Karl Vincent - Street Dragon OST
Review by Karl Magi
Overall Album Impressions
Karl Vincent’s Street Dragon OST evokes the thrilling excitement of classic console and arcade fighting games from the late 90s. Karl Vincent captures the exuberance and melodic joy of those games with his mixture of superb guitar performances, memorable melodies and propulsive percussion. This soundtrack for a game that never existed is huge fun to listen to as it unfolds.
The atmosphere that Karl Vincent creates on Street Dragon is one of the major draws to the album for me. He captures the energy, motion and propulsion of retro fighting game soundtracks. He takes me right back to the hours I spent in the arcade jamming the buttons on Soul Calibur or Tekken 2. I enjoy the way in which he uses contemporary production values to heighten the musical quality on the album.
Street Dragon also stands out because of Karl Vincent's guitar chops. He infuses his guitar playing with the same kind of high octane energy that one finds in the guitar sounds used in classic fighters. His ability to weave together intricate and ear-pleasing solos increases the listening pleasure of the album. I enjoy the earnest exuberance in his guitar performances here.
One thing that always stood out for me with classic video games was the superb melodies they had within them. Street Dragon lives up to those classics with Karl Vincent's melodic writing. He crafts melodies that are catchy, fun and irrepressibly energetic. Each track brings more melodic Joy To Me as the album unfolds.
My Favourite Tracks Analyzed
“The Calling” opens as colossal bass rumbles while rounded bells ring out, Breathy panpipes flash past along with flitting strings and broadly ringing synth calls out. Guitar flashes briefly and active chords leap above the oscillating low end as flaring orchestra hits jump in.
The massive bass powers along as bright, string-like notes intertwine with airy panpipes. Tom hits pop in and pulsing bass fades away to create a powerful introduction to the album.
Vast drums pound hard along with a loping bass pulse to open “The Challenger.” Driving snare drums punch in to propel the music forward. Medium-high panpipes carry a melody with an ancient and inspiring feeling.
Images of adventure, strength and bravery fill the panpipes as they call out. The drums slam along with undulating bass while the inspiring melody cries out and flaring sound climbs in. Slightly gruff, trumpeting synth takes up the main melody and imbues it with dominating energy above the low end’s insistent drive.
There’s more majesty to be had from soaring synth as the gigantic bass rumbles. Now quickly leaping, luminous synth carries a pulse full of triumph and unbowed strength. Bass oscillates and a guitar comes in, full of nobility, while rapid light flashes from gleaming synth
The track returns to the main melody, the panpipes full of a timeless feeling as the taut notes sweep. Brassy synth leaps out in victory again while the low end lopes along smoothly into silence.
“Subarashi Tatakai” starts as gigantic bass moves along with actively rebounding, gleaming synth. Now a rushing drum beat moves along with intensely luminous chimes as an elevated, glimmering synth calls out with a melody full of motivation and excitement.
The low end charges forward with impressive motion. Widely flowing, lucent chords flash out to create more dynamic propulsion above the drums and bass. Karl Vincent's twanging guitar tangles through the music and the drums pound.
Panpipes skirl with a windy flow and illuminating chords jump. The main melody captures me with its cascading leaps as it evokes a superb battle. Chimes fly out and the drums and bass pound hard to accelerate the music to a conclusion.
Colossal drums collide and a huge bassline undulates with intimidating force as “Train Hard” kicks off . Rapidly bouncing, blazing synth carries a melody imbued with motivational force. The drums and bass tower in the background, propelling the music forward with conviction.
A sharp-edged synth cries out with an explosive melody, full of victorious energy. The way in which energy pours out of this music attracts me. Orchestra hits slice in and again the rebounding, luminous synth leaps out through the music.
Energy erupts from every corner of this track as it pushes on. The drums flourish and medium-high, gleaming synth entangles as it carries a fierce melody. The main melody sings out, creating images of great effort and strength as the song drives to the end with pounding percussion.
“Street Mayhem” opens as broadly radiant synth jumps into the music with climbing motion. A gleaming synth rings out and now rushing drums and bass propel the music with intensity. Now the trumpeting synth bursts out, carrying a charging melody full of triumph.
Below the other musical elements, the drums and bass punch with mad force. The trumpeting melody carries me away on a tide of inspiration and excitement. The melody’s irresistible exuberance draws me in. Air sweeps past and the track flows into a segment in which massive bass pulses while cutting notes slice through.
Brassy synth calls out again, exuding primal energy while the unstoppable low end pushes forward. The main melody cascades through on a nasal-sounding synth that whirls through the music. The song thunders to an end on gigantic drums and bass and the motivating melody.
as rapidly intertwining, lacerating synth speeds into the music to begin “Saigo No Senshi.” Ferociously flashing notes double the tumbling, vaulting synth as it slices past. Karl Vincent's guitar flies into the music with freedom and thrilling life as it unfolds. The guitar performance pulls me in with its exhilarating motion in this track.
The drums and bass charge into the music with intensity and entangled notes all cascade together, creating effulgent sonic layers. Ringing chords flare as energy explodes outwards. A razor- edged, medium-high synth solo flashes into the music, unfolding with rapid motion and intricate detail. Widely tumbling, glistening synth adds more brightness to the speeding music.
Darkly twanging sounds flow past and again the guitar jumps to life, kindling the secondary melody that bursts with victorious emotion. Karl Vincent's guitar arcs and soars, filling me with exuberant excitement. The track ends on the slicing synth melody that flies out with abandon and fighting energy.
“Until Next Time” starts after a percussive flair, bell-like synth carries a wistful melody. Snare drum, slowly throbbing kick drum and bass create a flow while tender pan pipes drift out, exuding melancholy. The bell-like synth melody is touching and wistful, creating nostalgic remembrance in me.
Yearning panpipes call out again as metallic notes twang below and the percussion shapes the music. Karl Vincent plays a guitar melody that captures this track’s dreamy, aching qualities.
The main melody glides past, silky and pained, as it unfurls through the music. Underneath the other musical elements, the drums and bass form a steadying pulse. The track ends on tranquil guitar sliding into silence.
Conclusion
Street Dragon is an album that I find hard to resist. It just brims over with character, fun and massive energy. Karl Vincent has helped me return to a time in the past, reminding me of the carefree days of my youth. I'm not ashamed to say that I revel in this album's pure nostalgia.
