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Akira Yamaoka

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Akira Yamaoka
Akira Yamaoka at the Game Developers Conference in 2010
Akira Yamaoka at the Game Developers Conference in 2010
Background information
Born (1968-02-06) February 6, 1968 (age 56)
Niigata, Japan
GenresAlternative rock, hard rock, ambient, dark ambient, industrial, trip hop
Occupation(s)Composer, sound designer, sound director, video game producer
Instrument(s)Guitar, bass, keyboards, drums
Years active1991–present

Akira Yamaoka (山岡 晃, Yamaoka Akira, born February 6, 1968) is a Japanese video game composer, sound designer, sound director, and video game producer who worked for Konami since 1993 until his resignation in 2009. He is best known for creating the music in the Silent Hill series; he also worked as a sound director and producer on the series as well as serving as a composer and producer of the Silent Hill feature-length film and its sequel.[1][2]

Biography

Early life

Yamaoka attended Tokyo Art College,[3] where he studied product design and interior design.

Career

Yamaoka joined Konami on September 21, 1993.[4] He immediately began to work on the games Contra: Hard Corps, Sparkster, and Sparkster: Rocket Knight Adventures 2. He then shortly thereafter worked on the music for the PC Engine and Sega CD versions of Snatcher. When Konami began searching for a musician to compose Silent Hill's score, Yamaoka volunteered because he thought he was the only one capable of making the soundtrack.[3]

On December 2, 2009, it was announced that Yamaoka was leaving his long term employer Konami.[5] On February 3, 2010, it was announced that Yamaoka has joined Grasshopper Manufacture and will be working with Goichi Suda and Shinji Mikami on their action game, Shadows of the Damned, in partnership with Electronic Arts.[6]

On August 10, 2012, Yamaoka announced he would be releasing a second solo album in late 2012, one "different from the usual 'Silent Hill' music."[7] On October 31, 2012 he announced via Facebook the new three track Spanish language single "Revolución" would premiere at V-CON during a live performance.[8]

Personal life

Before working as a video game composer, Yamaoka initially sought a career as a designer, but instead became a musician after studying product design at Tokyo Art College.[3]

Yamaoka stated in a 2009 interview that his favorite game creator is Suda 51 and his favorite video game is No More Heroes.[9] His favourite of his own soundtracks is Silent Hill 2.[10]

In March 2009 Yamaoka auctioned some of his musical instruments for the Play for Japan flood relief.[11]

Musical style and influences

When asked what other artists influenced his work, Yamaoka cited Trent Reznor as his "main inspiration, both performing and in music style."[7] Among his other influences are Angelo Badalamenti (best known for his soundtrack work with David Lynch), Metallica and Depeche Mode.[3]

When asked if his studies at Tokyo Art College had helped him in his musical career, he replied:[3] "At that time, Mick Karn of Japan, Steve Strange of Visage, and a lot of other musicians combined the notions of Art and Music with their own new style. I got really influenced by that. Therefore, every time I write songs, I try to combine Art and Music." He has also stated that he derives much of his influence from baroque styles common throughout the 18th century.

Discography

References

  1. ^ "A New Silent Hill on the Way From Konami".
  2. ^ "Director's Blog - Silent Hill 2 Composer".
  3. ^ a b c d e "Interview with Akira Yamaoka". spelmusik.net. July 2002. Archived from the original on 29 June 2007. Retrieved 2007-07-16. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ http://anony.ws/i/2014/02/12/Qtf.png
  5. ^ Remo, Chris (December 2, 2009). "Report: Silent Hill Composer Yamaoka Leaves Konami". Gamasutra. Archived from the original on 4 December 2009. Retrieved 2009-12-02. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ "Silent Hill composer Yamaoka joins Suda 51's 'video game band'".
  7. ^ a b "AKIRA YAMAOKA - Interview in Spain at Play Fest".
  8. ^ "AKIRA YAMAOKA - New Single Premieres at V-CON".
  9. ^ Nintendo Power, Volume 248
  10. ^ http://www.giantbomb.com/akira-yamaoka/3040-40927/
  11. ^ http://www.giantbomb.com/akira-yamaoka/3040-40927/
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