3 out of 5

Produced by: Shaun Crook (vinyl remaster)

Label: Data Discs

Another gorgeously produced / packaged score from Data Discs, but also, perhaps, one of their selections that is more memorable due to gaming nostalgia than the music itself.   Which isn’t to say that Takushi Hiyamuta’s work isn’t skillful or catchy; certainly the opposite: it’s perfectly suited to the forward momentum, bullet-hell of Metal Slug, the opening machine gun Intro beat setting the pace for what’s to come.  It’s just that the tunes that follow all sort of hit their mark and remain there, reminiscent of that arcade era when graphics and sound were a unique experience – MS in particular being such a great arcade experience – and the music from this particular time mostly had a similar vibe to it; nothing really stands out as a (to me) totally memorable theme.  On the end credits, Hiyamuta does get to stray a bit, in a good way, delivering something heroic and memorable.  Otherwise, this music makes me recall a time and a place, and I can imagine myself playing Metal Slug to these tracks, but the tunes on their own – while quality – don’t necessarily grab me.

Go go reviewer negativity!