EXCELSIOR OST: Inexorable - Cathedral

[@jimmington-lj9jo]

the medieval peasant after i lock him in a small dark room and force him to play juice galaxy

[@lunky5820]

"dear god... WHAT!"

[@Nyuk_AllegedlyAtLeast]

Cathedral: exists Mod music composers: It's Showtime.

[@feefington]

for real dude, cathedral *ALWAYS* has banger themes no matter the soundtrack for some reason

[@dannieyebagsz]

Ridiculon popped of with their theme too

[@AlfurAldric2211]

@@dannieyebagsz It is the one out of the few themes i personally forgive them for, even as someone who prefers the whole Antibirth soundtrack over the original.

[@bluerious5475]

@@AlfurAldric2211 I feel like ridiculon's sountracks for the DLCs and especially *repentance* are all consistently good-genuinely great, but I still enjoy a good number of base rebirth's themes as well lmao. I mean, id think its impossible to hate a song like Sketches of Pain (with combat layer)

[@AlfurAldric2211]

@@bluerious5475 Totally agree! I enjoy both Ultimort and Sketches of Pain so much, i found myself switching between the two during my Antibirth days. Can't say the same for tracks like Sodden Hollow and Abyss after you've played the game for a long while, though.

[@skapaloka222]

my favorite theme, it sounds like it's in pain

[@redsphinx113]

Glorious agony

[@tanukiloaf]

okay mr triangle man

[@random_dumass]

Imagine being a child that just killed your mother and whatever it lives is and you enter a strange cathedral and hear that while you explore you see some fucked up things

[@Xamsims]

Perfect theme for how the Cathedral is supposed to be a safe sanctuary yet still there are hostile monsters all over the place.

[@ravioli2321]

Because you (Isaac) is not welcome there (in his mind). Such a good hint for the lore for a mod soundtrack

[@duckonaroll1913]

​@@ravioli2321holy shit i never thought about cathedral like that

[@yeetlejuice7181]

'wailing' really is the best way you could describe the guitar in this song, there's such raw *emotion* in it. it sounds triumphant, but desperate and broken at the same time- a perfect mood for an isaac track. hearing it in-game is even better; it comes right after the more atmospheric tracks of chapter 4, making the impact of the sheer feeling in this song all the more powerful. the impact is almost so strong it hurts absolutely heavenly track, might be my favorite in all of isaac period

[@toaster9922]

It’s a perfect representation of Isaac’s last thoughts as his brain starves of oxygen in the chest.

[@gentlesin1301]

This song is hauntingly beautiful. A unique take on the track, and one that undeniably fits isaac’s theme. I want to simultaneously beat someone up and kiss them. And this is a fan ost no less. Bravo.

[@josee.r6541]

Besar a alguien????

[@CatleyStanleyParley]

​@@josee.r6541no homo

[@Kirpiery]

When I hear this I want to cry

[@Howtodoit15]

wait what?

[@Blasanic]

@@Kirpiery damn me too

[@thekingofrockin7944]

I adore the name of this song. Inexorable can mean something impossible to prevent, so it can be seen as Isaac's inevitable death approaching him as he reaches the end of the run (you do kill Isaac on this floor after all). But, inexorable can also mean impossible to persuade or convince, which can be seen as Isaac's mom's unshakeable faith, which had ultimately led to all of Isaac's hardships and inexorable death.

[@MagikalKrabical]

Inexorable also referring to Fiend Folio Cathedral without a good run

[@Wendafulz]

i was listening to this while resting off an overdose in the hospital, and It felt dream-like. It was really weird but everything just simply felt ethereal. ever since that, I've been in love with this track.

[@HeavyWeaponsGuyisHorny]

Well it's fitting that meowskulls Overdosed and is in love with the Trippy track being considered the weed cat by a lot of people in twitter

[@Wendafulz]

@@HeavyWeaponsGuyisHorny it is fitting. I oughta listen to this track while high and not trying to end my own life 😵‍💫

[@peppermint274]

did you imagine yourself going through multiple floors as you killed monsters?

[@Wendafulz]

@Peppermint i wish, but i was just kind of felt weird and was a bit relieved i was away from those who were hurting me emotionally

[@SLAPSQUAD17]

your saying that like its a normal thing keep ts to yourself

[@Glory2Snowstar]

My goodness this is downright Heavenly. I went in with bated breath since The Thief (Antibirth's Cathedral theme) is kind of my favorite song just... ever, but this provided me with an entirely new circumstance behind Cathedral. That guitar is such a divine medium between deterministic energy and otherworldly sorrow, both selling the sacred might of Cathedral's divine protectors and the suffocating fear of a child who feels they deserve to rot in Hell. It's the closest thing I've ever heard musically to a human body being torn apart, metaphysically and literally. I actually feel like the two songs work in tandem to communicate these two halves. The Thief is the half that sinks from the stairs of Heaven due to the weight not of their sins, but of their guilt. Inexorable is the theme of the half whose mufflers were severed, now granted the attempt to articulate its suppressed terrors through screams and the final strands of denial. Isaac's life was never fair, and he will never be perfect, and this realization breaks his spine and soul into the shrapnel constituting the sick shreds from Inexorable's guitar. It's banger music, AND it makes you think. All while headbanging, of course. I'm gonna have to get used to having two absolutely amazing pieces of Cathedral music in my power, I am beyond excited to see what sort of things I draw with Inexorable's screams coursing through my fingertips.

[@ghifariasoka8272]

This is the rawest description of this song. Kudos kind sir

[@tiagomatias6667]

I couldn't have said it better! The only thing you don't mention is what is in my opinion the best part of this masterpiece, these last 2 guitar notes at 1:49. When I hear the guitar in this song the only thing I can associate them with it are massive, divine pillars of unrelenting fire representing Isaac's immeasurable guilt and pain to be even stepping on heavens ground, but these last 2 notes are different. They sound almost pitiful, as if for a second Cathedral's divine protectors (like you described) feel sorry for Isaac but at the same time representing that just for a second Isaac stops feeling that pain and guilt, instead just lamenting his life and the fact that, for him, he will never be deserving of heaven. Just the fact that all of this can be said about just 2 guitar notes shows how special this song is! This OST might be fenomenal and even my favorite game OST ever, but this song not only overshadows all of the others, but also The Thief as my all time favorite song!

[@thatonerandomperson3402]

this gives me the urge to shout bible verses at someone but also cry in the corner of a fast food restaurant bathroom very beautiful, this is a literal blessing to the ears

[@Garmond_Zaza_Fan]

very specific, it's like you already did it

[@Da_ComputerMonster]

Imagine working retail, and you go to get a drink of water from the fountain, and all you hear from the bathroom is the muffled screaming/crying wailing of; _BUT IF _*_WEEE_*_ ARE LIVING IN THE LIGHT AS _*_GAAAWD_*_ IS IN THE LIGHT_ _THEN WE HAVE _*_FELLOWSHIP_*_ WITH EACH OTHER!_ _AND THE _*_BLOOOOOOD_*_ OF JESUS, HIS _*_SON,_* _CLEANSES US FROM _*_ALL_*_ SIN!_

[@runetal9753]

Dogma would agree on this

[@kanorune]

​@@Da_ComputerMonster AS WE CLAIM WE HAVE NO SIN, WE'RE ONLY FOOLING OURSELVES, AND NOT LIVING IN THE TRUTH

[@97raven123]

I think this might be my favorite of the tracks in the ost. Somehow you've made a theme sound desperate.

[@catomax26jeev]

This along with Fiend Folio make the cathedral have a "final level" theme

[@the_parasites]

And the fast-paced track of the chest gives it a "bonus level" vibe.

[@TopOfAllWorlds]

​@@the_parasites the chest is "the end is rapidly approaching" for me way more than bonus.

[@the_parasites]

​@@TopOfAllWorldsit's both if you think about it. The urgent-yet-happy theme kinda just says "everything will be over soon, so you might as well go out with a bang." especially with the abundance of items on the floor allowing you to go crazy.

[@cozysundew33]

@@TopOfAllWorldsthe speed of the Chest Theme also represents the speed of Isaac's breathing as he suffocates in the Chest.

[@toaster9922]

“lmao what the fuck is this guitar” “….” “lmao why the fuck am I crying”

[@tiagomatias6667]

It's hard to describe just how well this song encapsulates the narrative of the binding of isaac. I still can't believe the celeste ost got overthrown by a mod ost from a 10 year old rogue-like game as my favourite ost of all time! Media in general doesn't make me cry but this comes pretty close so thanks for that I gess!

[@Blasanic]

Same dawg

[@Blasanic]

Damn, listening to this while driving is a whole different experience ngl. I just shut down and cried the minute I heard that guitar pierce my soul and pull out all of the painful memories in my life

[@toomanyusernames8368]

1:09 - 1:23 is the best part of any Isaac soundtrack I've EVER heard, It feel like music that plays when you pass away and you can see all your past memories and your best moments in life come flooding back into your memory as you ascend into heaven and rest in peace, Its just SO FUCKING GOOD!!!!!!

[@mr.lowlife]

I loke the bit after 1:23. It just hits different

[@rafhael636]

Just found gold in here,because this slaps

[@P0L0_312]

In mi opinion mausoleum and cathedral are by far the best themes in the mod

[@rafhael636]

Journey to moriah kinda hits too

[@superubergoober]

vantasm as well

[@ghifariasoka8272]

No one's mentioning Rocker Switch?

[@Garmond_Zaza_Fan]

basement???????

[@P0L0_312]

@@Garmond_Zaza_Fan YES

[@feefington]

Sounds melancholic and holy, like we're walking upon something grand and blessed, but said blessed spirits aren't exactly on our side which explains the pitch of tension and fear

[@redsphinx113]

It's like it's at war with it's self. Like it loves all things and it can't bring itself to kill you. This song is nothing short of divine.

[@bedeuhdb27y9]

Its duality in sound (both sounding heavenly and obnoxious at the same time with the distortion) make up for a perfect encapsulation of what this floor represents, reminding us of isaac's "inexorable" destiny and its brutality.

[@JohnTheBoober]

I can't put into words how beautiful this track is.

[@Blasanic]

Me neither but damn my emotions can the minute I cry with the guitar

[@losfrail6142]

This theme is fantastic. I love this.

[@RupertRockz53]

0:13 this is what it feels like when ascending to heaven

[@Blasanic]

If I heard this while in heaven I would be crying ridiculously hard

[@nathanvillasenor8964]

I am convinced this is the greatest piece of video game music ever

[@kikuribot4316]

Harmony of dissonance's Chapel + Kraids lair vibes... I love it

[@imjusthere235]

This song must be what heaven feels like

[@SrakenKraken]

0:57 and then it turned itself into a castlevania soundtrack. funniest shit i've ever seen.

[@ItHamBoi]

There's a part that remembers me of that one song from the sleeping beauty and it fills me with nostalgia

[@higtwashere]

i love whoever made this

[@higtwashere]

no homo

[@Sawblade-Bleh]

@@higtwasherehuh..?

[@Don_weon608]

Toes who nosé 💀🥶🥶🥶⚠️💥💥💥🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶

[@trashbeast]

god damn this one is amazing

[@maxgriffin2125]

I never got the hype behind 'The Thief' from the Antibirth OST. I thought it was a bit melodramatic. This, on the other hand, is fucking brilliant. To me, I get this impression of the demented comfort Isaac's fever dream finally beginning to irreversibly unravel - that desperate, emotional guitar screeching in the background feels like this honest expression of desperation, and it really sticks out in contrast to the more subdued and melodic tones of previous stages. It just feels so fitting for the first area in the game to become overtly meta and surreal, with the only context being some bizarre place Isaac constructs from his dumbass kid interpretation of Christianity. This entire soundtrack is my favourite piece of fan content to come out of the Isaac community ever, and I've been here since WoTL launched.

[@HollyfromtheHollow]

For me, The Thief feels incredibly oppressive, like you are unwelcome in this house of the Lord, which is fitting considering how much Isaac saw himself as a Devil or a "Sinner Beyond Redemption" because of his mistreatment and the televangelism, I think... There's probably more to it than that, but I wouldn't know how to describe it...

[@superubergoober]

to me, cathedral is the rare stage where i really like all renditions of its theme

[@Garmond_Zaza_Fan]

@@HollyfromtheHollow The Theif version is perfect since, in the bible, the thief is someone who stole their way into heaven, which is literally what isaac does, as if heaven nor hell allows him, where shall he go?? And, I forgot to mention, the song illustrates that, the song feels like isaac is in home but, is he? he still has guilt in himself, and he can't forget that. The song doesn't give hype because, the cathedral isn't purifying isaac's sins, it's just adding on it. I feel like after volume 1, a lot of mudeth's tracks fit, and the only song I think doesn't fit is innocence glitched.

[@lucassworldofletsplays9270]

@@superubergoober That and the Isaac battle theme for me

[@Glory2Snowstar]

The Thief is downright sacred to me but I may be biased, considering I mostly listen to it in isolation. As a standalone piece I absolutely adore everything about it, but I don't know much about how well it fits with Isaac gameplay. (The one time I did hear it in a stream though on Cathedral it was absolutely perfect.) This though, I can already see the astral projections of ultra hype this theme would give you while powering through Cathedral. The guitar's wailing both provides the emotion of Inexorable's context AND gets you in the mood to style on a bunch of screwed-up looking priests and the occasional Triachnid. The percussion especially is basically crack to me. Honestly, this music is so incredibly raw that it makes me wish Cathedral was a final area. It makes everything feel like it's leading up to some forbidden conclusion.

[@Ragless-sselgaR]

1:53 this so good

[@papervods]

This one is such a vibe

[@BluFactory816]

I randomly heard this song in a LS mark video it jumpscared the shit out of me.

[@powertrip838]

Link to the vid?

[@BluFactory816]

@POWERTRIP here, kzbin.info/www/bejne/pWa3fGmvaNRmitk There's a ton of other EXCELSIOR tracks in this video, whoever edited it has good taste in music.

[@BluFactory816]

It plays at about 2:35:00 btw

[@powertrip838]

@@BluFactory816u a real one

[@BluFactory816]

@@powertrip838 np dawg always down to help a fellow Isaac music enjoyer

[@esebuey]

Wish this was on spotify

[@CableSpark872]

This track feels kinda like an angel in audio form: It's too beautiful and terrifying at the same time, but so intense that you cannot look away from it. This theme is just so powerful, it totally hypnotized me the first time I reached cathedral with Excelsior. I thought it would be hard to top The Thief from Antibirth, but wow, this might be on my top 5 favorite Isaac songs ever.

[@levar6618]

This gives me extreme "Ghost and Pals" vibes I think distorted vocaloid would go VERY well with this

[@rlov4rlevisman]

I want this playing at my funeral

[@averyoddguy4015]

the song that i hear when im having a fucking panic attack as i try to conserve whatever HP i have for isaac like holy shit the raw fear in this floor

[@chifladorlarry]

this is my favorite song ever

[@thevoicesaregettinglouder16]

Those guitar riffs are fantastic

[@mistahjenkins4826]

This theme makes me think of several different things, but if I were to summarize it into one sentence alone, it would be that it makes me think of a relationship that tries to make itself look sweet and warm and fuzzy, but is really a toxic mess of lies, abuse, and torment... Which happens to share a lot of similarities to religion in that regard, *especially* Christianity.

[@johnes4882]

that wailing guitar would make Godspeed You! shed a single tear

[@invalid_user_handle]

I don't understand, why does every Binding of Isaac OST (Original, Rebirth, Antibirth, Excelsior) all have some of their best tracks in the Cathedral?

[@hipton]

this is crazy good

[@mrkeyboardmashed]

WE ASCENDING WITH THIS ONE

[@Kyee124]

this somehow give me the feel of risk of rain stage theme

[@softsoap.3152]

Very good point

[@billymkj2763]

mithrix x providence

[@am-180]

ok maybe THIS one takes the top spot. its genuinely unbelievable, the first time i got to the cathedral with the mod installed i literally had to just stop and listen

[@DanTDMs-homunculus]

that plucky guitar reminds me of the pogo sticks from animusic also this is really neat, i love that wacky screeching guitar

[@YoungEldritch]

How did you get this guitar timbre and effect? It sounds excellent!

[@duckonaroll1913]

tyler the creator's "like him" completely reminded me of this song

[@yolomcswaggins4929]

The track really feel like someone who feels guilty in a place of grace. All of the discord comes from "outside" the composition, if that makes sense.

[@therealisaacmoriahtboi]

possible discord reference

[@cyberpancakee6627]

Might be my favorite Isaac song, counting all the vanilla songs.

[@Yakumoke]

This is beautiful.

[@VadaZoraRevaNova]

This is awesome!

[@Genther]

I dont know why but this give me vibes of final moments before suicide

[@Blasanic]

It technically is lore wise

[@WitherSnow]

I heard it just the other day after Trump's Inauguration and maybe it was the mindstate I was in when I heard this song first but it feels victorious in an emotional way. Like our battle was hard fought but we won and I'm so proud of everyone involved! Judging by the comments that is not the feeling most people got but that's how I feel about this wonderful piece of Isaac music.

[@gadunka888]

the guitar and the background track gives me indie music vibes like MGMT or sth like that lol

[@m19967-p]

yum

[@ryanwardell9975]

I LOVE your music so so so much!!!!! Please never stop

[@mrevident1970]

Inhabitants of cathedral greets you

[@random_dumass]

Hearing this is jarring when you see the fucked up things lurking around the cathedral

[@cupcayuk]

How the hell do you come up with these compositions? This is fucking crazy

[@eeeveeeve]

_“For I know the plans I have for you,”_ declares the Lord, _“plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”_ Jeremiah 29:11

[@Kokler97]

0:43 where is the lyrics!!!?

[@TotallyNotFanatic25]

Will be there layers and heavy versions of the tracks?

[@atpsoldat6108]

Steam page of this mod says no to layers.

[@TotallyNotFanatic25]

@@atpsoldat6108 thank you, that’s sad

[@bustoms]

@@TotallyNotFanatic25 what are layers?

[@TotallyNotFanatic25]

@@bustoms layers are the additions of instruments that fade in when you are in room with many monsters in it and fade out when the room doors are open

[@ItHamBoi]

@@TotallyNotFanatic25 he tried but didn't work

[@Kenneth_sunem]

Chaos in heaven's, Chaos in the Cathedral...

[@Namid1]

wheres dark room+chest :(

[@m19967-p]

i stole them, and you'll never find them.

[@P0L0_312]

@@m19967-p NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[@m19967-p]

@@P0L0_312 heehheheheheheheh

[@josee.r6541]

Por alguna razón este tema, me llena de un sentimiento extraño cono si estuviera apunto de entrar a una gran iglesia y pelear con el papá para luego llorar, es extrañamente exitante también

[@ostena2315]

sounds like something out of double king

[@Ерсович]

Yes)))))

[@redknight20223]

good combo with fiend folio

[@sirwoofish4335]

holy moley

[@Newer_255]

this song is a haven, whit drip

[@abrahamaceves6463]

Straight outta Shin Megami Tensei

[@dingus4244]

niceee

[@GleebieDeebie]

I Would Appreciate This Track, But I Prioristise My Halo Theme For Cathedral Thank You

[@Don_weon608]

😍.

[@thewizardslime6764]

Its like klonoa 2 (and maybe 1 too but i havent played it) but twisted, and thats for a game that is kinda twisted in what much twisted you can do in a family friendly game

[@orangthejester931reaper8]

*ascend*

[@PstrywBerryVids]

I don't know why but I get George Harrison vibes from this. It's probably the intense electric and religious vibes

[@HatofMemes]

i went digging for gold AND FOUND FUCKING URANIUM

[@boglindegamer1903]

its like when you combine burning memory with Never (songs obviously)

[@OUCHquestionmark]

does anyone know the name of the synth used in this track? the one that kinda sounds like a piano. its definitely from some keyboard but i cant place it

[@Sailflish]

Did you find this? if you did then please tell me

[@OUCHquestionmark]

@Sailflish no clue, I haven't looked into it much

[@gadunka888]

the sound font reminds me of the indie band TV Girl especially the whiny guitar and the drums and the synth, Birds Dont Sing has a similar but not identical instrument

[@Idk_what_to_put_here]

Most other cathedral themes: calm yet foreboding almost ethereal Excelsior's cathedral: *OHGODITFUCKINGHURTSSTOPSTOPSTOPSTOPSTOPSTOP*

[@RealityMasterRogue]

reminds me of ultrakill

[@mikhail6920]

1:50

[@scorpion_guitarist]

0:57 why do i hear some sample of sans megalovania

[@lincolnlutzjr]

BPM?

[@s0smaster]

Sounds close to about 210 BPM or a subdivision thereof

[@lincolnlutzjr]

@@s0smaster thanks!

[@ZealanTanner]

​@@lincolnlutzjr I tried to tap along and honestly it's really hard to find the bpm because I can't tell what notes are the main beat. I'd say 140, or 210 like sosmaster said.

[@fragranced9258]

It's 70 bpm, but in compound time, meaning the beats are split into Threes rather than Twos. If you listen closely you will notice that notes that make up he melodies of this piece can be easily split into groups of 3 or 6. If I were to guess the Time signature is 6/8. TL;DR: 70bpm, 6/8 time

[@THEPinkPikmin]

When you take the best but worst dump of your life

[@POPGOESFNACTheBite87]

SOUND LIKE HOPES AND DREAMS

[@ravioli2321]

But without hope...

[@dblmon]

ketchup

[@Solaris_Age2090]

POV: you’re camping

[@Therewasawolf]

Not as good as everlasting hymn or the thief.

[@aisvc]

yum