Seventh-Heaven Maxion - Former Frontier 2nd cultivate (SHM-0013) - ユメウツツ

Original:  博麗　〜Eastern Wind (SoEW St1 theme)

This might be the part where our opinions and sentiments diverge.

So, if you haven't heard of this circle yet, I suggest you do so, they've done some good works with other circles such as SYNC.ART'S (and the entire Project S crew), Reliance:Tone, Innocent Key and more. Furthermore, their past works such as the Former Frontiers are gold mines for ZUN's forgotten works--from the early days up to the pre-Windows--or the Seihou period. Take this for example. I've only heard of TWO CIRCLES--yes, two circles making an interesting vocal arrange of Rika's stage theme, this and the other one being Syrufit in their first Touhou album under their own name.

So, why again do I prefer this over Syrufit's it's because of its resemblance to the original. It's not because I love hearing the sound of BB and Gojyo-kai dishing out those HELL YEAH chords (Gojyo-kai does some guitars too; but I have to admit they're good at doing this) but because of the nostalgia it brings.

Hachimitsu-Lemon - Over the Magic (HLCD-0013) - Disappearing Queen

Original: Complete Darkness (SoEW St5 Boss theme)

I'm actually torn up between C-CLAYS' version and this one. They're both good, yes, but I think Aizawa and company gets the recognition today. It's just that this song feels really OMINOUS AND FITTING FOR SoEW'S GRAND FINALE, just like the Mima we know (and long for). Unlike this circle's previous releases, they've really outdone themselves in this album, bringing us recognizable beauties such as Marisa's Seihou theme and Byakuren's Cosmic Mind, as well as rearrangements of two beautiful songs, Spring Lane and Deserted Hell.

The demons lurking in the darkness, stalking you, mocking you, breathing your every breath...what can you do?

Alstroemeria Records - Fragment Reactions (ARCD0028) - End of Daylight

Original: End of Daylight (SoEW St2 theme)

There's no beating Alstroemeria when it comes to electronic-vocal arrangements. Bad Apple (let's face it, THIS IS THE BEST VOCAL ARRANGEMENT OF ELLY'S STAGE THEME), Saigetsu, Maple Wizen, you name it. Although other circles, I should say, might go on head-to-head with them, Alstroemeria's easily-catchy arrangements top over other arrangers, of different genres and whatnot. Furthermore, you just have to learn to love those quirky schemes under their sleeves. It's sure to pack a punch and make you smile at the very least.

If you haven't heard yet, there's a couple of End of Daylight PVs circling around NicoNicoDouga and Youtube...all of them point to a single direction. This is where the crossroads of past and present converge.

Labels: Touhou Project