

While straightforward, the arrangement is evocative, fitting, and memorable, making it a guaranteed repeated listen.Īs the game introduces the Tanker Chapter with “Opening Infiltration”, a more firm indicator of the overall style of the soundtrack is provided. After another sudden buildup, the arrangement reaches its climax as the main melody returns on heroic brass, a string motif is repeated, and, in the final bars, an epic choir is layered on top. After the composition intensifies, it leads to a slower middle section styled in a way more associable with themes related to in-game espionage. This leads to the bold exposition of the main melody on strings while electronic percussion accompaniment drives and lifts the composition. As choir and brass enter while Hideo Kojima’s name is somewhat egotistically displayed, the composition gathers pace and thickness as the screen shows codes gliding towards the gamer.

The dazzling high-pitched electronic notes of the opening create a suitable futuristic and ethereal feel for the introduction of the turquoise title screen cinematic sequence. Gregson-Williams’ new interpretation emphasises the melodic strength of the original while offering much more dynamic orchestration. The soundtrack opens with an arrangement of Tappi Iwase’s Metal Gear Solid main theme. The soundtrack release for the game almost entirely focuses on Gregson-Williams, though a recommended additional soundtrack featuring Hibino’s work was also released. As well as handling all the in-game music, Hibino created a large share of the FMV accompaniment music. He was joined by Berklee-trained jazz musician and new Konami employee Norihiko Hibino, who maintained the Hollywood feel of the soundtrack while engraving the sound of its own. He was to create a dark, futuristic, and dramatic sound to the series through fusing electronic beats with orchestration. While Gregson-Williams was not as well-known as he is now, he had eight years experience behind him on hit films such as The Rock, Enemy of the State, The Replacement Killers, Armageddon, and Chicken Run.

In order to achieve this, he hired Harry Gregson-Williams, a British Hollywood composer of the Hans Zimmer school of film music. Hideo Kojima intended a largely cinematic soundtrack for Metal Gear Solid 2 -Sons of Liberty. Metal Gear Solid 2 -Sons of Liberty- Original Soundtrack
