"I see a werewolf" ITS ONLY BEEN 40 SECONDS! HOW DOES HE KEEP DOING THIS 😭😭😭😭

"Someone who should have had the protection of god" actually sums it up incredibly well

His song definetly reinforces that whole vibe of "not again, never again" with how he lost a fragment of his rune of death and i'll just say some shit went *down* because of it. This fight against him means *everything* for both himself and the player

The story of the Beast Clergyman (or Maliketh, as that's his true name) is a tragic one. He's the half-brother and most loyal servant of the divine embodiment Marika, who was given perhaps the single most sacred and important duty in the world of the game. He is the keeper of Death (at least, Destined Death, which can be seen as a true, final death), wielding it as a black sword. This makes him a sword and a shield, inflicting Death upon those who would challenge Marika, and protecting those Marika favors from Death. But he failed in his duty. Someone stole a fragment of Death, and used it to kill one of Marika's children, Godwyn. For the sin of his failure, he was cursed with an insatiable hunger for the Death Root that spread across the lands in the wake of Godwyn's death, a hunger that would remain even after all Death Root was expunged. To prevent anyone from ever stealing Death again, he sealed Death within his own flesh, and hid himself away in ruins hidden beyond time. When the player is tasked with retrieving Death, he seems...hurt by the notion that you would even try. He doesn't want to fight you, but he will to fulfill his duty. And when the player backs him into a corner, he draws his black sword of Death from his own flesh to finish the battle, burning away his robes to reveal armor underneath as he does so. And from then he fights with a ferocity virtually unmatched by any other foe in the game. Would he fight with the same ferocity, I wonder, if he knew of Marika's betrayal?

When I first heard this song I was surprised and a little let down. This piece is attached to a very intense fight and very cool looking character and my expectation was a more wild, aggressive song. Listening to it again, after fighting the character and getting to know him I think it’s very fitting. I get a sense of dread, tragedy, heroism, and other worldliness from this song. And it fits this character and where you fight him. He comes across as very noble and even kind at some points in the game. But he’s also honor and duty bound and has suffered terrible humiliation in the past. He came across to me as very reluctant to fight, not wanting to indulge in his blood lust. Taking up his blade with great reluctance. And I think this song gets that. Very underrated piece in my opinion.

The up-ing of tension in the 2nd half is very warranted. The visual spectacle of phase 2 of this fight is special.

Interestingly enough, this was composed by someone more or less new to Fromsoft’s team Shoi Miyazawa, I believe He’s been in the background of the company’s music over the years, and Elden Ring was his debut as a composer I think he has a very bright future

At this point you're experiencing the story solely through interpreting the songs, your analysis are amazing dude, keep up the great work, love it!

Beast Clergyman/(S P O I L E R) is one of the saddest characters in the game to me. After giving him all the deathroots his final bit of dialogue left me extremely bummed out. He's like the Elden Ring drug addict and it's not even close to his fault either. Overwhelming hunger

"O' Death, Become my blade once more..." 3:57 one of my fav bosses in design and lore hands down which you again somehow seem to piece together I love that haha

This theme Is a mix of: menacing, unease, regret, blame, Shame and sadness full of Honor Love Maliketh

Bro I'm having a hard time believing you NEVER saw the boss before listening to the music because you hit EVERY SINGLE NAIL ON THE HEAD! If you didn't cheat at all...my.god. you have a talent.

the beast clergyman's ost describes his current situation and past to me, in a way due to his position and everything hes went through, i dont wanna spoil you since i find him to be a pivotal character, when you do his quest gain the context of who he is and fight him at some point you'll be amazed at how the ost fits him so well. after this you should try out Lord's apparition and Godfrey's theme both theme's are for Godfrey with Lord's apparition being a more vocal cover of Godfrey's theme

Yes!!!! One of my favorite OSTs from Elden Ring, and one of the most badass bosses From/GRRM has ever created!!!!!

For you not knowing anything about the boss, your presumptions are insanely accurate to his lore

6:00 Gets me goosebumps every time

You should check out the Radagon theme. Sick remix of the game’s main theme. Dragonlord Placidusax is also really good.

"Something so incredibly wrong that were stumbling upon" truer words have not been spoken. Lore wise, it was very odd for me to be going up against a beast clergyman, for reasons you will find out in the lore most likely, until I got to the second phase of the fight. Without spoiling anything, by phase two you will understand why the music conveys the sense of something not adding up

From Soft has done an excellent job in crafting bosses that don’t just feel like big brutes standing in your way of achieving your goal. Rather the bosses feel like independent characters with a story of their own that you often feel remorse or sadness for having to fight them, you feel empathy for them, a character who’s doing their job the best they can (to confine the rune of death) and doesn’t necessarily want to harm us but we have to dispatch him, Maliketh says Tarnished, why wouldst though? Why? You can interact with him as a friendly by doing his quest and then when you enter the arena it sounds like he feels betrayed by you, it’s a somber moment and the music highlights this tragic and desperate battle beautifully. He’s one of my favorite characters for how unique and badass he is

You should react to Godrick OST, one of the best tracks in the game.

Such a deep and incredibly accurate analysis. Could you please do one on Ebrietas, Daughter of the Cosmos track, from Bloodborne? Maybe you haven't heard it since it was a secret boss.

The second phase of this boss is soooo hard. Great boss nonetheless.

Given the difficulty of the boss fights, sometimes I’m too focused to be able to really LISTEN to the music. Which is why I’m so happy I found your channel because you really help me gain a new appreciation for all the wonderful pieces that I may not have paid as much attention to as I should have. Love the videos, keep ‘em coming :)

When the music starts my brain automatically starts telling me "Thou, who approacheth Destined Death. I will not have it stolen from me again.". Great insight. This is 3rd favorite theme in the game (1st being Fortissax and 2nd Regal Spirit)

I would recommend listening to Malenia, Blade of Miquella. It's from the hardest boss in the game and honestly it's what I'd imagine would be the soundtrack of a weary crusader/Templar. Weary because the hordes of dead left in their wake yet their still stoic despite knowing that they will meet their end. It is really fantastic and ironic because you realise the bodies that she slayed are the players that have reached her. Really recommend listening to it.

The theme of Godrick the Grafted is the unraveling of insanity put to music, love to see it next. Pure banger.

"I shouldn't be here" perfectly sums up that fight for me.

you actually hit on so many of the themes that make up the base of this character, it’s really amazing that a piece of music can evoke these themes in such a way that even someone who hasn’t played the game can pick up on them :)

Man the story you told after the music is the lore of the boss exactly it’s amazing how you tell a story from the music

The fact that you're able to describe who these bosses are and what they're going through just based off of their theme songs is incredible. Really shows how much thought and care was put into the music for this game.

Gota love going through boss osts. Most of the time espicially with this boss I was too focused on the fight to listen to the music lol. Pretty awesome piece and I loved how you got a really good idea of what teh boss is just from the music.

I juste discovered your channel, and watched lotterally every vidéo, your analysis and the way you picture these ost is incredible ! You are insane man I love it

I've been watching a lot of your reaction videos and I find it so helpful to have someone to experience the music through. I wouldn't pick up the beauty of these tracks myself but I think you help display their beauty, beautifully, and in an easy to understand way. Thank you

Its awesome how accurate you are in a characters dissection from the music alone

One of the most underrated songs on the whole OST imo, from my favorite fight in the entire game, from the dreadful and melancholic first phase to the breathtaking and beautifully crafted 2nd phase, the whole fight had me in awe, amazing character.

Crazy how you can really nail parts of the lore without knowing anything about the character just through the music. It’s really great to see your evaluations of these fantastic pieces of music

this has to be my favorite soundtrack of the game.. i also feel like i have dreamed of this part of the game way before

Dude I keep saying this to myself in all your fromsoft boss videos. But like HOW DO YOU KNOW THE BOSS WITHOUT KNOWING THE BOSS! It's actually incredible you're able to grab so much detail out of these tracks. You pretty much nailed the boss lore. I freaking LOVE your videos dude! Keep posting and I'll keep watching!

This is the one! I've listened to it so many times since the first I heard it. Genuinely my favorite piece out of FromSoft at this point.

It's super impressive how much information you got just from his soundtrack. A little help from his name but you nearly told his whole backstory through his soundtrack.

What a cool analysis. It adds a lot to the experience. I'll sub.

You were spot on with your description. The beast clergymen is a corrupted tormented soul slowly losing himself. He's actually not even your enemy being a friendly NPC for most of the game and after your fight. He even asks for forgiveness after each fight.

I honestly absolutely love Elden Rings OST, but god, I can't wait until you hear the Burnt Ivory Kings theme or even the Old Dragonslayers theme from Dark Souls 2. I'm absolutely certain you'd like them, they're such underrated gems.

I really like your interpretation on these OSTs, just watched a few of your reactions and i am hooked. Can't wait for Astel, Naturalborn of the Void OST. It's my favorite boss and because of your videos i just listend to it and oh boy, i really looking forward to your reaction.

Even if obviously u cannot know the exact details, I am baffled on how well you seem to understand what is going on. Amazing. You got yourself a new subscriber. I have to show this to my flatmate who‘s a music graduate. You are crazy. Love from germany!

The vocals at 6:01 and 6:31 probably have to be one of my favorite parts of the song as well as when the bells start kicking in right after

Thank you I requested it too in the comments. Glad you covered it :D

THIS IS MY FAVORITE TRACK IN THE GAME! Thank you for listening to this masterpiece🙌

IMO the best piece of music in the game, the start of the second phase is incredible

Wow, you're spot on with your analysis

I'm glad you did a reaction to this. You should check out the cutscene of his boss fight the moment at 3:45 is right when Phase 2 begins. The lineup of the music, cinematic, and the second part of the fight is wild. You also explain very well the emotions conveyed. Sometimes I feel like music can resonate in a certain with me displaying certain emotions I can't put into words, yet you've listed them here. Very great video man. :)

“Oh, death, become my blade once more. Here's my vowel, the destined destiny shall not be stolen again”

I also recommend Starscourge Radahn ost, it’s really good Marco, keep up the awesome work!

Amazing interpretation

Just found this channel today and I'm already blown away. Your commentary is insightful and entertaining all the same. I doubt I'm the first to suggest it, but I'd like to see you react to Godfrey, First Elden Lord's ost. It's a personal favorite of mine ^^

The first time that i encountered this boss, this music amazed me, the two phases of battle is a piece of art.

I didn't get to clearly listen to the boss music cause I was panicking too much during 2nd phase lol, btw can you do a reaction to Radahn ost

It's amazing how you, through a musical piece can understand and dissect a character better than most people who actually fight it.

Maliketh's part 3 second phase is just beautiful. I have yet to face this beast of a boss and I already love the lore behind him. "O'Death, become thy blade once more."

easily my favorite boss in the game, i like a lot the change of tone in the 1rst to 2nd phase transition (3:50)

It’s so cool to me that the composers created such a tragic and painful sounding piece for such a regal and majestic character, not because he has been corrupted like you usually see in souls games, but because he is a fallen champion emotionally, not physically.

Best song (OST) of Elden Ring! So tragic and beastly... It is a real musical art to convey feelings through music

Cant believe i just found your channel, keep up the good work! I'd love to see you reacting to the music live while getting your sh** smacked by a boss, "wow that clarinet goes almost as hard as this dudes sword!"

First time I got to phase two, that clear high chorus really caught my ear. Compared to that deep grumble from phase 1, it really does seem like you peeled back the veil of something. Which of course, you did

so, beast clergyman actually was a great warrior, a long time ago, named Maliketh, the guardian of the rune of death, but one day, he failed to protect the rune and Marika, his queen, cursed him when you fight him, the first phase shows a beast, who hides its face, but when 2nd phase starts, he shows you all his power, turning into... Maliketh de black blade

"Thou who approacheth Destined Death... I will not have it stolen from me again..." ... "O Death... Become my blade once more..." ... "Witless Tarnished... Why covet Destined Death? To kill what?"

the amount of information this man can take from the music along, makes me very impressed by him and fromsoftware's composers

This whole boss fight, the buildup to it and the story around it is absolutely amazing. I think, without spoiling anything, its second phase is easily my most beloved boss fight in the entire game. As for music from Elden Ring, I have a suggestion: Starscouge Radahn. It is absolute fantastic piece of music.

It is a great injustice to listen to this song without first doing his quest and then fighting him. You could say that about any of the bosses but this one in particular

the beast clergyman part hits the hardest for me . Like, the sadness... the sacrifice. fighting sin, right before maliketh appears

Your reactions are amazing. I love getting any and all perspectives on songs, and you have been top tier. Especially "The First Hunter" and "A Beautiful Song" reactions. Might I recommend one from FFXV called "Valse di Fantastica"? It's nothing too deep but it's a beautiful piece. People can say what they will about FFXV, but that game had some of the best composition in a loooong time to me.

What should I say? I just LOVE this piece of music, it’s fantastic!

Genuinely my favourite fight in the entire game. Hands down

The thing I love about souls type music is how there's no dialouge needed. The music speaks for itself. You can experience how grand or horrible the thing you gotta fight is, with just the music itself. The music itself tells a story and everyone has their own interpretation of it! I know you have a bit of history with FFXIV but I'd like to hear your thoughts on Answers from that game one day! Always fun to watch your videos!

Some songs that'd be interesting to hear your take on if you haven't heard them yet would be "Nameless Song" from Dark Souls 1, "Gwyn, Lord of Cinder" from Dark Souls 1, "Return To Slumber" from Demon's Souls, and "Radagon of the Golden Order" from Elden Ring. Radagon's theme also heavily uses the Demon's Souls' intro loop, except instead of the second to last note going down, it goes up. I really don't have an ear for music, but for some reason "Gwyn, Lord of Cinder" makes me feel depressed but I love it. And "Return To Slumber" to me is hauntingly beautiful.

This is One of my favorite pieces in elden ring also the scenery at the fight is amazing not trying to spoil ofc

Watching this boss fight with the music in the background made me buy this game.

This boss fight was an interesting one when I first fought him I didn't know anything about him but his second phase damn that turns grom 0 to a 100 real quick

I finally remember where i heard this - Heroes of Might and Magic III: Fortress theme by Paul Romero! Both bestial themes and epic. I dont know if it coincidence or reference (or im just deaf)

We gotta get a Radahn/Song of honor reaction. There is so much lore behind these.

My favorite song and boss in the whole game

Non aspetto altro che di vedere la tua reazione alla colonna sonora di Malenia. Can’t wait to see you reacting to Malenia’s OST. Nuovo iscritto. New subscriber.

Listening to this after watching speedrunner Distortion2 zip around the arena and make him fall out of the world.... and/or him slapping Distortion2 and killing the run

"Cower, before Maliketh, the black blade"

I know you will get to it at some point, but Dragonlord Placidusax theme should be next one on the list. The presence of the chorus in this piece is otherworldly. In combination with the striking visuals of the fight it creates an unforgettable experience.

I gave him all deathroot before reaching tue boss and it made it a lot sadder knowing I had to fight someone I liked then you find out that it’s the keeper of destined death which is insane and you somehow win then there’s placidusac who is one of my favorite bosses also Malekith is like blaidd and is a good doggo wolf beast man thing

That transition at 6:05 … epic.

As others have said, you absolutely nailed the lore behind this character, and your interpretation of how the music mirrors the emotions behind this boss fight is spot-on. The reason why this is my favorite track in the soundtrack is because all of the initial threads of sound weave together and slowly build to a crescendo that still manages to retain all of the layers of sound clearly; it leans more on emotion than bombast while still managing to hit incredibly hard and remain unexpectedly poignant at the same time. Starscourge Radahn is similar, but Beast Clergyman is a masterclass in infusing combat music with a sense of tragedy and reluctance, similar to how to analyzed Gehrman's music from Bloodborne. As others have also pointed out, the fight that Beast Clergyman is scoring is also special because it's one of the only times in the game where both you and your combatant could be seen as the hero of the moment, forced to fight rather than cooperate because your goals are at cross-purposes in one very specific way, and I think the music here really shows that, and not just because you were able to intuit the whole picture of the fight's nuances without any other background knowledge at all lol. Cheers as always, and have a great one!

In regards to the duality that you mentioned at the end, I actually just noticed little hints of the child voice in the background that are hard, at first, to hear due to the overwhelming voices of the men. When the second phase starts, you hear the deep voices growing overwhelmingly, yet in the background we hear this sad tone representing somewhat like a previous version of Maliketh telling his latter self to not fall into temptation. However, as the song proceeds, and the men’s voices grow louder, the child voice begins to follow the rhythm of the men symbolizing how his former self is starting to disappear and merging with his new form. At the very end, when you hear the voice of the child, it no longer holds that tune of resisting that temptation. Instead, it sounds like a soul that has now perished and will never return

I recommend: Eyes that gaze into the nexus from bravely default 2. the female singer is amazing and the song a masterpiece :)

I hope so much that we get a boss rush like Sekiro has in the ER DLC I want to be able to choose the bosses and fight them as much as I want (just like in Sekiro) Man I would do Maliketh over and over again ngl Love the design, the ost, the lore, the arena, the fight literally everything

I like the second phase because although this music is supposed to be a battle on the inside of Maliketh, but at the same time, knowing the lore of this character, the song almost sound like this song is character also on a hunt. This character was both a hunter and a duelist. When he went to destroy a target he never made his presence known, he just striked out of no where, and if you were lucky enough or skilled enough to block his surprise attack you were worthy to face him warrior to warrior, but if you didn't, well your just another number that fell. Plus where is Godfey that man has an amazing soundtrack.

Chilling fight in the game, especially if you give him all 9 Deathroots. Instead of his normal line, he recognizes you and sounds upset that you'd come to kill him. After the fight his line is also different if you gave him all 9 Deathroots, adding insight into his true motivations as a character. The track really uses strings to capture that tense feeling of a beast guarding a rune of death, intent on not having it stolen from him again. It reminds me a lot of Bloodborne's OST, Beast Clergyman could have easily been inspired by Cleric Beast in design.

Although it is very different from this track, I highly recommend listening to Godrick the Grafted. Even though he's meant to be the first Demigod you face down, and the litter of the runt, his theme song is one of the best in the entire game. I doubt I'm the first to recommend this, but it cannot be overstated!

A bit different from the bombastic aspects of other soundtracks of the game. To me, this piece gives off a sense of something ominous, yet reluctant to fight. Feels like something is creeping, yet conflicting against itself, so yeah, I agree when you said about the duality in the song

Very curious to hear your analisis of Gwin, the Lord of cynder theme. Amazing content btw. Subbed!

4:00 O'Death...become my blade once more.

i think starscourge radahn would be an excellent track for you to listen to. it's heroic and triumphant, but at the same time it's tragic and sorrowful, which is really fitting for radahn as a character edit: also, everytime i watch your videos im blown away by how into the music you get. you're obviously very passionate about music as a whole and it makes your videos fun to watch

Some of the vocalizations in this remind me of a piece called Kwolok's Malaise from the Ori series

anybody else want a side channel where we watch Meatball actually fight the bosses. XD go from articulating the motifs of the music to nerd rage with extra salt.