Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag - Freedom Cry
Olivier Deriviere
" Remember Olivier Derivière? No, then Assassin's Creed will make him unforgettable "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the download only release
The Assassin's Creed train is moving quickly and steadfast towards its destination. Namely to capture as many people as possible through the historical story telling and its mix of action, stealth and free running. In 2013, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag was released. First Brian Tyler was asked to compose the music. But for Freedom Cry, an expansion, the cry led to hot game composer of the moment Olivier Derivière instead, the man that made a significant impression that year with the hit Remember Me. Of course, intention and genre are completely different, so expect something completely different for Freedom Cry as well.
And what that difference unleashes is immediately clear in "The Root", the opening track that uses the strengths of La Troupe Makandal, a performing group specialized in Haitian music, linking the music to the game's Caribbean setting pretty easily. And though the Haitian influence is downright mesmerizing and fresh, attentive listeners will immediately pick up the string writing that made Remember Me such an inspiring listen. The same effect arrives in "A Boat to Freedom", a return to form with the wonderful string beauty of Remember Me.
This Haitian influence flows throughout the entire soundtrack, and its inclusion is hands down the most mesmerizing influence of all. Werther through the amazing vocals or the insane percussion playing, their influence gives Assassin's Creed IV the color that differentiates it from the rest (including Derivière's own repertoire). Like the colorful vocals at the end of "Brothers and Sisters", or during "The Fight for All" and "The Last Chance". The final highlight is the colorful song they perform in "United", an ode and testament to what they offer in this soundtrack experience.
Of course Assassin's Creed IV is all about action and adventure, making sure the soundtrack is chock full of exciting action music. During "The Storm", Derivière unleashes these ferocious string and percussion attacks, linking it quite clearly towards 2 distinct composers. Himself and most notably John Powell. Just listen to the ferocious rhythms of the strings and percussion in the highlights "Fight the Tyranny" and "Attack at Sea". Take particular notice at "Attack at Sea". Not only has it amazing string writing that honors John Powell at his most inspirational, it also unleashes an exciting colorful rhythmic dance that supports the adventure at sea with unrivaled enthusiasm, a colorful escapade you'll never hear inside film music, just because it's too creative and daring for the likes of producers. Another example of how Powell comes marching in relentlessly is "Fight the Oppressors", the following track. Wow, the pure rhythmic excitement of those moments are literally astounding.
And stopping Derivière is out of the question after that, considering "On to Freedom" continues with a variation on the colorful string motif of track 6, unleashing more of those quirky but feisty string maneuvers (amazingly played by the 40 piece string orchestra of our very own Brussels Philharmonic). This gets an encore in "Never Again" (capturing the essence of brilliance even more through the vocal singing of La Troupe Makandal at the end). And no rest for the wicked, for the emotional goosebumps reign the strongest in the emotional string writing of "High Seas".
And though the moments of respite aren't that frequent, they are most welcome indeed. "False Paradise" is very eerie and faint while "The Governer's Lair" is mysterious and kinda foreboding. But those are pretty much the sparse breathers that are mixed in between the manic string and percussive attacks that are forcefully taking over the experience after that.
As said, the string performance and the percussion create an exciting mix that few scores can match. After all, there is no brass on board here, and apart from occasional use of the electronics, the only power that's left is coming from the colorful singing of the group La Troupe Makandal, which brings a unique flavor to the experience. But perhaps it's custom to expect that from a Olivier Derivière score by now, because no scores are alike from him. Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag - Freedom Cry might offer too much excitement in one part and sparse moments of respite in another, making the trip perhaps a bit too exhaustive for its own good. Especially considering the output of vocal supported songs are pretty much all placed at the end. But apart from that, another quality injection from the French composer who made us almost forget he wrote something even better that year, namely Remember Me. Though composed in 2013, the score is out now digitally for the first time.
I always said to game composers that it's time they get a chance in filmmusic real soon. But I don't want Olivier Derivière to do that. Simply because the new haven for astonishing music now comes from game music instead, a realm where creativity and excitement still means something in the musical process. Derivière, I salute you once again.
Favorite Moment - Attack at Sea (1.13 - 2.20)
There's something amazing about that colorful injection, this piece literally puts filmmusic to shame
Track Listing
1. The Root (2.18)
2. The Storm (2.45)
3. False Paradise (3.48)
4. Fight the Tyranny (3.25) Excellent track
5. The Hideout (2.53)
6. A Boat to Freedom (2.14)
7. Attack at Sea (3.14) Excellent track
8. Fight the Oppressors (3.14) Excellent track
9. Brothers and Sisters (2.55)
10. On to Freedom (2.19) Excellent track
11. The Fight for All (3.18)
12. The Governor's Lair (2.59)
13. Never Again (3.23) Excellent track
14. High Seas (3.48) Excellent track
15. The Last Chance (2.43)
16. United (5.02) Excellent track
17. The Freedom Cry (1.49)
18. Mache Mwen (3.05)
19. Marasa (3.06)
20. Ogou O (2.25)
21. Ounsi (3.13)
22. Sensia (2.40)
23. Tanbouye (1.39)
24. Yo Fe (1.46)
Total Length: 70.01
And what that difference unleashes is immediately clear in "The Root", the opening track that uses the strengths of La Troupe Makandal, a performing group specialized in Haitian music, linking the music to the game's Caribbean setting pretty easily. And though the Haitian influence is downright mesmerizing and fresh, attentive listeners will immediately pick up the string writing that made Remember Me such an inspiring listen. The same effect arrives in "A Boat to Freedom", a return to form with the wonderful string beauty of Remember Me.
This Haitian influence flows throughout the entire soundtrack, and its inclusion is hands down the most mesmerizing influence of all. Werther through the amazing vocals or the insane percussion playing, their influence gives Assassin's Creed IV the color that differentiates it from the rest (including Derivière's own repertoire). Like the colorful vocals at the end of "Brothers and Sisters", or during "The Fight for All" and "The Last Chance". The final highlight is the colorful song they perform in "United", an ode and testament to what they offer in this soundtrack experience.
Of course Assassin's Creed IV is all about action and adventure, making sure the soundtrack is chock full of exciting action music. During "The Storm", Derivière unleashes these ferocious string and percussion attacks, linking it quite clearly towards 2 distinct composers. Himself and most notably John Powell. Just listen to the ferocious rhythms of the strings and percussion in the highlights "Fight the Tyranny" and "Attack at Sea". Take particular notice at "Attack at Sea". Not only has it amazing string writing that honors John Powell at his most inspirational, it also unleashes an exciting colorful rhythmic dance that supports the adventure at sea with unrivaled enthusiasm, a colorful escapade you'll never hear inside film music, just because it's too creative and daring for the likes of producers. Another example of how Powell comes marching in relentlessly is "Fight the Oppressors", the following track. Wow, the pure rhythmic excitement of those moments are literally astounding.
And stopping Derivière is out of the question after that, considering "On to Freedom" continues with a variation on the colorful string motif of track 6, unleashing more of those quirky but feisty string maneuvers (amazingly played by the 40 piece string orchestra of our very own Brussels Philharmonic). This gets an encore in "Never Again" (capturing the essence of brilliance even more through the vocal singing of La Troupe Makandal at the end). And no rest for the wicked, for the emotional goosebumps reign the strongest in the emotional string writing of "High Seas".
And though the moments of respite aren't that frequent, they are most welcome indeed. "False Paradise" is very eerie and faint while "The Governer's Lair" is mysterious and kinda foreboding. But those are pretty much the sparse breathers that are mixed in between the manic string and percussive attacks that are forcefully taking over the experience after that.
As said, the string performance and the percussion create an exciting mix that few scores can match. After all, there is no brass on board here, and apart from occasional use of the electronics, the only power that's left is coming from the colorful singing of the group La Troupe Makandal, which brings a unique flavor to the experience. But perhaps it's custom to expect that from a Olivier Derivière score by now, because no scores are alike from him. Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag - Freedom Cry might offer too much excitement in one part and sparse moments of respite in another, making the trip perhaps a bit too exhaustive for its own good. Especially considering the output of vocal supported songs are pretty much all placed at the end. But apart from that, another quality injection from the French composer who made us almost forget he wrote something even better that year, namely Remember Me. Though composed in 2013, the score is out now digitally for the first time.
I always said to game composers that it's time they get a chance in filmmusic real soon. But I don't want Olivier Derivière to do that. Simply because the new haven for astonishing music now comes from game music instead, a realm where creativity and excitement still means something in the musical process. Derivière, I salute you once again.
Favorite Moment - Attack at Sea (1.13 - 2.20)
There's something amazing about that colorful injection, this piece literally puts filmmusic to shame
Track Listing
1. The Root (2.18)
2. The Storm (2.45)
3. False Paradise (3.48)
4. Fight the Tyranny (3.25) Excellent track
5. The Hideout (2.53)
6. A Boat to Freedom (2.14)
7. Attack at Sea (3.14) Excellent track
8. Fight the Oppressors (3.14) Excellent track
9. Brothers and Sisters (2.55)
10. On to Freedom (2.19) Excellent track
11. The Fight for All (3.18)
12. The Governor's Lair (2.59)
13. Never Again (3.23) Excellent track
14. High Seas (3.48) Excellent track
15. The Last Chance (2.43)
16. United (5.02) Excellent track
17. The Freedom Cry (1.49)
18. Mache Mwen (3.05)
19. Marasa (3.06)
20. Ogou O (2.25)
21. Ounsi (3.13)
22. Sensia (2.40)
23. Tanbouye (1.39)
24. Yo Fe (1.46)
Total Length: 70.01