Game Composer Breaks Down ASGORE from UNDERTALE

Today we're listening to the Asgore theme from Undertale! Undertale music continues to surprise me in very unique ways. Agore at first seemed like just another boss battle theme, but I quickly got reminded of how unique Toby Fox 's composing style can be. Micro tones... Who would have thought...
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[@DaviVasc]

Dang. Micro tones. Who would have thought. By the way, I'm assuming you already watched the other video I did on Undertale, right? In that case, go watch the ones I did on Hollow Knight until I make more Undertale videos: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z6a3lHp-oc6DpcU

[@duhzilla590xYensitheninja]

You gotta review hopes and dreams next aka Asriel theme it’s by far my favors theme of undertale

[@danviferahr1426]

I think listening to the ost called undertale is a good idea, that and or hopes and dreams and save the world (last 2 should be together). They really tell the story of the game

[@10kwithzerobitches20]

@@danviferahr1426 followed by His theme ofc

[@debiluspegus8236]

If I can make a recommandation, the another medium or "here we are" are the greatest ambient ost of undertale and even of the world to me

[@Begrugingly]

Imagine him trying to figure out each part of your best nightmare. It’s just chaos in the form of music

[@m1tl6y0tl2]

Man he really discovered the entire lore of asgore surprisingly well by just his music

[@zuluecho5886]

Fr tho

[@lucas5530]

He does this every time and I'm amazed no matter what.

[@honque2490]

Just goes to show how good of a composer toby fox is. His music is so incredible that just by listening to it and thinking about it you can figure out the character behind it.

[@Ahmed-ti5rq]

@@honque2490 It also shows how good Davi is at picking up the emotions behind the music

[@ace0135]

@@honque2490 Toby is amazing at musical storytelling

[@FlameKing99]

I’ve never played Undertale, but from what I understand this is the theme that plays when Asgore has to kill you to save the underground and break the barrier. He doesn’t want to hurt you, but at the same time he knows he has to. That’s probably why the theme sounds tragic. Edit: Thank you all so much for the likes! :D

[@primordialsun]

Right on the money

[@arturoaguilar6002]

Also the motif goes back to the music from the first boss battle (Heartache), which hints a connection between Asgore and the former. Heartache is also a great soundtrack on its own.

[@sumgamesonmyphone9203]

He also thinks he doesn't deserve mercy, because he has killed many kids before you. So he destroys your mercy menu option, leaving you no choice but to fight and kill him. Which is shocking when you are trying the pacifist run the first time ever

[@blackpowerranger7173]

Ding ding ding

[@granitetheglitche1254]

Adding on to this comment the music is also symbolic of how the player probably feeling at the moment. Asgore was introduced to you as a ruthless killer but as the story goes on more and more monsters tell you how kind he is. He dresses up as Santa Claus and gives kids presents on Christmas, he still checks in on Alphys after years of her being a recluse, he greets you with an offer for tea while gently tending to his garden... But, he is dutybound to kill you to save the monsters and if you don't kill him you will be trapped underground forever. It's a song orchestrating two people who don't want to fight forced to fight each other.

[@jeffreysherman8224]

6:40 "It gives me a sensation of perseverance." You might say it... *'Fills you with determination.'*

[@sarinstuffffff]

😏

[@dudeguyofficiaI]

@@sarinstuffffffwhy the smirk? smirk of getting out alive using *DETERMINATION*

[@beavisbunghole]

And that gives you 666 likes

[@ThaBreadQueen]

8:59 He literally guesses how the themes overlapping are of two characters that are related... without having even played the game. This just shows how incredibly well-written Undertale's music is. It SPEAKS for itself Even at 10:50 how he can feel that Asgore is a lonely heroic character- just blows my mind

[@prediccionligaparaguaya3900]

O talvez e esel tipo es muy bueno leyendo musicas

[@huntehrerrhr6581]

also shows how good davi is :D

[@GoldenPlate1]

I don't understand how this happened, I am bread king on discord with a similar PFP

[@intendedtendencies]

Sorry for the 7 month late reply, but he also mentions the feeling of "perseverance" at 6:45 which is just incredible to me because of how much the game focuses on determination and the will to keep fighting and not giving up.

[@CallMeCaleb05]

@@prediccionligaparaguaya3900there’s gotta be well written to read in the first place

[@GrimmHooke]

The repetitive nature of the song is definitely intentional, since Asgore has done this so many times before - and it is melancholic, as he's not happy about it, every repetition breaking his heart a little more. Such a great observation! I love how much you can tell about the story just from hearing the music.

[@invertedghostgames9899]

Also to add to this melancholic feeling is just who he is: the king under the mountain, who's queen has left him, who's only son has long since perished, and who's adopted child passed on as well. He's sad. He's lonely. He just wants the cycle to end. But he doesn't want to have to kill any more, and wants the fighting to stop, even though he knows that for the duty of his people he must keep doing so. He is a rather tragic final boss, and quite well designed for the Neutral Route.

[@DaviVasc]

Ah, interesting

[@Missingno_Miner]

Six times, to be precise.

[@oxedward4738]

The tragedy of Kanye repeatedly putting fingers in his ass

[@lratio674]

@@DaviVasc it is a tad important to note however he isn't the full final boss for the route. The true final boss for neutral would be "Omega" Flowey. His fight comes immediately after Azgores, and is the true final fight (for this route at least.) So if you ever review it remember that his theme is immediately after Azgores.

[@milkmanmaya4603]

the fact that he could distinguish toriels leitmotif and how her and asgore are related in some way both by marriage and motivation just from the song is insane, toby fox is such a legend

[@jamesedleymusic]

All Toby did was change the key and present it differently. A simple technique that elevates the music considerably.

[@undauntedExpounder]

Hearing him describe this while remembering the experience going into this blind brought tears to my eyes, like experiencing the grand tragedy that leads to this ending, while nearly impossible to even be known to the player at the time of this boss fight taking place.

[@klawflover69]

It also helps that 90% of the Undertale soundtrack is leitmotif

[@heszedjim9699]

leitmotif is pretty easy, toby just makes it sound really good.

[@anyoneattheendoftime4932]

Where does he talk about Toriel in this video?

[@jackbeavis]

6:41 perseverance? He literally discovered determination through song, this man and Toby are both amazing

[@drakemcelyea9697]

he was filled with DETERMINATION

[@albireothestarthebacklight2990]

purple soul

[@cha0s.198]

​@@albireothestarthebacklight2990 perseverance and determination are the same thing

[@emilizlim1802]

@@cha0s.198not in the context of undertale

[@emilizlim1802]

@@cha0s.198additionally they are two words with different nuances perserverance implies simply continuing on and pushing forward determination is having the spark/desire to do something

[@peeeeeeeeeeaf]

making your music impossible to play on a normal piano is some insane gatekeeping and i respect the hell out of it

[@tristanmisja]

It's not gatekeeping, it's an intentional choice to make the music sound different

[@thejumpergaming4699]

The ultimate copyright

[@skittleboi1193]

fits the pixelated vibe of undertale

[@harrylane4]

Detuned instruments tend to have a somewhat off-kilter, sometimes somber tone to them. The song Undertale uses a detuned guitar to create a similar vibe. I don’t know if he intentionally went “I’m writing in 24 notes” but rather tuned songs up and down based on vibe.

[@cjchess1]

@@harrylane4 with Toby, you never know. and we love him for it.

[@deluxeloy]

You know, I was aware Toby is an eccentric character. He plays by his own rules, he knows what he finds important, he has a vision and doesn't waver. He makes insane long-term plans, he does things nobody else does - or even can! - and follows all the way through. I already knew there was nobody like him, and that was BEFORE he pulled the microtone bullshit I only learned about today. This man is a treasure.

[@AexisRai]

You only learned about it today because that information doesn't exist anywhere else outside of that one guy saying it, because it's not microtones and the uploader you just watched was misinformed by that random guy. The track is just not tuned to 440hz.

[@uncroppedsoop]

@@AexisRai yeah it's technically detuned rather than microtonal, but it's an easy mistake to make when both can mean between the keys in a standard scale. That doesn't mean Toby hasn't used microtonal elements in his music before though

[@bungiecrimes7247]

Thanks for the discouragement.

[@uncroppedsoop]

@@bungiecrimes7247 what are you on about lmao

[@0Asterite0]

you mean something that's been done in asia and africa since forever? ok

[@AliSquish]

"I am not sure if Asgore is a good guy or a bad guy" Man I think THIS is what makes the theme stand out so much because it's blurry in the end. It's heroic, but yet tragic. It's empowering and exciting, but bittersweet and intimate. It's not black or white, but some shade of moral gray. I think Asgore is a tragic hero, and I loved your interpretation of this theme

[@talongreenlee7704]

I don’t think he’s as much a tragic hero as much as he’s a fallen hero. He’s trying to do the right thing but he doesn’t have the willpower or fortitude to give up his immoral crusade despite knowing it’s not good.

[@sealioso]

@@talongreenlee7704 he's doing what he thinks is the right thing. He thinks it's a necessary sacrifice for his people while not wanting to.

[@RotaAbyssian]

Basically all of this. He's a good person, doing bad things because he feels he must, because he cannot see any other method to do right without a grievous and unforgivable wrong being committed in its service, and he's already gone too far to turn back now despite everything in him telling him to stop. This is a fight between two people who do not want it, but must anyways.

[@Tiosedan]

@@RotaAbyssian "he already went to far". That's the thing, he doesn't need all the human souls, only one as shown in asriels death. He wanted the seven souls to destroy humanity and take revenge, but his bloodlust died out and gave away to grief and disgust.

[@siegfried1422]

@@Tiosedan I don't think that's correct. You need 1 to cross the barrier. He needed 7 to destroy it completely, which apparently took significantly more power.

[@windfall8058]

At around 6:30, when you start talking about his leitmotif, that section does in fact have deeper meaning! It’s a leitmotif to his former wife, Toriel. Her battle theme, Heartache, is that whole leitmotif. The story it tells is that even though the two are divorced, Asgore still feels that it’s his fault that Toriel left him.

[@alexjurgensen2850]

I don’t know what’s more impressive you describing asgore’s entire character without knowing anything about him, or Toby Fox being able to make music that perfectly describe a character

[@goldenthegoldenflower9008]

Both of them

[@penntopaper9305]

honestly, the most magical thing for me when i started writing music, is when i began writing character themes and realized other people were able to guess the personalities of the characters just based on the music alone. couldnt tell you exactly how to do it tho. it sorta just. happens. its insane for me to think about, though

[@fusionwing4208]

@@penntopaper9305 this is one of the things that make music so good, if you can distinguish what its trying to convey, I say thats a damn good tune. especially for a character focused theme, with or without lyrics, that melody really matters. this is why I love the music of the sonic franchise, even the character theme's, while cheesy as hell, really do convey that characters personality near perfectly.

[@floo0o0]

"A very sad and emotional battle" "Idk if asgore is a good or a bad guy" "Heroic and chaotic" Man you have no idea how accurate this is

[@Voldrim359]

Also he bullseye the lonely nature too

[@tyrekerobinson2394]

Yep

[@porcellaneousfankus3428]

"Idk if asgore is a good or a bad guy" but he's definitely very lonely

[@etherraichu]

and Im sure we all geeked out a bit when he said "Persistence" XD

[@gaming1zanagi-1999.]

Yeah the fact that Asgore's moral compass keep leaning on either sides ended up making him broken and depressed. Especially when Toriel doesn't really helping much

[@hnglbanana]

what makes the melody at 5:14 (toriel's leitmotif) even more insane is that it's a leitmotif designed to fit 3/4 time that's been stretched out for this song that's in 4/4. absolutely crazy how music alone can show asgore's connection to toriel while also highlighting how vastly different they are

[@SoupInTheWoods]

the counts are slow, 123 123 123 123 1234 then repeat or fast is 123 123 12 123 123 12 123 123 123 123 1234

[@pianovii3350]

It really is insane. Love or hate Undertale, all the music is an absolute masterpiece

[@Funaover]

I would like but it's at 777 likes

[@jabewostar]

the thing I find funniest about ASGORE is that out of the four leitmotifs in it, 3 of them were originally in 3/4 yet the song is in 4/4. like it probably would have been easier for Toby to make it in 3/4 but nah he just went and modified the melodies beautifully

[@kazakhstanobamarunesports1350]

a lot of leitmotifs do that? its not rare, but otherwise undertales music is incredible

[@TheAnjelHarte]

Toby Fox’s use of leitmotif is one of his most defining strengths, and he developed it at least partially through his work on homestuck, where he was frequently working with melodies developed by other composers. Savior of the Waking World is my favorite piece he did for Homestuck, and I think it demonstrates his skill in arrangement as well. Listening to all 4 of his versions of Megalovania next to each other is fascinating- they each have a slightly different feeling based on the characters and setting associated with the song in its different iterations. I love seeing people who actually know music theory break down his work! You’ll be fascinated by Death by Glamor if you liked the overlapping melodies in this piece :)

[@FreakoNek]

thank you maggie simpson

[@DavrK]

this man literally FELT and HEARD determination through the music. insane

[@CurvishSundown]

Fun fact about a section of this theme for those that haven't played Undertale: 9:44, the "upbeat" sounding part? That's actually the Game Over theme. Its incorporated into the Asgore theme here, but it is note by note the Game Over theme when you die. The Game Over screen always urges you to push on and keep trying, and to stay filled with D E T E R M I N A T I O N

[@hedgehogsonic11]

The voice speaking during the Gane Over screen is Asgore's as well, it's his words to the original fallen human as they die

[@SwistakMiecio]

That's why I've never heard this even though I completed Undertale yesterday 😅

[@fishHater]

@@SwistakMiecio stop showing off, or continue, it doesn’t really matter.

[@aRandomFox00]

@@SwistakMiecio cool story bro.

[@nickfarace9339]

This is what like opened my eyes. When he was talking about the repetitive part being like something along the lines of "keep trying" and then the next part is the game over theme, I never realized this song basically portrays the games entire theme of determination almost in order, in song.

[@puglife658]

“Oh it’s over already?” Is one of the most consistent undertale music reactions I’ve ever seen.

[@milk8593]

1.2k likes and no comment

[@michael_guy]

1.3k and only one comment let me fix the real quick

[@verypoggers2996]

P

[@diamondclu1895]

Yeah, and it’s amazing how a dog wrote this entire game, song and all.

[@fate4715]

2k likes and 4 comments? I'ma fix that! Also, if you asked me to name one bad Undertale Soundtrack, I'd send you to a mental hospital.

[@danvegetables4050]

When a musician says: "Oh, it's over already?" It means you wrote a good song

[@yetanotherethan9747]

6:38 it took me a while to understand why that part of the song hits so hard. Eventually, after listening to Davi explain it in his terms, I realized what it felt like to me: it felt like that part of the song was pleading with me. Like it’s asking me to do something about a tragic situation. And that plays super well into Asgore’s theme too

[@peachypet808]

It also is Toriel's theme in there so you feeling like it pleads with you is correct. It is Toriel begging you not to leave. But is also Asgore begging Toriel to come back.

[@Shadowplay4Cats]

A feeling of perseverance you say. Perhaps you could also say a feeling of.. determination?

[@Kayta-Linda]

Was thinking the same thing :D

[@twistypuzzle1068]

DETERMINATION

[@Bilbert1997]

*This reference comment fills you with Determination

[@JaCaBrA144]

It’s even better when you realize that’s also the name of the leitmotif

[@RikouHogashi]

And its that Determination is how Undertale will NEVER BE FORGOTTEN and lives on through DELTARUNE

[@Pixelhurricane]

It amazes me how Asgore in the game is set up to be the tragic hero that doesn't *want* to kill you, but believes he *has* to for the greater good, and you figured all of that out perfectly just by analyzing the chords. That is SERIOUSLY impressive music theory, you make me want to learn way more about composition! It's so interesting to see it through an expert perspective like this

[@Dead_Weight21]

Either that, or he's too far gone into what he's doing to stop, but stopping would just invalidate what he has done

[@gaming1zanagi-1999.]

@@Dead_Weight21 yep plus not to mention Toriel shunned him. Like granted what he did is wrong and pathetic to say the least but Toriel I feel is no better since she decides to dumped him instead. I feel Asgore suffers more than Toriel does cause he constantly mourning and guilt and burdened by the promise of freedom for monster while also ensuring the safety of his people he begrudgingly collect the souls so that in turn he himself would be an omnipresent beings that make the humans that wronged him by killing Azzy won't lay a hand.

[@gaming1zanagi-1999.]

@@Dead_Weight21 essentially he is a being that is stuck with harsh decision and hoping that he won't have to deal with killing other people's child to favours his own kind as he know well that it will only plant down deeper hatred of those who experience loss of their own child like he did. The fact of he experienced it with Toriel only for Toriel ended up dumped him due to distrust definitely broke him even further.

[@pando0884]

@@gaming1zanagi-1999. do you just commenting to talk about how less you like Toriel?

[@gaming1zanagi-1999.]

@@pando0884 nope just sharing how I sees her antics.

[@sovoius]

the fact you can piece together characters archetype's from just their themes just shows how talented toby fox is

[@alaskawoolf3737]

The secret to the success of Undertale is that every single last detail was made with lots of love and passion. You can't help but notice it.

[@t.k.5088]

The leitmotif you "sensed" around 6:30 shows up in another track called Heartache, and the "perseverance" you detected is the power of Determination. It's really cool how Toby is able to translate his story into music and it's just as cool how musicians can understand it without reading anything of the lore. Really shows how good at their job both of you are. Edit: I just noticed that the leitmotif plays right around the time Asgore uses an attack that resembles very much the character Heartache is connected with. Please play Undertale, it's an amazing game. Do try to keep yourself as spoiler free as possible. More than just a game, UT is an experience. I'm gonna keep myself from mentioning what else u got right from this analysis because it'd be straight up spoiler based on how spot on you were.

[@vario6492]

Don't give him any semblance of spoilers dude!

[@nicolasmatheusfernandesdos6229]

Let's just hope he remembers to grind, it's a difficult game

[@virginiad.1911]

Yeah, hearing “heartache” really makes this track hit different.

[@derpderpflerp]

Yeah, when I heard him mention the feeling of perseverance I was thinking "Is he gonna say the D word? Please say the D word!"

[@mr.monkey354]

"do try to keep yourself as spoiler free as possible" literally gives a big spoiler beforehand

[@JimmyRei1000]

It is important to remember, "Bergentrucking" comes from the german mythology of "The King Under The Mountain" (which Asgore literally is.) And ASGORE itself is mixes in liberally two leitmotifs you have heard throughout the game - "Determination", which is the track that plays when you die and need to restart, and "Heartache" - the song which plays during Toriel's boss fight. The song itself plays its own story. Asgore is the King Under the Mountain. He hates his duty, but does it anyway. He is "Determined" to finish the job, but his heart aches to do so. This song also confirms, more or less, that he is Toriel's husband - though the game plays coy with that right up to the point of the battle. Like so many other music pieces, the music is a vital part of telling the story of the character you are fighting. Additionally, ASGORE is one of the few fighting music tracks which includes instrumentation, not just chiptune sounds. It is a critical, though often overlooked part of the soundtrack, that instruments *only* appear in fight music when your enemies are truly, actually, trying to kill you.

[@DogsRNice]

To your last point, what about napstablook? Their theme uses instruments from the earthbound soundfont, and on the other hand muffet is explicitly trying to kill the player yet her theme is purely chiptune

[@xavierbehrens3015]

I think he means instruments such as violin or piano. But, in Muffet's case, she was just told that they hated spiders. I think instruments are only used in either emotional battles or one where the enemy has good reason to kill you.

[@pedroivog.s.6870]

I like your comment, but a Spoiler warning on the top of it would help

[@JimmyRei1000]

@@DogsRNice Muffet herself never directly attacks you, is what I think the conceit is. She's got you webbed up and thinks your SOUL would be tasty, but she's mostly just letting her spider-kin do all of the work. As for Blooky, his 'combat' is not actually fighting. He's... not fighting you. He's just a dangerous ghost 'in your way', and his 'attacks' so to speak are just the result of uncontrolled monster energy, much like other fights.

[@catfwish]

Hopes and Dreams is another "I really *am* going to kill you." tunes.

[@MidnightSkyeNeko]

5:23 listening to it again, those bass voices in the song behind the melody of Heartache says (to me) how much he loves and misses his wife, but feels like he has to stand with his conviction on the war on humans, or at the very least the voices in his head remind him why he started this war in the first place.

[@tsg_frank5829]

Important correction, the Undertale soundtrack does not use microtones, it is simply detuned from the standard 440hz. All the notes and scales are the same as 12 equal temperament but they're slightly detuned to get a different sound. Actual microtonal music uses different pitches all together, the keys and scales would sound entirely alien.

[@eldonad]

Ok, you answered the growing suspicion I had regarding this detail, since Davi showed some notes were out of tune, but never demonstrated where the microtonal shift took place, and also microtonal modulation, even well executed, sound bizarre enough to western ears that I would probably have noticed before. Interestingly enough, it's not uncommon for tracker and sampler music (From which Fox took some inspiration I think) to be out of tune, since they relied on importing samples from different origins and often heavily modified, but as long as all samples were tuned together it didn't matter that much that they were all tuned to A=440Hz. Although Fox probably did this intentionally for the aesthetics here, he is a hugely skilled composer !

[@supervak5584]

As a fan of undertale it made me tear up when you essentially just accurately described Asgore's character using music alone. It's so incredible how much a soundtrack is capable of

[@julianemery718]

In my opinion, considering games don't really have a set pace (the pace is dictated by what the player does and when) the only way the game can properly "narrate" itself is through music, the music is the voice of the game, but it's probably a better form of narration that actually talking. Music can infer many different emotions and if done right, can evoke exactly what the devs intended you to feel. And in my opinion, music can provoke emotions that are probably too complex to describe with words alone.

[@madaxgaming6405]

And since these are the most viewed videos in His channel he Will make More 🌚

[@Headspr0uter]

same. i clicked because asgore is my favourite track from the game and to see him glean who asgore is pretty much completely accurately from the music alone made me really happy. even the part where he seemed unsure of whether asgore is a good or bad guy fit so well with his place in the story.

[@Drekromancer]

@@Headspr0uter Damn well said, all of you. And I think you nailed why Toby Fox is such a game design genius: because he's such a good composer that he can "narrate" every scene with incredible beauty and depth. When you make a story, the moments have to land the way they're intended to land - and Toby's music makes sure they always hit their mark.

[@davisdf3064]

It made me realize that you can't really separate Undertale's music from the game. The music complements the game, gives it even more feelings and makes it less empty. And the game gives the song more meaning, while making it sound even more emotional.

[@shaishavpathak]

“Dang. There’s a lot of… strange things going on here.” You just summed up the entire Undertale Soundtrack.

[@eyitsaperson]

undertale*

[@Vikt-vg8nz]

@@eyitsaperson ?

[@ThatGuyNamedK]

@@eyitsaperson whot?

[@Sir_GrimReaper]

@@eyitsaperson what did you correct?

[@pastadog5029]

@@Sir_GrimReaper the joke is that it's not just the soundtrack that's strange, but rather the entire game.

[@captshavers]

Never knew about microtones, and this just elevated my respect for the soundtrack and game even more.

[@stevieteb8437]

"Oh its over already" The saddest cord

[@legionofmetal9968]

You are very clearly gifted. You described Asgores character by merely listening to and explaining how the song feels and words PERFECTLY. Extremely well done. There are few people like you that can do that.

[@booblean]

And Toby is amazing, too for being able to convey his character so well through this one piece. We are lucky to have such skilled people providing us with such great content to enjoy

[@ember_falls]

@@booblean THE ONE PIEEEECE THE ONE PIECE IS REAL

[@lolstillshane]

@@ember_falls Can we get much higher

[@fl3m1n9o4]

@@lolstillshane (so high)

[@yak5438]

​@@fl3m1n9o4 "Oh, the misery"

[@invertedghostgames9899]

The leitmotif exists for the entire Dreemur family line. Asgore, Toriel, and Asriel all have it, and it's arguably most notable in 'His Theme' which is Asriel's theme. If I recall correctly, it's all based on the starting song 'Once Upon a Time,' and is sort of representative of how their kingdom used to be great, but has since fallen, and needs the help (or hurt) of an outside source (you) to restore (or bring to ruin) it to its former glory (or bring it to its demise.)

[@smug8135]

And then we have Gaster’s repetitive theme, most likely suggesting he is in some kind of time loop, but the different pitches are most likely meaning minor time differences like 5 seconds before the initial event for the lower tune and 6 in the future for higher pitch, since he’s scattered across time and space, his theme is secretly everywhere

[@invertedghostgames9899]

@@smug8135 That is absolutely true. Though with Gaster's, his makes it sound like he's slowly going more and more insane in his isolation. Besides, he's a secret!

[@user-lt8lm1vv9v]

Toby Fox sure knows how to foreshadow things, even in soundtrack!

[@Querez8504]

I'm not sure which leitmotif you're speaking of. I don't think Toriel and Asgore share any leitmotifs with any of Asriel's songs, at least which can be clearly heard. His Theme isn't present in Heartache or ASGORE, and the same vice versa

[@Dan0RG]

Are you talking about Bergentruküng sounding similar to the main theme? Because that theme isn't just for the Dremurr family.

[@lightyagami2645]

Wow, he nailed it when talking about all the themes of the song. I didn't know that music could hold so much information about what the composer wants to transmit

[@peachypet808]

We are not used to music being super meaningful with modern pop culture and the like. It is rare that music is used to tell a story (without the lyrics doing the storytelling). Undertale's music is a masterpiece that could rightfully sit with the works of the most famous old composers

[@Kipiti]

9:12 for information, this part has exactly the same melody as the game over song

[@existenceispain_geekthesiren]

Never played Undertale, but as soon as I heard that bit, I went "oh shit" because I BET THAT MEANS SOMETHING

[@existenceispain_geekthesiren]

WELP. I have since played Undertale. And Deltarune. And Undertale Yellow. I uh. *Which one of you gave me your hyperfixation*

[@carstenp.5428]

@@existenceispain_geekthesirenhaha, glad you could join us!

[@Ryusuta]

I love that he actually caught onto the Heartache leitmotif partway through the song. Dude is definitely an expert.

[@Howtheheckarehandleswit]

"I'm not sure if Asgore is a good guy or bad guy". Exactly. You are spot on, as always.

[@foxmcld584]

My friend's summation of Asgore's situation is 'Heavy is the head that wears the crown'. There are worse sacrifices one can make than dying.

[@jenniferbornick6459]

I like to call asgores track, the 'perseverance against grief and ruin', considering all that happened to him

[@piern1k336]

"It sounds lonely (...) it feels intimate and individual" Bro really just described 1/2 of Agore's character and 90% of his fight

[@hylind1912]

The fact that the storytelling in instrumental music is so good that you can tell just by the notes that it's the ballad of a melancholic triumph over an enemy. A conflict that feels grand and climactic, but all the while pleading for there to be some other way to resolve it. So masterful.

[@pete5516]

Facts, I would much rather listen to the soundtrack alone as I feel it tells a better story than the game itself. That’s just me tho, not saying anyone shouldn’t enjoy the game but to me the music is the only thing worth thinking about.

[@ratboy2]

Exactly! I adore this soundtrack so much. The storytelling is incredible

[@tetronym4549]

@@pete5516 Yeah, the game, with its gameplay, humor, art style etc. certainly isn’t for everyone (Though it CERTAINLY is for me lmao, it practically shaped my whole game developing vibe), so I don’t get mad at all for people who didn’t like it. But if someone disses the soundtrack I will LITERALLY kill them (IN MINECRAFT…)

[@pasqualiniantoine1007]

Asgore is an interesting character for sure. He’s trying to do the right thing and save his people, but for that he needs to kill children and he hates himself for it. His lover left him because of these decisions, and because of this as you said, he seems like a very lonely guy. It’s pretty much the only fight to the death of the non-genocide route of the game.

[@JavierGarcia-yv4ie]

Undyne

[@j.r1466]

@@JavierGarcia-yv4ie you dont need to kill undyne

[@pedroivog.s.6870]

I agree with your comment, but could you put a Spoiler warning on the top of it?

[@enderking6904]

@@pedroivog.s.6870 games pretty old, gotta forgive them for that

[@gameingtothemax6266]

omega flowey, or Asriel depending on what you count as death

[@taijakoart]

not only was this informative and fun to see a reaction on one of my fave soundtracks in this game, your video has some cool and funny storytelling and a real sense of cohesion. its also the perfect length. plus the happy chord / sad chord teaching paid off in the end when the song ended, i saw the ":(" emote, and i could hear the sad chords all over again. very lovely, thanks for sharing your expertise!

[@ItsMeFern2019]

Undertale will always be special to me. There's so much depth in every last expression, line, musical note, it just never ceases to hit no matter how many times I re-watch gameplays, comic dubs, etc. I literally never get sick of this game, its music, its story or its characters. Awesome stuff ♥️

[@TRGOTSVODS]

When you point out the happier chord progression at the quiet, intimate part- the main melody is actually the game over theme. It has a lot of meaning behind it that I think can be interpreted in a lot of ways- but I'll leave that to you to find out when we inevitably convince you to play the game 😆

[@aierie-dragonslayer]

Yeah. That's actually the reason that it sounds a little happier, too. Because the game over theme is in neither Major nor Minor.

[@gabrote42]

Honestly the first time I heard the voice in it I was surprised. There's a reason Small Shock hits so hard

[@justpotato816]

Yeah... Toby Fox is truly a master of his craft... Undertale's ost is just incredible and one of my favorite ones right after Frostpunk which I highly recommend to listen to

[@jamesverner9132]

Yo I hardly know anyone who talks about frost punk

[@agent-0]

@@jamesverner9132 and that's a shame

[@justpotato816]

@@jamesverner9132 yeah.... And honestly it's so sad.... It is so incredibly good But no one seems to know about or just doesn't want to talk about it There's literally like.. 4 videos about Frostpunk's ost I wish it was more appreciated

[@Nai_101]

@@jamesverner9132 Jacob Geller - Fear of Cold Watch it

[@Dizzifying1]

The City Must Suvive.

[@marztmaoc]

broooooo. amazing analysis. the breakdown and explanation of the chords and how evocative they can be was awesome.

[@travdye347]

Man this song still makes me emotional every time I hear it. Such a perfect synchronization between the music and the moment. So powerful. And the little intro parted of the song is perfectly pair with asgores animation of destroying the “spare” option from the fight

[@justawasteofspase]

"remember, whenever you're ready, to spread your wings and go on a music journey again" I don't know why, but hearing that statement made me so freaking emotional. Thank you so much, that's bound to stick with me for years to come (:

[@DaviVasc]

I'll see you there!

[@Sugarp1xel]

Toby’s is such a great composer he still has people amazed at his songs 7 years later

[@sjsshjd2354]

7 years lol

[@rafsandomierz5313]

He did waaay more songs before Undertale ones.

[@Drekromancer]

@@rafsandomierz5313 A Homestuck fan glances across the gallows to an Undertale fan listening to Megalovania: _"First time?"_

[@gryphon4150]

Yeah now he's also composing some music for pokemon. He did the battle tower theme for SwSh and he's also doing something for Scarlet and Violet too.

[@notjacobjames]

7 years, you say? May I suggest a relatively little-known composer named J.S. Bach?

[@TheGreatMrKid]

And I'm crying over Asgore: One. More. Time. As always, great video! Always looking forward to more content!

[@wrenlybaratheon2362]

I loved watching your joy as you were listening to the music, no matter how old it gets the entire soundtrack is fantastic

[@eilodem2204]

The fact that he's able to understand when there is a leitmotiv even thou he never played the game or heared the linked music AND the fact that he managed to understand the themematic involved in thoose motiv is impressive . Impressiv for Davi, but also for Tobyfox, if your music is able to give you a reflection of your story without context or image, you know you did a great job (sorry for my grammar, English my natural language, french guy here, baguette u know the deal)

[@Xenshi.]

this guy has somehow been guessing the story that, of all things, the music conveys, and he gets it correct 95% of the time. this is so impressive, both on toby fox’s composition and Davi Vasc’s interpretation. if you show the average person any piece of music from this game, they’d probably just think it’s a bop and not delve too deep into the meaning behind it (that’s what i do). the little intricacies and obscurities make me appreciate and love the music even more

[@hamzahargrave2410]

I am aware of your profile image. I like your choice. It's adorable!

[@KillItWithFire2]

That's what impressed me as well. For someone who has never played Undertale before, he essentially nailed the thrust of Asgore's character directly on the head. It's really impressive the nuance that music can convey.

[@DragonxFlutter]

Skill of the composer, skill of the listener, or both?

[@kristinberthiaume7634]

Really impressed that he caught the leitmotif never having heard it before, AND the tragic tone behind it… I really hope he does play this game someday, and gets excited when he hears that leitmotif elsewhere…

[@johnsharle9011]

sussy pfp

[@katiesherman6517]

I just stumbled on this and I love it! I already love your channel and the way you are just listening to the music and already get it! Love this!

[@winterbelle4043]

I saw this in my recommended and am so glad I checked it out!!! This is incredible; he just *gets* it without even having played the game!! I love it!!

[@m.fraguelaxd2546]

Man, it really speaks to Toby's mastery that he's able to give a random person a pretty clear idea of who a character is just with their theme Love the guy

[@xXEclipse_studiosXx]

Ehehehee I'm the 669th like lol, but yeah! Asgore has such an emotional and just overall beautiful theme

[@lamxdblessed3383]

Well not a random person lol

[@frozenyogurth]

The fact that so much story can be extrapolated from this one song, just shows you how amazing Toby Fox is at story telling. God the nostalgia hits hard right now, this came out when I was fifteen and I adored it so much.

[@cristianbernal8009]

This is why people for the longest time considered even listening to the music as needing a spoiler warning. Since that's where the storytelling really was.

[@unizock764]

A 6 years old Game is nostalgic?Oh Men

[@cristianbernal8009]

@@unizock764 nostalgia doesnt need a long period of time to pass. Just enough from the first feeling or emotion it evokes.

[@unizock764]

@@cristianbernal8009 Ok i understand

[@EFPX]

Your ability to decipher the emotions in the song so well is a testament to your and Toby's talent

[@Kloolass_Larspawn]

I LOVE how you are able to pick up on Asgore's character and story just in his music! Well done to you and amazingly done for Toby to manage this in such a beautiful way!

[@pinkyoilers]

9:23 This part always felt like a response to me Your character seeing the tragedy of Asgore and saying "we don't have to fight!" And the happy chords are the representation of the hope you have that maybe neither of you has to die

[@TotherKoala]

Especially since this theme continues to play when you do actually die

[@Resetium]

And yet, it's nearly the same thing that plays when you _do_ die. A desperate hope for something impossible, if you will.

[@dodiswatchbobobo]

7:06 Watching you struggle to find the right word when Undertale fans, despite never considering that particular leitmotif beyond the fact of its existence in this song, will know immediately that you are trying to say “reluctant” “hesitant” “uncertain.” I love how close these real musicians can get to the feelings behind the story just by examining the chords.

[@serenacula3256]

The thing that always got to me was how the different songs fit together. You can hear the tune from Toriel's song inside Asgore, but not the reverse.

[@Cellidor]

"I don't know by the tone whether this Asgore is a good guy or a bad guy" The answer is yes.

[@metuos.3651]

Holy hell Toby really knows his stuff for the music to actually convey the scenario to someone. He was so close to saying determination that I forgot he was analyzing this from outside the fanbase.

[@Chillipeffer]

he even noticed toriel's leitmotif omg he didn't know what it was but he noticed it

[@raininglaser5695]

Here is a possible idea for some videos: Go through the Undertale OST and try to guess what each song might mean based off of some of the musical elements (sorry, idk music, so ill just leave this generic) and possibly the name. Most songs in the track are very short, so you could get through multiple in a single video. Another idea is just reacting to a lot of the different shorter songs in the track.

[@PasteGames]

If this guy never played undertale and he’s understanding the themes of the game through its music then it shows 2 things. Thing 1, dude can interpret music like a beast. Thing 2. Mr Fox knows how to tell a story through his music that absolutely interacts with his game beautifully

[@bakaboi5730]

it is crazy to me how you're able to completely nail what this entire fight and asgore as a character stands for at this point in the story of undertale. you've got yourself a new subscriber for sure.

[@Xelofrost]

A lonely but righteous Hero is the perfect way to describe Asgore

[@uncroppedsoop]

Well part of his character is that it's extremely ambiguous, he's not necessarily righteous, but he's not necessarily wrong. The only thing about him that won't be different depending on opinion, is the hard fact that he's in a morally grey area but means well

[@nitroblaze6696]

He's trying to save his kind but.. at what cost?

[@TheWalkingInsomniac]

A hero of his people yet at the cost of burdening himself, forced to do what was best for his people. A great purpose yet a great cost, his family and his soul.

[@sisisisi1111]

@@nitroblaze6696 not only trying to save his kind.. primarily trying to save his kid - flowey-asriel by killing kids and taking their souls to revive him. Unfortunately asriel had other plans himself

[@uncroppedsoop]

@@sisisisi1111 since when was he planning that? As far as he knows Asriel is just gone

[@shadefire8605]

You definitely caught the leitmotif. It’s a reference to an earlier character who has a very important relationship with Asgore, and also the very first boss fight of the game. It’s an interesting bit of symmetry, as Just before the battle begins, the text tells you that your journey has come to an end. The first boss theme in the game returns for the final fight, giving you a sense of closure, that “this is it, this is the end.”

[@unepasteak3547]

I wanted to say this but didn't know how, so thank you for doing it

[@DaviVasc]

Whoa, awesome

[@SteveyBobJoe101]

@@DaviVasc If you wanna check that one out, its called "Heartache" :)

[@Nurvlys]

I’m really love watching your video man

[@laurenthesploinky]

I loved this!!! You're really good at explaining these things

[@AndrevusWhitetail]

I absolutely LOVE the leitmotif of Heartache (Toriel's battle theme) that appears during the breakdown portion of the song (5:13), it illustrates Asgore and Toriel's bittersweet relationship just absolutely amazingly.

[@anyoneattheendoftime4932]

One theory I heard is that it plays six times for the six children that Toriel adopted in the ruins and Asgore then killed.

[@jasonlu805]

The clash in melody demonstrates their falling out and differences in morality. The piano solo right after indicates asgore’s loneliness after losing everything, the major chords which accompany represent the heroic decision he makes to ensure that nothing like what he experiences ever happens again. Toby is cracked

[@SamulolDumbass]

@@anyoneattheendoftime4932 but it played 8 times???

[@enderthedumbtoaster4301]

@@SamulolDumbass frisk and chara im guessing?

[@soulight6091]

I analyzed this song for a music theory professor during my time in community collage and it confused him as well. We caught a few minor fifth chords in this piece. (If I remembered correctly) and it's hard to tell weather or not this song is in E major or minor either. (Some even say it's written in D minor to!) The microtones explain why people can't quiet place what key this song is in. I guess the "confusion" of this song just highlights Asogre's character really well. Also, that leitmotif in the middle of the song is the same one in Toriel's them Heartache. They are a divorced married couple which explains the emotions there. ALSO the motif at the beginning is the theme written for the monster Royal family. I think you hear bits and pieces of it in Hopes and Dreams.

[@T3sl4]

Literally trapped between two keys.

[@microwaevy]

this is the first video of yours I found and I instantly subbed within 5 minutes, I loved the way you broke down the chords, you have a really sharp sense for what kind of emotions the music is evoking, that was really cool to watch! can't wait to see more of your analysis in all kinds of games

[@John-fh8vy]

Every single adjective he uses to describe the piece is so accurate to what it’s supposed to be it’s scary honestly.

[@KaiserTom]

He is infamous for using leitmotifs. It is an absolute treat to analyze any of Toby Fox's song in the context of each other and the game. He really integrates them very well. Deltarune hasn't failed to deliver on that either. He really puts a lot of effort and care in his music.

[@tylerflory9373]

I wouldn't say infamous, he's extremely well known for leimotifs, especially when it comes to his previous works, ESPECIALLY his work involving Homestuck! If you listen closely to the song Descend, you can hear so many parts of so many songs. Toby Fox knew what he was doing during the Homestuck era and Undertale Era. Man's an musical madman/genius

[@repetitivethinking]

undertale's ost is like 7 actual song then the other ones are legit those 7 spngs but rearranged

[@nickfarace9339]

this is basically what happens when you are both an excellent story writer and excellent musician. You combine both

[@simone590]

I gotta say; it says a lot about your skills and experience in music that you manage to get *lore* by analyzing songs from games. When you talked about perseverance I smiled, since one of the main themes of the game is determination. You managed to do the same with the Hollow Knight OST, so kudos!

[@DaviVasc]

My experience has something to do with it but really It's more of a testament of the skill of the composers

[@Franksta13]

​@@DaviVasc I just found this video in my recommended and I just want to say that Toby will continue to receive tons of praise, especially if Deltarune continues to be as great as the first 2 chapters are. You however picked some trending popular music from a game you haven't played yet and analyzed it with awesome accuracy, and while on paper that doesn't sound interesting on its own, you have definately made it interesting and easy to understand. Thank you this video was a treat. In terms of "skilled game composers" in this case especially; it takes one to know one ;)

[@cacicaca1]

Love the energy!!

[@Ne1gh_]

One of the best breaking-down videos. Love you❤

[@mechakat6659]

Honestly, I usually have next to no talent when it comes to understanding music but something about your style keeps me engaged and makes me feel as if I understand music a tad bit more with each new video. Thank you a lot for your content, keep up the great work!

[@DaviVasc]

Oh man. This makes me so happy. Thank you! This channel was made for people exactly like you.

[@RebelHound]

6:50 when u describe it as perseverance, you’re not wrong. the essentially main theme (not the musical kind ;p) of the game is determination

[@DaviVasc]

Ah, makes sense

[@portraitofacrow]

Awesome video, obviously you REALLY understand music, you got the vibe of the fight that toby brilliantly transcribed into the song

[@johanstenfelt1206]

I very well done rundown of this Theme, I appreciate it.

[@Th3BadThing]

Ooh perfect timing, I've been binging Undertales album since I played it earlier this year, it's so good through and through, and Cloudjumper does a phenomenal orchestral cover of Asgore too. Man Toby hit the nail on the head with the music in this game.

[@Th3BadThing]

Suggestion wise - Dancing Mad, Final Fantasy 6, prepare because it's a long one but my God does it take you on a journey.

[@jackatk]

Link to Cloudjumper’s Asgore in case anyone’s curious: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aaK4gIKJp6h3d6c

[@Decidueye1530]

la de cloudjumper es espectacular

[@MrJJandJim]

Another great orchestral cover to listen to is from The Second Narrator. I'll be sure to check out CJs cover, too! Maybe I've already heard it before and forgot, lol!

[@thefiendof87]

5:31 the fact that you said this part of the theme is tragic and emotional actually fits with the story very well as it is a recreation of "heartache", the theme of the ex queen, toriel (a.k.a asgore's ex wife), and he tries ever so hard to get back with her. heartache itself is a really good track and one i'd recommend.

[@tornado4376]

This video made me take up a course in music theory and I enjoyed it so much

[@DaviVasc]

That is so cool!

[@Metrocysh]

I love these! Microtones are mind blowing.

[@wiltedwoods]

Toby Fox is multilingual, he also speaks/writes fluent japanese I believe, which is why you see notes not usually used in western media- he has created the ultimate mash between western and eastern music.

[@fishlordusername891]

He learnt Japanese after making undertale I'm pretty sure. Microtones are often used in Turkish music I know for a fact :^)

[@fishlordusername891]

he DID grow up on jrpgs, and was a big fan of Earthbound (hence undertale's existence). I don't know if Japanese music utilises microtones often though, not super familiar with it.

[@lelanddyke8386]

~8:40 "I've gotta play this game, I'm just so curious" That's exactly how I came across the game when it first came out, I heard Bonetrousle and just knew it had to be good

[@w4rt953]

A beautiful piece that both portrays the end of your long journey and the conflicting emotions of a king that wants to help his people.

[@blueshores9968]

Oh my god, it's amazing! You just described his story from breaking down his song!

[@SamWeltzin]

It's wild how just a couple of songs told a musician who'd never played the game so much about the emotional through-lines of the game. Gives me even more of an appreciation of TobyFox's talents.

[@IndyDraws]

Yo! Just discovered your channel courtesy of the ASGORE video. Ended up listening to a LOT of your breakdowns on other soundtracks from there. I love them so much; thank you for helping this casual music nerd appreciate things a little more. 💙💙

[@IndyDraws]

And that leitmotif in the middle that repeats? Yeah. Super important. I’m sure it’s been mentioned, but… the track Heartache is what is referenced. Super emotional.

[@adridoes_sillystuff]

did you just paid more for making a comment Yellow in a Undertale video than for the Game itself

[@IndyDraws]

@@adridoes_sillystuff did I just pay to show a little support for Mr. Vasc? Yes. I did.

[@IndyDraws]

What he does is not easy. Taking time to listen, record, and analyze anything like this, edit it, and then upload it takes time, effort, and energy, should be appreciated.

[@babypotatoplus5826]

@@IndyDraws good to see people supporting others who deserve it

[@philbarton2832]

I listened to alot of undertales music before actually playing the game so it was very interesting to finally see the context of each section, kind of like hearing someone's voice for so long imagining what they looked like then finally meeting them face to face

[@envo9059]

I like that you actually analyse and look deep into the music unlike other channels that just say the music sounds cool

[@svtq]

the fact that you can feel the determination through the music is insane

[@ares2317.]

The last part is the Game over music a little sped up and that song is called "Determination" lol

[@acutelilmint8035]

He is filled with determination

[@rafaelramires5883]

7:00I love how musicians translate emotions from something they never experienced in game. This scene is exactly that. A Determination that does not cease to exist VS someone devastated and yet resolute with his duty.

[@rafaelramires5883]

10:36 damm... Right on point. Awesome! I keep suprised how Toby Fox narrates with music. It's like his own language...

[@lanceuppercut6168]

It's funny that you mention the melody starting at 5:14 feel so meaningful and emotional. Quick story, I was watching Awesome Games Done Quick one time but I had it on as background sound so I wasn't really paying attention. It was an intermission so they were playing music. Something caught my attention suddenly and it was the part at 5:14 and I became hyper fixated, and the more it played I started to get emotional to the point I started to cry and I didn't understand why, just that it resonated with me. Now that you explain it I guess it just has that structure that draws at the heartstrings. To this day I get emotional hearing it. Ngl, I might've shed a tear in this vid 😝 and your dissection and appreciation was so awesome. Back to the story, I ended up going back to the VOD and find out it was Undertale. Bought it that instant.