Musical Project
I like melodic power metal and have played the bass in a number of bands over the years, the biggest of which being Soulcaged. I am now making music solo, experimenting with the 8-Bit sounds of the NES and crossing them over with traditional power metal songwriting, overlaying real guitar playing, and writing and singing lyrics with each song being based on a particular video game. This project I've initially called 8-Bit Metal, releasing individual songs as they were completed. A MySpace page for the project is available as well.
These songs were packaged into a full-length album available as a free download, RE: Discoveries, released on 08/08/08. It was since remastered on
29/06/09. In addition to the MP3 files, the RAR archive available for download contains a booklet in PDF format and an album cover. A separate Print-It-Yourself
version is also available for those who still enjoy their music on CDs. The booklet contains all lyrics and my personal comments on the games covered.
Download the fully remastered RE:Discoveries (67mb RAR archive)
RE: Discoveries features the following tracks, written, recorded and individually shared on the internet over the course of three years. They can be downloaded
individually, or you can access the lyrics by clicking on their title.:
- The Heroes of Yesterday (instrumental)
- In the Year 200X (Mega Man 2) [MP3]
- Thirteenth Zodiac (Final Fantasy Tactics) [MP3]
- Saving the World Barechested (Contra) [MP3]
- The Founding of Booty Bay (World of Warcraft) [MP3]
- The Duke Got Nuked (Duke Nukem Forever) [MP3]
- Bloodlines (Castlevania: Symphony of the Night) [MP3]
- 'Twould Be Best (instrumental) (Castlevania: Symphony of the Night)
- Moon Sugar (The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind) [MP3]
- The Devil and the Incarnate (The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind) [MP3]
- Behind the Mask (Final Fantasy IV) [MP3]
- Beyond the Mask (Final Fantasy IV) [MP3]
- Hatred Eternal (Final Fantasy IV) [MP3]
- (Bonus track feat. Mitchell Emmen) Where All Things End (Doom Castle) (Final Fantasy Mystic Quest) [MP3]
While on hiatus, I added lyrics and vocals to a friend's song in order to have an official theme song for an academic conference (quite possibly a world first), Thinking After Dark: Welcome to the World of Horror Video Games (Montreal, April 2009). It's all metal and no 8-bit, but it still rocks, and I'm pleased with how it turned out (not to mention the production and effects ran through the vocals were of much higher quality than what I could do on my own).
Stay tuned for the future. I am working - as time permits - on a continuation of the 8-Bit Metal project, which I will be announcing here when the time is right.
In the Year 200X
(Based on Mega Man 2.)
Out in the night
Atop a skyscraper high
The city lights are shining on
And I know they're worth fighting for
I try my best to justify
The meaning of my quest
I long for peace and that is why
Ironically I have to fight
In 200X
When the world's in decay
And the heroes of yesterday passed away
A new man will rise
And for mankind he'll fight
In the year 200X
Running through the halls
of a maze of crystal and ice
The master waits beyond the gates
With the power to freeze time
When you face your demise
Your weapon will be mine
I can take on anything
As long as I keep trying
In 200X
When the world's in decay
And the heroes of yesterday passed away
A new man will rise
And for mankind he'll fight
In the year 200X
Oh, when will I see it?
(A mirror of the world)
Peace everlasting
(The battle's for)
Man and machine and nothing in between
In 200X
Fire spreads out
The oceans are swelling
And storms shake the ground
When science has failed
My heart and soul still prevail
I will save the world
In 200X
In the Year 200X
Thirteenth Zodiac
(Based on Final Fantasy Tactics. Special thanks to Jonathan Dagenais for additional keyboard and strings, and help with the bridge section.)
Ramza:
Black and white
Two lions vie for the throne
Torn in the fight
Blood soaks the name I uphold
Lord above, where have we gone astray?
Every day, lives are taken away
Who are we to decide?
Shunned by the church and my own family
I must stay true to my beliefs
All the world's a stage but I just can't fit in
Like a thirteenth zodiac
Delita:
Open your mind and you will perceive
the voice of reason inside
Listen but once and you'll realize
That there is no divide
The Lucavi:
Dare not oppose us, remember your status
By now you of all should know
Manipulation can be a solution
The end justifies any means
Ramza:
Tell me friend, where have your ideals gone?
Power will claim you before long
You cannot win this fight
Cast aside, forgotten by history
No one will know what I've seen
Demonic stones turning men into slaves
To the thirteenth zodiac
The Lucavi:
Spoken from the sword, handed down from the stone
Spoken from the sword, handed down from the stone
Ramza:
Shunned by the church and my own family
I must stay true to my beliefs
All the world's a stage but I just can't fit in
Like a thirteenth zodiac
Cast aside, forgotten by history (Is this my fate?)
No one will know what I've seen (It's a nightmare)
Demonic stones turning men into slaves (For lust and greed)
To the thirteenth zodiac
Saving the World Barechested
(Based on Contra.)
A meteor falling
Aliens invading
The future is darkened and dreary
A threat is emerging
Red Falcon looming
Send out the Contra force
Waist-deep in water we're wading along
To the heart of the island, to strike at the core
(Soon you'll know fear)
The enemy's here, this is our war
The world's fate rests on
their four shoulders
Contra Force is rising
Throughout the jungle machine guns are sounding the fight
Their bullets are speaking, defending our homes
They're fighting for a better future for all
For blue skies to shine again
(Jump! Jump!)
(Jump! Jump!)
(Jump! Jump!)
Avoid the falling rocks
(Jump! Jump!)
(Jump! Jump!)
(Jump! Jump!)
To the top of the waterfall
The Red Falcon bleeds and falls to the ground
As we defeat all their soldiers around
Into their base, gate after gate
Shooting machines, blown down to smithereens
Contra Force is blazing
Throughout the snowy peaks and high-tech factories beyond
They're reaching the end of their struggle at last
The alien heart is the last thing to blast
Soon we'll be free again
Freedom has been won back
The Earth is at peace at last
Their battle was yours friends you must understand
These wars for your god, or for riches, for land,
Hurt us all in the end
Contra Force returning
Throughout the nations, celebrations resound
The lesson's been learned and united we'll stand
The future is bright and the skies blue again
The world's fate is ours to make
Five years later
The alien invaders
Have come back, repeating our history
Their spaceship is firing
Civilians are dying
The Alien Wars begin
The Founding of Booty Bay
(Based on World of Warcraft.)
Baron Revilgaz & his crew:
Ev'ry one on lookout for the land of men!
(Ev'ry one on lookout for the land of men)
We've come to colonize,
to bring the Goblin dream alive.
(Land! Land!)
Now ye scurvy dogs...
(Land! Land!)
Shiver me timbers!
Looks like we've arrived
The Steamwheedle Cartel will thrive!
Heave-ho! (heave-ho!)
The ship she's a-turnin'
Heave-ho! (heave-ho!)
The fog's come rollin'!
Heave-ho! (heave-ho!)
Can't see where we're goin'!
Fleet Master Seahorn:
Starboard...Port!
Baron Revilgaz & his crew:
Crashed me ship in Booty Bay
Thought I might as well stay
Glitterin' prizes all around
Heave-ho...
(We crashed the ship in Booty Bay
Looks like it's there to stay
Get the rum, another round
For such a merry crowd!)
Mogh the Undying:
They come to defile our sacred temples,
but they will soon learn to stay away from the voodoo...
Zul'Dan ges mon
Fil'Zul Deloth mar
Fil'Los des Guth
Zul'Garrath es
Fel'Un Zen'Sma
Iga! Iga!
Felos Es
Grende Voo!
Grende Voo!
Grende voo!
Zan...
Random Murloc:
Rawgrlrlrlrrlglrl!!!
Duke Falrevere:
The Altar of Tides will soon sport their heads
Damned be that Baron I said!
The Bloodsail Buccaneers will win this fight
This vale and its riches will be mine
Baron Revilgaz & his crew:
I crashed me ship in Booty Bay
Thought I might as well stay
Glitt'ring prizes all around
Heave-ho
(We crashed the ship in Booty Bay
Looks like it's there to stay
Get the rum, another round
For such a merry crowd!)
The Duke Got Nuked
(Based on Duke Nukem Forever.)
Let's rock!
Wake at noon, three beers soon
and a pack of smokes to boot
Another day waiting by
the phone for a call
9 years' time, I'm feeling fine,
I ain't past my prime
Just give me a piece
and I'll walk the streets
I'll blow their brains out
and dump my feces...bwahaha!
I'm gonna rip your head off and shit down your neck
Hail to the king baby!
Who wants some?
I miss the good old days
Reckless violence in the Red Light's haze
Oh yeah, hahahah
*Sigh*
"Glorified, steroidized
hoodlum on the run"
But now I'm just sitting around
Getting my check on the first of every month
You're an inspiration for birth control
You suck
I don't know why this is happening to me
I'm still waiting to play the next part
But nothing moves on
Feels like forever
When will I get to star again
I'm still waiting, I'm still waiting
I'm still waiting, I'm s...ick of waiting
It's time to kick ass and chew bubble-gum...and I'm all out of gum.
Groovy!
Damn...I'm looking good!
I don't know why this is happening to me
I'm still waiting to play the next part
But nothing moves on
Feels like forever
When will I get to star again
I'm still waiting, I'm still waiting
I'm still waiting, I'm s...ick of waiting
I'm trapped in my gym
Smoking and drinking and weightlifing
They promised me a new gig
But they let me down, time and time and time and time and time again
I guess the Duke got nuked...hah!
Bloodlines
(Based on Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.)
Richter:
Four years after the battle took place
Under the glare of the moon
Walking past the castle gate
One more time I'll fulfill my fate
Called by a voice which I can't ignore
Enticing sounds and twists of the tongue
Shaft:
A vampire hunter without a foe
Is dead and gone, and no hero
Listen to me and soon you will see
Immortality can be reached by glory
Richter:
Destroying evil with holy power
For centuries we have prevailed
You will be brought back but I guarantee
My bloodline will triumph again
Alucard:
The world has changed during my timeless rest
Evil has stirred, the balance's disturbed
Darkness and light, like a song out of tune
The shadows at night play a symphony of doom
Past the front gate and into the halls
Where chaos awaits, the unending sprawl
Someone has to be pulling the strings
Why would a Belmont do such a thing?
Blood of the sacred,
Blood of the damned,
Destinies woven
in one melody
Destroying evil with holy power
For centuries they have prevailed
Immortal father, I guarantee
Your bloodline will end on this day
Shaft:
Congratulations young master hunter,
You have achieved your one true goal...
Where will you go now? (You have no purpose)
What will you do now? (Your existence's absurd)
Richter:
Lord, what have I done?
Destroying evil with holy power
For centuries we have prevailed
You will be brought back but I guarantee
My bloodline will triumph again
Alucard:
Immortal father, I guarantee
Your bloodline will end on this day
Moon Sugar
(Based on The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind. A Vision in a Dream: A Prelude.)
Yesterday quickly slips away
as the ship breaks the waves of my past
Dreaming quietly, today’s gone in a hurry
Images blurry of stars I can’t see
A little more sweet Moon Sugar and the Lady speaks once more to me
Apparently they’re taking me to the East and to my destiny
Tomorrow
Tomorrow
To Morrowind
Oooh…
Valleys of ashes, a scar and a wound
Or is it the Skooma that I have consumed?
I dreamt of mountains ripped apart
A golden mask hiding the blackest of hearts
Oooh…
Armies are marching to conquer these ancient lands
But the Devil sleeps beneath
Soon he’ll wake from his sleep
Oooh…
Ashes to ashes, a life left behind
Somehow this island can turn back the time
I dream of mountains no more when I see
Darkened skies plagued with the Blight clouds
that’ll spread beyond the seas
The Moon Sugar shows me the signs of my destiny
The Devil and the Incarnate
(Based on The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind.)
Frontier, Conquest, the Legion marches
Praise the Nine Divines and the Empire
Freed from my cell, I was thrown in this land
Everyone's asking that I take a stand
I don't know what I should think
Colonization attempts have been made
The Empire's plan was to assimilate
The proud people of Morrowind
Scenes from a life left behind forming up in my mind
I know that I've been betrayed by my closest friends
The Tribunal Temple is weakened by the corrupt Heart
And the Devil speaks in dreams
His power grows unseen
Frontier, Conquest, the Legion marches
Praise the Nine Divines and the Empire
Born to uncertain parents,
on a certain day, to a certain sign
Seven visions I have seen
Woman, tell me: what do they mean?
The curses came and paved the way
for the stories of old forgotten ages ago
The people are besieged
as darkness spreads disease
and misery sweep this land high and low
from Ebonheart to the Sea of Ghosts
The ancient Immortal Evil is here
Am I the hero of prophecy who'll set them free?
Will I be marked as a traitor to my emperor?
The Ashlanders' trials proved I am St. Nerevar reborn
But the Devil has a scheme
And his reasons seem sincere
(Dagoth Ur:)
By the winds of the blight all shall feel the divine
And my house will arise from the ashes to life
I will provide them with their freedom of yore
to drive out the Empire and cast down the false gods
Never again will the skies turn to ashen gray
Now the Dreamers have been freed
Soon they'll wake from their sleep
There's still so much to do, I think I'll stay
in Morrowind
Behind the Mask
(First part of a trilogy based on Final Fantasy IV.)
High in the sky
I'm facing alone
My darkness inside
So far from home
Could this be the chance
for me to atone
for the sins of my past
I hear the wind
It's whispering (in my ear)
A servant of doom
Guarding the tomb
Climbing the steps
I'm facing the test
To break from my past
And be free at last
And as darkness recedes
All becomes clear
Still I will go on
I see the Light
It shines so bright (feel the fear)
Piercing the black
Tearing down my mask
As I'm staring at myself
In the mirror someone else
stands alone facing me
This is who I've come to be
There's so much he wants to say
But he silently obeys
The orders he was given
By a dark sword shunned by heaven
I'm searching for my soul
Can I fill the hole (you can't)
Doubt takes its toll (again)
Facing the darkness
I'll conquer myself
And bring out my best
As I'm staring at myself
In the mirror someone else
stands alone facing me
This is who I've come to be
There's so much he wants to say
But he silently obeys
The orders that he received
From a father-King long buried
The Holy Light shines down on me
It revealed the face hidden behind the mask
The spineless man I was before
Is no more
Beyond the Mask
(Second part of a trilogy based on Final Fantasy IV.)
One to be born from a dragon
Hoisting the light and the dark
Arises high up in the sky to
The still-land above
Golbez:
Am I the chosen, the savior of my race?
The crystals are shedding their light silently
They're calling, they're holding the key
to my people's fate
Zemus:
Rise up my friend and do as I tell
Your deeds will be sung for centuries to come
Golbez:
Sometimes at night
I hear someone fight
Like a voice trapped inside
That is trying to bring back the light
I'm garbed all in black
but there's light left in me
How I wish you could see
Beyond the mask
Zemus:
The crystals will open the way to the moon
The crystals will open the way to the moon
Cecil:
He's just a dark knight
Shadows clouding his sight
He gave up the fight
And has forever forsaken the light
His soul is consumed
In darkness entombed
Now he's helpless to see
Beyond the mask
Golbez:
Who has been causing these evils before
Have I lost my mind or was I bound to obey?
Was I not speaking through my own voice
Was someone behind or even leading the way?
I wish I could say
Someone else made me do all these things
Against my own will
But I think that I may have
Resisted if not for a dark side in me
I'm guilty
Golbez & Cecil:
Brothers we are, born from the moon
Hoisting the light and the dark
We'll be rising, beyond the skies
And beyond our masks
Golbez:
The madman will pay for all he took away
My conscience, my free will, my existence itself
Were stolen from me to further his goals
But revenge will be mine
Golbez & Cecil:
One for myself
Two for my king
Three for our planet
And four for the sake of your kin
Hate, fear, regrets and the darkness they bring
Form a mask on ourselves we must break
Sometimes in life we aren't given a choice
But we can always strive to see the world
Beyond the mask
Hatred Eternal
(Final part of a trilogy based on Final Fantasy IV.)
(Zeromus)
Hatred
Hatred Eternal
(Zemus)
Trapped inside the moon's core
For centuries I've grown so bitter
I tried to command
Other minds to claim a new land
My kin's home is gone
And the Blue Planet shined so bright
I said we should take
The humans' Earth and seal their fate
(Cecil)
Light guide my hand
For darkness consumes all
(Golbez)
Piercing the black
I'll make the madman pay
(Zeromus)
Blackened in chaos I mastered the void
A cosmos to doom and destroy
Galaxies die for all things must end
The stars are my will and they burn with pure
Hatred
Hatred Eternal
(Golbez)
So it ends for me
in the darkness of space
(Golbez & Cecil)
Redemption can be far
But never out of reach
Where All Things End (Doom Castle)
(Cover version of "Doom Castle" from Final Fantasy Mystic Quest. Special thanks to Mitchell Emmen for the guitar solo!)
Dark King:
Come hither where all things end
At last
I'll rule
The one behind the 4 is
darker than the night, and rises midst the land!
Benjamin:
Dark King, we meet at last...
Dark King:
Indeed, and now you will serve me...
Benjamin:
No!
Dark King:
Welcome to the power of Darkness!
The crystals shine again
In the Focus Tower
Light flows in
After Dark
(Official theme song for the Thinking After Dark: Welcome to the World of Horror Video Games conference.
Based on Resident Evil & Silent Hill.)
Yannick Desgroseillers: Songwriting and guitars
Dominic Arsenault: Lyrics and vocals)
Welcome to the World of Horror
“Bizarre murders committed in Raccoon City”
“Horror in Raccoon. More victims dead.”
“Special Tactics And Rescue Service sent to save Raccoon City”
Hallways desecrated
I’ve got to find a way out of here
Corpses desiccated
I struggle around but cannot find anyone alive
Locked in this fight to survive
A cover-up meant to hide these lies
Self-regulated experimental suicide
What is there left for me to search for?
What is the sense of it all?
I’ve got to finally face my fear
Fear unrelenting
Chilling claws that grip and twist down my spine
Shadows shifting around these halls of stone
I can’t breathe
I can feel I’m about to choke
Mouth agape at the horrors unseen
Yet nothing comes out but a broken, silent scream
Lost in the mist
So far from home
My girl, she’s all alone
Somewhere out in the cold
Something’s stirring from just
Outside my line of sight
In darkness they dwell
They’re waiting for me
To take a false and final step
Restless nightmares twisting
This town into abyss
Dazed and confused I can never know
When the dream becomes reality
Daylight dissipating
The world around me slowly disappears
I can hear
the calling of these games I’ve come to crave
(Gaming After Dark)
Gaming After Dark
Nothing comes close to the terrorized screams
And the horrifying scenes that I’ve seen on the screen
Will I ever find the answers
To this never-ending feeling inside
(It’s Fright, Flight or Fight)
I need to understand the cold sweat
running down my hands from fictional threats
When the sunset comes I’ll be left wanting
Thinking After Dark