]

The fact that this exact melody from the start is integrated in the new songs from Risk of Rain 2 gives me chills every time. You can hear them on stage 5 and on the final boss stage if you listen closely.

[@PersonstuckinMichigan]

i just rediscovered risk of rain music and god damn it still makes me emotional

[@AstronautDown]

It was supposed to stay hidden for a thousand years, you've unleashed the curse...

[@PersonstuckinMichigan]

HOLY HELL HE RESPONDED, YOU MADLAD

[@TheBansheeBomb]

The magnificence of this tune almost makes up for dying to shadow Providence after 70 minutes. Almost.

[@johnmarquez5510]

I love how you're so responsive to your fans. Not a lot of people do that anymore man

[@cplroebuck22]

"Dad, why is my sister named Rose?" "Because your mother loves roses, son." "Oh okay, thanks for explaining dad." "No problem, Chris Christodoulou - Coalescence | Risk of Rain (2013)"

[@legendaryBrocoly]

underrated comment

[@epictrollmanmoment]

@@legendaryBrocoly this joke is so milked and overused

[@zan821]

@@epictrollmanmoment it's still funny

[@sachiel197]

ok, but think about naming a kid Coalescence

[@youwantmyname9208]

​@@sachiel197name your kid after a cloud?

[@sqliqbild]

So many hours on RoR, and still, I can't stop listening to the music. This one is by far my favourite. It fits the game so well.

[@ThatColbyJackDude]

This song is a masterpiece. It can elicit so many different emotions based on how you interpret the game, and its usage in the final level really helps that. Regret, sadness, acceptance, hope... the overall emotional atmosphere of this song is just so wondrously indescribable. Well done, Chris. Well done.

[@BAGELMENSK]

You stand in a landscape ruined by your ambition, your will to live again. They attacked you first, but you know guilt bubbling beneath adrenaline. There is no time to reflect, they are coming. You must be fast, faster than them, you throw the weight of guilt and feel the adrenaline pump again.

[@bonoshman]

Honestly, for all the great music on risk of rain, this has to be my favorite. By the time you get to the last level, you have 2 or 3 rows of items and you feel like nothing can stop you, and this music just makes "the final test" even more epic. I couldn't have asked for a better song for the final level.

[@gijinkagamer4928]

You know, I never knew about the first game, I just ended up finding the second game and playing it first. I think I want to play the first game now, especially after hearing this.

[@AstronautDown]

I think you will enjoy it! Thanks for listening :)

[@rowanstrong7595]

It’s a really good game very different from the first with just as good if not better music as the second and fun gameplay and a lot of replay ability

[@dubio8903]

same here

[@matteovukoja1240]

It's worth it, but you'll definitely find some design choices irritating (no sprinting, have to kill all enemies before leaving a stage)

[@zweisander7679]

I would play it too but based on the general suffering the second causes me on a regular basis I don’t know if I need to increase that although the suffering does improve the experience bc it’s fun

[@gunfunder]

Still come back to this regularly. Amazing song full of memories.

[@dropthe_mike]

All I can say is I'm absolutely ecstatic that you were also called upon to do the music for RoR2, and I hope you keep getting to grace the world with your incredible compositions and are given fatter and fatter paychecks for it as time goes on. Tracks like this are instrumental in locking in the emotion that many games subtly convey, and a big reason why video games can be as much of an art form as anything else.

[@AstronautDown]

Thanks! The support really means a lot-and I wouldn't say no to fatter paychecks either :)

[@DefCatofficial]

My best friend past away ( suicide ) and we played this at the funeral because he was a huge fan of your work and he was my best friend and this just felt like a fitting song. Thank you in memory of Zane Alan

[@DefCatofficial]

thank you for the reply very much , it means a lot

[@andrewweinert9127]

Hey Chris, just dropping a comment. I love this song more than words can convey, and it's one of the most powerful pieces in any video game OST I've ever heard. It's amazing, and holds up after all these years. Cheers to you for making such a timeless work of art that continues to amaze me to this very day. You're incredible.

[@AstronautDown]

That's very kind of you, thank you! :)

[@Lily-fg5tg]

This song reminds me of some of the hardest times in my life, and that I'm still here despite them. The monsoon will pass, and we'll get through it

[@SilverKnight16]

You know, this sounds like great epilogue music to a particularly tragic science fiction story. So, perfect for this game.

[@Protog3n_pd2]

Just finished risk of rain as commando, this track just started playing on final level and I realized: "he was left with everything, but not his humanity" Edit: trying to beat game as bandit

[@jono_ldar9884]

@dmmeforfurryporn did you ever beat the game as bandit?

[@bugjams]

I learned today that the first words spoken on the moon were from Buzz Aldrin, when the lander first touched down, he said, “Contact light”. I think that’s an amazing origin for the name of the UES ship. I never knew where they got the idea from.

[@ehoraida5900]

i used to listen to this with my dog... He left me, but his memory will be living forever in this song..

[@AstronautDown]

Thank you for sharing, I'm truly happy this helps keep him in your memories

[@anwd8646]

This song makes me think the name coalescence describes not the formation of a cloud forming, but the gathered tears of all in the story. The tears of two brothers, one trapped on the moon by their only sibling, and the other forever lonely on the planet, despite all the beings he saved surrounding him. The tears of loss, on both sides. The player character comes to terms with their actions, those who didn’t survive the planet have tears of grief shed for them, and the floods of tears flowing from the inhabitants of Petrichor V, as the mourn their lost friends, family, and the one who saved them all. This is what I think coalescence means in this game.

[@notsoevil665]

This is, by far, my favorite track in the game. It really brings a sense of both calm and determination to see your efforts through on the last level. All of the chaos and action feels automatic and mechanical in a good way, you've reached a godly level and dismiss enemies at will. This soundtrack turns the entire game into a mental montage as you approach the bridge, and it's awesome.

[@silvervirage2491]

This was always my favorite song in this game. I'm so glad it made to 2 in a way.

[@cj-zardakabruhpedia4557]

The fact that this music is both a mix of calm and peaceful, as well as, kinda ominous and menacing really makes it a masterpiece

[@canadian_finch2803]

This probably ranks among my favorite songs of all time, period. You really outdid yourself with the feel of this piece.

[@yaboyirontarkus764]

...and so he left, with a new tale to tell.

[@Fangar07]

Every time I return to this album I'm amazed, I know what's coming but I'm still amazed. Everybody likes to argue about the best video-game soundtrack, but really there is no contest.

[@KungFooActionJesus]

Gotta say this is my fav out of the album. When the guitar like synths hit with the high pitch melodic amazing at around 4:00 I just want to cry tears of joy. I love to narrate stories to this, makes for a touching and very powerful feeling/atmosphere.

[@Samantha081275]

Chris, thank you for this. For all of your work. Made 9 years ago, I heard it - completely outside of Risk of Rain - about 5 years ago. Even without the context of the game and its heartwrenching story, the music provided this unspeakable level of emotional investment into nothing but a sound. It was inspiring to me. I picked up music and I've been playing guitar for about 3 years now, making music in general for about 5. Risk of Rain 2 has become my favourite game of all time, ...con lentitud poderosa (Risk of Rain 2's version) has become my favourite instrumental and game song, and no matter how old I get, what I have gotten out of these games - and out of your outstanding composition - will forever remain unmatched. Thank you so dearly for everything.

[@AstronautDown]

You're most welcome!

[@Amirrorofmirrors]

I accidentally clicked on this and was like “oh whoops I dunno why that was in my recommended but ima just click of-“ and then I get with the most intense wave of nostalgia I’ve ever felt. That shit hit like a freight train. I’m still in tears bro wtf. I wanna play ror now :(

[@shawtism]

Ahhh, the final level! Navigating the Risk of Rain was always a trouble for me, but this music helps so much! Theres not many songs that can hit you in the feels, but some how knowing you'll at least get some peaceful music on the hardest level of HELL is a bit of consolation. Something about the fact my pc lags so much on this level makes it so much cooler, especially when the part slows down in the beginning.