DIABLO's Music Is so EVIL

You guys have been telling me about the music of Diablo forever. Well, After 69 years, I've finally listened to it and I have to say....this music is pure EVIL muhahaha! In this video we'll examine the devilish brilliance behind this popular classic using music theory. Wicked chords, dissonant intervals and more!
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[@ShredmasterScott]

🛑 FREE Course! Music Theory In 30 Minutes kzbin.info/www/bejne/hGi9imOepbuLd7csi=9bmUMLAaSlj8TeSx

[@HeadCannon1776]

Final Fantasy 1 kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6vagpWmp7Wgr9k kzbin.info/www/bejne/mmqtamSEeb2Sfqs

[@nocturnal101ravenous6]

Music in Games is severely underrated by the Musician community. Elder Scrolls, Final Fantasy had amazing orchestral music. Path of Exile, Diablo 1+2, Cyberpunk 2077, Witcher series, Any of the Doom games by extention Heretic and Hexen and Duke Nukem 3D, Original Deus Ex, Forsaken, Painkiller series.

[@xxSKAGhosTxx]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5fdeJt7ir2Dn7Msi=m2ABXRt6TPs-ePxh

[@geoffbeyrent6950]

Sega pinball game Necronomicon

[@nobodycares9579]

Check out Zuntata. They are a Japanese progressive rock group that composed music for Taito back in the 1980s.

[@veenoir1991]

The diablo 1 OsT is one of my favorite pieces of music of all time. Every old Diablo fan feels the Tristram song in our souls lol

[@ShredmasterScott]

It resonates with our collective evil consciousness my brother!

[@samuelkopke3341]

I feel that Tristram theme right in the cockles

[@Gh0stz9211]

Yes that song throws me back in the day and just feels so good

[@DriveCarToBar]

Slide a couple of those chords up a couple steps and you've got the intro to Call of Ktulu

[@BeMe91]

The first chord is enough for me to give me chills haha

[@samuraisaint2360]

This song has been haunting me for almost 30 years , it’s a masterpiece

[@Perrito_Perro]

Matt Uelmen is the composer. A master work.

[@deceiver444]

He was the musical soul of this franchise

[@eng954]

i think the composer is a genius...Music is matching the them o the dark story of Tristam

[@cameronmcpherson6364]

I like how Tristram's theme is meant to make you feel far from home, in an uncomfortable foreign and dark place. It's very immersive.

[@codychickadee5095]

Mission accomplished.

[@boczus111]

All acts in one song

[@cjnf11]

Maybe, but it's one of the most relaxing tunes in my whole gaming experience.

[@hazardeur]

@@cjnf11 but it's got that uneasyness, telling you nothing is like it seems, something is wrong but you don't know what it is

[@joelhastings9373]

For years I have been preaching that this is one of the best musical pieces ever created. I'm glad you discovered it!

[@naturaljoe759]

I started a playlist of Diablo guitar stuff. I just realized I didn’t add some of what I thought I did to it. The original Diablo had such a sick soundtrack. It got me into the “Seasons in the Abyss” version with the flute intro and really kickstarted my journey into some really dark music. I fuckin’ love it.

[@warpdriveby]

Did you like D2's score too, I thought it was a double helping of music that took everything awesome about 1 and had matured it, and brought in full orchestral recordings instead of the far smaller operation Blizzard had for the first game, which was really their first huge hit! Warcraft: Orcs and Humans, was merely good imho, while Warcraft 2 was a masterpiece of the RTS genre. Their games are household names today but it kills me to see how much of what made them so special is gone to greed, mergers, and what feels like just a logo is left now... sad.

[@rorschach775]

What else do you have on the playlist? The Tristram theme was so perfect to me. It's like nothing I've heard since. Been trying to find stuff that captures this like, solo musician trapped in a tavern basement vibe but nothing has really come close in all the years.

[@Roadrunner_KZSK]

This is MY HOURRRRRRRRRRRRRR. I haven't been more excited about a Shred video!! As the lord of evil yourself I was wondering when were you gonna cover this masterpiece, after the Zelda video I was sure it would be soon enough and here it is! This is probably my most favorite acoustic guitar piece and I have very fond childhood memories of this game. It was the first song that came to my mind when I picked up the guitar about 3 years ago, so I started learning it pretty much right away. Needless to say it was a bad choice because of how difficult it is hahahahaha. It even became a meme between my friends that even after 3 years I still can't play it. But I'm actually very close and I regret nothing.

[@ShredmasterScott]

Muhahaha, that’s awesome my brother! I’ve been getting requests to check this music out for literally years. It’s definitely not easy but worth the effort. There will be more game music to come!

[@tranks7485]

Holy shit dude your mastery of music theory and fretboard mastery is insane. You hear it once and then just translate it into your guitar while naming all the different chords and melodies. Crazy the shredlord strikes again.

[@mikeivey8471]

I have always loved the Diablo 1 "In town song" Tristram !!! So glad you have taken a look & listen to it !!! In the 99's I was so addicted to that game that I would call in sick to work just to play that game all day !!! That song was a great part of that addiction !! Believe it or not ... I found my wife of 24 years while playing that game !!! Still together today !!! Thank you for bringing back very fond memories !!!

[@ShredmasterScott]

That’s an amazing story Mike!

[@conscriptreporting6265]

rogue acampment gave me fever dreams when i was a little kid, and to this day, its such a distorted sound

[@NewEnglandReptile]

Your ear is amazing!!!!! It’s effortless and it’s always amazing how fluid you are with the answers.

[@glaurung666]

It's not only Tristram theme which is so evil, but when you're venturing deeper into the labyrinth, into the deepest pits of hell you can hear decent evil music as well (with helldrums, wah and moans in background). I can see what you see not Visions milky then eyes rot When you turn they will be gone Whispering their hidden song Then you see what cannot be... Shadows move where light should be... Out of darkness, out of time Cast down into the Halls of the blind

[@0num4]

I can hear that in Paul Eiding's voice. Reading the tales of the Horadrim still echoes inside my head, and I haven't played D1 in decades.

[@jdmaine51084]

This is your best video yet, Shred.

[@jdmaine51084]

Also, dissecting videogame music might be a thing... steer into this and I'd watch 'em all.

[@danielblake1537]

Lol that part you play @ 2:32 definitely reminded me of the theme to the show "Are You Afraid Of The Dark?" Lol sounds cool

[@xvinx2446]

The Tristram theme is amazing. Matt Uelman is an amazing composer through and through. His work on Diablo 1 + 2 is evilly magical.

[@ShredmasterScott]

That’s what I’m learning!

[@rayes119]

Wow, I love how awesome you analyze the soundtrack!!

[@deceiver444]

The combination of fantastic chords progression and iconic guitar tone/delay instantly propelled the Tristram track in the legendary category

[@BigChungus37_]

Another video game music video, Hell yeah! Great analysis of an awesome soundtrack shred! I also want to recommend the gem that is the sonic soundtrack! Especially the STH1 Boss theme is totally evil and wicked!!!

[@ShredmasterScott]

Absolutely, I’d love to get around to Sonic soon

[@Komorur]

Matt Uelmen is a genious, always happy to see someone else realizing it - especially if that someone is much more inclined in music than I am. Great content!

[@zloboslav_]

That's been one of my favorites too! Years ago I made a simplified adaptation on my acoustic guitar and I've been playing it with great success, people love it! Great video!

[@user-hk2wk4dz6y]

Shred, great job. So far, I have watched about 7 minutes of this Diablo and i am laughing ... with you. Great instruction and overall just really good online content that can inspire anyone that is open to it. "The devils interval, the ninth plane of hell". Thanks. I have subscribed to your channel.

[@MAXIMUMintheHORMONE]

"... Stay awhile, and listen"

[@MathHoonFBfromFAS]

The video is such a good catch. Your harmonical ear is incredible. 1:39 is it kinda a suspended diminished triad?

[@Melodias102]

Shred thank you very much for the beautiful chords and this tutorial. It was a lot of fun to play it. Would be great if you would do a full tutorial on the acoustic guitar part of this diablo track. I would 1000% buy it in an instant! :D

[@ShredmasterScott]

Perhaps I will. I’m thinking about doing a full tutorial on the Zelda Gerudo Valley theme 🤔 next

[@UrYudeka]

Excellent tematic change, one of the most beautiful and terrific pieces, been loving it form more than 20 years. 9:18 damn sheeeeeet❤

[@scotth1360]

The first time I played Diablo, the music got stuck in my head. Such a epic game 🎮. Would love to see you break down some Castlevania music.

[@0num4]

Glad you got to hear and enjoy this masterpiece of a soundtrack, Shred. I've been hearing this in my head, some times voluntarily and sometimes not, for the past 25+ years. It's beautiful in a dingy, dark way. My favorite game OSTs are Castlevania Symphony of the Night (Tragic Prince is among the best), Valdis Story: Abyssal City (Parrish's use of leitmotif is phenomenal throughout--with lots of guitar shredding along the way), & Chrono Trigger.

[@Boraminigo]

Tristram Theme and Megadeths Conquer or Die really sounds alike. I’ve never seen a video about. It could be a good content.

[@Roadrunner_KZSK]

Lmao you're right, also King Diamond Black Horsemen

[@Boraminigo]

@@Roadrunner_KZSK I don't know that song, I'm gonna check it out

[@JeffTheKiller000]

It also sounds like the beginning of Medley ADI/ Horror of it all by Anthrax

[@keenenreiter3719]

How have you not played the legendary Diablo?? My heart...

[@davidventura660]

FOR DECADES THIS SONG HAS NOODLED MY MIND.. FINALLY someone breaks it down.. so much earworming happening here..

[@FlorisSchwertmann]

Great video man! One of the most haunting videogame soundtracks EVER! Can you do One winged Angel (Sepiroth's theme) from Final Fantasy next? I'll bet it fits right up your ally!

[@mattblatchley2061]

I'm old enough to have been completely addicted to this game and soundtrack when it dropped...in...'96 I think...wonderful breakdown, sir!!!!!

[@tribaltalker1608]

Thanks for covering this fantastic track. Four or five themes from Diablo 2 are still on my playlist after all these years. One of the others I have enjoyed long after actively playing the game is the soundtrack to Xenoblade Chronicles X. Worth a listen.

[@mofomartianp]

The Quake 2 Soundtrack is fantastic and some of the best original metal made for a PC game. It has a very industrial sound to it. I think the track "The Underworld" is right up your alley for a properly evil and dissonant composition :) "Big Gun" is another great one.

[@The.Big.Stumpkowski]

Shred, my eternal soul has been sold to you for a while but WHHYYYYY did you shave off so much of the power of your beard?!?!?!

[@sixmillionaccountssilenced6721]

3:22 this chord always boggled my mind. hahah

[@MrWildCarrot]

One of my favorite pieces of music ever. The Tristram theme was the soundtrack to my life.

[@ShredmasterScott]

Wow, must have really made an impact on you!

[@RocktCityTim]

Not only educational, but highly, evilly entertaining.

[@e-man7143]

Yeah man. This theme is so on brand for the game and just over all amazing. It even makes you think hardcore while playing. So many layers to the epicness of this track.

[@ShredmasterScott]

You’re right! I could do a whole course on this theme!

[@seraphimipx2611]

“ridiculiusly delicious”, “give it to me”, “devilish sins”,… :D you absolutely nail it! could also work as a food critique! :D yeah… this song… next check out the rogue theme from d2 ;) also beyond amazing!

[@ThePhilosophersYawn]

The original Silent Hill intro music is also interesting. Although its not even close as dark (quite the opposite) to the Tristam theme for some strange reason it creates a very sad, dark and uncomfortable feeling when you listen to it. On a sidenote, not very relevant but have you made any video for Morbid Angels-"Desolate ways" guitar instrumental? For me its one of the saddest guitar pieces I ve ever heard, it makes my soul weep everytime I listen to it.

[@Rhickey76]

Love this game and the music in it. I have waited for someone to make a video about it like this.

[@mofomartianp]

I love watching Shred discover one of best classical guitar pieces of all time.

[@rgerber]

I'd also recommend Wilderness, especially the part where the guitar sets in with some distortion

[@ggarzagarcia]

Haha, so glad you covered Diablo. Such a good game, the 1st. The 2nd is also great. Covering dark songs is great

[@darthboxOriginal]

I love this analysis of one of my favourite pieces of video game music! Some of my favourite music was in Xenoblade Chronicles, especially Colony 9 and the Bionis Leg. I would also suggest Doom 64, but that's mainly dark ambient, so a bit hard to analyse like this I think.

[@jonbigg7385]

Check out the theme from Stargate Universe. Not evil, but really cool usage of flat 5s and mixture of minor and major. The opening scenes from season 1 episode 1 are a great example.

[@juliendemills3213]

you should try Bury The Light from Devil May Cry 5, one of my favorite video game songs and songs in general

[@edwardmcgarthwaite7771]

Tristrams Theme is one of my favorites. Enjoyed watching you run through it. As far as other games with kick ass tunes, check out Metal Squad from Thunder Force 4

[@crazy-4-cooking]

THANK you for such an in-depth look at the magic of Tristram. It is one of the most iconic pieces of video game music of the 90s. Maybe you should play the beginning of Diablo one day. Tristram is where you start the game at, so it is like the 1st tune you are greeted with. Perfectly fits the game setting. There are lots of great covers done with 2 guitars mostly, but also with cello.

[@M2Mil7er]

The 'Institute Menu' piece from 'Perfect Dark' would be a good one to break down. If you hear it you'll know why. Reacting to Ferdk's cover on KZbin would be a win too, since he does a metal version that I think you'd really enjoy.

[@Coffeeenjoyer31]

Fantastic analysis of this. I think you would really enjoy the sound track of bloodborne. In particular hunters dream and ludwigs theme, cheers.

[@orderofperplexity7805]

Whts up SHRED !

[@codychickadee5095]

Bro please do a video on Diablo 2 Rogue encampment music. It's very very Pink Floydy. There's a track off the wall I think where I think you can derive inspiration. You make me like metal again. Thanks! Btw, is that Gilmour behind you? Forgive me if I'm wrong.

[@EotB76]

After so many years, finally someone noticed this masterpiece !!!

[@BrendonGillespie]

The Moto racer OST is on a whole nother level of sick riffs and licks, i highly recommend it. Also the Castlevania Symphony of the Night OST chills my blood.. check it out.

[@MordorXP]

your guitar sound reminds me of Slayer's "213" song intro

[@themosin1852]

Came into this video hoping it was about this song. Awesome that it was

[@EverTheSinger]

The OST of Secret Of Evermore SNES 1995 by Jeremy Soule 19yo first masterpiece. Then Guild Wars, Total Annihilation, Skyrim... But in SoE there is so many beautiful melodies and conterpoints I really love it.

[@fathuman]

If you enjoyed this, you will love Opeth. Evil, dissonant chords all day long, especially on acoustic. Even more obscure, check out Devil Doll...you can frighten your neighbours with that.

[@TheApothecaryAus]

Favourite video game music is the Arcanum OST composed by Ben Houge, tied first by Grim Fandango composed by Peter McConnell.

[@dntesinfrno2828]

contra nes, level 1 you'll thank me later

[@TehDarkOn3]

One of my favorite VGM soundtracks is from an older PC game called Quest for Glory 4 Shadows of Darkness. The setting is gothic, which sets the tone for the music. Released in 1993, the music was composed for the Roland MT-32 and written by Aubrey Hodges, who also composed the music for many of the home console Doom ports. While it employs a midi soundtrack, it has some very memorable tunes, especially those from the various enemy encounters, specifically the Wraith fight and Necrotaur battles, as well as a rendition of Anitras dance by Edward Grieg for the inn theme, among many other great enchanting tunes. Would love to hear what your opinion is of this score.

[@franciscodefaria]

I grew up listening to this song. First by watching my cousins playing diablo back to 90's and then by playing over the nights when I got my first pc.

[@Vincentxxvi]

What effect did you use on the guitar in this video?

[@samuelsturgill6825]

Dear Shred Could you do a video about the music in Metroid games They got some dark scary songs in them.

[@icfrac8481]

Loved the game, picked up guitar couple years after, learned part of this tune.. still playing it after years it's just awesome sounding. Great to see other guitarist looking at this.. the song harem on same album is also epic dark check it out.. less guitar in that but the vibe is awesome. Ty dude love this

[@EarlOfBassington]

you gotta listen to StarCraft 1's Terran Theme 2 and 4, it's excellence elevated

[@fubarsnafu4994]

It's been a minute but an older Spanish gentleman did a cover / lesson few years back. Best video on KZbin if you wanted to learn the Tristram theme. Did it acoustic. No amp or effects on a no name nylon 6 string and nailed it. Looked like a Kmart student guitar from a dumpster dive at goodwill. Sometimes I shake my head.. If I only had a tenth of that talent. Here I am few thousand dollars worth of gear and still sound rough around the edges..Lol SUBSCRIBED good luck! 🤘😆🤘

[@riffwraith85]

great video

[@tapeworm6093]

“The Dawn of the Deli Creeps” is an album of pure entertainment. Like being trapped on a ride with a lunatic, ahh heavenly

[@heycbob]

Soooo good 🤘🏻

[@davidbennettarts2205]

8:18 When my boy Lucie gets a little too goosey 😈

[@Luemm3l]

in terms of video game music, Nier Automata, Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom LIberty and Alan Wake IIs soundtracks made me feel all sorts of things last year. For analysis here, the culminating moment in "A Beautiful song" for example marries minor and major triads in the same chord and then moves that to a minor triad and a second the next time and the voice melody line just goes from the quintessential A back whole tones back to E. that to me is the ultimate moment in that song that gets me teary eyed. For Phantom Liberty, the pounding techno rhythm with the wailing voices in tracks like Gate K9 or Contra La Luna gets my blood going as well and gives an impression of immediate danger. Alan Wake II has many smooth songs, a whole musical in it itself (that surprisingly I didnt even like that much musically although it is somewhat hard rock/metallish) but also some dark aggressive rap, which makes use of a minor second as their dissonant, aggressive tid-bit but the cooles thing is probably the finnish influence in the game in general and in terms of music "YÖTÔN YÕ" is some sort of finnish folk song I guess that could be interpreted to be about the devil, have not figured out the chord progression there yet, but also really cool song.

[@ThrashersShogun]

All NES/SNES classics have good music 8 and 16bit, I would love to see you break down some of Ninja Gaiden, Castlevania, Contra, Megaman and some heroic music from Chrono Cross game (Frog's theme)

[@deusexmortimer4928]

Tristram theme got me into making up my own riif

[@theyim6586]

Great Video and breakdown of the music! Since you asked about other video game music, check out the music of Command and Conquer/Red Alert 2 & 3. Frank Kerplacki is the composer of the music. There are videos on you tube of him playing the music live. Great metal chugging riffs! I'm sure youd dig it!

[@------YeahOK------]

Aphex Twin - #5 Such a haunting sound.

[@gilberthanzo918]

The "street of rage 2" ost is amazing ...

[@redgamer821]

Diablo II has great town themes

[@johnwirk]

"Shtay a woyle and lishen" Sean Connery nailed Deckard cain.

[@benofavalon7121]

Ah, this takes me back, truly 🥰 I must have been about 12 or 13 I played the first game in the Diablo series, for the first time. A more innocent time, in truth, where demonic and angelic entities would battle for your soul😁 Thank for you bringing those times back, if only for a little while 😉😊

[@zielony600]

Damn it! Now I will have to try to install and play Diablo II again :D

[@PhantomDeth]

Most of the music in the original Diablo is fantastic... The music when exploring the levels beneath the church is haunting... Which screams and howls of pain and horror echoing though the darkness... Its one of the most atmosphere heavy games ever.

[@GK1349-LOBK]

The Diablo theme is burned in my soul. Soooo many hours poured into that game 🤘🔥

[@denguederbez]

Really loved Tristram's soundtrack. For other video game music, you should check out Yasunori Mitsuda, Motoi Sakuraba, Nobuo Uematsu and Yoko Shimomura If I could say only 2 games it would be Xenoblade 1 and Chrono Cross.

[@ShredmasterScott]

Yes! I have the entire 3 disc chrono cross soundtrack. Incredible music!

[@zl14l41]

Hey a vypyr! I have one right next to me with the defective voltage regulator that I will fix someday...maybe

[@IvanoForgione]

this music stays with me rent free since 1998 (I came 2 years late to the game) and forever

[@urskrik6353]

DO MORE GAME MUSIC PLEASE! I love this :D More Zelda 64. Red Alert 2. Mario, Super Nintendo - Mario, 64 Final fantasy ( I dont care, but others seems to wanna see this )

[@obi-wannabekennotbi2418]

Came back from playing Diablo 2 Resurrected about 10m ago, and then I see this vid drop 😮

[@pinx5976]

what scale would you use to solo over these chords?

[@ShredmasterScott]

It would change depending on the chord. Theres more than one option for each as well !

[@vassilisxerikos3908]

Most people focus only on the famous Tristram track. But the devil hides in the cathedral/catacombs/caves/hell tracks!

[@WuSix]

Shred you gotta check out the band named Evile, it's like metallica but with doubled evil

[@4x4-ever]

Hey slick, cool it!

[@VestibuIe]

This game..... the entire series is untouchable, nothing compares. You should create another video of the "Tristram theme" the name of this song, with acoustic and then electric. Check out the Diablo 2 OST next, you wont be disappointed

[@lem3303]

Remember me? Shred. How could i let you go so easy, with the 30pieces of silver your soul owe?when the dusk falls I can literally give you the worst nightmares, you could imagine/you can Get me the orginal piece of hillsong-let me dwell. Muuuuaaahhhhh.... hellsong fear of the dark. Spooky.

[@kennyfernandez2866]

Cool shades, bro.

[@Mrbungleface0u818]

A few of those chords were used in some Slayer songs

[@LovingGoodContent]

As the man under the microscope by drones in the sky and having met Lucifer himself multiple times I can say this is rifflord diablo Satan prince of darkness approved! Thanks shred!