Game Composer Hears LAURENCE THE FIRST VICAR for the First Time - Bloodborne

[@DaviVasc]

Well, there you have it, Laurence, the First Vicar. I wonder what track will become the most requested now... Speaking of highly requested tracks, have you seen the video I did on Bloodborne's Ludwig? kzbin.info/www/bejne/ap-0lquZqqmDd9k

[@tcherniavsky]

Have you gone over Slave Knight Gael's track? That would be pretty neat.

[@zaynthemane]

I would love to see a reaction to Radahn’s theme. I think the second half of his theme is a masterpiece and goes very unnoticed

[@manquail2361]

@@zaynthemane he did one in a recent live stream if it's still up

[@fen8697]

could you do "mohg, lord of blood" from elden ring? or the elden beast ost?

[@meyrooph3979]

Firstly, absolutely loved the video. However your voice sounds a little off. You sound kinda sick. Are you alright? So about highly requested tracks, I'm sure people will recommend some of of the following. Slave Knight Gael, Starscourge Radahn, The One Reborn, Ebrietas, Orphan of Kos, Sister Friede, Abyss Watchers.

[@Lux-cl7kc]

The in-game version is complemented with demonic screeching 😂

[@MightyMyna]

Lol

[@hahahahahaha1946]

REEEEEEEE

[@hahahahahaha1946]

Orphan vs laurence??

[@mostlikelyryan1294]

Is it even a souls ost if the non-human boss isn’t screeching at the top of its lungs constantly?

[@hahahahahaha1946]

@@mostlikelyryan1294 last giant?

[@queenvictoriann]

You pretty much nailed it, man. This is the ultimate Bloodborne song in a way. It’s about how this vicar started out with good intentions by blessing the world with the “sanguine sanctum” and believing it would save them from every illness. Hence why it starts out with this “holy” church-like march that fits with the idea of people gathering to revere this “miracle.” However it has this sinister edge as if something evil is lurking behind it all, and that’s exactly what’s happening. The blood seems benevolent but it begins to eat them alive, and then the song gets darker, more questioning. A moment of…”Wait…could this be blasphemy?” It plunges into doubt and suffering, darkening even further. The vicar begins to lose his way, and then when that solo cello hits, we have the, “What could have been!” moment. It’s a beautiful lament with hope intertwined that represents the vicar’s grief over his once good intentions and his subsequent downfall. It’s maybe a cry for help too. That’s when it’s drowned out and the full curse of the tainted blood takes over. Laurence transforms into the monstrous side-effect of his sin and the choir swells in mockery. The lyrics even taunt with words like, “Come let’s celebrate and indulge in the blood” but it’s cruel and twisted. An ironic slew of festive singing in honor of the vicar’s “good deeds” as he burns in agony. When it ends, we just hear that ominous low note that marks the cold and bitter end of the march. It’s perfectly written for the character and overall story. Where we learn that humans often strive to do good but tend to fail due to their arrogance and self-righteousness.

[@Psyrus88]

Beautiful explanation.

[@queenvictoriann]

@@Psyrus88 Thank you!

[@thealduinslayer4903]

I took a screenshot of this, that’s how well you put pen to paper. Good job dude, going to quote you on some of this lol

[@queenvictoriann]

Thank you guys so much! ^

[@0x223]

Bros writing his English exam in yt comment section lmao

[@CathTish]

"Is Laurence like...a religious...figure?" My brother in Kos, he's called The First Vicar.

[@DaviVasc]

I didn't know what a vicar was. First time I heard that word. I thought it was a made up fantasy thing

[@KeizerSosebee]

Hey……. It’s Kosm

[@Merc7734]

​​@@KeizerSosebeeah Kos.... or some say Kosm...

[@ImTeetoo]

LMAOO

[@Ali_shadad]

@@Merc7734😢

[@hahahahahaha1946]

IT FINALLY HAPPENED! Laurence was the character who's essentially responsible for why bloodborne is even happening. He was the founder of the healing church that essentially rules over yharnam (the city bloodborne takes place in), hence the religious connotation. Edit: I interpret the tragic solo as a symbol of laurence's slow transformation into a beast. The lyrics seem to almost question the blood and once the choir kicks in, the lyrics seem to praise the holy blood a bit too much, almost like a sinister lunacy or extremism. Edit #2: If you liked this track and the godskin apostles' theme, I encourage you to make a video on pontiff sulyvahn's theme

[@viktormilosevic8172]

Also Vicar is a title commonly used by the church

[@zalomanakbar2350]

I agree

[@bartoszbartosiewicz1123]

Pontiff is a great suggestion that i wholeheartedly second

[@yuomovaeh3028]

I suppose you could say Laurences intentions were benevolent, he was just ignorant of the whole situation. It was already too late by then.

[@hahahahahaha1946]

@@yuomovaeh3028 yeah he knew the risks, but as a wise individual in a certain comments section pointed out, he was just really shit at math

[@Jormyyy]

OMG I have been absolutely obsessed with Laurence's theme ever since I first heard it. Excited to see your reaction to it!

[@HerrscherofSimp3164]

One the best soulsborne's themes ever made!!! It was my favorite from the very beginning.

[@cyndrift]

this theme alone actually got me into bloodborne and souls games in general lmao. i got super obsessed with it to the point it got me to play bb, my first souls game. thanks youtube recommendations for pulling me down this particular rabbit hole and introducing me to some of my favorite games lol

[@AlyssMa7rin]

Want a fun listen? Put the Mohg theme in a playlist with the Laurence theme, and listen to them back to back

[@Jormyyy]

@@AlyssMa7rin interesting

[@DeadlockDrago]

Here's how I saw the music. Phase 1: The discovery of the holy blood, what power and prosperity it brings. Phase 2: Trouble in paradise. Realizing the horror they have unleashed; a warning goes out. Phase 3: It's too late. We succumb to the beast blood, and revel in it. How things got to the point before we begin our journey. He did not fear the old blood. His eyes were closed.

[@Cosmic-Sorceress-17]

The second phase, especially around 7:42, I think expresses regret: Laurance did not treat the Old Blood with the fear he was told to, believing it to be a miracle able to bring humanity to a higher plane. All I can imagine, as Laurance became a beast by his own holy blood, he only thought one thing: "What have I done?"

[@vsf_dave811]

Laurence’s theme is so perfect, and for many people, Laurence is the final boss fight in the entire game, which is appropriate considering how responsible he is for the game’s events. The music perfectly tells the story of a man who began with noble goals, but whose ambition caused him to reach too far and ultimately cause so much death and corruption. The solo at the end sounds like Laurence reminiscing on his original vision for the Healing Church, then exploding into the emotional climax of acceptance of the horrific beast he became because of his arrogance and carelessness.

[@liviekumori]

I wish he wasn't just a fire version of the Cleric beast though

[@Jeekoppi]

I think it's a cool idea. I like it.

[@That_Spacechild]

@@liviekumorihe’s the first vicar which he’s the blueprint of every reglious follower of the healing church that uses the blood

[@Felipemelazzi]

Out of all Bloodborne OST analysis I'm seen, it shows that you have the background to make it properly! I like that you usually pause and rewind the music to direct our attention to something we previously couldn't have noticed by out own. And when you play on your piano you highlight some progression that was not clear before. A trainer ear like yours can spot so much!

[@Felipemelazzi]

Gosh, I made so many typos on this comment

[@Wonkess_Chonkess]

​@@Felipemelazzi yeah I did not understand it because of that

[@alolamao833]

I’ve always interpreted the final part of the song as Laurence going out in a final blaze of glory. His ambition was his downfall, but seeing the hunter makes him think that while he may have fallen, he died for what he believed in.

[@popkhorne5372]

Actually the lyrics tell us the whole story. He starts positive, praising the holy blood for its miracles and hopeful for what it can do for humanity. Then his preaching becomes more sinister. After that, laurence actually notices that the holy blood is a "poisonous drink" and tries to stop everything. Follows the very sad solo. And then, its over. Laurence was too late. He has been corrupted by the blood and preaches even more fanatically in its name.

[@tarekabdallah7093]

is laurence that deep of a soul?! best question ever

[@DarkLord-lz2jg]

Man i absolutely love how you can tell almost all the story by listening just to the theme

[@impartialthrone2097]

That "hopefulness" that you hear is, unfortunately a false hope. Laurence has fallen to beasthood. He's trapped in the Nightmare, and the Nightmare has manifested his human skull, which we find. That skull symbolizes his humanity. He attacks us, desperate to reclaim it, but the real skull no longer exists, just like his humanity.

[@Lumineszenz]

So Laurence the First Vicar tells the story of Laurence, founder of the Healing Church who kicks off the events that would lead to the Scourge of Beasts spreading throughout Yharnam and resulting in the cities destruction. He was a student to Master Willem, the leader of the college of Byrgenwerth. Their scholars initially discovered the Old Blood in the tombs below Yharnam and they were researching the ancient civilisation upon whose ruins the city was built. In it they found traces of the Great Ones (essentially lovecraftian outer gods) and the focus of their studies became how humanity could ascend to the state of being that these Great Ones achieved. Laurence wanted to put his faith into the Old Blood and use it while Master Willem did not want to use it and instead ascend by gaining more insight. It came to a schism where Laurence together with a group of scholars took the Old Blood and brought it to Yharnam, where they founded the Healing Church and started administering it to the people with it ultimately leading to the horrific events of Bloodborne as the Old Blood was tainted and spread the Scourge of Beasts. The song describes Laurence's inner thoughts - the struggle between putting his faith into the Old Blood or to heed his mentors words and fear it. He ends up embracing the Old Blood and hailing it as a source of salvation despite his doubts and that is the basis of his tragedy. He genuinely thought that he was improving the lives of people and uplifting humanity until he witnessed the terrible fate that he brought upon Yharnam, at which point it was already too late.

[@theroyalgamer6560]

Laurence's theme is different from most bloodborne music. While most of the themes focus on music over storytelling (though they still do a great job at both), Laurences theme focuses almost entirely on storytelling. while the latin is just blatantly incorrect in this music, fans have tried their best to understand it, and honestly they've done a great job understanding it and interpreting it. If you want to see for yourself, There are many videos on KZbin which show the lyrics with translations. I would recommend the one by saturn580 Here is a brief summery of what happens: this theme is divided into three and a half basic sections: ancient past; old past; and recent past. The "ancient past" focuses on the discovery of the old blood, and the healing powers of it. "holy blood will be our reward" The "old past" first focuses on the prevalence of blood churches, and the rise of Laurence's questions if the blood is blasphemy when beasts began to appear. "The truth hides within the blood, to hesitate would be blasphemy. What is this strange creature? Our land is beset by a beast from beyond" The "old past" then focuses on the sounding of the alarm, as Laurence and the other Vicars realize that the blood was cursed. "Spread the word. Be afraid. Spread of the word of the blood, fear it's terrible curse" The "recent past" focuses on the sheer invasion of beasts, and the loss of hope for the hunters. "We will surely be devoured by the holy blood, so come drink this wine, savour its sweetness, Oh the dreadful nectar!" This is, by far, the most important part of this game's soundtrack in terms of lore. Laurence isn't just a member of the church of blood, he is pretty much the head of the church of blood. Laurence's action were not out of malice or cruelty. Laurence was doing this all for the betterment of humanity, and truly never meant for the world to become so screwed up, hence why he became one of the head hunters. "The road to eternal hell is often paved with painfully good intent" EDIT: I kinda made it sound like Laurence was at the very top of the hunters. This is false. Ludwig was “lord of hunters”. My bad, miscommunication

[@nitrosix3206]

The way i see the lyrics, it's a third person(or even Laurence's) view of the blood. From tempering with it recklessly to realizing it's danger, and at the end, despair as beasthood consumes him.

[@theroyalgamer6560]

@@nitrosix3206 I totally agree with this The whole tale of Laurence and the college students who discovered the blood was that they wanted to do good with it, but were to hasty to realize how terrible the blood truly was As for who is narrating this to us, I do think it’s Laurence, as I believe he would be the first to really question the blood. I didn’t mention it in my original comment but one line was “spread the word, be afraid. Spread the word of the blood”, and that reeks Laurence to me

[@urtoryu_dy_althraidn]

@@theroyalgamer6560 Specially since that was the lesson Willem tried to teach him, it's the moment he regrets not listening to his teacher. It has much more meaning if it's Laurence himself singing.

[@theroyalgamer6560]

@@urtoryu_dy_althraidn funny enough, one part of the lyrics directly references Master Willem saying “our eyes are yet to open” and “fear the [old] blood” Unless Willem is the POV (which would be stupid), then it has to be Laurence

[@thegazingeye6870]

I agree with this analysis, and I also feel that the solo near the final part of the song emphasizes laurence's regret. He never meant to turn people into beasts, he just wanted to help humanity

[@GreenMarineGuy]

One of my favourite parts of this theme is that it calls back to the Cleric Beast and Vicar Amelia's theme from the start of the game, with Laurence being the first and original Cleric Beast condemned to permanently dwell in the Hunter's Nightmare. It's such a cool connection, with his theme sounding more heroic and hopeful compared to the bleak hopelessness and insanity of the later Cleric Beasts. Keep up the amazing work, love these Soulsborne OST videos.

[@neilstackhouse4488]

I think the cello solo in the final act of the piece is giving us a glimpse inside Laurence himself. Yes he was the prodigal student of Master Willem. Yes he was the one to push for the bloods implementation as a source of healing that lead to the creation of a religious movement, the addiction of the entire populace, the destruction of that city, it's entire population going mad, and the eternal damnation of those who were sworn to defend it. Yet inside of it all I think there was always a part of Laurence that defines the phrase "the road to hell is paved with good intentions". When you finally fight him in the nightmare he is a burned husk barely clinging to life. I mean.... think about how the fight ends!! He's literally cut in half writhing in a pool of his own blood turned to fire!! He was a man that got caught up in the whirlwind of his own life, and then was destroyed by it. Laurence was a great and terrible man, but still not without pathos. It's exactly the kind of character Miyazaki likes to make his games about.

[@urtoryu_dy_althraidn]

Laurence's story is all about hope and benevolence, until in the end it turns into despair and lastly insanity and fanatism. He starts as a kind man doing his all for the good of humanity, and eventually becomes a twisted blood addicted fanatic. Both wear a smile, only one out of kindness and the other out of madness.

[@SvenP]

FINALLY :D Great vid! Spoiler alert: Very interesting how the chord has this strange mix of disturbing and sad and then this sudden positive chord. This could symbolize how the healing church handled his death. He used "old blood" to elevate humanity and become a higher life form, or a God. It seemed to work, and it had healing powers. But then the people that took it started turning into hideous beasts instead. There seemed to also be a correlation with someone's holiness, so the more holy someone was, the worse kind of beast the eventually became. And Laurence became one of the worst. When he became a beast and the healing church killed his beast form, they hid it, not telling the population that used the blood that it would likely turn them into beasts. Laurence seemed to be well meaning, while the rest of the church after he died... not so much. They deliberately poisoned people so they would seek out the blood. The healing church showed itself with a very glorious and positive front, and promised healing, while in reality they were hiding something terrible. And perhaps the chords are trying to demonstrate this dichotomy.

[@cyndrift]

honestly though, Laurence himself was downright reckless in his use of the old blood. he came from bergenworth, and was a student of willem, who told him explicitly and repeatedly in the most straightforward way the game can possibly convey that the old blood was dangerous and that they didnt know what all it did yet. their eyes were yet to open. laurence promised hed be careful and then proceeded to start handing it out to the general public in exchange for being revered as healers and drawing people to yharnam. they found out pretty fast the blood was addictive, and yet continued to advertise it and give it to just anyone. maybe laurence didnt know specifically that it would turn everyone into beasts, but considering that the more people resisted beasthood the worse their form eventually was, and that laurence (and his clerics) are basically the worst ones in terms of that, im sure others turned before he did. i think its safe to say he wasnt exactly a hapless bystander just doing his best. at some point i suppose he decided that his church and its powers were worth the consequences, whether he thought the only ones to turn would be his flock or if he knew he also would get caught up in it eventually. he was certainly an idealist, and i dont think he was necessarily *trying* to hurt anyone. but the plague on yharnam is definitely caused directly by his negligence.

[@SvenP]

@@cyndrift ​ @Cyndrift Yeah, seems like he should have known better, but If i recall, he seemed like he may have been the first person to ever turn into a beast through the blood, and even if thats not the case, his whole act of turning seems (to me) to be an attempt to see if the beasthood could be controlled, suggested by "beasts embrace rune". All in all I'm not neccecarily saying he was such a great dude. But perhaps better than what came after.

[@executioner_ecgbert884]

Pretty sure Laurence created and spread the Ashen Blood disease and had the healing church poison Yharnams water to bring people to the church. He also gave the Vilebloods their power and burned old yharnam to the ground before he completely lost himself to bloodlust

[@SvenP]

@@executioner_ecgbert884 do you remember any evidence of him being alive at this point?

[@executioner_ecgbert884]

Mostly just tin foil to be honest, but its believed hes on fire in the nightmare to represent his sin of burning yharnam. Personally, I believe its the mass execution of that night that caused him to give in to bloodlust and become the first vicar and the Bloodletting beast

[@arsenal7897]

7:31 - I Love how the song turned into pure sadness after such a scary beginning. It's just sadness to look upon Laurence and see what he becomes after he didn't "Fear the Old Blood". 😥

[@jeythegrey]

I absolutely love the break into the tragic and emotional solo. It reflects his own inner struggle, to believe in doing the right thing, yet realizing that this hope and belief has only brought devastation and endless sorrow. It is tormenting him as he himself became an ironic figure of his own doing, transforming into the beast through the blood he swore to fear.

[@쇼몰리에]

When I first encountered Laurence, I couldn't hear the music because of his screams. But when I came across his music through KZbin, I fell in love.

[@dr.chinzilla]

7:29 . Still get goosebumps to this day when this solo comes up. 😌 amazing game soundtrack

[@PANICWORKS]

Davi always somehow manages to immediately understand the character so well just from the music. A testament to the Soulsborne composers' ability. When he mentioned benevolence, I was stunned, because that's exactly who Laurence was. He's a classic Soulsborne character, a man who wanted to do good but was caught in a storm of horrible things. He wanted to use the holy blood to save people, without knowing that it had something darker lurking within, the curse of the beasts. And eventually, he succumbed to the curse himself... That benevolent heart just a smoldering vestige of what it was once now. You can feel him try to cling to life through the subtle hopefulness of the piece, only for it to be completely washed away by venerating madness and chaos. The hero has become like all the other beasts, prey to us hunters.

[@championgundeer]

"Sanguine sanctum, did you hear? It means holy blood." Choir Singer: "Oh, you couldn't hear me?" *"SANGUINEEEE"*

[@Kazari-h7k]

I love this extended silence with just the choir at 6:32. It feels like it's sitting with the gravity of the fact that Lawrence found the cursed blood and what he is going to do with it/what will happen. Then what follows isn't first madness, but a soft, intimate acceptance, hesitance, and regret almost pitying Lawrence for choosing this path and the rest of the world for having to deal with it but proceeding nonetheless. The hopeful feeling before launching into all the chaos afterward is like a small sense of reassurance that once it is all over, everything may be all right. However in typical soulsborne fashion whether or not the ending is happy or not is left up to interpretation.

[@Nicoseilas]

I was awaiting for this since my comment on laurence theme video. I think that 6:31 represents the mind of Laurence as an apprentice, calm and without influence of the blood, as you hear by the solo voice and violin reciting a "creed", being a soft thing to hear. 6:51 It's become more 'caotic', with the add of more instruments, turning it 'disturbing', as if Laurence was start to feeling the effects of overusing the blood, but almost unnoticed. The creed-like thing start to be just a little overshadowed by the instruments. 7:10 It explodes when more instruments is added, so shockable that it's almost do you forgot about everything you heard before this by being so "different". But it's unnerving to hear, it's so chaotic and disturbing, causing a sensation of fear. Laurence sure was afraid to everything that he did and that was happening to whoever used the blood, but the exposition was already did, there was no coming back to that "peace". The creed continues. 7:29 The tranquility comes, its peaceful, brings heals to ears, you dont even hear the creed anymore. But this is not a calm tranquility, note that a dissonance from another instruments soon happens, Laurence was already drunk past limit. What the hunters become when they are drunk? Beasts, thristy for blood. Laurence was feeling the same. The calm represents him accepting what he was going to be. So the progression feels like "you are" being well received to whatever thing you would to transform, like nothing but good things. Nothing but escape from death. But in the end we know what happened to the clerics, right? (i smiled when you said it's look like hope) 10:16 Right here its just caotic, you cant stand hearing it anymore, you just want it to end! Note that now the creed came back, but it is like a festival, SANGUINE SANCTA! This is Laurence beging this to end, he is suffering like he never suffered. All he want is silence. Its angustiating to hear this, but it sounds so festival!! You want to stop, but you just cant do you do it. Myself repeat just this part a lot, it's addicting, i'm liking this so much more right know. To me this is the music represeting Laurence's mind behind his demise. English is not my first languange and i never did a learning. Sorry for grammaticaly errors. Thank you to the KZbinrs T B Skyen, MarcoMeatball and you of course, who made me feels like more "sensitive" about things and music or context wicht represent that thing.

[@Nick-mp1zh]

The solo segment feels like a moment of clarity to me, in the eye of the storm. With the choir kicking in in force at the end, it feels like Laurence is saying "I made a difficult decision, and I regret it immensely. I would take it back if I could, but I've gone too far to go back now".

[@m4n0fsteel23]

I really like how you managed to figure out who Laurence was just by hearing the music. It's pretty amazing.

[@saladspoonn]

IM SO EXCITED THIS IS MY FAVOURITE BLOODBORNE SOUNDTRACK EVER THANK YOU SO MUCH IM GOING TO WATCH THIS VIDEO SO HARD

[@jaydeejay4166]

This track made me cry just listening to it for the first time I can't think of any other track in anything that has done that

[@Mi2Lethal]

Glad you finally reacted to this, Laurence's theme is my favourite in bloodborne. I feel like his theme starts strong and assertive but gets sadder and more lonely towards the end just like Lawrence.

[@mika9578]

Laurence's theme is so interlaced with hope despite being completely hopeless is because Laurence is a good person who literally ruined the world trying to do the right thing

[@VenezuelanEagle]

When i first played the DLC, I always thought it was interesting that he was positioned early (right before Ludwig), but you couldn't fight him until you finished the rest. On surface level of the game itself, many people believe he is the reason for the game's events but really he is the least influential out of the triangle responsible. Micolash and Willem were bigger influences, both condemned the use of the blood seeing what it truly was after milking Ebrietas for so long. The two went into research on how to elevate humanity into Gods by increasing "eyes" in the brains of humans. They both went about it differently, Micolash sacrificing/kidnapping and Willem experimenting on orphans and subordinates. All Laurence did was bring about the Beast Plague, which after defeating the first half of bosses wasn't the reason for the nightmares to begin with. It was the pursuit of godlihood, the defilement of the eldritch Old Ones. Contracts with them as seen with Gerhman and his nightmare realm, the nightmare within a nightmare created by Micolash after a massive ritual sacrifice, the tainting of Kos's child creating a nightmare meant to punish the Old Hunters under the command of Willem. As you go deeper into the DLC as you did base game, you discovered more and more of the atrocities that the Healing Church did in this pursuit. The soundtrack is more simple compared to others in the DLC, filled with hints of hope/happiness a tribute to Laurence's naive beliefs. At the end he wasn't as arrogant as people make him out to be, instead just easily misguided and too stubborn to admit he was wrong until it was too late as an after thought to the events that really happened behind the scenes hence why he was put aside until you beat everything else despite being found first.

[@microwavemicrowave7648]

this is one of my favourite bloodborne tracks! Haven’t even started watching and I’m so excited already

[@vincentpey3929]

In bloodborne its established early on that holyness is a big factor in how extreme the transormation through the old blood is "Cleriks become the worst beasts". Laurence was basically the pope so you can imagine what kind of monstrosity he became...

[@noelienoelie8425]

Yea, you got it. The music potrays it very well. A very sacred thing, the blood you see, a time of great hope, but all for nought, and only ruin remains. "Fear the old blood"

[@bizarremaybe3307]

Thank you Davi Vasc. Laurence, The First VIcar is my favourite Bloodborne ost. It really means much to me to see others react to this piece, as my friends don't have the same interests as me. You exploring the meaning and lore of this song through the composition alone really makes me appreciate the soundtracks of Fromsoftware games.

[@jcplays1749]

YESSIR, lesgooo, finally laurence ost is here, great video as always

[@ygorschuma3059]

3:32 "Ok, not pleasant anym- Organ solo plays"* hahaeuaheauehauaha, i love your reactions Davi. Also, i don't know if you have listened to it yet, but if you did listen to Cleric Beast's theme, Laurence has the same leitmotif

[@mayacold8263]

"It's Bloodborne, I never expect it to be positive" damn right, this guy gets it! Great analysis btw ^^ nailed Laurence's nuances

[@tahaelhour690]

Hey Davi love your videos, Laurence is a great character. His whole backstory is sang for us in the theme. He was a scholar under master Wilhelm that got warned of the possibility of the negative effects of the old blood that was discovered in expeditions and ignored the warning. He founded the healing Church using the old blood as a cure for all diseases and had genuinely good intentions but then the side effects started showing, the side effects were turning people into werewolves.

[@BlackBerryBushh]

I really enjoyed your analysis, since I have most of the lyrics memorized it was great seeing you get some glimpses of clear words in latin.

[@VirtuallyAlmostHuman]

I love that even not knowing the lore your'e able to guess an insight into the character. It's really a testament to your talent and the talent of the composer and performers that they could convey such clear informations trough a piece of music.

[@chinny4954]

I requested this song forever ago and am so thrilled to see you cover it

[@mohamedfakch]

Laurence story is so tragic, that violin solo is basically the directors way of sympathizing with him

[@perforator2339]

i rewatch this video at least once a month...the way you disect and explain is just amazing

[@mostlikelyryan1294]

Laurence is one of the most important characters in Bloodborne. He founded the healing church and distributed the Great Ones’ blood throughout Yharnam, of which during the time you had a rampant disease plaguing the city, and the holy blood helped to fight it (even though that would of course turn out to be a lie pretty much). Once he found out about the dangers of the blood though, it was too late, and he even turned into a beast himself. The first vocal section of the song translated “translated” (it’s not very good Latin) is basically talking about him distributing the holy blood, and he is also talking about how good things will come if people drink the blood. This is all before he finds out about what the blood can do to you. In the second vocal part after the short section of instrumentals, he starts questioning the blood, and eventually becomes aware of its dangers. During the part of the song where the vocals are sung a few syllables at a time, it’s him trying to warn people to stop drinking the blood - but, the blood had already taken effect. In the final part of the song, he starts singing the praises of the blood again, talking about how we should all partake in a feast of blood. This can be interpreted as Laurence fully succumbing to being a beast, and his loss of sanity and humanity afterwards. Laurence is not really a bad guy - in fact, very few enemies in Bloodborne actually are, including Ludwig. Laurence is a tragic hero - he genuinely wanted to help people, but he hurt them more in the end.

[@vergillefossoyeur4758]

One of the best boss theme of all time, a true work of art! Thank for the video!

[@blacksiren]

One of my fave bosses and music from Bloodborne. Thanks for this great video!

[@Aya_Albion]

Great video as always! This theme is very dramatic and gloomy. The poignant melody gives me goosebumps and makes me feel a sense of sorrow for Laurence’s contrition and his seeking what cannot be regained, and I also feel a sense of ironic emptiness for his ending up with becoming the first Cleric Beast. His horrifying scream makes the fight and the theme even more dreadful and painful, the same goes for the fights with Vicar Amelia and Cleric Beast. Bloodborne music always impresses me with how well it conveys the backstories of the characters. Thanks for this video, Davi!

[@emergodffx]

3:17 "it means holly blood"

[@jockycracker8253]

Holy shit! It finally happened. I'm kinda sad the Elden Ring videos stopped though. There is still beast clergyman, the final battle, and lichdragon fortissax soundtracks which are insane, and Radahn would've been an another one, but I think you listened to it in a livestream already.

[@Spencer_Thatcher]

You are by far the superior Game Composer KZbinr. Others don't provide a fifth of you analysis. You describe accurate lore for a game whose lore is notorious for being vague and ubiquitous using music theory (a credit to both you and Fromsoft for putting so much effort into their OSTs). I've seen you do it time and time again. Likewise I enjoy how you stop for brief moments for your analysis and explain music theory. The breaks are brief enough to not disrupt the music but frequent enough that we aren't forced to listen to a straight 13 min analysis after the song. I also enjoy how you actually play the cords from time to time and explain their meaning. It's criminal that you only have such few subscribers.

[@iruga7379]

"We are born of the blood, made men by the blood, undone by the blood. Our eyes are yet to open...; Fear the old blood. By the gods, fear it, Laurence". If only Laurence heard Master Willian's warning.

[@bashfulwolfo6499]

Laurence’s theme was my first real introduction to Bloodborne, it eventually led me to Ludwig’s theme, then to Ludwig’s story, then to me actually getting Bloodborne and playing it. The theme is just so damn amazing and I hold it in a special place in my heart. Not to mention the amounts of characters that I made because of Laurence and his theme.

[@birkaradelikci]

I love the hope in Bloodborne soundtracks. Because Bloodborne is hopeful as well as dark. Nice that Davi mentions this in almost every BB music

[@QS2435]

I have been waiting for this! ♥

[@travisgatchell5986]

What an unbelievably beautiful track. Your reaction was spot on. Laurence is an immensely important character having founded the Healing Church. His former master, Willem, sought ascension through insight. Laurence was an apprentice of Willem’s but believed ascension came from the blood of the Great Ones (the Old Blood) which he would implement through ‘Blood Ministration’ (the Holy Blood Sacrament). Without getting into why the Old Blood was cursed, that curse would turn men into bloodthirsty beasts which Ludwig, in service to Laurence, facilitated in spreading through the often messy work of his Church Hunters. I believe his Laurence’s intentions were good but like so many characters in this game, his intentions are washed away through the use of something he didn’t understand. As Willem said, ‘Fear the Old Blood.’

[@NadaXVII]

Yes! I’ve been waiting for this one! My favorite theme from the game🖤

[@pizzamozarella6346]

So happy you finally talked about this masterpiece!! I'd highly reccomended checking out Lichdragon Fortissax' soundtrack from Elden Ring if you wanna do some more on Fromsoftware games

[@محمدالشيخ-ع2ح1ق]

I waited for long time, thank you Davi.

[@marcoantoniojustino9668]

This is the absolute song of bloodborne, by far my favorite. Thanks for the breakdown

[@MarcoMr117]

for me the best ost in the souls series. You should really check out the unreleased Ost from Dark Souls 3 "Crimson Bat" or of course Starscourge Radahn, Beast Clergyman both from elden ring

[@hahahahahaha1946]

He didn't do an analysis but he did react to radahn's ost in a livestream

[@meyrooph3979]

Yeah Crimson Bat is awesome. I couldn't even hear it properly when I first heard it. It was sooo complicated. Once I started recognising everything and being able to listen to it all I fell in love with it. It's probably my favourite track by Yuka Kitamura.

[@professorgrimm4602]

Ludwig and Gehrman beat that for me. Ludwig's OST is the most epic shit I've ever heard and Gehrman's made me cry.

[@orderofsolomomstemple6185]

What about my boy ludwig

[@whyareyouhere6274]

@@orderofsolomomstemple6185 He did Ludwig 10 months ago

[@KimjongILL1941]

Waited for it. Its my absolut fav ಥ⌣ಥ

[@MrFryTastic]

I remember suggesting this a whole ago and I’m so glad you got to it. By far my favorite track from bloodborne.

[@derekpark4987]

Thank you this is one of my favorite boss themes ever

[@ashenlordgaming5308]

Moon Presence is an amazing ost and another example of musical storytelling

[@turanhasanli1188]

"The road to Hell is paved with good intentions" (Lawrence's story)

[@KiroShinigami]

This was a " You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain." moment. He was also a good guy and he went mad with time. He is suffering and to put him out of his misery is to him a blessing, he can finally rest too. You are fighting the remains of a great man who has also lost the way. Its so sad all these people in the game have such depth its like even as a boss through lore we see their whole life through their song and the items we pick up that tell is a tale. These games are literally masterworks.

[@woahmama]

What I think "happiness" achieves in this track is actually more tragic than a track that from start to finish focuses on tragedy and sadness. In the context of the story and world, it's that human, lost feeling of achievement and hope of grand discovery that brings us back to the start of the whole lore while listening, and at the same time we are witnessing the very grimm end of bascially everything. It's like two opposing forces - the song is about Laurences life as a human, but what we fight is a hellish beast that either is or represents the Laurences final fate. Yet at the same time, the melody seems to be not just about him but the whole game, as his personal story and decision, shaped the Bloodborne as we see it. It's beautiful in it's tragedy and makes you reflect on the whole expierence as this is a possible last fight you do in this game, depending on when and how you played the DLC. It's also kinda funny because technically this song is way more impotant than the fight itself as Laurence is basically just a reskin of the first boss of the game (technically) which at first may feel a bit lazy but at the same time it's hard to not see some symbolism in that these two beasts represent two side of the same medalion. Cleric Beast: - represents the start of players journey as the first (optional) boss encounter in the game - represents "the end" of the game story - most recent timeline of the city as this is what happens to all people that decided to drink the sacred blood Laurence The First Vicar: -represents "the end" of players journey - it's a hidden optional DLC boss, and it might as well be one of the last things you do in Bloodborne -represents the start of game story - he is a beast turned from a person that was responsible for actions of his church and for blood ditribution Yet both look exactly the same, if it was intentional I think it's an amazing detail to spot. And I went on this rant because I hope for a Cleric Beast video someday so maybe it will be more possible to see similarities as well. Sorry for the long rant. Thanks to those who read this whole. Stay safe and e healthy everyone!

[@hyst6081]

I've waited for this one for song long! Great video as always!

[@rafestewart283]

It’s crazy that this song is at least 3rd best in bloodborne. One of the best gaming soundtracks

[@Banana_John]

I don't know anything abt music composition but listening to you breaking down the elements of Lawrence theme (possibly my fav theme from bloodborne) is so nice and pleasant. Thank you

[@LorisNoKami]

Finally! Thanks for this wonderful reaction and breakdown my dude

[@SilentMephisto]

Finally 😍 it's such an amazing piece full of tragedy and anguish and yet so dark and disturbing 🔥 And omg the organ is just amazing 😱

[@suzumiBreizh]

Thank you again for your analysis, still really on point lorewise! Seeing a new video from you popping up on the feed is exciting, like a promise to understand better a music piece, which is even more interesting with FromSoft games since their story are so centered around secrets, and being initiated to them.

[@hoytkeyler1997]

the moment of the violin is clearly incredible, superb, sublime, and the end worthy of a glorious and sinister explosion, it is all the irony of the last part, where The Living Failure showed that these famous Failures raised a potential even surpassing certain cosmic creature, we witness a man become a dying beast, he is the one who put misery in Yarham, he is responsible for everything, and I think he is dying not only because he literally burns interior but he is terribly angry with himself for having been responsible for all that, until he beheaded himself in 2 and vomit lava continuously ... completely pathetic, pitiful, a totally enraged but desperate beast

[@madtomk3318]

This theme struck me as the story of someone who made a Faustian bargain for power (in this case Laurence using the old blood) and how the power brought him both glory (in the first phase) but eventually pain and tragedy as it consumed him (the second phase). Really happy to see Laurence's theme finally get covered. Wen Orphan of Kos to complete the Old Hunters hat trick, lol?

[@regmatshiya1437]

I love how souls music manages to tell the characters story so well through the music. This tracks perfectly tells the story of Laurence’s fall from grace and loss to bloodlust, while also depicting him as a hero who did what he did for the greater good. This and Ludwigs track tell their stories incredibly well.

[@knightgeist]

BRO I WAS WAITING FOR THIS ONE

[@alilweeb7684]

FINALLY my favorite track of all the fromsoft games, you really taking your time eh? XD love your channel

[@mt2r-music]

Loving these videos. Great stuff.

[@Jigak09082]

YES FINALLY ! The video is great !

[@Shlankyman545]

I’ve put 350+ hours into Bloodborne and have never actually LISTENED to this song before. What a FOOL I AM.

[@spicybun81]

Laurence is probably the most importent character in bloodborne, he was the founder of the healing church who basically made the blood that people constantly use to heal themselves. There is alot more about him but that's the basic, fucking love bloodborne

[@river7874]

This track is the epitome of "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions." It really speaks to how well these game are made given how you get the gist of the lore/story through the music alone while having never played Bloodborne.

[@irk-q7]

He drank the blood of a great one and became like this and suffers like this. I don't know the exact story, but this is what I know from the story

[@ogorekcyfrowywdupiekota]

Man, as much as I like this song I want it to be on PC, great work breaking it down!

[@AFTV117]

God! I have been waiting this one for a long time :D TY!!!

[@poje98]

O it says sanguine sanctum which means holy blood... HE SAID IT HE SAID IT!!!!!!

[@lockekappa500]

Beautifully ironic that the most positive and hopeful song in Bloodborne is the best song in the OST.

[@frostman1214]

yes, it's finally here!! great video laurence's theme is the only one that i think can match ludwig's, such an amazing song, chills everytime

[@nathanielsearle9822]

“Bake wake up Davi did another Bloodborne video”

[@dimitriblaiddyd1845]

Every time I hear the second phase solo I think of that Patrick the pure animation

[@TopazIngenious]

One song closer to Orphan of Kos. *rubs hands menacingly* Seriously though, I love this theme.

[@TopazIngenious]

Also, you need to watch a video of someone fighting Orphan of Kos after you listen to it so you can listen to the boss screaming.

[@cainhurst7546]

I remember reading this comment somewhere about Laurence, the Latin lyrics describes at the beginning Laurence and willem praising the beast blood or this godly blood and using it at healing churches, but Laurence during phase 2 transition the music describes him realizing the affects of beast blood and warning everybody, but then he becomes consumed by the beast bloods and praises it in a more evil fashion during the musical explosion of phase 2. I’m roughly describing this comment but I thought it was very cool and neat. Btw Laurence and Willem were the heads of the churches Edit: another masterpiece from the souls genre I absolutely love is Lichdragon Fortisaxx. Such an amazing piece

[@florianstegmaier3643]

3:33 I love the part because it's an reference to "Cleric Beast" in which it has some kind of mystery, fear, danger and something big threatening with brasses, a choir and strings in the music. But that reference in The First Vicar is only played with an organ in the beginning. An organ solo is mostly a sign of very religious thing or person. It sounds a little weird but I think that Laurence maybe believes that the beasts are some kind of gods or a promise for a never endling life, like the legend of the Holy Grail in the Bible so he decided to become a beast to fulfil his hopes and promises to get immortal. By the way, I really recommend to hear "Cleric Beast" in one of your videos in the future. It's one of the most famous pieces from Bloodborne.

[@wanderer9994]

Your descriptions of the song are pretty accurate considering the character of Lawrence. In the story he’s one of the main main key players, after the scholars of byrgenworth found the ancient dungeons that contained the old blood and signs of the outer deities that held that blood, two schools of thought would emerge: that of gaining more insight, and then those that thought using the blood would raise them to a higher level of existence. Lawrence was the figurehead that split from master Willem, and we actually see him do this action in a cut scene in the game. The events of blood-borne have many long roots as to where and how things got started, but you could easily say Lawrence was a key reason behind everything. He, armed with the knowledge of the Byrgenworth scholars, left the school and founded the healing church in order to spread blood ministration and gain a higher knowledge of existence. He was not an evil character, not remotely, he was simply very misguided. and this naivety turned him into the monster that we fight in the game as well as created the entire horde of beasts that you have to slay. TLDR- he was one of the original scholars that found the deities, then he split from the rest of them to found the church that spread their blood. The intent was to raise humanity to a higher level, but it backfired majorly

[@linamiller4208]

I've never played bloodborne, I really want to but I don't want to buy a console for just one game. Anyway, This is possibly the most beautiful song from the fromsoft series. Thank you for introducing it to me Davi!