Thank you for the Patreon request Sebastian Han0y! www.patreon.com/drumrolltonyreacts

with every guilty gear song on this channel, we're getting closer and closer to "let me carve your way"

The japanese section is a buddhist chant called the "Mantra of Light". It's recited as part of a purification ritual to cleanse ones soul. A very fitting motif for Baiken, whose sole purpose for fighting was bloody vengeance against the man she holds responsible for a great war that killed her family and wiped out her home. By the story events of Strive, Baiken is finally beginning to question where her path is leading her, and wonders whether she can even earn peace for herself with all the blood she spilled. She doesn't regret her fight, but the question remains of how far gone she truly is, and she feels more lost than ever. The song itself portrays her desires with the interchange between the mantra, sections that sound like straight-up warcries, and emotional introspections of her place in the world. Also, fun fact about vocalist Naoki Hashimoto: he's the singer of the japanese heavy metal band OUTRAGE, which started out as a Metallica cover band. And even with their own songs, the Metallica influences are VERY noticeable.

FYI, the chanting you hear throughout the song is the Mantra of Light. It usually symbolizes consecration and purification.

Considering this song's reputation and how its probably one of the most popular Guilty Gear Strive tracks, I'm surprised it's taken this long for tony to react to it after doing so many Guilty Gear videos already lol, but i was never in doubt this day would come and I'm so glad it's finally here

I personally think that this is one of, if not THE most "Daisuke" song that we've ever gotten. The multi layered vocals, the super long build up in the beginning, the sporaticness of it all, and especially the out of the no where keyboard solo. Daisuke also composed for the BlazBlue series (idk if you've seen it on the channel) and that part feels like it was plucked straight out that game. And the ending just kind of playing every part of the song at once with a screaming halt, it really feels like Daisuke turned himself up to a 12/10 when making this one

This song has a funny reputation amongst players because of the calmer beginning segment. Rounds in Strive go by so fast that usually the song doesn't *start* start until the beginning of the 2nd round. It's probably one of the worst songs for actually PLAYING THE GAME but as an anthem for Baiken it's absolutely perfect. This song is the 2nd longest song in the game behind The Gravity which beats it out by just one second lol. When Baiken was little, her whole village save for herself was wiped out in a Gear attack, and she also lost an eye and an arm. She remembers the sight of That Man surrounded by fire and his Gear creations. That night set her on the path of revenge for what had been done to her and the people she loved. She spent a lot of her time in the series playing her role in the plot from the background. She was there in the first game when the selection tournament was happening, but she didn't enter the tournament, she was snooping around because she sensed the conspiracy behind it. In Xrd she's found living in the Japanese colonies (long story on that) and she helps defend Kum Haehyun during the climax of Xrds story. Baiken feels like a reflection of a couple characters. She reminds me of Sol but with the added grief of having lost almost her whole culture even before the day her village was destroyed. Neither Sol nor Baiken cared for much other than revenge for a long time. The game also directly compares her to May, another Japanese descendant who was orphaned, except in her case she was found by Johnny and joined his crew the Jellyfish Pirates, and finding family in that. Baiken didn't have anyone to turn to, until she met Anji and later Delilah (the girl you saw with Bedman?, if you can remember). Delilah was also consumed by revenge because she believed the one responsible for Bedmans death was That Man (which is like 20% true). Anji found Delilah and pretty much just thrust her onto Baiken, and ironically Baiken tried to talk her out of her revenge, and I think she must've seen the hypocrisy in that because by the end of Strives story she gave up on revenge alongside Delilah and now THEY'RE living as found family. The wrap up arc on that is a lot more beautiful than I make it sound I promise lol but it's just crazy to see her and Sol both pretty much retire after so long.

You helped me notice stuff in this I hadn't heard before - thanks for helping me appreciate the song even more

IIRC Baiken is one of the last japanese charcters that we are introduced to. The gears had killed her family, burned down her village, and left her wounded and scarred. The song is about how she feels like because she cant let go to her revenge and how thats affecting her. She is a master samurai with multiple tricks up her sleeve (literally). In previous games, she was on an everlasting quest for revenge against all gears. The song is mostly her going through her trauma and guilt, and finding out its because of this mission she's been wandering for; "Break off all vexations" and "My vengeance will be sacrificed" are examples of this."Mirror of the world" is also referring to something another character, Anji, told her. This could be the comrade shes referring to, but we don't know for sure. Anji's song Rock Parade also sings about Baiken.

You mentioned an opportunity to see this live, there was just a live concert at the world finals for Guilty Gear! It should be available on youtube if you look up arc world tour concert. The female singer Aisha is also asking for another concert sometime in the future so expect another concert within the next 2 years most likely

The first impressive guitar sound is a common pattern in songs played on the Japanese shamisen and koto instruments

Genuinely can't wait for this

There has already been a live version of this! It was I think two or three weeks ago, on the ARCREVO World Finals in LA iirc. Fun fact is, even if Naoki and Aisha were killing it on stage, the former did forget the lyrics a couple of times during the show, which was pretty hilarious to watch. I recommend it for sure!!

Baiken main represent, if only matches lasted long enough to hear the best song in the game.

Finally, more Guilty Gear!

FF14 and Guilty gear in the same week? We are eating good. These last few vids have been awesome to catch. Mirror of the world is the track that got me to play baiken in Strive

FINALLY PEAK!

Fun fact! This song WAS played live along with a bunch of other themes about a month ago! I was there and it was an absolute blast live.

Best music reaction videos on KZfaq!! I love your style of breaking things down, plus I also gravitate towards rhythm section focus, so we definitely align there. Thanks for the content dude! Can't wait for the next vid!

dudes feelin emotional with this one, love it XD

This goes INSANE wow I was not prepared

seeing your reaction to "Extras" would be great!

This is by far and away my favourite Strive track

Heck yeah - pretty sure I left a comment on the first Guilty Gear video you did that this track would be right up your alley. Can’t wait

I got the notification on the train, man be happy

Sebastian Han0y My hero

Can I just say I LOVE how much love you're giving to one of my favorite composers. I've been in love with his music since the early 2000s, and seeing new people find it and love it as much as I do is just the best experience.

absolutely love your reactions and how you dive into these songs that i love and help me find new things to love about them. keep the uploads coming tony!!

This is my favorite song, or at least one of my absolute favorites. I love it so much. From the sections thaz sound like traditional Japanese music, the buddhist (I think?) chanting, combined with the hard rock/metal sound. It's all just so insanely good. It's such a varied and unique song, yet has such a strong identity. Also, the writing itself is fantastic. I feel like Guilty Gear songs are a better character exploration than a lot of movies, even though the song only has a few minutes. Like, I know next to nothing about Baiken, but just based on what the song sets up, and then slowly develops as it goes on, I feel like I get it, and then towards the end, I always get emotional and the "No! Don't stand still!" sometimes almost moves me to tears, especially when compared to what came at that point in the chorus, before. I love this song so much.

The Japanese is the Mantra of Light, a prayer in Buddhist religion for the soul of the deceased, given to those who have passed and basically calls for the removal of the senses to cleanse the soul from temptation and sin. In the story, Baikan is struggling with giving up her life long path of revenge and moving on, and the song is about her "burying" her old self, praying for redemption and peace, and then resolving to move forward freed from her previous pain. Basically she is having a funeral for her life up to that point in song form and by putting it in the ground she is no longer locked frozen on a path and can find a new future.

The JP lines sounded like Monk chants Total banger

One of yhe things Daisuke LOVES to do is surprise you. I think that's why you either love his songs at first sight, or get the syndrome of "what the fuck am I listening to?" Only love it later. Hence that odd guitar solo, it's the strangest part of the song, but it's so good when you listen to it.

I've been waiting for this video for so long!! This song is peak 🔥🔥

You have hands down the best reactions to music. Always a treat.

30 seconds in and you're the only person I've seen catch the bend in the intro. This is gonna be a good one.

That guitar riff right when the traditional singing verse is about to hit after the twin lead you commented on sounds like it could have been on 2010s Symphony X album

this gotta be my favorite piece of ggst OST, love your breakdowns, keep it up man ^^

Love his guilty gear videos. I adore the Strive soundtrack, but always finds a way to present new perspectives and elements to appreciate in them. Keep ot up!

I really think you'll love "Let Me Carve Your Way."

Oh I've been waiting for this one

One of my absolute favorite soundtracks of all time

YEAH, I BEEN WAITING FOR THIS ONE

How did I miss this 😭😭😭

Oh man...this one made me fall in love with Arc sys music

ahhh I'm so happy that you reviewed my favorite Guilty Gear song! Baiken's theme is epic!

PLEASE DO "let me carve your way"

man what a great piece

Heck yeah, more Strive! Always a good ride. I'll second the other commenters and say that "Carve Your Way" should probably be the next one on the track you give a listen to.

Funny enough there was a live show not that long ago and the stream of it is available in the official arcsys channel. Unfortunately the stream's mixing is not great and also Naoki was absolutely zooted throughout the concert. It was still surprisingly good once he got in the zone.

If you want another guilty gear song to listen to, “Let me carve your way” is certainly one of the best. Also pretty popular for reactions so you’ll be solid on views!!

Alone Infection❌ Armor Clad-Faith✅ Crawl❌ Drift✅ Extras❌ Find Your One Way❌ Hellfire❌ Just Lean❌ Let Me Carve Your Way❌ Like a Weed, Naturally, as a Matter of Course✅ Love the Subhuman Self❌ Mirror of the World✅ Necessary Discrepancy✅ Out of the Box❌ Perfection Can't Please Me❌ Play the Hero❌ Requiem❌ Rock Parade❌ Smell of the Game✅ Symphony✅ The Circle✅ The Disaster of Passion❌ The Gravity✅ The Hourglass❌ The Kiss of Death❌ The Roar of the Spark❌ The Town Inside Me❌ Trigger❌ What do you fight for✅

when you hopefully get to "Let Me Carve Your Way" its extra cool when you know that the slower part towards the end of the track can't be heard in an actual match fitting with the theme and character of Zato-1

There's some real nice power ballads in the series. The Name of Heaven is the most recent one but Freesia is also really good

Here's the actual lyrics (for tedious people like myself) via the album booklet with the physical release; most of Clouddrop's lyrics are just their best guesses. "NAN MAN DA BU NAN MAN DA BU Om abogya beiroshanō Makabodara mani handoma Jinbara harabari tayaun Naraku ni utau wa rokkonshōjō If that's what you call karma, I must be a demon. God knows. That no voice can be heard by the damned. Gedō no kūsokuzeshiki sanzen no fujō Ganpon no mumyō sanzen no shōjō No forgiveness necessary. In the light, that's my way. Break off all vexations. It's never over, yesterday. I'm the time exile. I am the Ghost of Vengeance. (Calm Madness) I'm the time exile. (I'm the time exile) Sever, tear, fear Om abogya beiroshanō Makabodara mani handoma Jinbara harabari tayaun Naraku ni utau wa rokkonshōjō There is no salvation for the unforgiven. God knows, there are those who will pay the hand that is extended to them. Gedō no kūsokuzeshiki sanzen no fujō Ganpon no mumyō sanzen no shōjō No forgiveness necessary. In the light, that's my way. Break off all vexations. Today, which will never begin. I'm the time exile. I am the Ghost of Vengeance. (Calm Madness) I don't need your sympathy. Why won't anyone leave me alone? If I had a comrade...I wonder what I would tell them. Yes, yes, I knew the answer. In the light, that's not your way. Break off all vexations. Break off all vexations. It's never over, yesterday. No, don't stand still. (In the light) My vengeance will be sacrificed. (For the light) The pain kills the pain.The hardest road lies ahead. I will be a mirror of the world. Om abogya beiroshanō Makabodara mani handoma Jinbara harabari tayaun Naraku ni utau wa rokkonshōjō Om abogya beiroshanō Makabodara mani handoma Jinbara harabari tayaun Naraku ni utau wa rokkonshōjō I'm not the exile Break off all vexations. (That's not your way.) You are not the exile"

That's why Strive's ost is so special, every theme feels so different and personal.

16:15 You know what else is stacked

My fav song.

Guilty Gear has always been catchy with rock and metal tracks since the first game in 97', but it's really stepped it up with Xrd and Strive (2014 and 2021) and every DLC character they drop continues to impress. They have some good openings as well, Break a Spell and Heavy Day are my favorites, and Blue Water Blue Sky by Hiroshi Katadani is the singer of the most recent One Piece OP you reacted to from like 20 years ago.

Also fits with her characters story over the decades. One of the few Japanese people the Gear's couldn't/didn't kill she vowed revenge and is one of the few people in the games that still carries on with Japanese traditions/culture. She's very _grumpy_ and doesn't want to work with others but constantly ends up doing so to "death results" even though she just wants to be left alone until she gets her vengeance, fully expecting punishment for her crimes. Which is why the songs all about "LEAVE ME ALONE" and even has the "Wood block solo" heh.

I personally believe you would love "The Kiss of Death". Its a very fun song and would love to hear your take on it. If you ever delve in past Guilty Gear sound track please check out "Pillars of the Underworld."

Song so good, Tony making up musical terms

Mirror of the World is probably top 3 best Strive OSTs. It's so different from the rest of the songs but that's what makes it special. The lyrics too are perfect.

LETS GOOOO

I would highly recommend checking out Awakening the Chaos II from the BlazBlue soundtrack. Also composed by Daisuke Ishiwatari. It is a much older piece, but it's a surreal experience even after listening to it on repeat.

Oh man, Baiken is one of my favorite characters and song! Another one really cool is Bridget's theme - The town inside me

tfw you realize the "comrade" part is about Anji, telling him Yes, yes

Hope you get to hear Crawl, definitely one of my favorites of the ost

This is best song on OST. That is nuts they are all really good

i might be wrong but the koto (or whatever that instrumental was played) closer to the end is a throwback to Baiken's original theme "momentary life"

Man, i have been waiting for this one, probably one of my favourite song from the series. Nice to hear your thoughts on it, can't help but stop and just listen to it without distraction. Even though you're not much of a lyrical guy, it's too bad the lyrics on that video aren't all correct. The lyrics on all these songs provide some more insight on these characters and it does make it feel more personal.

Saw this in my feed and I've never clicked on a vid so damn fast , in all my life. S O E X C I T E ! ! ! P.S. I freakin LOVE how much this song took your breath and words away - it is legit, my favourite GG Strive character song, out of all of them. And I love them all, so much.

If you find yourself with time to choose a reaction, I'd suggest "The Roar of the Spark" for more of those James Hetfield vibes or "Alone Infection" for a suprise Radiohead appearance :) Either way you'll enjoy them I'm sure and great reaction to this song, I'm glad you appreciate the oddities in Daiuke's composing, it's so interesting to breakdown!

Would love to see you react to “Let Me Carve Your Way”, “SHOTGUN&HEAD”, or “Alone Infection”!

Please do let me carve your way!!!

I'd love to see "Let me carve your way" reaction from Guilty gear.

Interesting how the intro seems to be made to interprete shabinsen classic pieces.

Il bro ha cucinato con tutti i fornelli con questa 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

I know you're hearing the Let Me Carve Your Way recommendations, but I think you should leave it for last. I know that's a tall order since the characters (and their themes by extension) are still coming out about once every 4-5 months, but if you thought Drift was exploratory, you're gonna be sailing the Atlantic with Let Me Carve Your Way.

daisuke wanted to include a reference as to how Baiken players play the game thus the monkey noises.

The original theme from Xrd - Is insanely good. " Momentary Life " Packed with energy.

“If there’s ever an opportunity to see this live I have to be there” noooooooooooooo you just missed it sadly. Live performances of lots of the ost was just performed a couple of weeks ago at the arc world tour. And it gave us the amazing line “ I forgot. I forgot. My lyrics.” It was awesome. Wish I could have been there myself

The bass in this track is phat.

Baiken for love bois

I think he liked it

You surely gotta do Elphelt's theme!

One of my favorites!! The layering and tonal shifts are just on point. I had to watch just to see his reaction to that part. you know the part.

Oh man i really want to see you react to freesia, its my favorite guilty gear song out of all the games

Guilty gear songs are any guitarist's heaven. They're so freaking good

I'm adicted to watching Wind breaker. The opening: 'Absolute zero' is also absolutely amazing and def worth checking out, its done by Natori: the same guy who did Overdose

Almost everything on the Strive OST is great. You could go through each piece from the soundtrack and you'll find love in the comments from many people. Even the cheesier, poppy tracks that feel different than the normal Guilty Gear feel still have a lot of interesting compositional ideas making them enjoyable at least for a one-time listen.

There is a live performance of Necessary Discrepancy on YT, might be worth checking out

Tony, allow us to "Carve Your Way". That should be your next listen, I think a lot of people will wanna see you listen to it

I knew you'd love this song! It's an incredible piece. Shame they gave you the video with the wrong lyrics 🥲

One thing I never hear anyone say about this song is how alike it is to Megadeth's style with the droning bass lines and call and response sections.

I'm suprised you haven't done every strive theme yet

Big Blast Sonic Guilty Gear reaction, when ?

Hey Tony is there a specific series/game that you get most excited for when it shows up/wins a poll? For me personally Guilty Gear takes the spot, when a new character releases I'm just as excited for the new song as I am for them

Def should do symphony

So guilty gear is one thing, you should absolutely check out Blazblue songs since it’s the same composer. Specifically, I know you’d love the song “x-matic”.

Guilty Gear, ever since the first ever game, the songs and music have never ever been a let down. My introduction to the songs in Xrd have kept me playing the game more than any other fighting game can keep me playing. Granblue fantasy versus rising is coming close to that level.