I think it's important to note that this song plays in two distinct places, the first being during the actual Hollow Knight boss fight and once again during a "secret" level of sorts. Spoiler warning of course During the fight your job is to exterminate the knight so you may take their place in holding off a great power. However from the very beginning it is abundantly clear that something is wrong. Their swings are slow, and their attacks deal less damage what what you would expect from the supposed final boss. However as it goes on you see them exerting less control over their own body, the cancerous infection now slowly taking over after their binding have been undone. This goes on until suddenly, they start violently attacking themselves, in a desperate attempt to kill the infection within only to be piloted as an infected corpse from then on. However in the PoP this theme takes on double meaning because for one you'll be smashing your head against the wall from how annoying the platforming is, but also as you realize later on this is where the original HK was raised and trained making his theme to the very end. However in the PoP the song is slightly shorter, broken into five different loops that play depending on which section you have made it to, still swelling up with despair and intensity until at the very end, after the final gauntlet you see a memory. You witness the moment of bonding between a father and child, from which emotion blossomed and gave Radiance enough leverage to corrupt the vessel and spread the infection in the first place. As it comes full circle you can check to see that the Seal of Binding has been added to your journal, a fitting reward for the challenge you just completed No cost to great No mind to think No will to break No voice to cry suffering Born of God and Void You shall seal the blinding light that plagues their dreams You are the Vessel You are the Hollow Knight

Ah yes. The final boss. Not to be confused with the true final boss. Or the true true final boss.

you know the song is crazy when marco looks like he just got the answer to every question physically imaginable

No cost too great. No mind to think. No will to break. No voice to cry suffering. Born of God and Void. You shall seal the blinding light that plagues their dreams. You are the Vessel. You are the Hollow Knight.

Man.... *The Hollow Knight...* It's one of those boss fights that hit you with a sledgehammer of emotions. Firstly you feel determination, some desperation and feeling of finality but then it turns to sadness and pity. Whether you know the story or not it hits hard when you see this decrepit and broken warrior stab himself... Nobody really knows if it is doing that because it wants to help you or just to release more of the corruption but... It's such a sad sight seeing such warrior used like a puppet. There's literally an attack when the boss is lifted up and then is smashed on the ground repeatedly... And well... If you played this game a lot and got to the Godhome you can see what Hollow Knight used to be or rather its perfect form. *The Pure Vessel* This mighty warrior in its white armour and that is so skilled with its nail and magic.. And the fact that it is arguably one of the hardest bosses in the game.. When you look back at what it has become because of that corruption, because of Radiance.. It hits hard.

The fight was already sad enough, but the music put me over the edge. That scream of agony into the funeral-like portion... I had to try to do the fight through tears. It didn't go well lol. This song always makes me emotional. It's so sad. The Knight can succeed in whatever ending we choose, but they died at the end. The whole things hurts so much. Really powerful OST.

What I love about this piece is that instead of reflecting the emotion of the player character, it reflects the emotion of the sealed vessel himself, the Hollow Knight.

Sealed Vessel has always reminded me of Soul of Cinder, narratively speaking

I have been WAITING for you to do this song. The song of a boss whose defeat is not a story of triumph, but of tragedy. And, once again, you manage to find the perfect words to the story being told: “This emptiness will never be able to be filled. I am alone.” THAT is the tragedy of the Hollow Knight. A being born to be pure, and empty. A vessel to seal away an evil within itself. But it didn’t work. Because it had the flaw of having a father.

"And thus, by a single feeling, by a single want, for family no less, the Hollow Knight would doom Hallownest. All this... because they wanted a father."

When I first time fought against Hollow Knight I didn't know his lore and didn't understand why his theme is so sad and he stabs himself with his nail. And after completing the game for all 112%, getting all endings and reading all lore stuff I got all his tragedy and just cried from this battle while completing true ending. I felt all his suffering and could only destroy plague with him. That was so strong moment in the game... This is real art. And after seeing Pure Vessel (Hollow Knight on the peak of his powers from Godmaster DLC. Hollow Knight before sealing) I was broken even more. First of all by his difficulty, but we aren't talking about it. Seeing Hollow Knight then and now showing how he was broken by plague. How he fell from greatest warrior and hope of all Hallownest to barely standing vessel filled by plague. So tragic... Team Cherry are amazing No cost to great No mind to think No will to break No voice to cry suffering Born of God and Void You shall seal the blinding light that plagues their dreams You are the Vessel You are the Hollow Knight Bonus cut thoughs of Pure Vessel and Hollow Knight: Do not think... Do not speak... Do not hope... Do not... ... ...Father?...

love how this song keeps building up to release and then not getting it edging salvation just to find a lesser damnation if you can suffer enough to get there every time the crescendo getting higher harder and building to something that just wont happen

My biggest Hollow Knight OST recommendation is the 'Pale Court'. It never shows up in-game, so it's not something most players ever listen to. Definitely up there among my favorite video game soundtracks.

This soundtrack truly imparts a feeling of… Tragic Weight would be the only way I can describe it At first The music and context frames this as a final dual of great stakes against a mighty foe who has been built up from the VERY beginning! but then the tone shifts and you realise what you are fighting is not some great warrior, maybe it was once but now? Your foe is a husk, an equal who has been fighting and surviving for far far too long and you face them at the end of their rope now And as they slip from that rope, you are there, to lay them to rest and take up their burden and with resounding finality you take their place and truly become the Hollow Knight Ahh I love this game so much XD Something interesting to note is that final soft conclusion is actually apart of another ending where instead of merely taking the place of your foe you ascend beyond them and put a end to the true cause of all this tragedy putting all the restless dreams and regrets of this world you’ve journeyed through to a final Rest… at the cost of your own mortal life But yeah for sure you should definitely do another play through especially with its sequel being maybe just around the corner~

I have always equated this theme to something like Gwyn's theme from DS1. This isn't your typical "final boss" theme of triumph and saving the world from evil, no, this song is a mercy kill. This isn't the world's evil, but some poor soul locked into a life of hell due to unfortunate circumstances. So much so that they even try to kill themselves mid battle to no avail. It's a beautiful piece to remind you of how awful all this is and why you need to put an end to the vicious cycle. To put an end to the suffering of everyone in hallownest even if you are reluctant to and try to bring some semblance of peace to the lands.

Now I'm very interested to see your reaction to Pure Vessel and Nightmare King Grimm. Those songs are absolute bops.

This is by far one of my FAVORITE songs from the sound track. I would seriously kill to hear this performed live. It's already such a powerful piece through audio, but being right there??? I think I would cry.

man, I just finished hollow knight not even 12 hours ago, and this song helps so much in the final fight when the back half of hollow knights fight really made me just feel for him. That he knows that he failed, and is trying to prevent it once he realizes but only to lose control of himself at the end to the infection.

I LOVE HOLLOW KNIGHT, I LOVE MARCOMEATBALL. I am satisfied.

I'm a simple woman, I see Marco upload a video(specifically about hollow knight) I watch it Edit: I recommend you also listen to the two songs that have been released from Silksong. They are both absolutely fantastic

I believe the final part of the upload you're listening to doesn't play after the rest of the music. It only plays during the "true" ending, and it's the only time the main leitmotif gets a resolution in the entire soundtrack.

You expressed that buildup perfectly. In my eyes it's all very emotional, and outside of the lore reasons it's brilliant how they use the "Hollow Knight" theme throughout this entire track, never resolving it until the end of the track and using it for a fast paced fight section, a buildup of emotion and interlude, a realization, and an aftermath that is resolute. In fact, there are certain motifs you may hear in this track because it is used for different endings, and the motif is played alongside the hollow knight theme to show the connection between those two characters which is very interesting to hear.

This song is like going through five stages of grief. Especially the depression part.

My favourite parts of this composition are the melodic inversion around 1:41 (in this video) and the end section, which makes use of several leitmotifs. The most obvious one being the main theme melody on the piano and viola, but there's also the association with instruments - the viola is associated with the protagonist, while the flute is related to Hornet. It's a very heavy, profound way to end such a beautiful and complex story

My only complaint with sealed vessel is that it doesn't include thk's scream at the beat drop. Other than that, 100/10

8:01 that face when the melody finally was allowed to continue.

Hearing Sealed Vessel for the first time when I first fought the Hollow Knight sent actual chills down my spine, and the second half of the song made me feel actual pity for the creature I was killing. It felt less like taking down a tremendous beast, and more like I was putting down a dying dog.

So happy that you were able to cover this!! It’s one of my favorite games and one of my favorite soundtracks as well. Your videos have been very inspiring to helping me work on my own music as well, so thank you!!

Man I love your videos, even as someone who didn't knew anything about the "technical" aspect of music I saw you talk about all that with so much passion that I leaned a damn lot just by watching and apreciating them

It’s crazy how this whole song sounds and feels like a tragedy in motion, as if I’m seeing it in person and watching the calamity unfold, unable to do anything but fall to my knees helplessly in its wake. Almost like I’m witnessing God raze the Earth with his divine wrath to punish the wicked mortals of mankind and it’s like a gruesome, horrific, yet awe-inspiring catastrophe. Every act of this song serves a purpose of imprinting a powerful scene in your mind and it’s great.

I know this isn’t really the place for this (also spoilers), but can I just say how incredibly cool the way that team cherry handled the final boss is. Instead of making it hard, they made it about story and allowed for a harder version of the same final boss later in the post game. Truly amazing. Other devs should take notes.

The first time I fought the hollow knight it gave me the same vibes as Gwyn did from dark souls. This monumental figure that you hear about and see throughout the game reduced to nothing more than a shambling corpse puppeted by something greater. It’s devastating.

the opening segment of this track is so intense that after the many calm and soothing songs of this game it feels like the final boss grabs you by the collar and slaps every note in by force

oh my god he totally needs to listen to the grimm troupe dlc ost. troupe master + nightmare king is so damn good.

ah yes, my favorite video game from all time (so far at least)! grat analysis and insight Marco!! Thanks for covering it as well, it was definitely a very bittersweet moment (especially depending on player's choice as it goes, no spoilers ofc), the music surely fits it so well

I'm so glad that I've found your channel. I'm slowly, but surely working my way through all of your videos and I have to say, you're amazing. Your knowledge of music helps give me a deeper appreciation to these soundtracks and your understanding of the emotion behind each track is inspiring. Every time I see a new video, I can't click fast enough. Keep up the amazing work.

Oh my gosh I am so excited to see this video. Sealed Vessel is one of my favorite tracks from the soundtrack. After playing 40 hours of the game, reaching the Black Egg Temple and seeing the tragedy that was the Pale King's failure brings up so much visceral emotion at the end when the Hollow Knight starts stabbing himself to help finish the fight.

YES!! Recently played Hollow Knight myself, and god I just cannot get over this funky little game. Absolutely amazing, definitely worth a replay, the amount of charm and love put into this game is incredible. A little sad to know we won’t see a first time reaction, but I bet there’s at least a couple new additions to Hollow Knight you've yet to see.

Oh wow! First time seeing your channel here, hi! ✨ It is also, perhaps, the first time I see someone who experiences music the way I do and also SHOWS it, you're wearing your emotions on your whole body and facial expressions, and that's exactly what I feel like when I listen to these tracks, or well, music in general. Its got this power to move someone to tears, to laughter, to shake them, to soothe... it's incredible, and I never knew how to describe it. This song in particular has many points of impact that hammer into you the feeling of finality in an abrupt but necessary way, and the funeral march section, that requiem, when the track keeps on swelling and building up so slowly, so deliberately, it's like I'm holding my breath in anticipation and it just keeps on going... the first time I heard this during the game, and with context, I was in tears. And now, sadly, after playing this fight so many times (for reasons...☀️) I no longer have such an invested response, but I can't stop myself from singing along all the way through nonetheless. It is a different story when you listen to the score on its own, god, this soundtrack is gorgeous. I'm so happy after seeing this video! What a way to start my day :) I play the piano as a hobby, but now I'm thinking I should've gotten into opera instead 😂

I FRICKING LOVE HOLLOW KNIGHT AND THIS MUSIC IN PARTICULAR! Was so happy to see YOU reacting to this piece of art! You have made my day. (Maybe more night but who cares)

I love how Punchy the notes of the first phase's part is, with the thrust of each Chord almost stabbing with its intensity. It's so powerful. Can't wait to see what other tracks you listen to here, Nightmare King and Truth Beauty and Hatred being excellent ones, but I'd honestly love to hear your speculation on Silksong's Lace from the music alone, as we know so little about her as the game isn't out yet. On your question of if the Hollow Knight dies, in most endings yes the Hollow Knight dies. There's 4 endings to the game. The classic variation, you take down the knight and the cycle perpetuates as you absorb the Radiance within yourself. The second and worst ending, Hornet joins you and you fight HK as normal... and she becomes a new dreamer seal but leaving Hallownest without its protector. The 3rd and original Best ending, you take the chance Hornet gives you and you invade the Hollow Knight to take down the Radiance itself, ending the cycle but it takes both the Hollow Knight and the Knight's sacrifice to see it through. The final main ending, you slip through the backdoor of the world, and arrive in Godhome. Inside, you can face a boss-rush Gauntlet which eventually culminates in you facing the Absolute Radiance in its most pure state... but the Hollow Knight isn't there. The Knight assimilates with the Void, devours the Godhome... and the Hollow Knight is freed from the Temple. Alive.

I've been wanting you to listen to this song for the longest time and I'm so glad to have witnessed it. I would love to see a let's play of Hollow Knight soon as your reaction to this piece (among others) in context would bring a whole new level to them Christopher Larkin did such a good job on this OST and so hyped for the sequel coming out soon, the samples from that one gave been amazing so far too, especially Bonebottom

Every time I listen to this track, it breaks my heart. The hollow night gave everything and yet he still failed and all he wanted to do was make his father proud.

Goddamn you feel the song, I can see in your expresion alone what the song is intended to evoke, holy crap

I'm literally over the moon rn! Sealed Vessel is one of my fav soundtracks from the game and I'm really happy you listened to it!

My absolute favorite hollow knight song. So glad you gave it a listen for the channel.

I do love this track cause just like Marco said. The ending is a sacrifice of either lonileness and finality.

I've been waiting for this reaction yesss! This song tells a clear tale and guides through so many emotions. If I'd never played the game I'd still guess what happens in the game at that moment. It is so strong.

The last 30 seconds of this song no matter how many times I hear it always sends shivers down my spine, knowing the context behind it makes it SO much better which is why I highly recommend a playthrough on the channel. Whenever I hear that last resolution, I just close my eyes and imagine everything the Hollow Knight has gone through to get here as well as reflect on my own actions. Hands down the best track in the OST but so many more waiting to be heard by Marco!

probably my most waited for video from you, thanks for reacting!

Gotta say, I absolutely LOVE your reactions, man. The expressions, the interpretations, the explanations... Gosh, love it all ♥️ Yup, this the "final" boss ;D

[Spoilers for Phase 2 of the fight] Phase 2 of this song and fight are so sad bc it’s when THK shines through a bit and the only thing they do is try to take themselves down to stop the infection within them. It’s heartbreaking to see in game and the ost portrays it so well.

oh i am so here for this, this song never fails to goose my bumps

Hollow knight does have a lot of good ost, like Pure Vessel, White Palace, Radiant, Dung (White) Defender and e.t.c.. I am so glad that you will dive into this big forgotten graveyard that supposed to be a great kingdom once long time ago.

Such a good job of capturing the feelings and emotions on a scene as always!

My favorite track of the whole entire game. Solely because of reasons like the emotional aspects. The start is epic and reflects the work you’ve done to get here. The middle reflects the Hollow Knight, and that it knows the truth behind its own meaning, and the tragedy that it has failed. The end is about closure to a sense. The release of the Vessels. The legend of the Pale King being laid to rest, and the kingdom of Hallownest being able to finally rest the way it was suppose to.

Hollow Knight is my favorite game, super happy to see you cover it on the channel!! You did an amazing job dissecting the piece. Would love to see you play the game again too! Hope you're doing well, and keep up the great work mate

Coming back afterwards, this video got me to play through the entire game. Thanks for getting me to play such an amazing game.

you have GOT to listen to more hollow knight! the entire soundtrack is perfection, an emotional roller coaster.

been waiting for this day for sooo long

Yes i love when you cover hollow knight music or any dark souls games. They have the best music ever

I feel like it's a whole experience to listen to this, followed by Radiance and then Hollow Knight (Main theme) this order is beautiful

Music doesn't usually turn me into a crying mess, but this track got me! Been a stressful week, and I've just kind of been in a numb sort of haze. It wouldn't come out. Then I found this video, and the music along with your emoting to it removed the block. Whew, much better! XD

Hollow Knight is my favourite game and the music contributes so much to that. I adore the varied feelings the music brings out of the player throughout the game; be it the various tracks that accompany places like Greenpath and City of Tears; or spectacular bossfights like Hornet, The Hollow Knight and more.

I'm what, only a few months late to the party? XD I actually did my senior paper in college about the way Hollow Knight uses music for storytelling, almost entirely because of this song and the fight that goes with it. There is so much going on between the motifs, the repetition, the instrumentation, etc. that it ended up taking up over half of said paper. And that's not even getting into the fact that there are three different endings to the piece, depending on which game ending you get. It's absolutely gut wrenching to listen through on your first playthrough of the game

Hey I remember suggesting this ages ago glad to see you managed to get around to giving it a listen

Something crazy about this channel is how it actually helps you enjoy the music better Sometimes, you miss a few details or just overlook certain aspects, but then having them highlighted to you and really exposed helps feel the music in a way Rlly cool

Hollow Knight is one of my favorite games of all time. Great breakdown. Can you dissect Unwavering Belief from Lost Judgement next? It's so good and I think deserves to be talked about.

This song is still one of my favorite boss songs I have ever heard. The emotion in this song is so overwhelming and devastating. There is so much built up anger but also sadness and betrayal.

Watching you react to it it's like seeing me jam/brainstorm to music instead of cleaning the apartment.

YESSS on the channel!

The truest testament to Christopher Larkin’s genius is how many people are willing to write paragraphs in KZfaq comments about it

1:23 It is even better with the scream the hollow knight does in the cutscene, it really makes you feel the transition more alive :D

that "funeral march" gives me intense ptsd (listened to the same thing for 3 hours trying to do path of pain)

This song is amazing for a final battle. All the emotions and feelings felt through the fight, the hope, struggle, sadness, wishes. Its perfect, I really want to know more about emotional significance of music because its the only kind of music I listen to, the songs that transfer some emotions.

Oh yes Hollow Knight

YOOOOO!!! I was actually thinking about asking you to cover this song. Looks like you were one step ahead of me. 😳 I like to call Christopher Larkin the King of String, because every time he uses a string instrument, it’s beyond perfect. Every song in HK uses strings in such a brilliant way. He makes the Hollow Knight OST sound orchestrated, even though it’s not. It’s insane how good he is fr.

I love hollow knight, I'm glad you are reacting to the soundtrack. I hope you play though it on your channel.

Great Performnace, the music and Marco's reaction to it! When I first hears this in game I thought they straight dropped Haendel's Sarabande in there, it sounds very similar to me.

YESSSS IVE BEEN KINDA HOPING YOU'D DO THE HOLLOW KNIGHT SOUNDTRACK AT SOME POINT!!

One thing that i love is how the motif the main melody for the first 2 phases never finishes it keeps getting cut off but after the fight is over it plays in full signifying its all over now

What a great piece.

You got a really good hearing, Christopher really put a lot of letmotives to the menu theme '' Hollow Knight ''. This music is full of it.

I use the hollow knight soundtrack often to study or do my college work, but this track is one of the only ones I can't study too. It makes me sad everytime, because even tho I still haven't beaten the final, final boss of this game, which comes after this one after doing certain things in the game, which I won't spoil and I have felt immense frustration having to fight the hollow knight each time I die to the final, final boss, the song still manages to make me feel emotions and that's really special. i can't study to this one, it's too much for me lmaooo

I love how he looks like he is slowly realizing the reason of life.

I love how in the "stabbing" part of the music you can hear 2 times a little melody (idk how it should be called) between the "stabbing", the first one alone but the second time there is another, more profound, along with the first one. I love to think the first one is the protagonist and the second is the boss, basically telling you "you have to do it, it's the only way", just accepting his fate.

I hope that you can one day get to hear the Battletech 2018 intro music track; just from the music itself, it conveys the progress through that game's universe timeline.

holy shit, I didn't expect you to make a video about hollow knight

This is truly a marco meatball moment

bro this man's reactions are fucking hilarious but good analysis I never thought how music could be put into words like that well I kinda thought, but never tried

This is the first video of yours that I've seen and I'm not really a music guy, but I love Hollow Knight's OST. I'd be interested to see you do The Radiance's theme.

I am really grateful that I was able to understand the basic structure of the composition. The analysis itself is beautiful, my respect

I just really love the part where it goes all majestic, then chaotic

Hollow Knight is truly an experience. Both because of its music and because of its gameplay.

This game was and still is my favorite games ever.. also the tooth pick sticking out of you’re beard

5:11 this guy's reaction is literally me when I always heard that theme's part

I just thought about this song yesterday and was hoping you would listen to it. Wow.

I remember at the end of a steel soul run (deathless run) that i got so emotional with this song that I lost to him because I was practically crying from such a banger

holy shit i forgot how good this ost was

I was waiting for the day that you would take a listen to Sealed Vessel would come. Hopefully you do Pure Vessel soon as a follow up. And perhaps even more of the ost.