Full orchestral fury performed by the New Japan Philharmonic, and it sounds absolutely massive for a 2002 PS2 game. The "Rising-Sun" suite across its four movements plays like a proper symphonic work, complete with Noh recitation by Tetsunojyo Kanze that roots the whole thing in traditional Japanese performance.
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"Samanosuke's Theme" carries this proud, martial weight, while "Kaede's Theme" shifts into something delicate and sorrowful. Then tracks like "Bloodthirst" and "Scene of Carnage" just tear through with aggressive brass and pounding taiko.
Thirty tracks that swing between serene temple stillness and demon-slaying chaos. Worth noting the credited composer was later revealed as fraudulent, but the music itself, performed and arranged by Takashi Niigaki, genuinely holds up.
PS2-era action fans owe themselves a listen.