Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III - Spiral of Erebos | Reacting To Video Game Music!

[@Teacon]

"Sounds kinda sad, or maybe kinda creepy" yes, you absolutely right

[@MrRyonnsan]

He is on to something

[@viper4011]

I’m no musician but the way Jesse can get where these tracks are played makes me respect him tremendously. Also for the composer of course who can convey the scene in the track. Just love and respect all around.

[@RedBull528]

Spiral of Erebos is such a rollercoaster of feelings when you get to it. An epic song meant to hype you up, and a chaotic song meant to make you feel like you’re getting swallowed up by the abyss. Incredible.

[@nestorreyes126]

The only thing i didnt like its that the song stops if you enter into a battle, in ToCS2 the infernal castle OST never stop even if you fight a mob

[@RedBull528]

@@nestorreyes126 really? I remember the song kept playing during battles 🤔

[@Walamonga1313]

@@RedBull528 I just beat the game and yeah you're right, it never stopped unless you used an orbal station to Rest

[@Etherwinter]

Probably my favourite track in the entirety of the Trails series, it sounds great out of context and even BETTER in context. It's both the "opening" music to the game and the final dungeon music to Cold Steel 3, where the map is literally just one gigantic spiral downwards. "Together we shall write the end to this wretched fairytale. In ink! As BLACK as DESPAIR!"

[@Walamonga1313]

With context it is by far the best final dungeon track, in any game I've played.

[@Rysskylt]

I really loved the analysis with this! When this music is happening you're in an extremely tense moment before the next (and final in this arc) game. This is essentially a build up to extremely tumultuous moments, and I always saw it as a moment of sadness or final push before the descent into chaos. It's funny that you noticed the loop, because one of the primary antagonists in the series is a group called Ouroboros, so it makes me think that was intentional to give the feeling of repetition or cycles. Thanks so much for the analysis, loved it! FYI, there's 11 games in the series currently (not count spin-offs) with the 12th coming out later this year in Japan. The series is split into arcs: Sky, Crossbell, Cold Steel and Black (assuming that's what it'll be called in English) I've given you a pretty wide swathe of songs over the series now and it makes me happy you've enjoyed most of them!

[@Panchito2696]

Spiral of Erebos... yep, "doesnt sound positive" is right lmao. It starts really hopeful with that piano and synthesizer, and builds up in intensity, and desperation... a fitting track for that final dungeon in CSIII

[@NuSpirit_]

There are two types of people with this song - "It doesn't sound positive" and "instant PTSD"

[@Panchito2696]

@@NuSpirit_ "instant PTSD" for me would be Stairway to Gehenna, considering where it played...

[@KyunaCookies]

@@Panchito2696 ding ding ding ding ding DING DING DING DING NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[@araragisenpai4088]

Still my fav final dungeon in the series even to this day. This track is absolutely masterful.

[@Walamonga1313]

This track is phenomenal and the dungeon is super simple, just go downwards the spiral while battling. No super lengthy or maze-like areas nor puzzles, just emotional encounters while killer tracks play. Possibly the best final dungeon in any JRPG and def my favourite

[@Lorin116]

I LOVE this franchise. The first time I played it, I was blown away by how good the music, the story, the characters and the gameplay were. Every classic JRPG fan will love this game.

[@Walamonga1313]

After playing Trails, I doubt I'll ever enjoy a JRPG as much. They've the perfect turn based combat and the best soundtracks. Then on top of that add great characters and world building. The only negative I've for them is that they shy away from deaths a little too much imo. The pacing can be slow but that's why turbo mode exists lol

[@Lorin116]

@@Walamonga1313 Agreed! I also love how most npcs have their own little stories that continue throughout the series. Like how much time do they spend writing for the main story, side quests, mcs events and npcs. It's the only game that can get me interested in npcs.

[@heartfang13]

I'm not sure if I'm more impressed that you nailed what the song is supposed to represent of the song itself for conveying that feeling perfectly. One of the best songs in the franchise for sure.

[@khileshmistry4327]

Trails of Cold Steel series soundtracks are so good! The intro videos are worth watching and listening to.

[@DarkHaseo21]

"Still building up" "Doesn't sound positive" - I'd like to think of instead of running *up* to fight an important battle, you're *descending* in a spiral ramp. Makes that feel like you're going deeper instead of rising.

[@tescoshortage]

Love the percussion in this song, especially the snare and hi-hat

[@agriviaa]

Oh thank you to the requester and thank you uncle for agreeing to the request! Gonna edit after watching~ As always, you nails the atmosphere of the BGM, going to watch Azure Arbitrator now.

[@Skasaha_]

Most in-game Falcom music is all synth. They do live arrangements and concerts of them (and sometimes those make it into the games if they want a special version of a particular track). They dropped their full band that was actually really good quite a while ago now (before the first Cold Steel game), so the concerts are just small affairs now.

[@Lasharan]

Might be helpful for clarification, most of the games do have official localisations by now - Sen no Kiseki III is the original Japanese title, it got localised here as Trails of Cold Steel III. Probably unsurprisingly, I'd heartily recommend playing through these games, starting with the Trails in the Sky trilogy, but no pressure. That said, thanks much for reacting to these, it's always a pleasure to see :D

[@Zekken_The_Lodestar]

This is hands down the best final boss theme I've ever heard. And It's beautiful.

[@thelightningking8772]

So, a fun thing about this song is that it uses a prominent leitmotif that ties into things relating to Heimdallr, the capital of the Erebonian Empire where this arc takes place. It has been used in a lot of tracks throughout the arc and was introduced as far back as Trails in the Sky the 3rd. Another great track that uses it is Majestic Roar from Trails of Cold Steel IV.

[@Walamonga1313]

Wow incredible analysis. You caught the vibe perfectly and put it into words EDIT: I see you've a bunch of Trails, Ys and Final Fantasy videos. Easiest sub in my life, hopefully you do more in the future.

[@Mrinsecure]

Not to spoil the context of the game in case you ever choose to play it, but I will say this: You've basically nailed the tone of the ending of Cold Steel III from this song. It's very bittersweet, a victory tainted by the sacrifices that were made to get there, and the losses experienced along the way. It also leads effectively into Cold Steel IV, the end of the Cold Steel "saga."

[@meleexbox5339]

This song set the mood in the dungeon so perfectly playing through the game the first time. It somehow feels triumphant and unrelenting, yet oppressive all at once, right when things in the game are all coming to a head. And it all builds up to "Doomsday Trance." THAT song makes me uncomfortable and sends chills down my spine and I love it for that.

[@guiltygamerxrd]

I'm probably not going to play this one for another couple of years but I love the music from it lol.

[@tapiteo8796]

Thank you for doing these trails reactions! Love these videos

[@misterbin00]

Dungeon BGM from trails series reminds me.... You should totally do "Mystic Core" from Trails to Azure

[@Kobupon_46]

This theme is part of my top five of final dungeon themes ever 💖

[@erasmus1712]

Such a great song, it's become one of my favourite video game series! I also highly recommend "Step ahead" from the same game :)

[@whiteshirt1072]

I dont know any people in real life who played any kiseki games, but i always get super happy when I see how much love they get from those that have played them :)

[@blackdragoncyrus]

This is my favourite theme.

[@MrGamesaregreat]

This just makes me want to play more trails man. Cant wait for zero field to finish translating kuro.

[@0rphean]

I am impressed how you could perfectly words the part of the game who got this music without know it. Incredible analysis!!!

[@mastermega8]

PLEASE do "Blue Destination" next. Easily among the best Trails tracks.

[@narius_jaden215]

Sounds kinda sad you say? And creepy? You right lol.

[@MACROSS2KYTB]

Spolier alert, you have been warned!!! The scenario is that Our hero and his team are about to seige into a giant dungeon summoned which could unveil those hidden yet merely told, and the very man standing there is his father also related. The dungeon is the final dundeon in this title. Background of this scenario is set on a nation named Elbonia empire. Spiral of Erebos could be metaphor of this empire which keeps struggling to overcome their desiney, those hidden yet merely told.

[@nesoukkefka1741]

"This sound kind of sad", YEAH that pretty much sum up this moment, let just say this is the point of the game where all hell break luce.

[@ichirou2149]

Creepy and Sad. Accurate. But one more word: "Hope".

[@thejonbrownshow8470]

I think he should of saw the intro too with the music to show it in context lol

[@MistyHoney]

My biggest recommendation to you is 'Eyes that gaze into the nexus - the ones who gather stars in the night' from bravely default 2. You'll have a blast with it

[@bobkile9734]

I recommend “Fight the Assailant” from Trails in the Sky SC. I love the high energy and coldness that comes from it. Like the enemies you’re fighting are cold blooded yet you’re pumped to kick their asses.

[@Walamonga1313]

Nobody ever talks about that one but it's onr of my fav Sky tracks. I even learnt it all on guitar lol

[@davelzdr]

One of my favorites from that game. Another excellent one is Lift Off!

[@KisekiFan]

my good sir, if you like this then may i point to you another one from the trails series, Atrocious Raid from Trails of Cold Steel

[@litalunasol9347]

Sounds sad....... HE DOESN'T EVEN KNOW 😭

[@sylphilcelica2193]

It's a giant build up ... for the next game!

[@williamffworld]

honestly i would've ask you to react to the entire ost for trails of cold steel 1, 2, 3 and 4 but that would be way too much 😅

[@JohnDCrafton]

As a former trumpet player (haven't played in years ...) hearing you say trumpet is underrated makes me go "huh?" So confused by that comment. (also it was synth trumpet)

[@sophmys7653]

If youm have a PS4 you can get the entire Legend of Heroes Cold steel arc on that. Do Cold Steel 3 step ahead (Boss theme 4)

[@wriggletime1412]

You need to listen to some Touhou, assuming you haven’t already. (I doubt it though.) If I had to choose a song, it would be Shotoku Legend ~ True Administrator, specifically from Touhou 15.5.