Sonic CD - Past Music Ranked, Worst to First

[@km_studios]

Click here for the complete series playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PL03nkEZaQd7aaFRIRsXDt9PQfc_WYXEyr

[@HyperSonic777]

KMS, do you mind if I extended your Past Themes on my channel, and add them to the Sonic CD Extended Archives with the other tracks?

[@Munibiscool5678]

@@HyperSonic777uhhhhh idk but you can add it to playlists to say the least.

[@ZeekeyProductions561]

Rip Metallic Madness past. I love that the most out of all the past themes because of the way it feels like Eggman is panicking and trying to hurry and finish his lair

[@km_studios]

That's a good point. I'm not sure if that would have affected my ranking, but it is something I didn't think of

[@renaldogriffin5138]

Mine too I thought this one was kind of like looking back at the race but also looking forward saying look out Eggman you're next.

[@asmodeus58XX]

Or he's panicking because he realizes Sonic is that close to completely foiling his plans.

[@am.bisonmain9077]

Makes sense

[@shinji2898]

I thought the entire point was to show how, even in the past, metallic madness was a horrible place. The fact that it barely sounds different to the present kinda reflects that.

[@theray4002]

To me Metallic Madness past always sounded like it was trying to convey a frantic factory frenzy. Like the badniks are working hard to build the place while Eggman is asleep in a surveillance room

[@BraydenKirby-uk7zq]

I luv it

[@DAJTheYouTuber_2007]

to me it sounds like Earthbound and i don't know why i am speciffically talking about this part in particular: 3:34

[@zobelli5967]

Also, the past songs have a extensive use of acoustic instruments. Even though Metallic Madness, Wacky Workbench and Collision Chaos use various synths, machine noises and eletric instruments in future and present versions, the past versions are made with pianos, flutes, xylophones and acoustic basses. The idea of simplicity is acrescented with compressed samples, and the feel of "AM Radio" is completed using Jazz and R&B styles. What a sound design!

[@MrMan670]

My Personal List, I LIKE ALL OF THEM. 6 - Palmtree Panic, I do like how calm this is for the past for the first level. I just feel that some are just better 5 - Collision Chaos, I like how they try and make it similar to the present of JP so even if you are a US player you can listen to, the Walmart version of Collision chaos JP? 4 - Metallic Madness, I like how speedy the music is because the last level is the last, get it done quick. 3 - Tidal Tempest, This fits in so much for an underwater level, It just feels like you can just sit there in a pool and listen to this and just casually daydream about being here. 2 - Stardust Speedway, the calmness for this level is amazing. It's a literal calm version of bad future JP. What's not to like? Tied 1st - Wacky Workbench + Quartz Quadrant, They just are so damn good songs I could listen to these day night and never get tired of it.

[@Parakarry077]

Same I love Wacky workbench and Quarts Quadrant.

[@CloverEssence]

Know what? THIS IS BETTER THAN THE ACTUAL LIST!

[@TheSANSY1here]

@@CloverEssenceyou can say that again

[@definitelynot-smiling]

@@CloverEssenceyou can say that again

[@shocktrauma85]

On another note, you did make a valid point that the music is really important to telling the story. Not just in this game but the other original games as well. With no words spoken, no real text to give us an explanation of what's going on, the music (along with the background) is the key to understanding the story. It is a good thing that the music is excellent in these games.

[@pinaseraphina]

The way PP Past got you to like the JP Soundtrack... Your Past Tracks got me to appreciate the generell US Soundtrack and got me some favs like Stardust Good Future (dat damn bass part!) or Wacky Workbench Presents

[@MaverickTsuki]

What i like of Wacky Workbench past theme is it also works great with the US present version, which makes me think if that was one of the last themes made for that version once they know they had not enough time to make US past themes.

[@Turbulation1]

I don’t think the US Past themes might have ever started production, because it would take too much effort to sequence and program the music as opposed to just making CD Audio and putting it in. There was still the issue of disc space and Sonic CD was already approaching nearly 650-700 MB with how much CD Audio it had not including the past themes.

[@Red_Tsar]

​@@Turbulation1 I wouldn't ve surprised if Nilsen had planned what the past music was supposed to be though.

[@Turbulation1]

@@Red_Tsar well for now we can only speculate

[@MatoroMahri]

I always took WW Past as a sunrise rather than a sunset.

[@roland_the_cursor]

Collision Chaos is my favourite actually, because of how weird it is! I used to not like it when I first played the game 13 years ago, and let the awkwardness overshadow how good of a song it is, instead of embracing the weird. The detuned orchestral hits remind me alot of the late 80s/early 90s hip-hop songs (Get Ready For This comes to mind in particular), and we know how much Sega of Japan loved western music and media. I can't decide if those disgruntled sounds are more akin to the Rugrats intro or a caveman grunting. XD

[@CSS-Tails_Forever]

I like Tidal Tempest Past soundtrack because it really sounds like an old Tempest. I also and still do have Sonic Gems Collection, I'm glad that in Sonic Origins You can choose the soundtrack you want.

[@ClassicSonictheRemixer]

Cool video! I'll be honest, I wasn't expecting Metallic Madness Past to be ranked so low. But it is what it is. Also y u gotta bully my boi Collision Chaos XD

[@BubbaPirahnaPlant2009]

I love stardust speedway because huehuehuehuehue

[@warioplush]

Alright, here’s my ranking! 7. Palmtree Panic, it’s just not nearly as good as the Present, Good or Bad Futures. 6. Quartz Quadrant, doesn’t help that I can never remember that specific level very well. 5. Collision Chaos, sounds really good imo but the other ones are better. 4. Tidal Tempest, fits really well for a damp cave or Minecraft’s Deep Dark. 3. Stardust Speedway, that saxophone part is TOO good. 2. Wacky Workbench, 15 seconds in it sounds like the melody for Luigi Raceway from Mario Kart 64 and now you can’t unhear it. 1. Metallic Madness, I love frantic and fast songs and I always sing the rap from Sonic Mania at the beginning, top tier Obviously this is my opinion so if you comment “L opinion” then Į̴̹̰̠͐̉̒ W̵̤̆̓Ḯ̶̢͍̖̦ͅL̶̝̿̎̀͠L̷̤̭͂̋̎ C̶̢̨̳̥̋̂̀͝Ư̴̫͎͓̼̻̌̎̃͜Ţ̶̩̣͍̪̥̋̾̉̀ Ỹ̵̛̬͇͊͛̕Ơ̷̗̲̺̟̅͐Ȕ̴͍̋̄̅͘

[@striker7793]

Wacky Workbench Past will forever be the best Sonic CD past

[@mairecoffey3422]

No

[@mairecoffey3422]

Palm-tree panic

[@GUMBALLFORTHEWIN]

@@mairecoffey3422 no

[@CF-od1uq]

Facts

[@MsPaintMr]

Lol, it's my least favourite

[@GatorOne-in7hk]

Wacky Workbench’s past has always been a favorite of mine! It’s just so bouncy. Collision Chaos Past would be alright, but that one part you mentioned in the video (1:46-2:01) is not pleasant to listen too. It always wore on me when I first got this game and struggled to find the generators in the past. But hey, at least it’s not Tidal Tempest JP Bad Future or the US Game Over, right? (Speaking of which, I don’t appreciate that you used the latter at the end of the video) Palmtree Panic Past is a great one! It’s so laid back while still being upbeat, just like the US Present, and to me, that’s how opening levels should be. The Japanese present of PP is just too explosive and happy to the point it sounds nearly identical to it’s Good Future, which doesn’t really make sense to me. The Present is supposed to strike the balance between the four time zones, both visually and musically. Stardust Speedway Past? Love that one, too. Seriously, every single song in Stardust Speedway is amazing, regardless of region.

[@shocktrauma85]

Glad to see you feel the same as I do about Wacky Workbench Past.I mean it is just so Wacky. Also, I'm with you in liking all the Past Themes. Something has to be in last place though. However, I do expect in the Bad and Good Futures to see a lot of commenters get upset even though they shouldn't. You like what tracks you like. I also understand the premise of not ranking your own US Pasts with the whole bias issue. But, I would not mind seeing a ranking of those in a separate video if you feel up to it. I'm sure most of us wouldn't mind seeing that as well.

[@elone7744]

I made two separate list because it would have been too hard for me to rank 14 tracks. So for the JP past my ranking is: 7) Metallic Madness: The present theme always has been my least favorite theme of present, so same for others time iterations (except fews exceptions) i really like the piano though and the part at the end is actually my favorite part it fit so well the level because it sounds like an evil computer crashing lol. 6) Tidal Tempest: You know i grew up with Rush Adventure and Chronicles on the DS and the first time i played CD was on gems collection at my friend house, i was amazed when i travel in past for the first time in this zone, i was like is that the sonic chronicles battle music wtf? great memories but aside from that i think this past theme lack instrumentations and feel empty in comparison of others past themes (yes it's a cave but still) i really like it though i just prefer the ones after. 5) Palmtree Panic: If Palmtree Panic Bad future doesn't exist it would have been my fav of the zone too, mainly because i'm not the biggest fan of the zone music overall but the past theme is the one that make me appreciate better the main melody of present because it's a more calm version and imo the best past in the feeling of relaxation. Fit the level well with that prehistoric vibe in that wild nature area. 4) Quartz Quadrant: That piano solo is amazing man, also the bassline and the 90s piano sound is so good, the only thing bad i would say is that (imo) it's the past with the less resemblance with present, for the longest time i wasn't able to recognized the present theme in it, no more a problem now. Cool mysterious vibe overall. 3) Stardust Speedway The rythm section is so sick with that cool DJ scratch drums and bassline! I even prefer it over the present theme and i agree the part when the synth is added is the best thing it's also my favorite part and the stardust speedway piano melody is even better here. Only thing that annoys me is that part with the weird instrument at the beginning, i think with an other instrument i wouldn't mind but not a big deal, top 3 guaranteed! 2) Collision Chaos: I can understand that the part at the end with the loud instrument can be a thing that can make peoples don't like this song but i actually like it, it was hard to choose between this and wacky workbench past but i choose to put it number 2. I absolutely love this past, that vibe of a dangerous ancient forest and that crazy flute, the fact that collision chaos present is my fav present theme explain why i place this past so high i love the main melody. 1) Wacky Workbench: Ok not so original it's the favorite of many Sonic CD fans but well it's one of the best tracks of the game ahah. The nostalgic feeling it adds, the new melody over the present theme make it much more unique and the beep beep part that i absolutely love who is also in both present and good future. (Good future is my favorite track of all Sonic CD for that reason) I like the open hi-hat and the bassline is the best. I agree with the atmospheric argument you said in the video with sky and rocks in the background fit really well. Love the little detail at the beginning with the buttons sounds that make it feel like a machine is getting started and the whole song too. Best Past. For your amazing US past creations my ranking is: 7) Tidal Tempest: The bad future is one my favorite us track and i appreciate the idea of making the past based on it but i don't get the same vibe here, a bit too sad and don't really like the piano, i find it a bit repetitive too. 6) Collision Chaos: I love the Metroid vibe lol, share some similarities in sounds with the JP counterpart, perfect Past for this zone it's just low because i much prefer the others past themes and i'm not the biggest fan of the US collision chaos present theme so that explain it. 5) Palmtree Panic: Well done! I actually prefer it over the JP version (it was also the case with present) i love how you made the good future US (which is underrated) flows so well in this theme great idea, the flute for the melody of the present was a great choice as well as the accordions. Once again just here because the ones above are a bit better. 4) Stardust Speedway: Magical! You encaptured the night full of stars vibe so well! Many elements of the good future who is my favorite GF in the US ost so it was amazing to hear! 3) Wacky Workbench: It has the exact same atmosphere of the JP theme how the fuck? You actually manage to made flows together parts from present and both gf/bf which is insane. Really high because JP is my favorite past + all the themes of wacky workbench US are probably in my top 5 of US lol. 2) Metallic Madness: Fucking nailed it, the present is my favorite US present and i can say that you perfectly understand what made this song great, minimalist and ambiant i like the replacement of the guitar by voices in the melody and THE GENIUS idea was the saws sounds you added through all the song, it fit so well the level with the enemies and obstacles that have it in the level and it add so much at the vibe of the construction of the eggman base and robots. Much much better than the JP version imo. 1) Quartz Quadrant: The best past US ever and the best part of it is that any of the quartz quadrant songs from the US are in my favorite. You finally made a link between all the themes of the zone in one song because i always thought that the present and futures themes had nothing in common, the present as the rythm and the good future as the melody that made the theme gorgeous and the vibe from the JP is still here too! Great choice of the snare! Nice job thank you for your tracks! My comparison: Palmtree Panic: US>JP Collision Chaos: JP>US Tidal Tempest: JP>US Quartz Quadrant: US>JP Wacky Workbench: JP>US (But really really close to equality) Stardust Speedway: JP>US (Same here) Metallic Madness: US>JP

[@GomVorder78439]

My personal ranking: 7: Collision Chaos 6: Tidal Tempest 5: Stardust Speedway 4: Palmtree Panic 3: Metallic Madness 2: Quartz Quadrant 1: Wacky Workbench

[@FelixLotus2506]

Here is my list of your Past US themes (0:51) From worst to best (please don't be sad) 7. Metallic Madness (5th - KM decision) 6. Quartz Quadrant (6th - KM decision) 5. Collision Chaos (7th - KM decision) 4. Tidal Tempest 3. Palmtree Panic 2. Stardust Speedway 1. Wacky Workbench

[@km_studios]

Nice! I agree with your top 4, but I would reverse your bottom 3 (I'd put CC last and MM above QQ)

[@FelixLotus2506]

Sorry but no

[@km_studios]

@@FelixLotus2506 I'm not saying you have to agree with me

[@BongoCrab]

11:26 for those who knew what to expect just from hearing the first second of the game over theme im with yall there. I just watched this at 11:36 pm and now I cant sleep.

[@theRealclassicchannel8066]

that us game over music at the end jumpscared me

[@romanpetrov5798]

It's sad you ranked Metallic Madness so low, it's my favorite OST from this game. I really love these parts with Orchestra Hits 😊

[@EpicgamerGTG]

I'm a sucker for orchestra hits, so I agree

[@LegoLoco7]

I think one thing that contributed to me liking the past tracks a lot is that when I first played Sonic CD, they gave me nostalgia for the similarly compressed nature of the music in some of my old baby/toddler toys, which really sold the back-in-time feel of all these themes for me. Wacky Workbench is definitely my favorite of them all, though.

[@graftongazaway]

Palmtree Panic Past is probably the only lo-fi song I'll ever listen to (I tried to get into it but just couldn't, though I liked the oogway one).

[@jtg55]

Nice! I just love the industriousness of Wacky Workbench, in all 4 timelines (it's my favorite Zone). I actually remember trying to fuse the melodies of the Past with the heart-pounding chaos of the Bad Future. I think it might be a project for later...

[@senorlock5128]

Missed oppurtunity to rank them with the USA past themes, but I guess it'd be weird since you are the creator of those. I would rank a few of yours over their originals like Quartz Quadrant and Stardust Speedway

[@Munibiscool5678]

Also that game over USA music you added in the outro reminds me of me running away from a monster but he got me

[@scrunk845]

one thing you failed to consider about collision chaos is that is goes hard, that descending part at the song makes it for me

[@nan0smm646]

I honestly like your list (Even though Collision Chaos is my favorite past theme of them all lol)

[@christymaefajardo5842]

Mine is wacky Workbench

[@farfarout3561]

Tidal Tempest is my personal favorite past theme but I also really like the Salad Plain past mix from the 1992 prototype. More than the Palmtree Panic one we got and that one's already great.

[@atsf4931]

Really enjoy your rankings on these keep it up

[@pytha7]

Would've liked to see you rank your own US Past remixes haha - jokes aside though I genuinely consider those good enough to be "canon" I guess you could say EDIT: Just wanted to point out that I always thought the percussion in Tidal Tempest Past sounded a tiny bit similar to the percussion used in Sans' overworld theme from Undertale Granted, it's a pretty basic pattern, so that's likely why it's easy to find similarities - not like Sans copyrighted cowbells and shakers or anything

[@mopbrothers]

King Meteor I really like the contrast between the US present themes and the Past themes. The Japanese present themes sound too much like the past themes, which is why I always preferred the US soundtrack. Lastly Wacky Workbench past is quite possibly my favorite track in the whole game. The contrast between US present and past is crazy good.

[@GenesisSanctuary]

I agree on how Metallic Madness Past kind of sounds like a mess. Personally, I think Tee Lopes did a much better job with it in Sonic Mania. Metallic Madness Act 1 in that game takes MM Past and makes something truly amazing out of it.

[@ItsKennyYT]

I think collision chaos sounds a bit constructive so in my theory I think it colission chaos In the middle of being built

[@flufftroopers1197]

Past themes be like: Palm tree Radio Collision Crater Fishy song interrupted by a snake block No whistle gooder Funky foundation Hue practice session Metallic panic

[@tidepoolclipper8657]

Since Japan, North America, and Europe share the same past themes due to a different song standard format that's harder to modify, I will just be ranking the past themes: 7- Palmtree Panic 6- Collision Chaos 5- Quartz Quadrant 4- Stardust Speedway 3- Metallic Madness 2- Tidal Tempest 1- Wacky Workbench

[@nguyenchi4111]

i love how you make wacky workbench past on top since it deserve it with many interesting stuffs (I cant tell) this is my favourite past song!

[@Meow_Zedong_1949]

#1 Stardust Speedway #2 Quartz Quadrant #3 Palmtree Panic #4 Metallic Madness #5 Wacky Workbench #6 Collision Chaos #7 Tidal Tempest

[@janajurgacova5158]

dude i listed to metallic madness past in my free time, just nuh uh

[@denysandreevich8571]

Here's my ranking 7:tidal timpest (I hate it lmao ) 6: collision chaos (pretty ok) 5:quadz quadrant (ok too) 4: palmtree panic (good but not perfect) 3: stardust speedway (great!) 2:wacky workbench (i love all jp wacky workbench ost especially bad future and I hate how you putted it in 13 th place in the bad future ranking 😤) 1: metallic madness (i agree this song is kinda weird but it sounds like eggman is hurrying to finish his base because sonic is already near him.)

[@Munibiscool5678]

WHY YOU SCARED ME IN THE OUTRO CHILL BRO

[@montyeggman3075]

Well this was an interesting list, and I do happen to like Wacky Workbench's Past theme a lot too.

[@inkboi215]

In defense of Metallic Madness, Robotnik made this base, so of course it shouldn’t sound like a legitimate past like Palmtree Panic. Robotnik took over Little Planet almost immediately if Origins is to be concerned (regarding the cutscenes) so Robotnik couldn’t really make an actual past without it being distinctly different. It would just be a mountain like how according to Sonic 1 8-bit Scrap Brain is on a mountain. personally I’d rank it the lowest because of that reason though it slaps

[@justashinbudokaiplayer4556]

Great work dude love this change of pace

[@pkthedefinitelymatureperson]

So mad the fact the best past track had to be from Wacky Workbench of all zones

[@miles128cast5]

Say, have you ever listened to Church of Kondo's Past remasters?

[@km_studios]

Yes! It looks like those were actually done by other artists, contributing to the channel, with the Tidal Tempest remaster being done by Collision Chaos Radio

[@Gabor1230]

Nice list. 💙👍 My ranking (including the US themes): #14 - Collision Chaos (JP) #13 - Tidal Tempest (JP) #12 - Metallic Madness (JP) #11 - Palmtree Panic (US) #10 - Stardust Speedway (JP) #9 - Quartz Quadrant (JP) #8 - Collision Chaos (US) #7 - Metallic Madness (US) #6 - Palmtree Panic (JP) #5 - Wacky Workbench (JP) #4 - Stardust Speedway (US) #3🥉 - Quartz Quadrant (US) #2🥈 - Wacky Workbench (US) #1🥇 - Tidal Tempest (US)

[@sen_ryu]

tbh, i like quartz quadrant past more than all of the other past tracks, listen: even though it somehow feels blank due to the piano literally carrying the song, it becomes a full pontential material to several remixes wich the piano may become the best fking banger of the earth or become the counterpart of what makes QQ past connect itself to the present

[@SilencePlains]

I really like the idea of you ranking your Past Remixes of the US soundtrack, a other idea could be ranking your CD Remixes but thats just a idea, pretty same opinión about this ranking thought

[@BackOff_xd]

I love it that Collision Chaos "P" Mix makes itself to be an Incomplete, Primitive version of the Present Mix's beat, with Staccato notes, the complete lack of any held note like the ones on Collision Chaos' Present Mix (mainly at the first part), the Primitive soundfont of the Sega Genesis, the Eight Rigid notes thumping at your ear after 1st Section, meanwhile there is still a staccato melody in the Background, etc. This also Sticks alongside the Wavy Repeat section that goes after, giving this the Vibe of Time Travel in Sonic's perspective, with all the groove of the Present yet to develop well, he's left with this one funky, primitive Past as he spins in the all-so confusing lands that is Collision Chaos.

[@andrewbandin966]

This video is all I think about in terms of my own ranking, excepto for Metallic Madness P Mix that I would have switched places with Stardust Speedway P Mix in my casé, but other than that this is very accurate to my personal ranking. I also started playing Sonic CD through Gems Collection and my first introduction with the Japanese ost was with these Past themes, Palmtree Panic P Mix is my favourite Sonc CD track and it also got me to like the other mixes in the JP ost, Wacky Workbench, Tidal Tempest and Metallic Madness P Mixes rock!

[@Munibiscool5678]

The chords are used by flutes flutes are in the musical introments?

[@Munibiscool5678]

Also I literally cannot beat collision chaos boss it reminds of me cheating in sonic 2 via using debug mode and go to the casino zone act 2 and beating this boss fight so I managed to find a way beating collision chaos zone 3 but I finally finished the problem but I got another one which is tidal templates and look actually I’m very bad at getting time stones so I wanna get bad ending I need a tutorial for this....

[@Munibiscool5678]

And tidal templates have water and I literally bad at beating tidal templates levels as you may drown if you don’t eat a air bubble or get out of water and that’s the same for chemical planet zone in sonic 2 in act 2 as always it has water but the color purple and you still drown in it So I never played sonic cd.... happy April fools! I was joking idk why I added the April fools part I wasn’t supposed to add that so why did I do that and don’t give me headaches by insulting me if you do that I’ll report to KZbin you did it yourself and look getting report is REAL so be careful of your words

[@malakai9738]

1. Stardust Speedway 2. Wacky Workbench 3. Metallic Madness 4. Palmtree Panic 5. Quartz Quadrant 6. Collision Chaos 7. Tidal Tempest

[@Ademide2012]

This gives me SNES vibes 3:39

[@Munibiscool5678]

Ok so wacky workbench makes sense I thought quartz quadrant is the first but wacky workbench took its place

[@ChiliTurtle728]

5:22 I think the person doing the "heheheyhaheheyhehehahey" is having a stroke

[@GeographyMaster-b8r]

The legendary HUE is here 5:23

[@juzenic]

3:36 this is my favourite part of this song

[@bugdugtrincado]

I spent so much time looking for the robot teleporter in wacky workbench and then I missed the crusher timing and panicked but then out of nowhere I was in a pipe.

[@grunkleairmin]

Ay, keep up the good work king!

[@yoda-hu1cc]

Wacky workbench past sounds really nostalgic to me

[@MajoradeMayhem]

Palmtree Panic sounds like it hasn't had its coffee yet this morning.

[@DarthAsthmatic]

I think I hear hints of the past music in all the good future music; I thought that was showing how the future used technology to bring back the pristine nature of the past and using that tech to help the environment thrive.

[@Color_Splsh]

Now I want someone to do this but include your US past concepts.

[@mcnugget677]

My personal ranking: 7: Collision Chaos 6: Stardust Speedway 5: Tidal Tempest 4: Palmtree Panic 3: Metallic Madness 2: Quartz Quadrant 1: Wacky Workbench Despite this ranking, I love seven of these songs, they’re what got me into Sonic CD back when I heard Palmtree Panic sampled on a machine girl song around mid 2022. (I was going through a Machine Girl phase at the time) Quartz Quadrant Past also has to be one of if not the most underrated song in this entire soundtrack, it gives off such an otherworldly, nostalgic vibe. I also love how the first four past themes have a somewhat tropical vibe to them.

[@HyperSonic777]

For me: *E Tier - Lame* *14. Quartz Quadrant JPN: 5.25/10* Just a lame track overall in my opinion. Asides from the bassline, not much about the instrumentation of this track that's good. It's not a great fit for the level, and it's makes the past themes look very boring and bland. *13. Stardust Speedway US: 5.75/10* Just not a great track in my opinion. This is not a fantastic fit for Stardust Speedway Past in it's instrumentation or it's melody. It's quite bizarre. *D Tier - Disappointing* *12. Palmtree Panic JPN: 6.75/10* Just as usual, the Japanese Soundtrack of Palmtree Panic does not make a great track for me (asides from the present theme). It's boring, but at least it has some good instrumentation, and can fit the level well, which is why it's in the high D Tier. *C Tier - OK* *11. Tidal Tempest US: 7.25/10* This track sounds nice, but it's biggest issue is that the intro sounds like a Bad Future, and that can break it for some people (like me). That being said, the rest of the track is OK, and I enjoy it to some degree, but the intro is a huge weakness. *B Tier - Good* *10. Palmtree Panic US: 8.00/10* Wow, an American Palmtree Panic track that doesn't make it close to the A Tier at least. I do think this track is weak for American Palmtree Panic standards, but I still think it's better than it's Japanese counterpart. It fits the level well, has some decent instrumentation, and sounds good to me. It's just lame in comparison to the other 3 tracks, but I still enjoy it. *9. Collision Chaos JPN: 8.20/10* This track is kinda good and kinda bad sometimes, but I somehow don't consider it a least favorite anymore. Just like in American Palmtree Panic, the Japanese Soundtrack of Collision Chaos has a noticeable underperformance in its past theme. It can fit the level well, and I do think it has a good melody, but the instrumentation is the noticeable weak spot for me. I just don't think the instrumentation is that great for a music track. Nonetheless, this is a good track for me overall. *8. Wacky Workbench US: 8.30/10* This track is actually good for Wacky Workbench US standards (aside from the Good Future). I like how the melodies of all three songs are woven into this track. This track is a decent fit for Wacky Workbench since it's a bit industrial (thanks to the Good Future once again). *7. Wacky Workbench JPN: 8.60/10* This track is still good for me, but not as much as the Present and Bad Future. It is an improvement over the Good Future for sure, and that's because of the presence from the Present theme, and the industrial parts of the song. It fits the sunset well just like the US version, and it's a good fit for the stage (albeit a bit weaker in some areas). *6. Metallic Madness US: 8.80/10* I love how the mechanical sounds are playing in the background with such a mesmerizing and soothing tone to the track. It also has some finality at some parts with those vocals. This was one track that I did not expect to grow much on me, but here it is, competing closely with it's Japanese counterpart. *5. Collision Chaos US: 8.90/10* This track was an instant favorite of mine when I first heard it last year. It's a great fit for the past theme, and it doesn't have those audio mixing errors the official track have, making it an easier winner over it's Japanese counterpart. I love how the melody is based off of the Present theme, and how catchy the overall song is. *A Tier - Amazing!* *4. Metallic Madness JPN: 9.00/10* This is a great fit for Metallic Madness Past just like it's American counterpart. This is more threatening, and due to it's melody, I think this one beats the American Soundtrack for the time being. The bassline of this track is very great, and I love how catchy this track is. *3. Quartz Quadrant US: 9.30/10* WHAT AN AMAZING TRACK!! This is so epic, energetic, and fitting for Quartz Quadrant Past. I can tell that KMS put a LOT of effort into this one. This has an amazing use of the Good Future's melody, and I love how ancient it sounds. This is a great upgrade from it's Japanese counterpart. *2. Tidal Tempest JPN: 9.40/10* This is a pretty good track, and it's probably my favorite JPN Tidal Tempest theme. It's so fun, fitting, and amazing. I love the melody, and the instrumentation of the track. *S Tier - Excellent!!* *1. Stardust Speedway JPN: 9.50/10* This is the only time where a Wacky Workbench track isn't #1 in any of my timezone tier lists. Stardust Speedway Past JPN is the only Past theme to be my #1 Sonic CD track at one point of my life, and it still reigns supreme to this day. It's a great fit for the level, and it has an excellent melody. It's so great of a track, that it's officially one of my favorite songs of all time. *Past Theme Averages by Soundtrack* *JPN Soundtrack: 8.14 (+0.10)* *US Soundtrack: 8.04* This was close, but the Japanese Soundtrack si slightly favored in the average. Granted, the KMS US Past Themes are still new to me, so things can still change, but I currently see the JPN Past Themes as slightly better.

[@CannedDepression]

7:34 That's not an instrument, that's a cartoon character running lmao

[@DAJTheYouTuber_2007]

kind of crazy how all regions techincally got the JP soundtrack JP speaks for itself, EU is a port of the JP version, and the US had these

[@theblurcafex1655]

It'd be interesting to know what you think of the high quality version of Palmtree Panic Past (or I guess I should call it Salad Plain, lol), from the recently discovered prototype that didn't use the PCM audio for that one track!

[@3spoons366]

Ive always seen collision chaos past as a sort of jungle especially with that little part at the beginning of the song

[@SonicTheCutehog]

Have you heard the beta Palmtree Panic Past theme that was composed using Redbook Audio?

[@asmodeus58XX]

Even though I mentioned the distorted choir in Collision Chaos as making it special, I can definitely see people considering it special in a bad way. As a child, I was so creeped out by the end part I actually muted the sound when I reached the past, and later on, made sure I stayed in the present. Oh, and of course Wacky Workbench is first. It's actually the only zone in which I like the Past version the most, though I also really like just how freaking evil and scary the Bad Future theme is. IMHO, the creepyness fits there where it doesn't fit a natural zone (PP, QQ and especially TT) As for a little ranking of your versions, apart from the officials: 7. Metallic Madness - With a series of themes that give vastly different vibes, I don't really get what vibe I'm supposed to get from this version. It goes for an ancient theme that fits other zones, but doesn't really sound right in Robotnik's fortress, even in the past. 6. Quartz Quadrant - Hey, it was a really hard job trying to match elements from all timelines. It fits the stage better than the Present theme. 5. Collision Chaos - Obviously, it's based on a Present theme that you and I both find quite weak, but it feels just as primal as the Japanese version, without dragging into the distorted voices. As mentioned in that video, sounds like something out of a Metroid game. 4. Wacky Workbench - Again, I'm not sure how ancient WW's Past should sound like, especially considering it also still uses a lot of industrial sounds. However, the original themes gel together a lot better than Metallic Madness. 3. Palmtree Panic - This track goes for a sound similar to the Japanese version. It also gives a bit of a feeling of solitude IMHO, and maybe it's not the most fitting choice, but it sounds a little unique. It's also almost as relaxing as the Good Future. 2. Stardust Speedway - Another zone that makes it hard to combine elements from the various times, but here they gel a lot better. Then again, I really love the official themes. Stardust Speedway is the only zone in which I unanimously prefer the US versions to the Japanes versions, though the latter are also really good (okay, maybe the JP Good Future is a little weak) 1. Tidal Tempest - This one nails the ominous tone, taking from the fantastic Bad Future theme as well as the Japanese Past theme. In fact, a fan video called "Sonic CD Retold" uses it instead of the official Past theme, because it's just so good. (It also uses KingMeteor's Palmtree Panic Past, but not as much)

[@asmodeus58XX]

Anyway, Bad Future is next... I assume Tidal Tempest JP and Palmtree Panic US are near the bottom, as are probably also... well, all JP themes except Stardust Speedway and Metallic Madness. Yeah, knowing this guy's dislike of the panicky tunes, the US tracks are going to shoot the moon here, fronted by the amazing Stardust Speedway (and probably the equally amazing, morbid Tidal Tempest)

[@JordyCranel]

Dubious Depths present jp Theme ❤❤❤❤ 0:05

[@tiles2048]

My top 7 7. Metallic Madness 6. Stardust Speedway 5. Palmtree Panic 4. Collision Chaos 3. Quartz Quadrant 2. Tidal Tempest 1. Wacky Workbench

[@MrBritnor]

What I would do for bad future is that you start the video with your favorite track and work your way down the ranks (opposite direction of present and past videos).

[@mrtrashulis1097]

Tidal tempest past is good at establishing the tone of the past, not only does it feel like your in an underwater temple but a lonely desolate area due to the spaced yet quick notes if the lead instrument in a slightly repetitive pattern, it feels as if your lost and have no clue where to go, my main gripe with it is that it does too good if a job, I dont really ever want to go to the past to feel lost and alone, probably my brain goin' on the fritz, but if my main problem is that its effective then its fine.

[@BruhAcrocanthosaurus]

Man, me and my brother's preffered one is stardust speedway, I like this jazz mixed with the disco and da feeling of "past"

[@lillianapabon2683]

I was today years old when I realized QQ’s past music also uses the good future part like the present

[@wut939]

metallic madness past is supposed to sound like eggmans panicking, your so close to ruining his plans after all. but it's still metallic madness, so it's still sinister. it's eggmans base

[@dr.happyfuntimes1214]

I think of Metallic Madness past as a frantic race to find the transporters and save this final zone from becoming Eggman’s base while it’s being built

[@ToonLive123]

The past of collision chaos looks tropical

[@DLGanimator]

11:27 no need to jumpscare me like that xD Also, my favorite past track is mettalic madness

[@MetalSonicDash]

9:02 literally me when I first played sonic cd via gems collection.

[@apexatrovinator7510]

I like the 80’s feel stardust speedway has, which makes it my favourite past track

[@floofycupkim1197]

I'd say stardust speedway feels like a city like Hollywood, newyork or even Vancouver. A city that would be known to make anyone a town star. So its past theme sounding very retro tv actually fits well.

[@ChristianGillslack]

Also metallic madness sounds sinister because eggman already took over the place just trying to finish it up and i know this video was a long time ago but its a banger

[@Munibiscool5678]

And quartz quadrant the bottom of the screen inside is lava it’s real I promise

[@Sonicplayz-i9y]

I am Offended that he put quartz quadrant so low, it does sound like it is a past future and its my fav song in the WHOLE game

[@tehdrago]

3:41 Well, they don't call it Metallic *Madness* for nothing!

[@scm64entertainment44]

2:57 might as well call it bad past or alternative past. idk.

[@megspitzer9406]

I never knew that the Past tunes for each stage would stay the same in the US version, even if they're light remixes of the Japanese versions of the songs. However, I do find your US remix of Tidal Tempest Past badass!😏

[@kefastvplaypedroariel2143]

@King Meteor Studios Just like you, the Past version of Palmtree Panic's theme is one of the many songs in Sonic CD that brought me to the Japanese/European soundtrack. My phone has the mobile version of the game installed, which featured the JP OST, but even though I liked the US one better while I was playing Sonic CD on the phone, I think that most themes of the JP soundtrack fits more the atmosphere of the levels and they sound less bland or generic than its US counterpart.

[@IceEnderman252]

The Metallic Madness one is my favourite. I guess it is sorta weird like you said, but I still like it. Tidal Tempest is also a pretty good one though.

[@dsdude8441]

Ngl, I really liked Metallic Madness past, mainly because unlike other past tracks, which seemingly are based on the present/good futures, MM past seems to be based moreso on a bad future. I understand people have different tastes, but I actually liked that weird synth part. I don't have a problem with your ranking though.

[@clonefighter1996]

So Tee's MMZ1 for Mania is actually better than R8P in CD? ("R8P" refers to Round 8 Past - in the files, Metallic Madness is referred to as "Round 8" (due to the whole "Round 2" shtick))

[@torterratortellini6641]

3:35 this part sounds like an earthbound song

[@outfordouglas]

Collision chaos past song was suposted to be a mix of modern music and primitive music (the wierd sounds was suposted to represent sonic collyding)