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If half the fun was reviving Reflections of EVA,
the other half would be reviving Symphony of EVA which will now be a mini-site
discussing the amazing music of Neon Genesis Evangelion. There is a
comprehensive track listing of the various soundtracks and you can also purchase
these CDs online. Favourite Tracks I
love the music from Neon Genesis Evangelion. It complements the animation and
the storyline well. There is such a diverse mixture of styles from Japanese
techno to traditional classical pieces. And yet, there are several tracks that
stick out as my favourites which I will share with you now. "Thanatos"
If Eros is the Greek God of Life and Love, Thanatos is the God of Death and
Dying. This instrumental track is played during emotional times when the
characters are faced with a difficult decision e.g. when Shinji decides to run
back to pilot Unit 01 after both Asuka and Rei are defeated by Zeruel and when
Rei sacrifices Unit 00 and her own life to destroy the 16th Angel. This is my
favourite track and there are several remixes too. "Namida" is a great track but
it is shorter than the original and is a solo cello piece. "Mikawari no Shinnyû"
is a quiet track with the faint melody of "Thanatos" behind it. It's from
"The End of
Evangelion" movie when Misato kisses Shinji goodbye. Then there is the Symphony
version of Thanatos which is my personal favourite. I strongly recommend all of these tracks as well as the version with
English lyrics, "Thanatos - If I Can't Be Yours". "Cruel Angel's Thesis (Zankokuna
Tenshi no These)"
All Japanese songs sound great, don't they? I don't think I
need to write much about this song. It's the instant favourite of every viewer.
I even have it as my mobile phone ring tone. Needless to say it's the opening song but it's so good, you keep singing it even
after the show is over. There are a few versions of this track as well but the
best one is the version sung by the 3 girls; Misato, Rei and Asuka which is
found on the "Addition" soundtrack. There's also two instrumental versions that
were played during the final moments of the last episode; "The Heady Feeling of
Freedom" and "Good, or Don't Be". The latter one is better because it's a piano
solo. They can be found on the "Original Soundtrack III". "Fly Me To The Moon"
There's
no way I could leave this one out. There are numerous remixes of this Frank
Sinatra original, basically one to finish off every episode. My favourite is the
"Aki Jungle Version" which is found on the "Original Soundtrack
II". It's a techno version and it sounds great. There's also a piano solo for this song called
"Those Women Longed
for the Touch of Others' Lips ..." which was played when Misato and Kaji
were walking home drunk from the wedding and she was telling him why she ran
away from their relationship many years ago. Remixes of this song can basically
be found on every Evangelion soundtrack. "Kanon D-dur
(Pachabel)"
No wedding would be complete without this piece. At the end of the movie "Death:
Rebirth", the 4 children form a quartet and play "Pachabel's Kanon". With Shinji
as the cellist and Asuka, Rei and Kaoru as violinists. How classy is this
series? There's even a funky rap version from the "Symphony of Evangelion" CD. "Childhood Memories, Shut Away"
This is the melody that Shinji played on the cello and is one of his themes. We hear extended versions of it from the
"Death: Rebirth" soundtrack when his character is introduced during
the movie and the "Symphony of Evangelion".
"Ritsuko"
This is obviously Ritsuko's theme and it is an easy listening piano tune. It was played when Ritsuko, Misato and Kaji went out for drinks after attending
their friend's wedding in the series. There's also a similar tune called "Three of Me, One of Someone
Else" which I assume is about Rei.
"Misato"
You know that lively, perky tune you hear when Misato wakes up in the morning? Well, this is it!
"The Beast II"
Whenever Unit 01 goes beserk, this is heard in the background. This is
tension-breaking stuff! "Normal Blood" is a similar track. "Komm,
Süsser Tod"
This suits "The
End of Evangelion" movie well. The title means "Come, sweet
death". It began as Shinji was strangling Asuka and all life on Earth was
ending.
OK, time for some more Japanese songs. Even though they might not be played during the series or the movies, they still appear on the soundtracks.
"Yokan"
A beautiful Japanese ballad. The meaning of the title is "Premonition."
"Mugen Hôyô"
Another beautiful Japanese ballad which sounds more like a poem. It's also got a very strong chorus. The remix on the
"Refrain" soundtrack sounds pretty funky as well.
"Tamashii no Refrain"
OK, if you've seen the movie "Death: Rebirth", you'll remember this song quite vividly. In the last scene, Asuka who's just regained her control over Unit 02, is left to face the
EVA series alone. As they fly down like heavenly angels, the haunting intro of this song is played. It turns a little techno after that.
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Original Soundtrack I
Original Soundtrack II
Original Soundtrack III
Addition
Refrain