Exclusive: Critical Hit’s debut song, from Angry Birds
World of Warcraft composer Jason Hayes and VGMarket founder Michael Gluck (remember Piano Squall?) head up new band Critical Hit. This all-star band performs and records their own arrangements of videogame music themes.
All-star? In addition to Hayes and Gluck, Critical Hit is packed with talented performers. Toto pianist (and co-writer of Africa, Rosanna, and other hits) David Frank Piach, is a member, as is YouTube violin star Taylor Davis. Bassist Carlitos del Puerto performed with Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder and Herbie Hancock, among others. Guitarist Nita Strauss has recorded several soundtracks, including work on Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance. She was named #1 in Guitar World’s “10 Female Guitarists you should know.”
Cellist Tina Guo was featured in Cirque Du Soleil’s Michael Jackson “The Immortal” World Tour. Percussionist Doug Belote worked with Eric Clapton and Willie Nelson, among others, with work spanning over 200 albums. Flutist Sara Andon has performed on several games and films, as has drummer Joel Taylor, and woodwind performer Pedro Eustache. Another guitarist, Chet Stevens, and a pianist, Salome Scheidegger, round out the group.
This barely grazes the massive list of musical accomplishments this band’s members have under their belts. You can read more about each of the performers here, on the Critical Hit webpage.
I think have both musical and physical crushes on the entire band.
Above, you’ll find their very first music video featuring Angry Birds main theme. And below, you’ll find the full track for your listening pleasure. I think you’ll agree that it’s a very nice first outing for the group.
Their debut album, Critical Hit: Volume One, will ship on October 31. It features 12 arrangements from popular games such as World of Warcraft, Super Mario World, The Legend of Zelda, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Halo, Final Fantasy, Call of Duty, and Metal Gear Solid,to name a few.
This album is available for pre-order now on their official website, where you’ll also find information on upcoming performance dates..
The full track listing for Critical Hit: Volume One is as follows:
01. Tetris: “Main Theme”
02. Angry Birds: “Main Theme”
03. World of Warcraft: “Legends of Azeroth”
04. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time: “Zelda’s Lullaby”
05. Halo 2: “Main Theme”
06. Pokémon: “Main Theme”
07. Super Mario World: “Bowser’s Castle”
08. Final Fantasy X: “To Zanarkand”
09. Kingdom Hearts: “Hikari”
10. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3: “Battle for New York”
11. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim: “Streets of Whiterun”
12. Metal Gear Solid 2: “Main Theme”
