How a Priest Became a Metaphor for Music in ReFantazio

Unique Musical Collaboration in Metaphor: ReFantazio

In an enlightening interview with Famitsu, renowned composer Shoji Meguro shared fascinating insights into the musical landscape of his latest project, Metaphor: ReFantazio. Integral to this score is the distinctive contribution of Chief Priest Keisuke Honryo of Myojoji Temple, who provided ethereal sutra-like vocals for the game’s battle music as well as pivotal narrative moments.

Special Guest Performance

Honryo showcased his vocal talents as a special guest at the “Road to Metaphor” event, a promotional event leading up to the game’s official release. During this event, he performed the main battle theme, effectively merging traditional Buddhist sounds with modern gaming aesthetics.

A Fusion of Genres

Meguro’s approach to enlisting Honryo was inspired by watching him perform with the experimental jazz ensemble, Nam Jazz Experiment, where he serves as a vocalist. Recognizing Honryo’s unique talent, Meguro proposed collaborating with him on the game’s soundtrack. After sharing a video of Honryo’s performance with Atlus developers, they unanimously agreed to invite the Chief Priest to record songs specifically for Metaphor: ReFantazio.

Innovative Recording Techniques

The enchanting vocals recorded by Honryo beautifully combine Esperanto with the fictional language unique to the game’s universe. Meguro explained that he requested Honryo to deliver the lyrics in a rhythmic, rap-like manner, enhancing the game’s immersive experience. To facilitate this, Meguro prepared a synthesized placeholder version that could mimic vocalization prior to recording the actual tracks.

Availability of Metaphor: ReFantazio

Players can dive into the world of Metaphor: ReFantazio, now available on multiple platforms, including PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC. Additionally, a demo version is accessible for those wishing to preview the game.

For more details on this intriguing musical collaboration, check out the full story here.

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