A Soul Can't Be Cut (Determination Mix)

Let your inner beast take over, and carve a path for you.
We're closing in on the end of the road for these mixes, folks. It's hard for me to believe, but in a very short while, I'll no longer have any more tracks to mix for this game (barring repeats). Instead, I'll be passing the torch to you guys in the form of tutorials and encouraging you to show me what you've got.
But for now, we're still at it, and I wanted to mix some of the normal battle themes before I got to the final boss theme. This one was pretty much universally requested in the comments, so I figured I'd start here and work my way back to Dark Skies (which is actually my favorite of the bunch). On top of that, I've decided to give this mixing project a little more focus so that I don't take another 6 months to finish it, so I'm hoping to release a new mix once a week until I've gotten them all. Keep an eye out for me, and feel free to let me know if I miss the window one week or another - the motivation will do me some good. xD
I don't really have much to say about the overall format of this mix, as it's basically the same format I've used for other mixes. I had two goals in mind with this one: I wanted to use "Operation Tecumseh" in some way because it's an incredibly underrated track, and I wanted it to gradually build up the music to echo the "louder and louder and louder" lyrics at the end of the song. I feel like I accomplished both of these, so I'm satisfied with how everything turned out.
The more important matter is addressing the title of the mix and the reason why I cut out the word "beauty" from the bridge in the vocal portion of the song. To be honest, I didn't even hear that part of the vocals in-game (it was only noticeable in editing), and it just sounds out of place with that badass guitar riff in the background, so I took it out, and it sounds better musically, at least to my ears.
What I didn't realize was that taking out that one simple word changed a good part of the message that the song was trying to deliver. Without that single word, the bridge becomes "It's humanity's greatest sin, hiding the beast that lies within", as if it's some kind of mistake that everyone tries to hide the beast they keep inside. In Raiden's experience, this beast - Jack the Ripper - has given him the strength to accept his past as a part of him, a driving force that keeps him moving forward in his mission.
So, in this context, the Ripper is determination incarnate; it's a sort of primal urge that comes from deep within a person's soul and pushes them forward even when everything they've ever stood for has failed them. I almost want to say that this version of the song would better suit Armstrong; he cared little for the beauty of the world (hence why the word's absent), but did want everyone to follow his line of thinking, and accept their instincts over the vanity and complacency of the game's hyper-capitalist world. Then again, as we find in the game's ending, Raiden and Armstrong aren't so different, are they?
...This description's way too philosophical, lol. That said, I'd love to hear your opinions on what I discussed...or on how completely batshit the thumbnail for this video is. xD
"Operation Tecumseh" and "A Soul Can't Be Cut" were composed by Jamie Christopherson, as a part of the OST for "Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance". I claim no ownership of the original works, but I do claim responsibility for mixing these two together to create the final product that you're listening to.
Hope you enjoyed the mix! :)

[@vitality7285]

Raiden: "Don't worry guys, stealth's my specialty." Also Raiden about 4:00 minutes later: DEAD ON!!! BULLSEYE!!!!!!!

[@dhampir_days]

Raiden: don't be suspicious, don't be suspicious! don't be suspicious, dooon't be suspiciooous! Raiden the minute someone spots him: *HAVE YOU EVER SLASHED A SOUL TO RIBBONS?*

[@mrpurpz1406]

*HAVE YOU EVER BELIEVED IN A MIRAGE?*

[@tailsmonster12]

HAVE YOU EVER sus

[@ashtheweirdo4108]

@@tailsmonster12 get out! GET OOOUUUUT!!!

[@insertclevernamehere700]

HAVE YOU EVER SLASHED A {KIRYU-CHAN!} TO RIBBONS?

[@dhampir_days]

"have you ever slashed a soul to ribbons?" "no." "would you like to?"

[@LoneWindtheWolf]

"is it possible to learn this power?"

[@mrpurpz1406]

@@LoneWindtheWolf "Not from a Wind of Destruction."

[@mr.auster1481]

_Yes_

[@butnobodycame7022]

"Do you know what the civil war was?"

[@kaiden3374]

MGR:R 2 gets cancelled and instead Metal Gear Survive is made "It's humanities greatest sin"

[@averagechadsutart1886]

Sad day for humanity

[@kopioshu]

Doctor: Raiden, you said stealth was your speciality! Raiden: No, you missunderstood, stealth is what I'm especially bad at!

[@Luisin88]

I keep my FC bar 100% just to listen to the vocals in game. :)

[@MonoChromium]

Wow, does that really affect the volume of the vocals? I never noticed that before, that's really cool! Thanks for letting me know about that! :D

[@pseudonym7180]

4 Years later....... 4 fucking years later!!!!

[@Spinomaks]

Seriously? DMC5 is going to be the MGR sequel we have been craving.

[@quadrillion92]

@@Spinomaks you guys liked the game?

[@DESTRAKON]

I love when games have little quirks like that

[@Vitor20XX]

1:41 ITS TIME FOR JACK TO LET IT RIP

[@alpharius2omegaboogaloo384]

“This is the real Jack?!”

[@zlyten1473]

A Soul Can't Be Cut Is my favorite normal battle theme and almost is favorite from whole game But now is better even 10 times Great Job

[@fiercedeity9955]

Video Title: A Soul Can't Be Cut Yamato: ha ha human devil separation go burr

[@R-XI_Sulla]

Yamato does not cut it apart in my opinion It seperates the soul ripping it to multiple pieces i immagine the soul beeing similar to bubblegum. The Yamato when used starts to stretch the soul to its limit causing it to rip apart at somepoint, remember the yamato did not seperated vergil immediately it had to stay a bit to do it. And dante did not split apart when vergil stabed him in dmc3. A cut would be precise, fast and sudden Yamato was not so precise at seperating vergi If it would have been precise V would not have any of demonic energy, which he used to bind the familiars to him. Also it would had caused that v would not fall apart

[@jj-nj6ii]

Is it bad that I can still hear lyrics at their exact pitch and tone whenever they would come in during the instrumentals?

[@eracer166]

Im pretty sure its designed for that just like with it has to be this way

[@who3031]

the only good side of schyzophrenia

[@lox5714]

It's designed like this for a few soundtracks

[@chocov1233]

No, it's not bad. I still hear the vocals too, even when it's just the instrumental of the song.

[@chocov1233]

@@who3031 Never thought about it like that before.

[@dogsownmasterbladewolf7267]

"I think its time for Frisk to LET ER' RIP!"

[@RandomPerson8492]

​@@LeviAreWould they? Raiden has his inner demon, but he tries to keep it in check and doesn't loose it on the innocent. The genocide version of Frisk is absolutely someone Raiden would cut down

[@gizoidx8331]

I FUCKING LOVE IT!! Nice change since the other ones had similar openings

[@MonoChromium]

Thanks, man! Glad you liked it! :)

[@rahadianaryo5979]

@@MonoChromium Indeed so, MonoChromiumLive...🙄😏 Thank you for this one "Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance" OST here ya...👍🙂

[@swolzer]

this is what desperados heard when fighting raiden.

[@kamenrideronyx12]

1:18 sounds like something that plays in CSGO when the bomb's been planted

[@MasterCheeksUNSC]

that would make the game way more tense and im all for it

[@NegligentMoney]

So i'm sitting here in class listening to the playlist and have this pop up, not knowing you made a new mix. Made my day man, keep on going with great work.

[@fernanj003]

1:42 *ENEMY SPOTTED!!!!111!!!!!11!!!!* Welp, so much for stealth. Time to start cutting guys into a bazilllion pieces.

[@trickydiagram5267]

brazillion pieces dude.

[@trickydiagram5267]

***** Teehee

[@sailordarty9032]

*!*

[@Vitor20XX]

Press L3 and R3 (or LS and RS if you play in xbox) HEHEHEHIAEHIEAIEAHIAHIAEHIAAHAHA

[@shadwninja592]

*ENEMY SIGHTED !*

[@thecannedslap]

Playing this game for the first time was crazy cool

[@akirathewildcard9625]

3:50 for anyone who just wants to hear the awsome lyrics The instrumentals is awsome to but I love the lyrics and I'm impatient so

[@paradoxicaloutcome1007]

I know the obvious is obvious, but still, seriously? "A SOUL Can't Be Cut" "DETERMINATION Mix". It's like a time traveler decided "You know what, I'm just gonna put a little unnoticeable reference here".

[@ashori100]

Where's your determination oh wait wrong game

[@Otakupatriot117]

@@ashori100 Foolishness, Dante.

[@yamagamikensei2232]

NOW IM FEELING MOTIVATED

[@lyraspasar649]

@Alice Fateburn "think you can beat me? Not in a million years."

[@bread1486]

Wait, Undertail? Or did you mean something else?

[@Dudbun]

Another awesome mix Mono, well done :)

[@MonoChromium]

Thanks, man! :)

[@Necrodom]

Oh yes, when you have enough *motivation* to start, you need *determination* to continue

[@zelithos]

Now I'm motivated

[@swordnerd108]

A soul can't be cut? Hold my Shardblade.

[@sanguineparagon]

Shartblade

[@TitanJonkler]

Hihiirokane blade form (It has cube and chain form tho)

[@Wepospalient]

Life before death Strength before weakness Journey before destination

[@bloocarracer333]

hold my yamato

[@gjkdshgkjshjkgdfg]

But a soul can't be cut no matter what blade you wield!

[@NanTheDark]

Listening to this awesome mix... it fills you with determination!

[@crimsonalphafield1727]

+NanTheDark Great......I need to find that one picture again. (3000.0% Determination)

[@Eleven217]

+NanTheDark I knew someone would make that joke....

[@NanTheDark]

It was a very obvious one :P KILL OR BE KILLED, FRISK

[@theepicvideosrcomin]

A SOUL Can't be cut, it can shatter however.

[@at6774]

+NanTheDark No more heroes. It's kill, or be killed.

[@lordcurze]

0:00 Ambience 1:20 Light Combat 1:43 Combat 2:07 Chorus 1 3:50 Ripper Mode 4:19 Chorus 2

[@xenowreborn]

Dunno if anyone's made this joke or not but here it goes Raiden: Have you ever Slashed a Soul to Ribbons? Random PMC guy: N'No? Raiden: *Ripper mode activates* Would you like to?

[@bread1486]

Doesn't that mean that Raiden's about to be slashed to ribbons? By a rando at that!? Oh lord, poor Raiden...

[@thecannedslap]

@@bread1486 What a waste of ripper mode...

[@SIGNOR-G]

Will you ever do another remix of this ost? Now that MGR had a reinassance in popularity you could gain a lot of views thanks to the style of your remixes.

[@kingston5469]

Have you ever slashed a soul to ribbons? Have you ever believed in a mirage? My ears are ringing with a sound Feel the vibrations - my hearts starts to pound (pound, pound) Give in to darkness, bodies melt How do we play the cards we've been dealt (dealt, dealt) Beauty - it's humanity's greatest sin Beauty - hiding the beast that lies within For all our righteous crimes we compensate But as for me it's far too late I can't deny the voices inside my brain It's not a dream - we're one and the same You should know that a soul can't be cut No matter what blade you wield If you follow your own path to justice The brutal truth will be revealed The sound's getting louder And louder and louder And louder and louder You should know

[@pandorasangel2747]

Aww I liked the Beauty part, made the song creepy imo

[@NB-xn9gz]

jack is back

[@vadiks20032]

why this coolcomment isn't in top?

[@BloodHedge9977]

Pain this is why i fight...

[@trentos]

I actually saw the Undertale references coming since people make references from things such as Monsoon's quotes (They sound similar to Flowey's)

[@erichvalger141]

It came before Undertale. 4 years later and I want to reply, yes.

[@trentos]

@@erichvalger141 I was referring to the fact that Undertale comments were going to be made. I am well aware that it came out after MGR.

[@erichvalger141]

@@trentos Well, fine by me.

[@punishednerosparda2958]

Anyone else hear a little of raiden's theme from mgs4 "white blood" heard it was remixed into revengeance and I'm trying to find it

[@TheLolistan]

i knew i'd see Undertale comments here

[@dsaman123]

Even though this mix was made before Undertale was even a thing. Go ahead and continue though guys, I'm sure it's not getting old or anything.

[@Vitor20XX]

this song appear in undertale? cool

[@trentos]

It doesn't, but it might make a good sound mod

[@ХристоКрумов-б3ы]

This song perfectly describes Raiden at all.

[@garrettbates9124]

i feel as though a psychic titled this

[@armandobarreda5006]

DETERMINATION

[@sprez534]

5 year old me with the cool stick I found in the woods

[@Jtar2002]

Have you though of mixing in the DLC version of the song at all?

[@gizoidx8331]

Can you do Hot Wind Blowing?

[@MonoChromium]

I've actually already mixed that one! The link is right here: The Hot Wind Blowing (OST Mix)

[@gizoidx8331]

Ohh then how about an Instrumental for The War Still Rages Within?

[@MonoChromium]

Ah, that's a good idea! I've never tried making just an instrumental before, but The War Still Rages Within doesn't have one, does it? I'll give it a shot and see how it turns out. If it works, I'll post it up right after It Has To Be This Way. :)

[@gizoidx8331]

no it dosent, and I always wanted to hear it without the vocals!!!! Awesome thanks buddy and good luck with ur exams! Im going through the same thing too

[@MonoChromium]

No problem, man! Good luck with yours, as well!

[@giganiga196]

Please, boys, don't listen it while riding.

[@pachurro2762]

3:24am and im listening to this

[@cosmic0808]

I know I'm VERY late, but I can't find this "operation tecumseh" track you speak of anywhere on the internet. Do you have a link?

[@eatshytforlife8751]

"Stealth is my specialty"

[@natethegreat7967]

1:19

[@bostonianful]

sense he can't do anymore mixes. can someone plz do a mix for ''it has to be this way''. plz!?

[@MonoChromium]

Don't worry, this isn't my last one. I'll be mixing all the normal battle themes and "It Has To Be This Way" before I'm all done with mixes for this game, and then I'll be putting up tutorials so you guys can try music mixing out for yourselves, as well! :)

[@bostonianful]

***** oh. okay. thanks.

[@flamekaizer8476]

I hate that's so hard to hear the vocals

[@lunator100hd]

how can i find this wallpaper?

[@MonoChromium]

lunator100hd This is actually a screenshot I took from the opening cut-scene of R-05, when Raiden and Doktor are being chased in the helicopter. It's just after he cuts the drone in half and it explodes that I took this screenshot. ...I dunno if that helps you find it for wallpaper purposes, but at least you know where it is in the game now, lol.

[@lunator100hd]

***** thanks

[@MonoChromium]

lunator100hd No problem! :)

[@halox8800]

What I would do is screen cap, then crop it, then resize it. :)

[@stricknine1454]

TheDragoonFactor that would destroy the quality.

[@tialnordon]

3:45

[@Epicboy099]

1:42 for those who want to get straight to the song

[@mrchaotics9568]

Ohmagosh.. Chara took over Metal Gear Rising!!!! O-O

[@GoyBenius_0901]

GTFO

[@condor2279]

.,

[@mrchaotics9568]

tru dat xD

[@dogsownmasterbladewolf7267]

Underrated comment 🤣

[@МаксимБирюков-э3э]

When I saw the title, I thought it was gonna be something related with Undertale. But MGRR was made before Undertale.

[@herrforesight-Satanisking]

What made you think that

[@МаксимБирюков-э3э]

Because there is the word Determination in it. And Determation is also used in Undertale.

[@herrforesight-Satanisking]

@@МаксимБирюков-э3э So you think that’s not a real word and assume anything that says this is undertale Related? Are you stupid? Clearly I don’t need to ask thatx

[@МаксимБирюков-э3э]

@@herrforesight-Satanisking It was only a joke, mate.

[@МаксимБирюков-э3э]

@@herrforesight-Satanisking Scroll through the comment section under this video. Some people also thought about the same thing.

[@devcrom3]

I enjoyed reading the description right up until you felt the need to lol. Seriously, when will people realize this makes them look monumentally stupid?

[@andrewrogers6197]

What do you mean?

[@morkgin2459]

4:45