Yoshihisa Hirano & Hideki Taniuchi
Death Note Original Soundtrack

THE REVIEW

I'm not a big fan of anime; in fact, I've never read one. I know of this work thanks to the TV series; I didn't watch it on MTV (because it hadn't yet arrived in Italy) but in the original language with subtitles, and after listening to the Italian dubbing, I consider myself very lucky. For example, the shinigami, who in Japanese has an open, cheerful, and pleasantly hoarse voice (that’s also how the character is) in Italian has the same cold, deep, and gloomy voice as Terminator, which is unbearable!

Anyway, to better understand what I'm talking about, I recommend you first read the excellent review of the anime on DeBaser.

I fell for the classic trap of "just watch the first episode, come on, it's only twenty minutes" and, of course, I was captivated, for many reasons listed in the other review, but only after several episodes did I manage to grasp why. The soundtrack!

A mix of classical, electronic, and (listen, listen...) post rock that silently entered me, striking and tearing me apart from within. The plot, the drawings, the twists, the dialogues—every aspect has very high standards, but the music is undoubtedly the added value. I've never heard anything like this in a cartoon. The story is full of touching moments, all appropriately accompanied by serious post rock with a certain emotionality, at times it almost feels like listening to the Mogwai, not to mention the classical parts where my competence, however, doesn't allow me to make comparisons; in fact, throwing it out there with absolutely no pretensions and for orientation purposes, I'd say the style is almost Wagnerian (hearing many tenors and sopranos reminds me of "The Ride of the Valkyries").

Even now, this soundtrack is part of my listening rotation and hasn't tired me at all; every time I hear it, it's an immense emotion, and I can do nothing but bow to the work of the two Japanese composers.

If you think that my opinion might lead you to seek out the album, be careful not to stumble upon the movie soundtrack; it's not worth it...

One last personal note on what stayed with me from this series: the thirst for power can lead you to swallow poison.

Cheers!