Mania Mode Review
Album art by Saffron Aurora
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Before I start heaping praises on this album, let me give a bit of context for this review. My first encounter with DiscoCactus was at MAGFest 2017 (or 2018) where they performed during a Game Audio Network Guild (G.A.N.G.) award ceremony. At the time, I thought they were a quirky group of musicians that were just jamming to have fun. Fast forward a few years, and this fun, quirky group of musicians had transformed into an unstoppable musical force as they dominated the main stage of MAGFest 2020. I was nearly brought to tears by their performance of “Greentrail” (a medley of Hollow Knight themes), I danced my ass off to “Last Surprise,” and I left that show wondering when I would see them again. Last August, I jumped at the opportunity to support their Kickstarter campaign to record their first full-length, and now we’re at the moment of truth.
Mania Mode is my favorite VGM cover/arrange album of all time and a strong contender for AOTY (even among non-VGM music).
Hyperboles aside, this album sees a group of professional musicians working at their finest by paying tribute to video game music. From the first track, “Victory Storm” you know that you’re about to embark on a journey unlike any other as DiscoCactus seamlessly blends themes from Final Fantasy VII and Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. The chaotic energy continues with “You’re Lost” before the group reveals a more somber, tender side with the aforementioned “Greentrail” (one of my favorite tracks on the album). The extra production money and time have paid dividends as this track is even better than I remember, but the album has plenty more surprises in store for listeners.
To be completely honest, I could write a review for every single track on the album because the level of care, attention, and craftsmanship is astounding. Put another way, this is an album that will be used to measure other albums, a 5-star meal that introduces you to flavors you didn’t even know existed. Of course, DiscoCactus isn’t cooking alone–they’ve brought friends from the VGM community, such as Wilbert Roget II, Carlos Eiene (aka insaneintherainmusic), Kristin Naigus, Dom Palombi, and many more. Together with their collaborators, DiscoCactus forges a new path by re-invigorating VGM classics with fresh, eclectic arrangements and honoring more obscure titles, such as CrossCode and Gods Will Be Watching.
Mania Mode transcends video game music by incorporating elements from a myriad of styles and genres, but at the same time, it elevates the VGM community. This album reminds us that covers and arrangements can reshape our experiences with video games and video game music. In other words, the VGM community has its own repertoire of covers and arrangements that are influencing other artists, both new and old. Just as people picked up a guitar because of FamilyJules’ cover challenge, I have to wonder how many people will pick an instrument because of this album.
Mania Mode is a high-water mark for the video game music community and a steadfast reminder of why I fell in love with VGM in the first place.
Rating: Must-Have
(All VGM Fans Should Enjoy)