Video showcasing the evolution of Xemnas’ boss themes in Kingdom Hearts: Disappeared, A Fight To The Death, Darkness of the Unknown and L’Oscurità dell’Ignoto
Music Compilation playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8DAku-NUA40op_Zj9HZy3JV1a-Cr9yzz
Image source: https://www.khwiki.com
– *Timestamps* –
00:00 Disappeared KH1
02:12 Disappeared 1.5 Remix
04:33 Disappeared KH2
06:45 Disappeared 2.5 Remix
09:10 A Fight to the Death KH2
10:55 A Fight to the Death 2.5
12:37 Darkness of the Unknown I KH2
13:46 Darkness of the Unknown I 2.5 Remix
14:58 Darkness of the Unknown II KH2
16:45 Darkness of the Unknown II 2.5 Remix
18:30 Darkness of the Unknown III KH2
20:12 Darkness of the Unknown III 2.5 Remix
22:04 L’Oscurità dell’Ignoto
24:08 L’Oscurità dell’Ignoto – Xemnas –
– *Notes* –
I finally got this one finished. Bear in mind like with Forze Del Male, I’m not including the Darkness of the Unknown segments from Forze dell’Oscurita or Forza Finale here because I don’t want to rip them out of the rest of the song. They can be in their own video. This video also doesn’t include “Xemnus” from Days because it’s hardly even one of his themes. It mostly plays for Saix and Axel scenes. I guess it kinda represents his machinations but still, feels out of place for this video.
Disappeared has 4 whole versions thanks to the remixes. This is definitely a KH1 song in sound, it’s rumbly and and builds. Honestly it’s probably one of the most dire songs in the series, I could easily see this played for some apocalyptic world-ending scene. I’d say Disappeared is Xemnas’ mirror to Ansem’s Forze Del Male. I placed the remasters right next to the originals this time for easier comparison. KH2’s Disappeared does have subtle differences from KH1 but I would leave those to someone more musically enlightened to describe.
A Fight to the Death is easily one of my favourite boss themes in the series. Usually overshowded by Darkness of the Unknown, though it does appear again in KH3 for a little bit, while fighting Saix/Xion (& Xemnas in Re Mind) before Roxas returns. That’s just a reuse of 2.5. But yeah, Very appropriate music for the gauntlet leading up to Armored Xemnas and you gotta love that Dearly Beloved kicking in at the climax.
Finally we have all the versions of Darkness of the Unknown, Xemnas’ main and most iconic theme. I separated out the I, II and III versions to hear the direct comparisons, as it’s a long song and the 3 parts are quite different. Part II of course is my favourite. The sudden hit when Xemnas’ dragon reappears and changes the arena is KH2 coolness at its peak. And then of course, the notable Darkness of the Unknown melody. Come to think of it, much of Xemnas’ music is very build-up in nature, coming to a crescendo at the end. Compared to Ansem who has a big loud start and then more ups and downs throughout. Part III slows it down with an ethereal, more intimate sound. Perfect for that last fight, it feels like an epilogue to the song.
L’Oscurita dell’Ignoto is the DDD & Re Mind version of Darkness of the Unknown. It’s the Italian translation of course, but it does add some new elements as with L’Eminenza Oscura before. Most notably that Organ intro. Couldn’t get more sinister. The first half of the track continues the new melodies until it once again builds to the Darkness of the Unknown we know and love. Plus at the end, a quieter bit like part III. As for Re Mind’s arrangement, I’m not in love with it but it’s pretty cool. The part at 25.25 is very nice though, good addition. Oh and so are the horror-like strings near the end.
This video got a copyright for A Fight to the Death so if you see a lot of ads, it’s out of my control. Hopefully YT doesn’t add loads.
Composed by Yoko Shimomura
L’Oscurità dell’Ignoto – Xemnas – arranged by Natsumi Kameoka
source
DDD's l'Oscurita dell'Ignoto is better than ReMind's, IMO, solely for that heavy drumbeat. KH3's soundtrack as a whole is kinda missing a lot of the percussion that past entries had.
I'm glad you're still making these, they're soo interesting
This is well done. I was thinking…maybe The Other Promise and Vector to the Heavens? Not just because I ship Roxas and Xion, but because both also shared one theme (Hearts as One) as well. Oh! And also Marluxia's solo compilation as well…maybe?
Darkness of the Unknown Part 2 is 🤌. I used to always go to it when I needed pump-up music. It was my favorite of a whole slew of fantastic boss music pieces.
Indeed Man-Xemnas' themes are almost perfect
My favorites are Darkness of The Alone part 2 and part 3, as well as L'Oscurotá dell'Ignoto the DDD version
man how nostalgic it is to listen to the ps2 versions again
Xemnas pooping
Good ol Mansex, can't beat his music!