Welcome to the cheerful world of Patric Catani´s video game music. This is an album featuring two different video game soundtracks, first of all the Catani contribution to the wonderfully astonishing and internationally acclaimed game “Battle Block Theater” by San Diego based cult developers The Behemoth, also known for their other games Castle Crashers, Pit People, Alien Hominid and their latest production Alien Hominid Invasion, for which Patric Catani wrote the whole soundtrack.
BattleBlock Theater, with its beautiful nostalgic old-school atmosphere, was complimented by a soundtrack of many talented musicians such as Kid Koala, Analogik, Lee LaDouceur, Will Stamper, Georgy Zheryakov, Matthew Harwood, Ian Moreno and Dan Paladin (the main game designer himself). In this complex cartoon universe, constantly switching between the different cutscene interludes and the puzzle platforming levels, The Behemoth again and again proves their great taste and knowledge about music. All moods, all styles were selected heartfully, with a magic touch that shows how dedicated the Behemoth crew really is. Needless to say that it was a huge honor and a knighthood for Catani that the Castle Crashers creators themselves picked so many of his songs and the Behemoth fan base embraced his work so nicely.
The second soundtrack, “Blox in Space”, was one of the first game OSTs Patric ever did, except for his imaginary game soundtrack “The Horrible Plans of Flex Busterman” or the licensed tunes for “Mushroom Wars” and “Digger HD”. Blox in Space was a sort of Tetris / Puzzle variant by a small on off company called Ninzini Playground.
Patric Catani: “Making music for a Tetris game was obviously a super pleasant but more tricky task, since only mentioning the word Tetris recalls memories of the famous original Tetris Theme, which probably is the most famous video game music of all times. I was happy when I finally composed the main theme that adopts a sort of Russian atmosphere but takes it to space and to dramatic Morricone flavored cartoon worlds. The original concept was to get a new song, with moving up in the levels. The main theme, “Tetris Life”, is the music it starts with. The second level is “Pina Colada on Venus”, which is a funny calypso style adoption, and the last level “Tetris Pro Player” is more based on J-Pop and Happy Hardcore. This release also includes the opening theme and the Game Over / Highscore music. Both soundtracks show a big influence of one of my favorite game soundtracks, “Parodius” by Konami, released on Gameboy, Super Nintendo and Playstation. Instead of covering original classic music, I focused on writing new melodies combining classical elements such as clarinets and choirs, but also energizing beats and Acid Basslines”.
The Behemoth: “When life gives you potatoes, you make potato salad! And Patric Catani has JUST the recipe for it with his tunes. Patric has been collaborating with us at The Behemoth for the last 10 years, with tracks for BattleBlock Theater, Pit People, and Alien Hominid Invasion. Patric’s “Video Game Music” vinyl record features track selections to delight your earholes from our beloved BattleBlock Theater and Blox in Space, combining classical elements like clarinets and choirs while also orchestrating electrifying beats and basslines! Inspired by iconic video game soundtracks of yesteryear, all tracks on this album are certified Behemoth Fresh Eggs. Patric imbues into his music a unique frenetic energy and focused zaniness that effortlessly compliments our games. So, dust off your record player, grab your Otamatone and best friend to all, and boogie. Whaddya’ say, Hatty?”
Both soundtracks focus on a cartoonish fairy tale space disco direction that supports the atmosphere of little comic creatures going through jump and run, platform and puzzle game adventures. The Battle Block Theater music is a selection of spacey and thrilling uptempo tunes underlining the nostalgic but up to date / state of the art comic design of the game.
Now finally available on blue vinyl, released on Storage Records in tight collaboration with The Behemoth.
www.patric-catani.com
www.thebehemoth.com
All songs written, performed recorded, mixed and mastered by Patric Catani. Artwork, BattleBlock Theater character assets with courtesy of The Behemoth. Blox in Space Assets used with courtesy of Ninzini Playground.
Cover layout reworking, logos and finetuning by Joel / Amigobusiness.
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