Overview

In 2004, Super Robot Taisen MX was released in Japan to strong sales and reviews. Considered a successor to Super Robot Taisen Impact, duo Satoru Okada and Wataru Yumura returned to offer a range of original compositions and mecha anime arrangements. The resulting soundtrack is considerably more expansive and elaborate than its predecessor and stands up as one of the greatest in the entire series. Let's take a look at its exuberant four disc album release...

Body

Like most modern Super Robot Taisen series, the soundtrack is headlined by the rock group JAM Project. Their contributions to the soundtrack, the opening theme "VICTORY" and the ending theme "The Promised Land", integrate quite well with what the main composers build elsewhere. The former is especially striking with its gothic harpsichord introduction and ensemble vocals. It is cut short in the game rendition here — left as an exclusive for singles and compilations — but nevertheless receives an excellent fleshed-out orchestral rendition at the centre of the soundtrack. The ending theme, on the other hand, is a little deeper than most ballads with its part-ethereal, part-rustic new age instrumentation. Masami Okui brings out a wistful and reflective quality to the melody, without being overly sentimental. Note that a modified version is featured in the single release.

The majority of the first two discs of the soundtrack are dedicated to arrangements of various anime theme songs. Many will have many of the tracks here in other Super Robot Taisen albums, especially the material from Gundam, Mazinger, and Evangelion. That said, the selection is considerably more diverse and refined than most soundtracks in the series, diverting away from the typical staple theme tunes and welcoming comparative newcomers such as Project Zeorymer, Nadesico, and RahXephon on the second disc. What's more, the arrangements tend to be much greater than those earlier in the series' history. Some tracks stick to the stereotypical approach of 'catchy trumpet melodies against buoyant accompaniment', such as "Machine Robo's Triumph", "My Mazinger Z", and "Now Go! Robot Army"; however, even these are highly appealing with their rich implementation, contrasting sections, and motivating improvisations, bringing out the most of the original melodies.

The treatment of the anime source material is generally colourful and diverse. Among the orchestrations, there is everything from modernist action themes like Neon Genesis Evangelion's "Decisive Battle", to dreamy impressionistic sketches like "The Second Sorrow", to nationalistic anthems such as Mobile Fighter G Gundam's "Elegy of the Victors". There's even a striking piano concertino to be found... In each case, the arrangers show incredible command of the original melodies and are clearly skilled in the arts of orchestration and orchestral sampling. And then outside the orchestral music, there is plenty of jazz, rock, and techno scattered throughout the discs, and some tracks even combine multiple elements into one. Special mention is especially warranted for Mobile Suit Z Gundam's "The Strongest Evidence ~ King of Heart", which combines so many elements successfully: rocking electric guitar work, action-packed orchestration, wistful classically-oriented interludes, and, of course, the odd bouncy melody.

The last two discs of the soundtrack are dedicated to the original music of Super Robot Taisen MX. Thankfully, Satoru Okada and Wataru Yumura prove as talented arrangers as they do composers, and also receive plenty of opportunity to express their unique voice. Tracks such as "Overture to the Encounter" set the action-packed tone for the game with their cutting-edge mixture of electronic elements and gliding orchestrations; in addition to being beautifully styled, the strong leads here prove that the composers are great melodists too. Tracks such as "Let's Ignition", "Burning Red", and "Uninvited Stranger" rival the best of rock game music with their punchy progressions and charismatic melodies. The closer, "The Battle Becomes Distant", is actually reminiscent of Falcom's most powerful rock themes. There are also some ambitious orchestrations, such as the awe-inspiring "Symphony of the Supreme God", turbulent "An Empire of Fools", and extremely abstract "All in One", that are incredible in and out of context. They elevate the Super Robot Taisen soundtrack among the very best of game music.

The original music on Super Robot Taisen MX actually introduces many novel elements to the soundtrack and, indeed, the series in general. Some tracks are much softer than the heavy orchestrations or rock anthems featured elsewhere, and bring a more personal element to the soundtrack. "Birthday of the New World", for instance, is a very interesting twist on the typical chillout format and manages to be both deep and ethereal. "Memories Kept to Yourself", in contrast, pulls on the heart strings with its blend of strings, piano, and synthpads. It has a profound effect within the scenes it is used in during the game and is both to inspire contemplations and revelations even outside it. Furthermore, the deep and enigmatic quality of "All in One" is also hinted at in other tracks, such as "Medius Iocus", "Quiet Tactics", and "Crying Black", some of them arrangements from Impact. Completing a particularly comprehensive soundtrack, these fusions of all sorts of sounds and moods are always fascinating to revisit.

Summary

Most Super Robot Taisen soundtracks of recent years have pushed the bar in some way. However, Super Robot Taisen MX stands out particularly strongly for its incredible diversity, intricacy, moodiness, and melodiousness in both the arranged and original discs. Following this excellent effort, let's hope that Satoru Okada and Wataru Yumura score gigs in even more prominent soundtracks. This album will appeal to a much greater audience than just mecha anime fans and deserves a place in most game music listeners' collections.