Final Hours - Zelda: Majora's Mask║Reorchestration

A reorchestration of Final Hours from The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask. It was originally composed by Koji Kondo, and therefore all rights go to him and to Nintendo.
Though there's a certain something about the original that will NEVER be beaten by any arrangement, I thought I'd try my hand at this legendary song. Isn't it crazy how just a handful of chords voiced in the right way can evoke so many emotions? This piece is another prime example of Koji Kondo's mastery over music - being able to so perfectly convey the exact emotions you'd expect from a piece of music written for the end of the word. It's almost as if this song continually rises and falls with the Kübler-Ross cylcle of grief; a sense of initial anger and denial with the opening chords which shift and modulate into C minor and begin stepping chromatically - a more eerie progression signifying bargaining and depression before rising in tension to the piece's climax and dropping down to the subdominant and resolving, acceptance - before repeating again.
I'll never forget the first time I played this game, having literally NO idea what to do, running out of time and seeing that terrifying destruction sequence - wow does this game really make you feel absolutely terrible for failing (and rightly so!)
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Background video content is from The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D and is owned by Nintendo.
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Majora's Mask Screensaver by Jesterz Ball Gaming
Video: • Video
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[@takeshiC1]

Hauntingly beautiful "We are fine here. We will greet the morning... Together" ~Anju and Kafei

[@HalfCelestial88]

I would go directly to the clock tower and ensure their future survives right away.

[@xmavrekx8663]

The moment when they are side by side, say this quote and have this music in the background is incredibly emotional and even more unbelievable in a 20+ yo game

[@wishingstar8701]

@@HalfCelestial88 That's why I always save that side quest for when I'm ready to take on Majora. That way right after it's done, I can bolt it to the clocktower

[@HalfCelestial88]

@@wishingstar8701 Hell yeah.

[@metaljacket8128]

Beautiful moment in a beautiful quest.

[@digiboygaming5299]

"And so the moon feel, everyone died, and the world ended. But you? You just like dropped a few things. Try again"

[@digiboygaming5299]

@Hanz Ailo Oof. If I edit I lose the heart though, so.

[@soviet937]

But bro my razor sword bro

[@nightkinwho]

Almost 22 years and Final Hours still doesn't fail to give me that sense of dread and hopelessness.

[@JackalformerlyKnownasDjjjav]

It tells you to your face “hey, you failed, another loop is coming if you don’t do something, but can you? Or are you scared of the mask near the moon, so try again and do it right, or everyone will die again and again and again, so, can you do it?”

[@amethystthemyth-amophieon]

Makes me THAT MORE determined to prove evil wrong, that I have MORE than just light burning inside me...I have Jesus in me too. To do amazing shit!

[@Pirabit943]

I first read this comment and laughed because I thought majora’s mask wasn’t that old. Then I realized it’s almost 23 years old, damn…

[@dlausactor6373]

You give a composer like John Williams or Hans Zimmer the task of composing the soundtrack for the end of the world, and they’ll certainly deliver on the spectacle and cataclysm aspect. You give the same assignment to Koji Kondo, and he shows you a different angle-the emotional and human aspect. It takes a true musical genius to compose the end of the world from a surface-level perspective. The boastful swordsman cowering in his closet, the patrons at the milk bar having a last round, the farm girl getting her younger sister inebriated so she won’t be afraid, the postman making one last delivery, the couple reciting their vows just before the end…

[@Sacred_Korok69]

@@dlausactor6373 that just gave me chills... majoras mask is such a sad and depressing masterpiece... as a kid i never really saw it like that. but now as an adult, it just makes me super sad everytime i play the game. especially with the kafei and anju quest... goddamn

[@StinkySeaGoat]

Shout out to my older cousins who told me as a dumb and impressionable child that “If the moon falls, your save file will be ultimately erased and you’ll have to start over” childhood trauma…..

[@gabe5918]

DAAAAAAAAAAMN 😂😂

[@ArtoriusMaximus]

omg there should be a hardcore mode where that's actually a thing.

[@laary7589]

They tricked you into gitting gud A ledgend or a curse 🦀

[@alyssatano]

Your villain origin story had to start somewhere ig

[@dlausactor6373]

“This is the way the world ends-not with a bang, but with a whimper.”-T.S. Elliot

[@joshwheeler9700]

A hauntingly beautiful song of despair. The brave swordsman cowers, the denier believes, the dutiful soldiers hold their post, a mother awaits word of her missing son, a couple never reunited. And yet despite all of this, there is a spark of hope. Things do not have to be this way.

[@Begidell44]

You can’t forget Cremia giving romani her wish to drink the adult beverage early because she knows Romani won’t get the chance to grow up. And giving her a false hope of safety by acting brave and like tomorrow is actually going to happen.

[@deadbully1337]

4:19 that skull kid laughter sends so much chills

[@cyb3rgamez116]

Me who didn't even notice it until the 5th time replaying it:

[@SenetTheSnek]

Ah the song that is neither sad nor evil. It's hopeless/Acceptance to fate. God Koji Kondo wrote a masterpiece with this chilling/haunting theme.

[@Duhemsounds]

This is one of the best Final Hours version I've heard since a long time. Beautiful sad and epic take on it

[@RyanZPianoGuy]

There he is again folks

[@friendlyauthor7435]

This... This might be THE BEST version of final hours completely. The first half being... Empty and desolate leaves you in denial that it's happening... It's coming. And then *the bells chime* And everything becomes hopeless, as now you can only accept your fate, or tempt it in your final hours.

[@BR-dj1bo]

(Repost for better writing) You keep your eyes, believing this is just a horrible nightmare that has to end. The world won't be destroyed and everything was just a bad dream... 2:35-2:36 You hear the first bell rings... Eyes opened,you look up, the fearful reality kicking your senses back...No, it not a dream...The Quakes as the Menacing Moon fall closer shaking your body is real. The bells keep ringing as the clock tower counts down the final hours... There is no hope... There is no place to run... There is no salvation... You and the world are about... *TO MEET A TERRIBLE FATE...*

[@JoeFilms5420]

Zelda fan arrangements are always interesting, but how different people recreate this song in particular fascinates me. I think everyone who played Majora's Mask was moved and haunted by this piece, and the different musical ideas fans take away from it are really a wild ride. Your rendition most certainly does not disappoint. I love how freaking loud the bells in this are, pulling no punches on the ears. Simply beautiful.

[@MatthewNewsomeComposer]

I REALLY wish I'd have found out I accidentally muted the little harpsichord run that plays throughout the piece before uploading this - 2 years on and it still bugs me, haha. If I ever get around to releasing this on streaming services, I'll fix it. Mark my words.

[@lindslaurd]

omg there's a version with harpsichord runs?? like this is so perfect but i literally thought that the missing harpsichord runs are the only thing that could make it even more perfect lol. i would love to hear that version

[@kizzbee7207]

Ooo i look forward too it!

[@ChiruKobra]

I would love if you would just upload an alternate version with the fix. I'd listen to that as well.

[@BornZombie.]

Majora's Mask is my all time favourite video game ever and my favourite piece of music from it's soundtrack is Final Hours. Over the years and growing up I've listened to many different remixes of Final Hours and I must that to this day this is my favourite remix I have came across. I only came across it about 2 months ago and I can not stop listening to it. It captures the feeling of the original piece amazingly. This is such a beautiful Remix, you did an amazing job on this, just wish it was also on Spotify XD. keep up the good work 👍

[@RayxPacucci]

Yeah me too❤

[@SonofHolland]

The timer was a nice touch.

[@jwoodsonmusic]

When I saw this, I knew I had to drop what I was doing, put on my best pair of headphones, and listen to it. Your remixes are always more than just music, they’re an experience. You are, simply put, one of the best remixers on this platform. The beginning is simple, but powerful. It leaves room for the intensity to grow, which it certainly did. I especially love the little details of the background noises. It just adds so much to the experience. My stress levels increased along with a sense of grief and impending doom. The percussion mimicking a clock ticking reminded me of the Interstellar soundtrack (No time for caution, Mountains), which is a fantastic ost. I also love your description. I 100% agree that Koji Kondo did something special with this soundtrack. It makes me feel emotions so intense, and I really don’t think MM would be half the game it is without it. This was just a fantastic remix, and I can’t wait to see what you have coming down the pipeline next!

[@MatthewNewsomeComposer]

Reading your comments always makes my day Jacob! Thank you so much, it really means the world to me to hear you really immersed yourself in the listening experience! I definitely did draw inspiration from Zimmer's Interstellar soundtrack with the percussion haha, that soundtrack is innovative in many ways but especially so in it's unique ways of really emphasising the passage of time and urgency of the plot - which I felt fit perfeculy this moment in the game! Thank you so much as always for your support ^_^

[@elliotgandersen]

I love this song, I love this version, and as I listened deeply I oddly found a lot of hope. If you imagine this to symbolize the raising sun of the fourth day it brings a whole different twist. The piano and bells keep going down as if they are heavy and falling, much like the moon. The melody of the strings and choir is slow but raises and rises with power and authority, much like the sun rise. No matter what terrible fate we have light will enter our lives again.

[@superpixeltea]

This is astounding!! Very dark atmosphere, perfectly captures the tragedy and desperation of this moment. Amazing work!

[@MatthewNewsomeComposer]

Thank you so much pixel! ^_^ Wanted to try and convey all the emotions the piece and indeed, the events in the game naturally give off while adding a bit of dramatic flair.

[@ablacksquare4054]

I love how halfway in, the tension builds higher and higher. Makes the scariness outnumber the somberness. Plus it sounds more suspenseful. The original final hours tells you theres no hope… But this, it makes it feel like theres just a teeny tiny SPARK and nothing else, of hope, and a 0.00000000000000000000001% chance of survival…

[@Erwan92]

Wow. This is by FAR the most perfect version of the Final Hours I ever heard. The bells starting at 2:35, the music going crescendo... And then, 4:20 with Skull Kid laughing, and the clock in sync with the music, the choir raising... PERFECTION!

[@ikilledthemoon]

Agreed man. It was hard to find the perfect mix.

[@quentinpimienta370]

The vocals at the final hour sent chills up my spine…It lets you know you don’t have long before the moon crushes the life out of you along with everyone else. All these other renditions of Final Hours had a choir throughout the whole song, while you saved it for the end. Like you SHOULD. And that’s how you do Final Hours justice. Outstanding work, Matthew!

[@BoswenMcBastok]

I thought the first part was amazing, but then you really kicked it up a notch with a full orchestration at 2:52... And then at 4:22 you just absolutely nailed it with the sound of the clock perfectly in sync with the beat! That was amazing! Can I like this a million times, please? Such an incredible performance. I think even Koji Kondo-san would have to admit that this is a fantastic remix!

[@nathangriffiths2851]

Adding the ticking is an amazing idea.

[@Emboarbof]

"You've met with a terrible fate, haven't you?"

[@tylerallison9735]

One of my FAVORITE pieces of music ever! This and Rito village Night from BOTW are the two greatest musical pieces Nintendo has ever produced

[@gll447]

no other zelda game has given me the feeling of dread and desperation of the final hours in majoras mask, and this song is a big part of it

[@bossdrk9943]

Incredible work, in the last moments, when the gears of the tower clock begin to sound to the rhythm of the ticking, a chill ran down my spine.

[@krisandketo]

The bells are essential...these chords and the chord progression are not particularly unique in the realm of dark/moody atmosphere in media. But the bells ringing instantly makes this Majora's Mask, and much more dreadful and scary.

[@DieselDog403]

Oh man this is scary good.

[@BulbyTheBulbmin6192]

This here is what we call art. It perfectly encapsulates that sense of dread the original gave off, starting off relatively call before going all out, adding more instruments along the way, the timer aswell, a nice detail, everything about it, it's damn near perfection.

[@Soskay]

So happy at the beginning then the actual song came and I felt depression. Good work on the song amazing.

[@NightmareMusiK]

We needed koji kondo in botw and totk

[@kellynakakabourros4953]

Amazing job. Best remix of "final hours" i've ever listened. thank you ! 👍

[@demonextreme5318]

4:20 the end of the world start😢

[@ri-rid4607]

This is by far my favorite reorchestration of this song. Grips me so hard, it's just so powerful. 👌

[@chloevanlunen2744]

this gives me chills

[@bruhirl1023]

amazing , much love from Uzbekistan. god

[@Stormy_A24]

Masterpiece... this is the only thing I can say

[@yissychan]

This arrangement is incredible. The buildup from just piano to piano with atmospheric pads to the pads used in the game with the strings you added to the rumbling of the moon and the ticking clock moving in time with the music as it reaches the climax of impending doom… just spectacular. I find most covers of this track, though they add some nice things, don’t quite work because they remove the ominous and hopeless atmospheric pads. But you kept that and added so much on top of it! This is absolutely perfect

[@exxor9108]

This theme makes me feel many things. But in my mind's eye, what this makes me feel most... is regret...

[@MrKrashmoney]

when the bells start….

[@AidanBoldeman]

This only came up in my notifications 10 hours ago! How could I miss this masterpiece on release...

[@tibby4503]

Majora's mask is such a masterpiece of video game history.

[@eddiecz]

How has it taken me 2 years to find this masterpiece. Song always made me feel incredibly said but now it makes me feel sad with a purpose 😮

[@gsnutmeg]

this is one of the most visceral renditions of the piece and it truly does not disappoint. amazing job! i wish i had even a sliver of your talent and dedication

[@Failentin]

Brilliant take on this beautiful, haunting theme!

[@Egobyte83]

I particularly love the bell in this piece. Love how it breaks into the song, like something from the outside, clearly not part of it, and yet it's inclusion just accentuates the feeling of tragedy, heralding the approaching demise of us all and giving us final notice, like "Listen up, everybody! This is it! The final toll. You better make up with the one you wronged, reunite with those you love or do that one thing you always wanted, because now you are fastly running out of time!". However, that's just the thing... I also feel like this song is sort of giving us a final gift... like, in this end-of-the-world kind of death, a strange kind of comfort is found in the fact that we all will go together, like, nobody will be able to survive... hence, nobody is left behind to be grief stricken this time. We all face it together. Oh yeah, also awesome how the bell keeps going throughout the song as well; though fading so we can focus on the song itself, it is still always there reminding us that we better make the best of the time we have. Truly great job!

[@nrddrn5320]

The transition on the 3rd bell is just absolutely amazing and beautiful.

[@d.dementedengineerc99isurf26]

Easily one of the best remixes of FH I've ever heard! I dread contemplating where that genius Koji Kondo's mind had roamed to forge this eerie and haunting tune...

[@thegamersfaction6343]

I never thought of it that way

[@Sacred_Korok69]

man... every time the music hits accompanied by the clock towers bells i just get chills...

[@Lincolnwick8895]

This is beautiful! Thank you for such amazing music!

[@Denowl18]

This ist one of the best things ive heard in my entire life

[@schuzfffffffff77]

The chills, man, this game is something else

[@_djengis]

Holymoly! I love this! So beautiful and sad. :3

[@zamasublack9566]

I love this 🙂

[@bing8889]

this is absolutely stunning man. amazing work❤️

[@sentakatsuki5245]

this is just perfect

[@pikminfan6473]

Amazing

[@GengarCollects]

Hans Zimmer would applaud this! I absolutely loved the addition of the ticking clock towards the end! Bravo! 👏

[@MrStanFungi]

im very glad you kept the iceland part in it

[@elyprix]

So powerful!

[@tylerallison9735]

You HAVE to put this on Spotify and Apple Music PLEASE I’m am literally begging you

[@mylesaumock7190]

I always liked to wait til the absolute last moment for song of time if it meant I could listen to the best Zelda song ever for 6 minutes

[@lisaking552]

Just discovered this, this is absolutely fantastic. Well done you!

[@axolofa]

Hey i cried. Good job 👍

[@solinkdc2645]

Terrifingly stunning.... I just let go all the tears i was holding for long.... Thank you 💕

[@mikachu4586]

this is the best remix/reorchestration out there, at least so far. the amount of emotion that this captures is amazing as it stays true to the original piece, only amplifying the feeling of hopelessness throughout this piece. in comparison to other remixes, others would stray off to be more epic and heroic as it does not sound like it would be the final day. thank you for this.

[@markus5237]

Beautiful

[@kagayaku5520]

Okay, in all honesty I did not expect much concerning this at first. But your arrangement is beautiful! I can't emphasize that enough. It really digs into someone's mind. I would love to give you a shoutout in my own channel, but I don't have nearly enough subscribers to even help you out yet. So when I do, I'll be sure to help you out and get your music pushing further. Loved every second. Keep it up!

[@MatthewNewsomeComposer]

Thank you so very much for your support! ^_^

[@kizzbee7207]

This will be perfect for my D&D game thank you so much for my making this the length it is and including the bells

[@8bviewss]

How are you not over 1M subs yet??

[@TheFunnyCapybara-lp7hf]

Its a tradition of mine that very time before i go to camp just a few hours before i leave i play this

[@schmutzivanrobin5295]

This theme.....gives me chills and the feeling of "you cant do shet to stop this...just accept death..." damn...this sound gives me the chills..

[@ccar796]

This song feels like your fate is sealed and doom shall claim you like all residents in the land of Termina. Will you play the Song of Time and buy the time needed or will you suffer the same embrace of death like all others in Clock Town.

[@alessandrofirano9922]

This is awesome.

[@johnnny6427]

This is such a beautiful song! I love this Version! Getting extreme ghoosebumbs from this :0

[@tylerdell1878]

Sounds like the ending to Muholland drive starting from 3:08

[@orange_turtle3412]

In all that time traveling you did, you created many timeline branches. Many alternate universes. Universes left without a hero to save them from their inevitable fate as you pursue your quest to save just one. Maybe it would have been better just to let the moon come down, sacrificing one world for the salvation of many.

[@davchac3813]

this is really underrated

[@lovingmontasoccer]

Thinking about the last hours i would have i would go and spend the last hours with my father!

[@azraelrossell6487]

Very moving. Great job!

[@dawsonestep944]

This is haunting

[@TapiTalk]

Hey just wanna say I'll be using this for my D&D campaign, thanks for making this its by far my favourite rendition, its truly foreboding, great job with it!

[@MatthewNewsomeComposer]

Thank you so much for the kind words! Best of luck with the campaign!

[@yhorm1837]

good work dude,

[@renattonunez517]

Great! 😌

[@MaVaMemes]

what a ducking masterpiece

[@roarytheromanarcanine]

I didn’t even notice the timer fade in, well done

[@bleugriffon9843]

good work guy

[@JustAnotherTailsProfile]

Woah

[@arturito6344]

Rather than making me depressed, this song made me refreshed.

[@MaltyCrab]

Nice one!

[@TheFunnyCapybara-lp7hf]

also aint no way this person only has 1k subs hes so underrated

[@king_of_all]

Even though this is from Majora's Mask and all to show all the struggle and desperation the people must fear while trying to escape the moon from falling on them, but i cant help but think about and visualizing a tired, beaten, and exhausted soldier walking along a battlefield watching as a war rages on while watching many people meet their end upon another warrior's sword and thinking to himself "Why must this happen? Why did we have to resort to this?" before being stabbed in the back by an enemy soldier who watches as the questions of why the war had to be fought continue to race in his mind as the light leaves his eyes making the enemy soldier begin contemplating the same questions the original soldier had and then song restarts with this soldier in the other's place the same events happening over and over again in an infinite loop just like Majora's mask when you need more time to save the world from destruction by playing the song of time.

[@TheOdiousConstruct]

Yes.

[@joejoemojo]

if this aint playin at my funeral then i aint dyin 💯

[@AtossaWoho]

I’m not really religious, but this piece sounds like a prayer to me. Very moving

[@billyfurman4888]

Playing this on new years

[@FelipeBravoSwitch]

La música escucha por ZetaSSJ

[@Maluzitto]

Really good, nice job

[@user-vg8kf3bb5h]

good