MUSIC DIRECTOR REACTS | Baldur's Gate 3 - Raphael's Final Act

This one nearly took me out! ‪@borislav_slavov‬ just amazing work
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#baldursgate3 #Reaction #DrumRollTonyReacts

[@DrumRollTonyReacts]

This is the best piece of video game music I have heard this year. What other game OST moments should I be checking out?

[@azim_ch1953]

Just wondering if you're willing to react to the three main characters of Detroit: Become Human themes. Connor's main theme. Kara's main theme. Markus' man theme.

[@pranjalsingh152]

check out some themes from gta games

[@matterlichman8424]

God Shattering Star from Fire Emblem: Three Houses

[@mobscene23ks]

More FF16. 'Sail the Forbidden Seas' and 'Find the Flame' are absolute bangers.

[@shagyobeibe]

the extreme and liberi fatali from ff8 the dark messanger ff9 otherworld and to zanarkand ff10, yes i love final fantasy ost a little bit 😅

[@mikkaribbe6200]

My favorite way to describe Raphael is a Quote by Amelia Tyler: "Somebody studied Shakespeare and now its everybodys problem"

[@JinxedPixie88]

Too accurate, lol

[@Corkyjett]

Oh my god, that’s so accurate!! 🤣🤣🤣

[@WalkingDeadpool_]

I love Amelia Tyler so much. That is so damn accurate.

[@Qballiz2kool]

😂 VERY accurate!.

[@rere_bunny]

Lmao YES 😂

[@heathrush2793]

Fun fact: if you cast Silence on Raphael during the fight, the lyrics will stop and the music continues until Silence expires. Which means... He's literally singing to you live during the final battle as he kicks your butt.

[@angelcardona765]

That’s amazing 😂

[@Oscar_Lasco]

I didn't know it was a rap battle

[@Fr34k1ng0ut]

We brought swords to a rap battle, oops :S

[@Harkz0r]

That's incredible attention to detail, I never knew that!

[@mrpuss2519]

@@Fr34k1ng0ut The Underdark singing sword: My time has come.

[@simongosselin4300]

This song is incredible for so many reasons, but you're right that Raphael isn't a good guy. This music plays as you fight him, and he's such a narcissistic prick that when he starts singing his own boss music it fits perfectly. The voice actor for Raphael sings this song and had no formal training in musicals or singing at all and he absolutely nailed it.

[@ChaoticGoodPeasant23]

Agreed. Raphael is a villain that you love to hate. That's when you know they're very well written. On the note of him singing it himself, as soon as he came in I was like, "Of COURSE you sing your own song!" It's such a thing he would do!

[@tiemanowo]

Like a villain song from a Disney movie

[@ld1449]

Gherman the first hunter from bloodborne

[@matthewledford1761]

Is it even singing??? Lol it felt more like the character is breaking the fourth wall a little and talking to the player(s) and telling you to stop the squirming and struggling, just give in to your desires and accept your place in the House of Hope. Making the victory that much more satisfying. I'd say FromSoftware games have the most satisfying victories that make you feel like you've truly achieved something. But they ain't got shit on this fight right here to be honest lmao

[@Vasharan]

@@matthewledford1761Knowing Raphael, I wouldn't put it past him to record this song (complete with orchestra and backing singer) with a Magic Mouth spell and then play it whenever he is fighting his enemies.

[@brites4]

This song it's not just great on it's own, the context adds so much to the experience ingame. This game is just perfect

[@aaa-sz9ul]

the context easily makes this song twice as good

[@svetakirko8427]

so true i was litteraly stunned for few minutes. And it wasnt the first time too, there were difrent moments when i was just wow, like when u get to act 3 for the first time and the music hits, or with Ayelin, or when u get to location with githyanki creche, so immersive, this game is a masterpiece

[@Raven7744]

Exactly, I ran through basically everything and everyone playing Paladin/Sorcerer Dark Urge. But when the music started I started to question if I had made a mistake confronting Raphael.

[@ganjasayjuh]

You’re absolutely right. I sat there during combat and did nothing but listen until it started to loop, then reloaded my save and set up my party with the most epic fits and used my best stuff to fit the epic music.

[@purydango]

The thing is, there are so many lags, graphic lags, exploits and stuff and, no one cates, ist just, its a fucking good game, where you feel that it is like this, because it was planned for the best, and you dont take some slight lags hard for it. Its just "well happens, but damn, i want to keep playing"

[@fjordexplorer9062]

Borislav Slavov and Larian somehow managed to put out the best classic Disney villain song in years. Major props to Andrew Wincott for his unforgettable role as Raphael, including this song.

[@mulrich]

Not to mention, his first ever singing part.

[@TheWrldIsSquare]

It's really amazing what a great voice actor can bring to a role. It's funny looking back on my first meeting with Raphael in game because my reaction was "Who the hell is this... This guy sounds important..." He just instantly elevates any scene he appears in

[@jin1740]

This is already beyond disney. Larian's work on BG3 has outstripped everything Disney has put out over the past years in terms of entertainment value.

[@AriadneS]

Honestly, all I wnat to know is the name of the woman who sings this. She did so good on this soundtrack, it's amazing

[@tlamy1992]

​@AriadneS Mariya Anastasova :) She also sings Down by the River

[@johnschaeffer7008]

Honestly the worst thing about this song is that its too freaking short 😭

[@sniperbrosky]

Borislav said he was working on an extended version on Twitter a couple weeks ago

[@johnschaeffer7008]

@sniperbrosky Oh happy day!

[@exnozgaming5657]

@@sniperbrosky Its released now 😀😀

[@jaxsonbateman]

I'm a min-maxer that save scums as necessary in battles, and the song goes from the top every time you load. It. Was. Fantastic.

[@-sanju-]

And it only plays once during his fight 🙁

[@worldwidestepper9880]

Echoing a bunch of other comments: the context is what makes this song special. The moment you realize Raphael has his own battle music that he performs himself - it’s the most dungeons and dragons thing ever, and it fits his outrageous narcissism perfectly.

[@Thomas_of_Time]

I hate how correct this is

[@Tzimisce_Joe]

The female voice is Hope

[@alexmashkin863]

​@@Tzimisce_JoeKorilla

[@hotshot590]

When you hear this song kick in while playing the game, the feeling you get can be summed up by "Oh, I'm FUCKED."

[@Fusako8]

My thought was "I am going to wipe the smug right off your face." To be fair, I was playing a tavern brawler monk hopped up on cloud giant juice.

[@warriorboy4796]

I was like “I’m gonna have the time of my life!” The fight was legendary and the third climax of my game.

[@feircy]

​@Fusako8 both my open hand monk and my main-prone barb had the same idea. Poor Rafael never got off the floor. Don't think I saw a single attack 😂

[@beccam7298]

​@@Fusako8Paladin hopped up on Bloodlust Elixir and the Strength Gloves just POWERING through his cambion backup dancers 😂

[@ashm624]

oh its so good! realizing there is no way out and you'll have to fight this secondary villain you've been dealing with all game after dealing with the literal hell to even get back to the front door and he has a huge squad of demons and is incredibly formidable himself and then hearing him start SINGING?? its just the nail in the proverbial coffin

[@leopard2690]

Love how the man that sings is the voice actor of Raphael, the composer just asked him if he was up to Singing and he agreed. To think this masterpiece wouldn't exist if he said no.

[@EmDaMo]

Even more amazing is that it was Swen who wanted a theme song for Raphael! The composer himself talks about it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kKXHhnqae6aiirM&si=1m5yoQ_vE37AzJwT

[@letendreelliott8778]

Andrew Wincott (Raphael’s VA) is really good. Before BG3 I knew him from the Audiobooks he voices (he’s done hundreds at this point). When I met Raphael in the game I was like "wait! I know this fcking voice!"

[@Kiloniix]

I pray no one else likes this comment

[@jessicaholcomb88]

I can't like it, but I love it lol

[@gownerjones]

@@letendreelliott8778 Thanks for telling us this. I will now look for some books narrated by him. Can't get enough of his voice!

[@theKonfusion]

this female vocalist is just something else! that forever more part just gives me chills every single time.

[@TwistyMcFisty]

The same vocalist also sang Down By The River.

[@ceu160193]

Always thought that it's Hope singing female parts of the song.

[@knockoutroundabout]

@@ceu160193 It is actually! If she gets silenced or incapacitated during the fight, the female vocalist stops. So it's meant to be Hope actually singing during the battle.

[@elliottwilson9012]

@@ceu160193 I thought it was too at first. Hope's spoken voice sounds very similar to the vocalist. I feel like in game it is meant to be Hope singing though. They're both in the room and Rapheal's mouth is moving when he's singing.

[@michellamoureuxm]

​@TwistyMcFisty close but no, it's actually one of the harpies. She left a comment under another reaction I saw.

[@chriskarpetas]

Some context: Raphael is a devil that sporadically appears throughout key points in the game, trying to goad you into a "deal". This plays during the final confrontation, as you fight him. The reference to the claws etc. is a throwback to the very first time you meet him, where he recites a poem about a mouse and cat trying to outsmart each other, this song is basically when the "cat" makes that last pounce ("here come the claws").

[@dantedja]

That’s not all, there’s a clever wordplay, since he’s talking about how “Hell has its laws”, the sentence can also be heard as “down here comes the clause”

[@ShadowNyte96]

@@dantedja but he already says "Hell, hell, hell has it's laws Hell, hell, effects and the cause" So using clause after cause is almost a little too redundant it could also mean both, it's not an either/or thing, the reference to the poem at the beginning of the game is probably the intended reading

[@blacklake13]

Ah, right. I'd completely forgotten about the original cat-and-claws comment.

[@user-zn3eq9tl6v]

Hell's bargains are all about clauses which end up screwing over the contractor(as seen with Mizora and her "clause this, section that" comments), so I think clause is more appropriate.

[@yellowblanka6058]

he's not "a" devil, he's THE devil, lol.

[@jayjth]

What is crazy about this song is that its completely optional. It's such an amazing fight with such an amazing villian and its quite possible to miss this whole encounter. To craft something like this as side content... thanks Larian! Also, i believe that the voice actor has stated in an interview that this was the first time he has ever been asked to sing for a role. Love your content and how you are adding context to these great songs!

[@MrCreeper6000]

Yeah the Music director sprung this one on him. he recognized the potential of his voice and just asked him if he wanted to sing in his theme song. It was a spur of the moment thing that just felt right

[@issaikh]

Imagine how that has to feel. You get hired for a job, are doing your thing, and then your boss is like "Hey, we think you could do great helping with this other end of the business, think you can do it?" And then you do it, and absolutely crush it, and millions of people around the world laud you for crushing it. Mr. Wincott ought to be on cloud 9.@@MrCreeper6000

[@jaybee4288]

No one will miss it because geeks like you spoil it in every single video you can, even random soundtrack videos. They knew it would be seen.

[@MrProeast]

When I heard this, I immediately knew that I had made the right choice.

[@killerkarma3574]

I missed this the first time I played the game, which almost made it better finding out about this whole segment the 2nd time around. Do you ever finish a game and feel terrible because it's over? well, this game wasn't over. I've played it 4 times and found quite a lot of different stuff every time, sometimes even hours of additional areas.

[@eddiemarohl5789]

idk about anyone else but the line "this house of hope... your tomb" just hits so hard.

[@Limitstar92]

emotional overload for me

[@andyhayward1261]

I feel like it would make more sense as ‘your tomb’ but I’m pretty sure he’s saying ‘consumed’

[@Soundmars276]

@@andyhayward1261It’s “Your tomb”

[@andyhayward1261]

@@Soundmars276 there’s literally no T sound tho…

[@Soundmars276]

@@andyhayward1261 I get you but “Your tomb” are the correct lyrics. They’re official lyrics you can find online

[@darkaura019]

This track playing after going into the fight with Raphael unknowingly is hands down one of the single greatest moments in this game, a game that is already packed full of amazing moments.

[@Iceisnice1]

What makes it even more incredible is the fact that this was recorded for a one-time, *optional* fight.

[@sharteel85]

@@Iceisnice1 For real. Granted, it's probably the hardest fight if you come unprepared (those cambions kept one-rounding gale before his turn was even up XD) so it makes sense that they treated it like a super boss or something

[@kreassen6930]

unknowingly? every part of the house of hope is litteraly warning you that raphael will be mad when you go through with your plans XD

[@jaxsonbateman]

I had it mildly spoiled for me... I can't remember exactly what the post I read said, but it was something along the lines of "and how about the song!". I expected something pretty awesome - but given the setting of BG3 and how the rest of the music went, I just expected some amazing orchestral piece. I did not expect the best Disney villain song in years. BG3 had already entered my top 5 games ever list by this point, but the Raphael encounter - thanks largely to the song - may well have pushed it into top spot. I just have a few quests to go before I finish up the game; I'll have to see if it sticks the landing. The worst thing for me is that my partner is going to lose her mind when she hears the song - I know her, and she is going to have an extremely positive reaction to it - but between work and some other stuff, she's sputtering on motivation to play. I can't force her, and I can't spoil it for her, but I *reaaaaaaally* hope she gets at least to this part before dropping motivation entirely.

[@Cristyface]

This was, hands down, the best area and best boss fight for me. Everything about the House of Hope was iconic. Raphael was such a little conniving jerk and I loved him for it.

[@wshadowgaming4854]

The foreshadowing when you first meet Raphael and he takes you to the house of hope with only the instrumental playing in the background, creating this unnerving atmosphere. Even when you are back the music keeps playing for a bit, that kept me frozen for a moment. Then back in the house of hope, when he catches you red handed and the full song drops...you know things got serious. I stood there during the fight, doing nothing just to listen to the music.

[@CapybaraConnoisseur89]

There is also foreshadowing when you encounter Yurgir, Raphael told him to SING A GODDAMN CONTRACT! THIS IS YOUR OOOOAATH! 🤣

[@durkle1120]

also the mention the first poem thing he says to you about the cat brining the claws down on the mouse

[@dylanboczar999]

Maybe the most underrated part of the song for me is "Now, down, here come the claws!" The first ever lines you hear Raphael say (literal dozens of hours of playtime before this song) are a surreal little nursery rhyme including that line, with faint musical motifs from this song. And his character is *so memorable from that line on* that when you hear this lyric in the song, the setup/payoff from 50 hours ago hit HARD.

[@tomrowell1558]

Agreed it fits so well with the rhythm, and he says it just before the fight starts as well - as soon as I heard it I remembered him saying it so long ago at that point, such a memorable character

[@randiaddams7030]

maybe im a turbo nerd but i also think its CLAWS and CLAUSE bc he had a contract :3c i dunno i like it

[@1996Horst]

Remember RAPHAEL IS SINGING THIS WHILE FIGHTING YOU! If you silence him it stops. He is what the best Disney Villains want to be. And He just reviewed the short version and not the full version

[@DimkaTsv]

Is this a short version? Or not cycled version? Because this is exactly what is contained in official OST sample.

[@Khotetsu]

@@DimkaTsv This is basically the intro to the loop. You can find the "full" version pretty easily; it's on the composer's channel and it's 7 minutes long. It's this with about 4 and a half minutes of lyric-less music added with a repeat of the chorus and Raphael's "Doomed. Detected. And caught" towards the end.

[@magicalpj]

That's not true unfortunately :(

[@1996Horst]

@magicalpj did they change it? It worked for me and there should be youtube videos of it. (Played it on patch 3 back then)

[@magicalpj]

@@1996HorstOh shit, did it really used to work? Well as of at least a month ago it doesn't. I always thought that some people may have mistakenly thought it worked because his part in the song isn't actually all that long and so much of it is just instrumental. But if it really used to work, then I'll be damned. Wonder why they took that out in that case. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qp3YpKtnYq-iras

[@Reddopanda]

This song is incredible when you encounter it in-game. The fight starts with this literal devil with 666 health, and it launches into this song. It's absolutely chilling in an "oh i'm screwed" kind of way. And then the devil HIMSELF starts singing in the song about how he's going to curb stomp you. Honestly I burst out laughing because it's SO in character for him. It's such a fun part of the game!

[@ceu160193]

*quietly giggles, while putting barrel of rune gunpowder I stole in Underdark near him*

[@constance2690]

I have to agree..but honestly..somehow I wasn't surprised that Rapha himself sang his own boss music..I mean really..if it was anyone else? Yes. RAPHAEL? No.

[@Mychannelbandung]

If you play on easy is the health still 666?

[@Reddopanda]

@@Mychannelbandung it’s not! He has 466 health in story mode and 866 health in tactician.

[@allieburgess3856]

I'm playing on easy mode and his life was 666, I laughed out loud at it! My characters have way more life then my friends playing on harder difficulties though

[@WhopperEnjoyer]

With Raphael being that absolutely cliché silver-tongued devil, who always speaks in riddles and song and does faustian bargains, it makes so much more sense for him to sing his own song. I can imagine all of that being used in a musical so well, it just all fits so good. Not to mention the "devilishly" smart use of the supposedly satanic tritone.

[@AikoSea]

He’s also kind of a cringe dork which kills me like how he practices his lines outside the mausoleum, or the whole harleep situation lol definitely one of my favorite characters in the game he’s so multidimensional

[@ladylaelae1]

The first time I got to the scene where this plays, I sat in complete awe and silence for a good six or seven minutes. Without spoilers, it is the perfect encapsulation of Raphael's character, and another character present when this is sung. It felt like every Disney villain of my childhood coming back to haunt me as an adult, with an equally grown up version of those villains in front of me. Absolutely fantastic.

[@shetookamint]

Me too! I just sat there and just listened to it. As a rule, I don't listen to or look at a tracklist for soundtracks before playing the game. So I was completely surprised by this one. Outstanding!

[@ladylaelae1]

@@shetookamint Right??? I’m a lifetime player of World of Warcraft, so I totally get into soundtracks (Blizzard’s art and music teams are by far their top performers without fail). So the second I heard Hope singing I sat back, knowing something was about to pop off musically. Lyrics in music like this can so easily feel out of place, but god was this the most perfect addition to Raphael and to the game. It felt like sitting at Broadway, mixed with watching Interview with a Vampire, while fighting Sire Denathrius from WoW, all in one.

[@jaybee4288]

“Without spoilers” continues to spoil lol. Why don’t you geeks keep your end game story stuff out of random videos about soundtracks?

[@edwardking9359]

​@jaybee4288 The song itself plays late in act 3. You're going to have people discussing act 3 content here, mate.

[@dom-oram-o9453]

Fits the boss’s narcissistic nature so well, fully believing himself to be the final boss it’s insane

[@josherz7]

He’s the top 2 hardest battles. Like he should have been the main villain.

[@edwardking9359]

​@josherz7 He's better for not being, honestly. You can absolutely fulfill his deal if you want to, which is why he's so pissed in your fight with him

[@TrampMachine]

Raphael is an amazing character, not a good one but definitely amazing. Lawful evil.

[@ketra1504]

Just like a devil should be

[@bluemoon1716]

@@ketra1504 yeah larian really nailed it with him. Perfect representation of a D&D devil. Threatening, intelligent, imposing, charismatic and completely self obsessed.

[@dennisddt1146]

@@bluemoon1716Exactly, took the words out of my mouth.

[@allolebarilliertaxi4304]

A lawful delighting asshole, somewhat just as Astarion :)

[@quemaxas]

Funny thing is, in the Dan Allen Gaming youtube channel, where he interviewed the voice actor of Raphael, he said he isn't even a singer, but Borislav somehow managed to make this a masterpiece.

[@theKonfusion]

and now he has borislav in interview

[@Florin_Neagu]

Anyone can learn how to sing, especially a voice actor.

[@JCamCline]

Having Raphael actually sing his own music is so fitting for him. He’s like a classic arrogant devil who talks in riddles. The song hits when you realize you’re in a hell of a lot of trouble, especially since it’s the hardest fight by far which is optional lol

[@hailnoxid]

I totally vibe with the vindication/validation that video games, a thing that was out-casting back in the day, has not only come to the mainstream, but is creating media to levels that are bar setting. The pastime I grew up with being teased for is now at a level of aspiration. Totally dig the reaction Tony!

[@WobblyBits_X]

This song is like Disney renaissance tier. Absolutely outstanding job, Larian.

[@lucasprestes]

I think the most magical thing about this song, that gets most players on surprise its the fact its the ONLY voiced battle theme in the entire game, and when you finish being amazed by the Chorus Raphael himself, the boss you're fighting starts to rap

[@pfgbam]

This song hits so much more when you're playing the game. like the first time you hear it you go "holy shit! the boss is singing his theme song!". it's like a Disney villain song back when Disney was still good. most AAA games don't put this much attention to detail nowadays maybe it's just because I'm jaded but I couldn't stop smiling. The ringer here is this piece can be completely missed depending on your choices. it's legitimately impressive.

[@angelinaprunster8892]

the fact that this is the soundtrack for an optional boss fight is insane to me. So much thought into a fight that wasn't even meant to be seen by all players

[@arkarosh7043]

As a musician myself when I reached this part in the game I was just sitting and listening for about 15 minutes not doing anything just enjoying this glorious masterpiece. It. Is. Ridiculous how good this track is

[@isbammoi3358]

Your excitement and rewinds/replays is EXACTLY what I was looking forward to, no need for apologies haha! This song just slaps SO hard. and the CHILLS when it plays in-game not to mention out of it... so tremendously unexpected for me. This song and the choral version of The Power are my favorite BG3 tracks!

[@8BlackBart8]

This moment in the game is designed from top to bottom to give you chills. You think you did it. You think you pulled one over on the devil, then at the last moment, there he comes with overwhelming undeniable finality that makes you soil your pants with this track playing for the first time. Never have I been so elated while being utterly annihilated in a game before.

[@amandahoeft7303]

This moment was one of the better ones in the game imo. When he showed up it was just so well done. And when the fight music started I *knew* I'd effed up. A villain with their own fight song always means you're in for it, but one that sings his own battle music? Epic.

[@elseggs6504]

After beating a lightning shitting zombie dragon he got me more like "Finally, a worthy opponent! Our battle will be legendary!"

[@AstralObservatory1]

I'm so glad that you agreed with my thoughts on the song. It's definitely one of the best pieces of music I've listened to in a while. The best piece of trivia about the song is that Andrew Wincott, the one who plays Raphael, has no formal training in music. He's mainly a reader for audiobooks.

[@laurahart1337]

Nope, it's OK that you're freaking out. I think most of us when we heard it for the first time in game just sat there in awe, and the majority of those (including me) aren't music majors/minors.

[@AteYourLiver]

The fact that Raphael sings his own theme is such a great detail

[@ulruc]

This is my preferred music from BG3 (and from many games in general for quite a while). The thing is about this song is that if you listen carefully during the game, everytime you encounter Raphael, you can hear a version of this song without lyrics in the background. But the volume goes up a little everytime up to the point where this version plays and you know you are for a treat of a fight :)

[@ChaoticGoodPeasant23]

What? Really? As if I needed another reason to play through the game, I have one now.

[@ulruc]

@@ChaoticGoodPeasant23Yes. I heard it faintly during both Act 1, 2 & 3 before visiting him in his house :)

[@LorthianAzoth]

I noticed it on my second playthrough (I am glad i did the fight in my first playthrough because i got experience the song at its peak.)

[@moonwatcher99]

@@ChaoticGoodPeasant23 Definitely listen close when you meet him in the brothel. The pizzicato part of his music runs under the whole conversation.

[@Peytoneileen]

You can even find a journal that has a poem/lyrics being written (presumably by Raphael) that reference it too!

[@rrahl]

This song surrounds an optional encounter with an easily missed conclusion, BG3 is just gorgeous.

[@tomrowell1558]

The number of times I’ve gone back and listened to this I totally understand you doing the same! For such a short piece of music there’s something special about it, chills every time too

[@someoneelse4939]

You're right, Raphael isn't a good guy. He's a magnificent bastard.

[@Skarigon]

the sprechgesang by Raphael's voice actor really nailed the theatrical feel of the fight against him, if he actually sang it wouldn't have had as much of an impact I think

[@artemis3065]

Another lyrical song from Baldur’s Gate I would recommend is “I Want To Live”. This is considered by the composer to be the protagonist’s (Tav’s) theme, though many in the community also relate it to another companion, Astarion. And it’s definitely unique from much of the rest of the soundtrack

[@MeeshroxStreams]

I second this, would love to hear your take on it!

[@jetman2045.]

Tony. You're a hard worker and a great guy. I appreciate all the work that you do.

[@PROyaegerist]

+1

[@MrZJK541]

The campiness of this song with how long you've known Raphael up to this point makes this piece so much more fun when it drops. The ability for me to look over the goofiness to observe that Raphel has the power to have his own orchaestra during this fight makes this piece so much better. One of my favorite gaming experiences of all time.

[@PrettyPinkPersephone]

“Souls, go to their doom, in flame, forever more” is a direct reference to a written campaign called “Descent into Avernus” that is about descending into the nine hells to retrieve a powerful artifact. It’s written in blood on the wall of a place of worship. So it’s actually a super deep lore cut

[@edwardking9359]

Descent into avernus was a deliberate prequel to BG3, actually!

[@guaranteedtopwn]

hearing this song, for the first time, in context.. gave me the biggest smile I've had from playing a video game since high school

[@lissaguillet3754]

This was such a special moment in the game. And it's MISSABLE. Like easily missable. That's the thing that kills me. It is one of the few scene pieces that gets it's own music and it is so great. Truly one of the most epic battles in the game with THE most epic music. Raphael is a Devil who is ridiculously dramatic, BTW and just the everything plays to that. The operatic nature, the way everything crescendos, the dissonance, the curch vibes, it's so perfect. It's a perfect melody for a prideful devil. So good and so different to not only the rest of the soundtrack but to gaming in general. It's so so so good!

[@krispyclown9777]

Just finished this section of the game last night and 100% this piece has been the best so far. Great reaction and breakdown as well. You took me back to my music days again.

[@theabidingdudeabides]

When this drops right as you roll initiative to fight the devil, absolute perfection. And to have the character's voice actor jump in is just insane. I love it so much haha

[@briankelly1240]

This song is my favorite from BG3 because the lyrics reference things that character talked about throughout the game like the 'cat's claws'! Overall, lovely experience in and out of game!

[@germanvazquez3225]

Your videos are absolutly great, thank you!!

[@wallywest2360]

This comes out of nowhere at you in the game. The music up to that point had been mostly in the background. And it isn't some cut scene either, this plays as you're fighting him. I had already fallen in love with the game but this is a standout moment, easily one of the most impressive things I've seen in any game.

[@Chireiya]

Definitely with you there on the full-body chills! Especially experiencing this theme in game it was just a special moment I won't forget quickly. The fact that Raphael is a devil make the use of the organ and chimes that sounds like church bells pretty ironic. Everything about him is drama and flair. He also calls his palace the House of Hope and the woman singing in the theme is Hope, a dwarf character that has been trapped there for a very long time and who leads you on your journey through it.

[@Nomgoose]

I've never seen Tony have a loss of words for a piece, and I couldn't think of a more perfect song to make that happen. As other commenters have said, hearing this song in the context of the game elevates it EVEN HIGHER. It is my most memorable gaming moment of the entire year. I reflect on it way too often because it carried that much emotion and power for me. I hope Tony will play the game to get to this point and hear it for himself within the hours of context that build up to it. It's an incredibly special experience. I would recommend Tony listen to NIghtsong followed by The Power in an upcoming vid. The first is really short, but establishes the motifs for the second and it is my favorite melody in the entire soundtrack. Again, in context, those songs are heavenly and ascend to another level of performance.

[@NickAstalos]

man this was so awesome to watch you gush over this so much. actually insane how good this song is

[@tomtolaja9181]

Nice, I've been waiting for this one, thanks Tony!

[@zlorfik2428]

I feel like speechlessness or trouble finding the right words is the kind of appreciation this song needs xD

[@savlecz1187]

For me, this was the most memorable moment in the game. What a freaking amazing idea, to have the villain sing his own combat music!

[@brookwilleford4804]

Love the piece, love the in-depth breakdown of it... and I love the Seahawks helmet in the background.

[@HolybasilYT]

Been waiting for you to react to this one!

[@abysswalker3891]

If BG3 doesn't win GOTY, best narrative and best music we freaking rot... 💀 Raphael is such awesome bossfight holy these music give me chills everytime.

[@cyrilspencer6689]

They deserve EVERY AWARD GOTC

[@alexandrostype-2211]

BG3 deserves many awards, and even the music is great, but FFXVI soundtrack is unbeatable. But because way more People played BG3 than FFXVI, People will not know. I have played both, and listened to their full OST, there is no match for FFXVI soundtrack

[@sirgideonofnir87]

Rigged if bg3 do not win all of it!

[@Pyrous56]

Greetings, I am from the future, it got goty, and several other awards.

[@SwissSareth]

I can relate, I always get chills when listening to this.

[@irlSwampy]

This was stunning to watch, thank you for going into so much depth! This is absolutely my favorite song in the game and it is wild it's such a "niche" song to get at all. Truly a hidden gem. (Though not so hidden by now lol)

[@nate-hl9sq]

listening to you jus talk about the sounds that make the music reminds me so much of my band teacher, miss those days

[@TheRedNaxelaYouTube]

I hope he got his well deserved break and got the opportunity to play the game! Especially if he got to the house of hope and finally heard this in-game

[@sharteel85]

This song keeps giving me chills, it was the most unexpected epic fight song, 100/100.

[@GianniCostanzi]

The first time I’ve heard this song in-game I was amazed.. it was a one hour battle for me with this music background, something amazing. This game shines in every aspect. great video!

[@MrNumWalrus]

When this song drops in the game it's so fing crazy. Having a boss fight and having the boss singing the boss music to you... insane its sooo good

[@krokenlochen]

Raphael's Final Act and The Power (Choral Version) always have me coming back to them. The vocals in the Power are just so serene and beautiful, when I heard it for the first time in game I just stopped and listened for awhile. Similarly, when I heard Raphael for the first time, I stopped and listened but it was out of fear and feeling like 'oh shit, I really fucked up.'

[@ZoeBateman]

Legit the first time I heard this in the boss battle, I started off with 2 critical hits against Raphael and I reloaded a save just to hear this again/for longer, this theme fits Raphael's character and vibes so well and it is truly a pleasure to experience every time I listen to it. Even having said all that, it's not my favourite piece in the game, that honour goes to "The Legacy of Bhaal", it's just the perfect theme for a late game, "pure evil boss" kinda vibe and it works so well with the climactic part of the game it plays at, combined with subtle calls to similar motifs from Baldur's Gate 1 and 2.

[@jingliestpockets]

The first time I heard this in-context, my jaw hit the floor. It's still there.

[@chris.davidoff]

This song hit so amazingly, it was such a highlight in the game. Having a relationship with who is singing changes this song from already so cool to something so incredible. I'm so glad that was the way I first experienced it!! It was so epic I started hitting off all my biggest spells

[@ryanjohnson6169]

Rewind and explain as much as you want, it’s insightful and educating when you do that. At least from my point of view. Gave me perspective on why I loved the piece so much.

[@brites4]

this theme is amazing and the character sings his own boss song, that's so epic! This game is just amazing in every way

[@bp6h]

Hell yeah been waiting for this one!!!

[@Niriixa]

The instrumentation on this song really elevates it to another level and works so well with the vocal performances.

[@powersofdestruction5694]

Way late to the comment section, but one thing that I think is notable is that one of the lines Raphael uses, “and now down here come the claws”, is actually a reference to a poem he recites the first time you meet him. One of his character traits is an obsession with poetry and music, so him deciding to literally create his own recurring motif fits him pretty well.

[@samstevens2989]

My jaw dropped when this song started in this fight. I stopped playing all together just to listen to the song all the way through a few times. I just finished my 4th play through last night

[@bendon82]

I'm so excited for you to get into this game. I kinda hope you stream it, but if you don't, my favorite musical transition in the game is when you go from outside the goblin camp, to the interior. It's honestly incredible.

[@megaleszka]

I listened to this song so many times, it still gives me chills, it's a masterpiece

The nightsong theme with its extended epic portion is my favourite, but all of the soundtrack is just sublime

[@hago66]

Every reaction video for this praises the song to heavens and that's deserved. The part where you hear this fills you with dread and a thought "Uh oh... I think I've fucked up big time."

[@Thatenduranceguy]

Your reaction is much like the one I had the first time I heard this. Instant hyper fixation. It’s easily the best video game musical composition, ever. This song gives me such chills every time I listen to it. Unfreaking real what Borislav accomplished here.

[@vinceA3748]

I have played this magnificent game through multiple times, and I always opt to fight Raphael. The whole scene is amazing. The dialogue and the music is AAA motion picture quality.

[@Aradame]

I am definitely not a pro in music, I don't have professional ears but this song... This song I can listen to it a multiple times and still have chills every. F*cking. Time. It's so PERFECT for the character, for everything that's going on while you play this part and all... Yes Raphael is evil but we are a lot to love him to no end XD And this song is a masterpiece. Even for noob in music like me. Definitely my number one video games' song (sorry for my English I'm a stupid French and we are not good in learning other's language aha)

[@attakonbass]

I am and will always been a nerd. We'd had great music in video games since the beginning but we have entered into a whole new era.

[@Zanchbot]

I can't get enough of watching professionals react to this piece in particular. It's just *so good*, some of the best music I've ever heard in a video game.

[@erickalear7609]

You hit the nail on the head with the Music Theatre comparison. That's EXACTLY what it is and man I hope you make the choices that lead you to this moment.

[@elevown]

Has Tony heard Baldur's gate 3's 'weeping dawn' ? I know he played the game but that one is easily missable- and i think its even better than down by the river personally.

[@kavid8120]

Fun fact: this game recently won all 5 main categories at the Game Awards. In a time where every studio is trying to add as many micro transactions into their games as possible to make as much profit as they can…Larian Studios gave the world a beautiful fully complete game with no micro transactions at all.

[@DrumRollTonyReacts]

That'd amazing

[@conorryan3035]

Your facial expression listening to this is priceless. It's impossible to hear this for the first time and not have your jaw on the floor. What an excellent composer Borislav is.

[@aed4n92]

Hyped to see you so happy about this one! I was shocked playing this part of the game as it is actually optional but I will never skip it because this song is just ACES. Video game music absolutely slaps, I am glad people aren't sleeping on this genre anymore (for those that had been anyways...).

[@TJMiton]

Amazing song with no context, but it gains SO much when put in context of the story point in the game. The first time this starts blasting at the conclusion on the raphael story arc is just simply one of the best gaming moments of all time.

[@michaelpoulsen2862]

Think you might like "Song of Balduran " another great piece from the game.

[@kesh_r]

My favorite

[@RyanJamesOfficial]

I really appreciate what you said about games having a social stigma attached to them. I was born in 1988 and grew up with the golden age of gaming and I'm so happy to see how far the artform has come. Music, storytelling, visuals.... gaming is a combination of artforms AND allows the listener/viewer to PARTICIPATE. Nuts form of art if you think about it.

[@user-er8gh9sg7e]

I love your perspective about music back in the day. There were a few masterpieces along the way over the years, but it's really at its peak with this song. The fact that they invested in a song for a side optional boss battle and it then becomes one of the most memorable awesome scenes in the game is just great. What a payoff. Excellent analysis, makes me love the game industry.

[@Shornaal13]

I'm honestly sad that Borislav didn't win the award, even if I know the awards don't actually mean a lot. He did such a great job.

[@BebbaDubbs]

It is really a masterpiece. I adore Bulgarian and byzantine folk music and the whole album pays homage.

[@austinkersey2445]

To be fair, Final Fantasy XVI won the awards and it had just as good a soundtrack as this game if not better. Final Fantasy is known for having killer soundtracks, but Baldur's Gate definitely gives it a run for its money. I think my greatest issue with this game's OST is that its too reliant on "Down By the River" and so a lot of ambient/background music sounds rather samey. I get what was being attempted, but it holds it back in my opinion.

[@Alex_Isshin]

My favorite is the ending credits song "Baldur Gate 3 OST - The Power"... the game was awesome and i always usually skip credits but that song, oh dear that song hits like a truck.

[@austinrocke8145]

Raphael is by far my favorite character in the game, and was so happy when I heard this amazing and unique theme during his fight.

[@DolphinSBay]

You also have to remember, that because Raphael is the son of archdevil Mephistopheles and very cunning with words as well as his physical form being befitting of that of a devil. Also that the word "claws" or "clause" can be used interchangeably, which means the the phrase "down comes the claws/clause" makes this performance not only very very strong lyrics wise, but also the orchestral design of a medival stylish-type villain is just too good, in combination with weaving in 1000+ years real world lore/myths/legends/religion is a masterpiece.