Fun fact: Raphael's voice actor, Andrew Wincott, had never done a musical number for a role before this. He did an absolutely phenomenal job.

Having your most theatrical antagonist in baldurs gate sing his own theme in a back and forth fight against hope is just epic.

The "claws" interchangeable with "clause" is genius

Remember, this isn't just the VA singing the theme either. It's the actual character, in the fight. singing to us. The buff that appears on the adds confirms this with the buffs name. its such a beautiful touch for a beautifully done character

I froze completely when this track dropped and the fight opened. This was hands down my favorite fight in the entire game. The music and Raphael is absolutely top notch.

I think the most impressive thing about this song is how perfectly it captures Raphael's personality and character. Its over the top, campy, bombastic, but somehow still intimidating cruel. He describes himself as a cat and his clients as mice. Cats play with their food just like he does. And even him singing is clearly a reference to how he likes to seal many of his contracts in song form. And it just makes the entire encounter feel so freaking epic.

Funfact when we meet Raphael for the first time he tell us a little story with a mouse being chased by a cat, the mouse struggle before come the claws. And you can ask him who he is in this story and will just answer ''The fox hiding and waiting for the perfect moment to make his apparition''. I find it quite funny that in his song he make a callback to this story

I love the “this boss fight has vocals, you’re now f*cked” trope

Everybody in our party started smiling and laughing when we heard raphael singing, even though we were about to get annihilated

Fun fact about Raphael's piece in this: It's completely done in-character, because if you attack him with a Silence spell, *it actually cuts his lines out of this song*.

I haven't looked it up to confirm this, but I was told that this song is actually going to be extended by the original composer because of how much people enjoy it.

Absolutely House of Hope is my favorite "dungeon" in the game. The VA who did Raphael also does the song -- and had never sung before. What a way to start.

I started my fight against Raphael and he killed two of my team outright on his first turn with a single spell only to follow it up by singing his own theme song because he's so self absorbed. I'll never forget the experience of that whole segment of my playthrough.

I love Raphael singing his own theme, it fits his character so well. Hearing it in game is incredible, hearing it for the first time while I played made me just sit and listen instead of actually fighting anything for a few minutes

I like how claws could be interpreted both as a direct reference to the cormyrian rhyme he shares on first introduction, but also heard as clause. Incredibly fitting for a Devil making contracts.

It sucks that you heard this before you got there. I can't tell you how amazing it was to just be surprised by this. All game long your comrades are warning you not to screw with this guy, he's not to be taken lightly, devils are powerful and dangerous, etc. And when you eventually fight him, this song just comes out of nowhere while you look around this helpless looking battle, and it's just so perfect. I don't want to spoil any more than that, but the surprise factor made this infinitely more enjoyable, i wish you could have experienced that

Remember to cast Otto's Irresistible Dance on Raphael when you fight him

If you cast Silence on Raphael, he stops singing. Also, in Act 2, if you stay far enough away, you can find him practicing his line delivery outside of a dungeon you go into before you arrive

it was hilarious getting to his boss fight knowing I was going to love it because I love his character, then the music started and I genuinely said out loud, "THIS MOTHERFUCKER HAS HIS OWN THEME SONG?!" 10/10 Disney villain style boss fight.

The "claws" line is great because it harks back to the metaphor he uses when you first meet him of him being a cat, toying with you as the mouse.

The most impressive thing for me was hearing his: "And now down, here come the claws!" And instantly remembering how we first met, where he recites his cormyr Lullaby: "He had outfoxed the cat, And down came the claw, and that, love was that."

I was grinning from ear to ear when I heard this. While the Nightsong theme gave me shivers all over, this epic and dramatic yet still kind of comedic in its flamboyance style is just *perfect* for Raphael's character and the overall tone of the House of Hope.

This track comes after the best villain monologue in the game. When the battle started, I wasn't expecting anything beyond the normal combat tracks I'd gotten up until then. In MY world, in MY house, there is ORDER!

The villains in BG3 are so charismatic & engaging and I wish I could bring myself to do an evil playthrough just so they could get more screen time. Raphael and Balthazar were particular standouts to me, with special mention for Orin, Mizora, and Kar'niss.

Your take on the greek chorus likeness just made me realise why I felt the way I felt in the confrontation. While you face him, the song feels somewhat "detached" from what's happening in the game in the sense that I felt like Raphael was taunting ME, the player, and not my character/party. Which is genius. The character is a complete stage queen, and you truly feel like he's on a stage singing and looking you, the audience, in the eye while all the other characters around do their little dance. It gives him an appearance of power, control. How can your adventurers beat him, since he is beyond them, on the same level as you? The initial surprise then leaves place to making you, the player, feel powerful without the vicarious nature a game brings. YOU determine what happens, not to helpless npcs, but to a worthy opponent on the same plae as you.

One thing that is not apparent by just listening to the song is how surprised you are, as the player, by hearing the boss sing his own theme. It's the only time it happens in the game, and it really catches you offguard.

I was completely entranced by the song during the boss battle. It seemed as though Raphael was emanating his immense power, taking over the performance and asserting control. Brilliant stuff.

Man, the first time I heard this song in the encounter I lost my mind. It carries such a great energy. It's simultaneously desperate, epic, arrogant, fearful and hopeful (especially in-context).

The temple of Bhaal and the House of Hope were easily my favorite parts of the game. The music just elevates them beautifully.

I love the fact that the first time you meet Raphael, he tells a story about the cat and the mouse and then the song confirms "Down come the claws". Not to mention, when he takes you to the House of Hope the first time, this song's instrumental is playing in the background

Like I'm sure everyone else has said, the way that this theme sneaks up on you is incredibly well done. The goal was obviously to make you feel absolutely screwed, and boy does it ever work. The fact that it's slightly campy makes it even scarier; I've never heard a theme that better conveys that this is a guy so out of your league that he's going to make a big, fun theatrical entrance before he utterly destroys you.

I love how spiteful Raphael sounds because we didn't fall for his tricks

Fun fact for those who haven’t gotten to this part yet you can actually get the female singer as a follower who’ll help you fight Raphael

In his song Raphael not only breaks the fourth wall by singing directly to the player characters, but in the first line he refers to curtains and applause which leans into the theatric musical feel of this piece, like he is standing on a stage with an audience watching.

If I can choose him as my warlock patron I'd do it. No questions asked.

Having this song pop up not only at the start of a very pivotal moment in the particular story arch, but in such a situation where it actively feels like the villain and your damsel in distress are singing to one another is an incredibly surreal moment. Most of the battle music blends into the background and doesn't come to the front as much in every other event. But here, in the House of Hope, there is the bombastic and overtop villain, larger than life, and has had his patience run out on you and not only does the level of danger finally sink in when you start to really look at what you're up against, you are then hit with the intro vocals and the first thing you hear is "Lives, all mortal lives, Expire." So you and your party of VERY mortal beings, standing in this House of Hope, are left with only that one tiny notion that Raphael scoffs at the most: Hope. Hope that you will not fail. That your mortal lives will not expire. Hope that you are more capable than you appear. Hope that you are ready.

I’ve been waiting for your reaction to this one! This is by far the best quest in BG3 because of the music!

House of hope is one of the best sequences in the game. And this song as its climax just perfect!

I had NO idea this part had it's own theme. It threw me an absolute loop. In the middle of the battle getting this specific music which, I think importantly, drowns out all the usual incidental sound effects where all you hear is this music, has SUCH an immense impact. I believe the only time it happens in the whole game, really hit me how important the battle was in the context of the story that had been created. So so so cool. I'd also add, Raphael effectively talking through it makes the whole thing feel like the battle is inconsequential to him, he's quite a camp character and wildly over the top but undoubtedly dangerous. It reinforces his lines before about how he believes you to be 'insects' in the grand scheme of things. So well done.

For as short as it is this track really hits home in so many ways. Obviously commenters have already pointed out the meta-ness of it being Raphael himself singing his own theme during his boss fight and that you're literally accompanied by Hope and that whole schtick in the storyline but what stood out to me and my GF when we got here is that it sounds like Raphael is singing to the player, not the party. He's chastising you about not taking the deals, this is the final act not just of the House of Hope but also of the game and it's time to start facing the consequences of your actions.

Hooly hell, when this song started I just stopped playing and listened for a few minutes. And my very first thought when the fight started was: "We. Are. So. F*cked." I think that was definitely one of the top three moments I had in the game so far. So badass, so frightening, so awesome. A brilliant boss theme in a brilliant setup, centered around one of the best characters in the game. Pure, absolute perfection.

Oh you are gonna love it in the game Marco. The piece by itself is amazing, but when you encounter it in game, it gives ever better gravitas and more feelings.

I love how they handled raphael and his theme song, especially since Raphael is known to give his contracts in the form of a poem or song.

It might seem obvious to lots of people already, but I like the usage of the word "Claws" in relation to Raphael and devils because it also sounds like the word "Clause"; like how you would describe a particular in a contract.

“Squirm Squirm for now down here come the claws.” This is a callback to the Rhyme Raphael recited to you upon your 1st meeting with him. I love when things comes full circle. This game has me charmed ❤

Having just finished BG3 yesterday, the music for this game absolutely blew me away. Genuinely amazing work by everyone involved. Can’t wait to see you delve into more of the soundtrack!

I had goosebumps everywhere when that song started playing in the game, it' so good. And knowing WHO sings (both voices) just makes it even better. Raphael singing his own theme song is just perfect for his character, he's such a drama king. Also reprising the metaphor he's used even in your first meeting with the cat and mouse and the claws. Did not expect this to be the first BG3 song you cover, but I'm not complaining! Can't wait to see the other ones :D

Love this video. This was my favorite moment in the game, and this video only made me love it more. Also love seeing a true pro not being above just getting a bit giddy and expressing his enjoyment over something. Keep it up!

I wouldn't say Raphael is THE devil. the things he does, the contracts and all that stuff, it's just what every member of his species does. Heck the Warlock subclass The Fiend is a great example of this since it states that you get your power from a demonic patron. I suppose you could say he is the most prominent Cambion in this game. And yes Raphael is only a Cambion(Half mortal, half devil) he's not a full devil and is actually pretty low in the hellish hierarchy

OMG! I've waited for you to analyze this piece! Thank you for the video!

love your insights on this musical piece.

The song is fabulous, the voices (both she and him) amazing, the voice actor is incredible, the character impossibly charming (there's no way NOT to enjoy at least how absolutely dramatic and theatrical he is), your commentary is amazing and I loved watching this, and your voice is fantastic too!!

I can’t stress enough how most battle music in this game accompanies the fights in the background, but idk if it was just my game but when this theme started playing it was blasting SO LOUD that I could barely hear the sound effects of my spells going off 😂 it was so epic !

The desperation is what it sold it me so hard - the instrumental straight up tells you that you are indeed fighting for your life, this will not be "just" an encounter. That little instrumental bit is so much more that people mostly give it credit for

I hope you've made it that far in the game. That was my favorite part. I sat and listened for about 10 minutes to really enjoy the moment.

omg, so happy you've made a video on this. the best fight (and questline) in the game

Love hearing this broken down. By far my favourite music in the game, possibly enemy game to be honest. I literally raced to turn up the music volume because I always have it down low and this just hit so perfectly I needed to hear it.

Oh man, I have been waiting to see a reaction from this channel to this song since I first ran into it in-game. 100% my favorite song in the entire game, especially in context. It's just so good for atmosphere and so suitable for Raphael.

Just finished this fight last night and it’s definitely in my top 10 fave boss fights! I was just in disbelief with the music and scared shitless with this fight LMAO

First time listening to this during his fight, I just sat and listened. In shear awe of how good it was. And even now that I’m on my second play through and got to the fight again, I still got goosebumps from it. Bg3 has some of the best music in a game to date and I will die on this hill

As soon as I heard this in game I instantly thought of you and was hoping you'd listen to this. Very glad to see this video!

Cannot wait for you to get to the fight, man. It is PHENOMENAL and so much fun!! You're in for a great time~ I love your breakdown of this song. When this song started playing in the game I had to STOP and not take any turns cause I was so mesmerized! I had been told to avoid listening to ANYTHING and it was so worth it.

The singer (chorus) tells us what they expect us to do - and what would have happened in my run if hope hadn’t called in divine intervention to give us a fighting chance ☺ Thank you for going into the background of this awesome piece!

As someone who thoroughly enjoyed this battle with this amazing musical piece, I also know essentially nothing about music and what makes a cohesive piece of work. It’s awesome to see people who are knowledgeable break down pieces like these so I can get a sense as to what I am hearing and what makes it work well.

I get chills whenever i listen to this song. The occasion when this song plays in the game is one of my favorite points in the whole game. Haven't beaten the game yet but man love this song, that moment, and the rest of the music for that matter.

Hearing this song in the moment i did it moved me too a point quite literally i had to get up out my chair and move about. Music and timing and setting for everything was just beyond any expectation i have as a gamer hearing a new piece for the first time.

This song and particulalry this moment in the game instills a perfect feeling of you are absolutely screwed. Up until this point with my warlock i felt powerful and most fights i could do pretty easily without having to think too much about it but this fight really made me think and strategize, well done Larian for constructing one of the most memorable boss fights in gaming.

This is my favorite song in the game BY FAR so far, nothing has hit so hard after the struggle that it was to just get there.

Yesssss ive been waiting to see you review this

I think I spent an hour or so picking this fight apart and the music on loop was just amazing for the experience

been waiting for this for a while. Exciting

Of all the songs in the game, when this one comes on, it stuck with me the most. Got chills hearing it come on with everything going on around it.

I really waited for your reaction on this piece, and you didnt dissapoint

I like how you can pretty much swap "claws" with "clause" and it would still suit the song because it could mean the clause in a devil's contract

This was masterfully executed. For more surprise moments like this one, check out Wasteland 3. It uses music to GREAT effect which has a similar impact as this track.

omg i'm so happy you're doing bg3 content I love this goddamn soundtrack

I played this fight for the 2nd time last night. Finally saved Hope this time and let me tell you, its just as epic, if not more so, than the first time playing it! BG3 as a whole is an absolute masterpiece, but little details like these make this game leaps ahead of any other games I have played in the past 5 years or so. Larian, you did it. You did what everyone else thought was impossible. Just... Epic.

it was such an epic moment. I thought like "whoa he got his own Boss theme" xD

I love that they got (or let) Andrew Wincott sing this. He seems like he really had fun with it. Also I am SO glad I went my way with this fight... if I just bum rushed this guy, I'd be dead five ways over.

I played this part in the game yesterday and it may be my favorite part in the whole game. The music and Raphael singing made it so much more fun

Your critique is very satisfying to me. > Subscribed.

The only problem with this number was that it wasn't twice as long. It couldn't even last half the fight, before switching back to background music. For that matter, since you sort of have two stages in the fight (his minions, then him) they could have given him a second verse to sing then.

This has to be the best moment in the entire game and I've yet to finish it. The moment this song started I knew I was in for something truly special.

There is a youtuber that mixes music fragments from the game internal files to make extended versions of BG3 soundtracks. This song in the video is from the official OST album, but in game music is a little bit different. I also really like in-game version of "House of healing", similar to "Surgery of a hope" in the official OST album.

What even more interesting is when you have Hope in your team, it feels like these 2 are duet in the song

All I'll say is when I came across this in game it was a complete surprise and I was grinning the whole time. Definitely one of my favorite moments.

That was an incredible fight, if you fought him, you know what happens.

I LOVED that part in the game! I still remember the goosebumpsI got while watching/playing that part and I still get them when listening to that soundtrack. Its actually in my playlist, it's so genius!

This was my favorite moment in the entire game because of how out of the blue it was. It's so perfectly over the top like a Disney movie villain mixed with absolutely gorgeous vocals and instrumental. This entire section of the game and this moment specifically were so perfect. I'm amazed at how much Larian just went for it with Raphael.

I literally got chills during this fight from this song. Could barely handle how epic it all was

When you meet him in Act 3 in his room you can hear the organ and I was like oh boy he has a theme of his own. Buuut I did not expect him to sing his own theme. Also, throughout the game he keeps saying different versions(I think) of "down comes the claw" and even has like poem saying the same thing in his room in Baldur's Gate. So, my man was really writing his own theme song in game as well. Great analysis Marco. I missed the video by 3 weeks and was surprised this morning.

Superb voice acting! I could not skip any of his speeches 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

I had no idea this was coming in my playthrough of BG3. But from the moment those vocals hit my jaw was on the floor. Such a fantastic song.

One of the best songs in the game. When I first encountered this, I stopped and just listened to this greatness.

This final fight is brilliant. What a great game and score.

The fact that they chose specifically this style for him in particular and it’s special for Raphael made it really stand out. I’m a sucker for organ music and doom, though. Also the cartoonish “here come the claws” is a throwback to the very first meeting with him. He tells you a fairy tale from another town about a cat chasing a mouse.

"Down come the Claws" is also a direct reference to the Cormyrian Rhyme Raphael tells the party in act 1 when he brings them into the House of Hope. I think that there is a lot of story in the song as well and would love to hear your thoughts of the song after it you hear it when it shows up in the game.

In the game, at the very moment when this song starts playing, and an army of enemies falls on you, it all synergizes so magnificently that I still get goosebumps

I love that you mentioned the Act 3 of Faust, because it feels very similar in tone. I know I am late to the party, but subscribing, I love music breakdowns from experts.

Thanks! much love