Composer Breaks Down the TEARS OF THE KINGDOM Trailer

[@ZachHeyde]

Hey there! If you want to learn how to build a career writing film & game music, check out my 6-week Composing Career Bootcamp: zachheyde.com/composing-career-bootcamp

[@zelzim_]

They did it, nintendo managed to capture lightning in a bottle not once, but twice. AND I AM HERE FOR IT!

[@upgradED32]

More than twice.... SMB3, Metroid Prime Remastered, OOT to name a few

[@mandalore1089]

@@upgradED32 I think they mean with a trailer. This rivals the final trailer for BOTW.

[@theAmazingJunkman]

And with the same game engine, no less

[@thatdude937]

Let’s not get too excited, the games not out yet, but I am just as excited

[@burnttoast47]

Lol you're fucking insane if you think it's only twice. BoTW has one of the weakest soundtracks in the Zelda series and that's not even counting any Mario, Yoshi, or Kirby games which also have incredible scores.

[@isidown7442]

3:26 is still probably the best drop I've ever heard on any game trailer, or even song in general, it's so stupidly good i can't get over it

[@CaptainCFalcon]

Bro, this might be a little TMI, but I was already hard AF up to this point in the trailer. That saxophone straight up busted a fucking nut when it dropped.

[@asgeirsoe]

Big chills to that one!

[@Jeremyb2023]

I agree... Things just get taken to a new level at that part!

[@chipe420]

facts

[@Lynfinity]

For me it’s 5:08 ! I find it so incredible and everything just goes so well together

[@Trogloglation]

The shield bash in time with the music at 3:30 is just so satisfying I CAN’T-

[@RowanB6]

and then the recalled octorok projectile

[@hyliombi]

"I could probably make a one hour video of this but I don't think anyone is gonna watch that." Hi it's me. I'd totally watch that But looking forward to a future video talking about the soundtrack! I think we're all in for a wild ride.

[@ChaosKnight7000]

I'd also watch this. I was floored when I heard that alto sax part in the top register just soaring over everything like Link himself, the crazy dive down an octave on the F-sharps only to leap up to the high B a moment later. The composer thematically engineered everything to the hilt just like in the final Breath of the Wild trailer and it shows.

[@jordanruiz626]

I 4th this notion!

[@KITT42_KNIGHT]

Me too, there is so much to unpack in this trailer from a musical composition point of view

[@22NightWing]

I would love to watch that too!

[@xavier8486]

me too, a one hour video would be amazing

[@mpeacockmusic]

The combination of sax and erhu is so cool!

[@hatti...]

I've been waiting for someone to say this. I never thought they would sound so fantastic together in the same song.

[@inserttexthere4070]

yes the erhu is SOOOO underrated!

[@silenceoflink5880]

I thought I was the only one! I love both of these instruments independently, and hearing them used in the same soundtrack is making me go wild. I love it so much, it sounds amazing, i can't wait to hear the rest of this games soundtrack

[@Eggplant_Salad]

Combination of east and west. Like the elements we see in the game. Western attire for Link with the green outfit and eastern with the dragons and sky islands.

[@PenneySounds]

I really think it's a suona and an erhu.

[@kiraleong9135]

I was so pleasantly surprised by the saxophone! So fun and still manages to encapsulate a lot of the Zelda franchise in one track while keeping it incredibly emotional! Literally had chills listening to it.

[@LightningSword13]

I bet they brought in some of the musicians that have been performing the MarioKart 8 soundtracks

[@jzer21]

Same! The Japanese have some exceptional sax players, both classical and jazz, so it’s awesome to see it represented.

[@MaxHolleyBC]

I aspire to have as buttery smooth of a tone as that guy.

[@PenneySounds]

I really think it's a suona, not a saxophone

[@Wolteerz]

@@PenneySounds I really thought that too, going by the others chinese instruments like the erhu and the pipa seems more fitting

[@Teaydog]

I had tears in my eyes watching this trailer, not only is it literally just an amazing trailer, but the music was just so absolutely insane, music that carries so much emotion within it that it just naturally makes you tear up. It's wild

[@Pneo01]

Man... I watched the trailer for literally 4 hours. Over and over again.

[@bluezaton]

I played the 8 - 16 bit NES and Gameboy games as a child, and throughout the years, you never know what will still be popular enough to stay relevant or whether a company will still be around to make content. Hearing the iconic music mixed in with new elements and this beautifully rendered game brought me to tears. 🥲

[@benmase]

me too. unreal.

[@drolzak7]

I love that they used Midna's lament, where they show Link trying to grab Zelda while she falls into the abyss, up until the sinkholes. One of my favourite themes.

[@JorgeRodriguez-xz5ec]

Yep, one of the best parts of the trailer and it's just so nostalgic to listen to

[@xenon2325]

I'm so happy to see people pick up on it I've watched a bunch of reactions but no one said anything! TP's soundtrack is a masterpiece.

[@Novarcharesk]

3 notes do not a reference to Midna’s Lament make.

[@pastelbird]

@@Novarcharesk thank you lol, I get where it's coming from but this one def feels like more of a reach/coincidence to me if anything

[@mikey41rules]

@@pastelbird Oh come on, every note is clearly intentional here. He points out that they use a subtle version of the theme towards the end too 6:15

[@Jay-kz3mf]

Personally, I love orchestra especially with the Saxophone leading the orchestra! The contrast of the classical sax in the beginning and jazz sax in the end was really cool to hear as well🎷

[@felixmarques]

PLEASE do an hour-long video about this, well definitely watch it.

[@Eric09]

This! I think you’d be surprised how many would watch it. Would be fascinating to get your take on it. No one else has done it yet.

[@Michael_00006]

I've never seen this channel before which is crazy because its literally composing (which I love) and video games (which I also love!) Basically yes i would definetly watch a longer video on this!

[@SpaceFlamingo07]

I would watch it just for the Twilight Princess references

[@justWatching1224]

I would definitely watch that

[@tomhank896]

Would absolutely listen to an hour long breakdown of this while at work

[@Play_Dreams]

The best videogame trailer I have ever seen. Watched every single reaction on KZbin and still get chills. Nintendo-es what other AAA devs can't.

[@Ultimaniacx4]

The sax is actually so fitting here. It's so JRPG, there's actually a lot of JRPG with jazzy soundtracks.

[@Mr69hammertime]

Facts. Love this new wave of jazziness in all my new favorite RPGs. Even so many bongos and jazz flutes in ToTK. Make me feel like I'm on a caper sometimes

[@diblee]

I need to correct you... I would and probably hundreds more would be SOOOO DOWN for a 1 hour analysis. I absolutely loved watching you nerd out over this! I love music and you pointed out a ton of stuff that went completely past me. I've rewatched the trailer at least 30 times now just analyzing the narrative implicitations and gameplay. But you brought up tons of stuff I didn't think about! I loved it! Keep making awesome content.

[@handohansolo8866]

Yes.. I had no idea the twilight princess theme was there at the end its one of my all time favorite iterations of zelda but with the different tempo and quieter sound I didn’t even have a thought on it, but when it was pointed out it was definitely the theme clear as day and it brought me to tears.. this guy has an amazing sense for music I’d love to know more.

[@robert19]

YES! i would LOVE more analysis!!!!!!!! like no i didn’t hear that, i had no idea there were 10 past themes intertwined in the trailer, but i would ABSOLUTELY LOVE to hear about it for an hour!!!! ❤

[@notacannibal4718]

Your musical ear is actually brilliant! I had no idea that the theme all the way back in E3 2019 is the same we heard in the final trailer !

[@TheFunkMaestro]

BotW’s musical star was the piano... it would be so cool if TotK’s musical star was that saxophone? Hearing it start *wailing* mid-way through the trailer was such an impactful moment 🤘🤘🤘

[@LokiPhoenix]

I had to read this five times cos I swear I kept seeing you say star wars 😅😂🤣 then realised it was me who was wrong haha 🤣

[@LinusAndKiba]

ONE. HUNDRED. PERCENT. Agree on the sax. It's what really sets this score apart from all others so far. Mind-blowing. Also, we need the one-hour video.

[@napilopez]

count me in among the people who want the hour long reaction. I too was also floored by how well they used the sax. Somehow Nintendo always manages to make me hear something I've never heard before.

[@ogarci5]

I would watch a 1 hour breakdown honestly. You could generalize it too and make a video on how you can convey information in a trailer that ties the themes to other elements in the media. Like the sax here I thought was so cool with the erhu coming in during the theme. The sax made it feel new age /modern especially with how the sax player hit those high notes and when the erhu came in it tied it to the traditional roots. The music said to me that the trailer was portraying this new world but it reminds you that it is still the same old world you knew but looked at in a modern way. Very cool!

[@Mbull4935]

I am so frikin happy to see someone make a video of the music alone! Legit watched the trailer over 50 times and each time I cry because as a long time Zelda franchise fan, hearing bits of the older game songs in this trailer made me flash back in quick succession to moments in my life when those games were present. And hearing you appreciate that base right after the backwards vocals, UGH! That was probably my favorite part because of how jolting it is! Music, particularly the legend of Zelda music, is such a huge part of me, and I cannot wait for the full soundtrack to be available!

[@MajotasWrath64]

The fact that there is a bit of Twilight princess theme there is interesting. it’s speculated that the Ganondorf in this game is the same one back in Twilight Princess, due to the chest wound on his zombified version in this game. He picked up that wound in TP. It’s speculated this is placed in the Child Timeline.

[@GabeWilliams]

If the music is like this for the full game, seeing what they’ve shown off, this is lined up to be the best Zelda game ever

[@TheRolo143]

I've watched many reactions to the trailer and I love yours because it's very different, most focused on the music that I really loved about this trailer, and explaining how its similar to other themes. I really love Zelda and think it has some of the best music. Thanks for making this video.

[@ryandewerff]

Probably the best trailer music I’ve ever heard, I’ve watched the trailer several times JUST to listen to the music again

[@jamiemoffattmusic]

The thing you pointed out at the end re: urbosa’s theme has another cool Easter egg. The chord progression you outlined also has a rising semitone in the bass that resembles Ganon’s theme as well which is fitting considering the Ganondorf/gerudo connection.

[@Hakudan2]

That drop sound transition between Zelda holding the sword and the title at the end is SO SICK. Like… BEEEoooowwwwnnnn!

[@postlex]

I would absolutely watch an hour of you analyzing and discussing the music. Enjoyed the video a lot - thanks!

[@pilgrimspromise1132]

I can't get over that final note/chord when the title drops at the end with the crystal hum and base boom

[@OmegaFalcon]

The sax is so crazy. I imagine a guy going ham on his saxophone while everyone's fighting a freaking war around him, that's what kind of battle this is!

[@boomer150]

That moment, after Ganon's face reveal when the song kicks in, the song we all know, the song that has imbedded itself in our very souls for decades. That moment I had chills all over my body, my hairs where standing up. NINTENDO YOU FING DID IT AGAIN!!!!

[@NoobAlly]

I would LOVE to watch a 1 hour video of you talking about the amazing music of this game

[@Highstar25]

I think it's interesting that the backwards vocals show up whenever something related to the zonai is in focus. Particularly the massive bass drop when the (presumably) new zonai character is shown, followed by an echo of the same set of notes presenting a giant zonai golem emerging from a wall. But with you pointing out that the backwards theme in the previous trailers is an inversion of the new main theme, this seems even more meaningful. I think that these being backwards versions of the musical theme of the current conflict's heroes is in relation to the Zonai being the heroes of the previous war against Ganondorf, implying that we will see numerous flashbacks to 10,000 years ago when the final major conflict with Ganon prior to BotW occurred, and may even visit it via time travel (which also might be where zelda is, since if she was in the same time and/or dimension finding her wouldn't be much of a challenge).

[@osoamphicyon8876]

You're the first reactor I've watched that not only points out all the themes put in, but also the reversed vocals tying into the music, which I thought was REALLY cool when I caught it. Nice video!

[@jerielc709]

I noticed most of the main leitmotifs but you really blew my mind away with what i MISSED. My jaw dropped on the Twilight Princess theme in the end since by that point in the trailer im already jumping up and down💀 this is absolutely insane and i want to marry whoever composed this

[@opus1114]

I exploded with joy when those backmasked motifs from the very first trailer finally built up to the climax when Link was shown as the last line of defense! I think it could be the Zonai theme, or the Zonai's calling theme. It was heard at Ganon's corpse sealed by the Zonai, it appears in the trailer when the new Zonai figure shows up, as if a bass answers to the callings of the high voices, and finally when the Zonai mentions Link as the last line of defense.

[@timmy3822]

When they hit you with Links initial reveal, falling from the sky. It hit me harder than I ever thought it would. Legit had an immediate lump in my throat, this franchise is incredible and after 25 years it still manages to nail it every time. Amazing.

[@beccachan8219]

So glad you did a video on this!!! As a lifelong zelda nerd and your fan for years, this made me way too happy

[@DavetheAvatar]

I hadn't really noticed until someone else pointed it out, but that fast tribal drumming behind Ganon's slow drawn out theme is an awesome new twist. I love how well received not only this trailer was, but the music itself (and now the game, obviously).

[@HarrishCMusic]

I am so excited to listen to the rest of the soundtrack. Saxophone lead is amazing! By far one of the best themes in the series. Also I love the thumbnail 😂 🤯

[@ianlarsen3920]

Why is no one talking about the fact that Link's parry perfectly aligns with the music right at 3:30? I gotta say that's my favorite musical moment in the trailer. It's just such a satisfying CRASH. And such a gorgeous fusion of music and visuals. Also, I had no idea there was so much saxophone in this music! At first, I'd only heard it at 5:40, but now I can't unhear it anywhere else. Thanks for pointing that out! And I'll add my voice to those saying we'd watch an hour long analysis vid if you wanted to do one. :)

[@MrSPW93]

There are loads of bits in the trailer that time perfectly with the music. Low grav bit in particular

[@ianlarsen3920]

And THAT is good trailer design! So many good synced audiovisual moments! That parry was just my personal standout favorite. :)

[@stephen1896]

Thank you for putting this video together. All the other channels I follow don't focus on the music but for me the music was one of the best parts of the trailer. So to hear you gush and talk about it has made my morning. Have a fantastic day.

[@ofasho44]

That bass ending is so cool to me. It’s such a non Zelda sound effect it really caught me by surprise.

[@_iha]

You are right, that exact 3 notes when Zelda falls is from the 25th anniversary Zelda orchestra, kakariko village theme 2:08

[@BUGHUNTER6]

I've seen the trailer like 10 times now and I'm still just amazed by everything that's packed in there

[@JermaineATL]

great job breaking down the composition. The secondary melodies they introduce were mad. so good. love it!

[@holdeenyo8914]

as a Saxophone major this trailer gave me the biggest smile I've ever had for a game trailer

[@angelobronte6029]

The people who made this trailer desires a massive raise

[@yqmelody]

Thank you for mentioning the link between this trailer and the 1st trailer. I see the similarities and I haven't heard anyone else mentioning it!

[@bokuboke482]

The creativity and artistry in this game makes my heart swell and eyes gush! Your brief analysis of this utterly uplifting trailer OST kept me grinning right to the end. Looking fwd to your longer treatment, and real soon we'll ALL be enjoying TOTK...

[@alexgerlach5630]

I am so impressed by the detail of this soundtrack. Exspecially the saxophone was a suprise.

[@deliwtz]

This has to be one of my favorite trailer reactions. Amazing!

[@Ardi_0]

0:29 That smile! I am the same way. just grinning from ear to ear the moment I hear something Zelda related.

[@ZorasDad]

This video was incredible. I’ve watched the trailer about a billion times and I did NOT connect all the music together. Thank you for breaking that down it makes me adore this franchise even more than I do already

[@DRMegaone]

Woah got chills when you eluded to their eluding theme. Very observant. I'm willing to bet 0:30 is perhaps the sky island theme.

[@Jj_Jameson]

So I’m a band student who plays a clarinet and I’m SO happy that someone else noticed there was a clarinet!!!

[@henriqueb3479]

Man I was hoping so much that a composer would react to this masterpiece, thank u! Tottally amped for a 1 hour video haha

[@TimoVerbrugghe93]

@Zach This is the first time I’ve watched any of your videos. I never went to music school and don’t know what the difference is between a clarinet and a saxophone. But your enthusiasm and explanation just made me appreciate this trailer even more as a video game fan. Thank you for that. Can’t wait to see more of your content 😊

[@andreweilermusic]

Great vid, you pointed out several musical moments I didn’t fully appreciate until now! I looked up and erhu and now totally hear that when it’s present instead of a voice or violin which I thought it was. And that sax is awesome! A couple subtle moments I loved: That bass/kick at 2:21, and the little synth glide down at 5:50.

[@niihe105]

I even noticed how they snuck Hyrule Warriors Age of Calamity's main theme around 5:43 This really feels like the perfect game for the climax

[@handohansolo8866]

I love channels like this I had no Idea it was a saxophone at the start it just makes its appearance in the song later that much more special with the build up.. the music is soo good. Edit: the way they incorporated many classic zelda tunes throughout the trailer as well as the new tunes being so well placed ugh… I’ve listened to it so many times its utterly amazing

[@mariselytorres8039]

Don’t sell yourself short, dude. I would literally listen to every legend of Zelda music breakdown you make because this video made me realize that the reason that I am a huge fan of Zelda isn’t for the game itself or story, but the music. It has such a huge impact in key moments in my life and I always return to their soundtracks when I need a boost in my day.

[@LittleMetallic]

I just found you and I would kill to wacth a 1 hour video of you breaking this down, holyyy

[@doriandewilde2545]

I already find soo amazing but I can’t imagine how it sounds like to someone that knows and understands music You shared your own feeling, thank you !

[@barthvader4316]

I get chills every time I listen to this. So damn good

[@cosygracegames]

Shivers every. Single. Time. 😭💜 it’s such a gorgeous and epic song, I’m so glad this video was made haha!

[@kura-pika]

yess finally someone talking about that bass drop when they show the new characters face! YES!!

[@emmam1161]

I would TOTALLY watch a one hour analysis of this! There’s just so much to dive into

[@soraaoixxthebluesky]

I can't wait to play this. Already pre-ordered couple months ago. Want to play it on day one.

[@extractkun5911]

Dude, absolutely awesome breakdown of all the small details. You absolutely pinointed everything 🙏🙏🙏💖💖💖

[@DaRealTaylorPlayz]

Hi, new viewer here! This trailer was AMAZING! And you talking about the music in the trailer gives me MORE HYPE for this game! You just earned a sub from me! Can’t wait for the full game!

[@angelobronte6029]

Some of the musical cues throughout the trailer are brilliant with the included call backs to old Zelda ost. Great video loved to get a more in depth look

[@cosygracegames]

The way I WOULD watch an hour of this, I’m so glad people zero in on and appreciate this music 🥳

[@RicardoFranco-sy3dm]

I absolutely love this!! Thank you for doing this breakdown! Since the release of the BotW 2017 trailer, I began to fall in love with video game music scores and this one has became my favorite of them all! 4:55 - where the Ganondorf theme begins, the drums in the background reminds me of a marching band going to war!

[@chipe420]

Yeah... this trailer had absolutely no reason to be this good, but here it is. I can't believe how much I'm in love with this trailer and the music specifically. I liked when you pointed out the big bass drop, there are just SO many elements to the music here that you can ignore because there's just so much going on and it's all incredible. Great video.

[@leoguado2]

The part you expkained at 3:35 reminds me so much of Skyward Sword, the little chime when you drop tress to create shortcuts. It's also in the totk main theme, it's the part when the music kicks in again after a pause. That's a callback!

[@353CateS]

The chills!!!! This made me feel and everytime I hear it. Koji Kondo has to be one of the best composers in the industry❤❤

[@jayn5741]

Not sure if he composed this one

[@mobes8876]

Oh my gosh! That IS the music from the first trailer. I thought it was just a reverse thing. Before even knowing this, my favorite part is when Zelda says “Link” and that saxophone hits, it’s just so good. But now knowing that it’s possibly the new theme of the game? Makes it so much better

[@tolaut]

6:00 oh my god i would've never noticed that! You definitely earned a sub

[@Latinofire202]

Yeah, I'd watch a one hour video talking about the music. I absolutely love the music in Zelda and hearing the breakdown of it and little things I'd never catch myself is definitely worth a watch

[@zammich3649]

I was startled when I noticed the sax mid trailer. Didn't realize it was a sax the whole time!! Super fresh. A lot of the trailer, especially the intro segments, give me a very Ghibli/Joe Hisaishi-inspired feeling. The intro gives me Castle In The Sky vibes (not sure which song(s) sadly but I feel like it's after they land on Laputa), while the bit before the Zelda theme kicks in is reminding me of either Spirited Away or perhaps Mononoke. (Honestly it's hard for me to place since I'm not familiar with many of the individual songs.) But then there are also really unique parts like that erhu (?), then the references to classic Zelda and to BotW. Just gorgeous. (I have only just started watching your breakdown so forgive me if you go over any of these points in the video.)

[@pianoplayer2147]

I just found your channel! You’ve got another subscriber because your channel is exactly what I’m looking for! Orchestration tips and tricks, etc. thank you for this reaction! The soundtrack will be amazing! This trailer alone is amazing!

[@johnnymind4151]

Great analysis of the music of this incredible final Tears of the Kingdom trailer, was really interesting hearing more in detail all the references to classic Zelda songs, how they combined them, the orchestration etc. and how well they fit the visuals!

[@Makkuvideos]

the integration of twilight princess’s theme but with a darker coloring was so satisfying

[@LordHypnos4]

This trailer is something else. I've never seen a trailer more than once or watched reaction videos. I can't get enough of this one. Goty here and I said that about re4 a month ago

[@Midrule]

They had the sacred duet spirit tracks theme at the very beginning too. Tons of stuff in this

[@repingers9777]

really? where at.

[@Midrule]

@@repingers9777 the very first melody with the saxophone around 0:22

[@repingers9777]

@@Midrule yup 👍 wow 😳 I hear it. I'm super curious about these melody's and motifs being briefly played it has to mean something right? Why would they reference such specific tracks for no reason I feel like the composers have motivation behind it

[@thebesposeidon]

When I played in a "small" amateur symphonic orchestra (we were about 50), we didn't have enough french horn, so the conductor gave the score of the french horn to the saxophone 😅 I always found the sound of the saxophone too "dirty" for a symphonic orchestra (in comparison with the clean sound of the horn), but we made with the means of the edge. Hearing saxophone now in a piece like this takes me back to all my years in orchestra, it's moving 😢

[@N3st0r21]

i’d actually watch an hour long video of this!! great work!

[@umbreons]

i would watch a 1 hour video i cant stop watching the trailer simply because the music fills me with so much joy

[@Lexi-M]

First time seeing your channel. Loved this vid! Music is SO important! I didn’t get emotional from the trailer I got emotional from the music. You could do a 1hr video about this and I would absolutely love every second!

[@CailinHodgson]

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE MAKE AN HOUR-LONG VIDEO YES WE WANT THAT PLEASE

[@spottieryeti6552]

I loved the opening. My favorite part was when it those three note that are usually played for the most part connected and smooth were played stiff as if they were their own things. Omg I would definitely watch an hour long video. When I first watched the trailer a couple days ago, I watched it once for the content and then after went back and closed my eyes so I could focus on the music. I am a band kid so this stuff makes me excited

[@ealrann]

We need the one hour video, it's incredible

[@megaspawn4116]

I swear at the end of the trailer before Zelda appears it sounds like the end of “the swan” of carnival of the animals by camille saint saens!

[@azmilog]

the saxophone was just brilliant... so excited for this game and this soundtrack!!

[@antoine3778]

I would actually love to hear your 1h explanation of this trailer ahah. You seem very passionate !

[@Scribe-Cosmos]

I have never been so blown away from a videogame soundtrack the way I have been with the recent instalments of the Legend of Zelda series. This? The way the saxophone and the Erhu are put together? Who would think to juxtapose the two! It's beautiful!! I want to find the sheet music for this so I can pick up my sax again ❤❤❤

[@JesusMusic1988]

I love it! I think I heard just a portion of Malladus theme at the very beginning. Maybe it's just me, but that's what I thought of the moment I heard it.

[@josephcharabin2641]

I absolutely love the music in this trailer, especially the sax

[@sledgedragon2677]

The fact that twilight princess is just BARELY hinted at here... I mean, it is technically the last event before Ganondorf was sealed away, only being resurrected again in TOTK. Plus the fact that he actually still has the injury from the sacred sword during his "execution" in the Arbiter's Grounds. I think Ganondorf is gonna be a little stunned to see the same guy wielding the same sword thousands of years later. I know I would. I hope he comments on it. I also want to see the Gerudo reaction to the existence of a Gerudo King.

[@Natethegreat-tq4qh]

Ngl, I'd definitely watch an hour video dissecting this exceptional piece of music!