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{{Short description|Japanese composer (born 1968)}}
]
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2022}}
'''Akira Yamaoka''' (山岡晃 ''Yamaoka Akira'', born ] ] in ], ]) has composed music for dozens of ] ]s. Yamaoka attended ], where he studied product design and interior design. He joined ] on ], ], after previously being a freelance music composer.
{{Infobox person
| name = Akira Yamaoka
| image = Akira Yamaoka - Game Developers Conference 2010 - Day 3 (3).jpg
| caption = Yamaoka in 2010
| native_name = 山岡 晃
| native_name_lang = ja
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1968|2|6}}
| birth_place = ], Japan
| spouse = Tamu Murata
| occupation = {{flatlist|
* ]
* ]
* ]
}}
| years_active = 1991–present
| employer = {{ubl|] (1993–2009)|] (2010–present)}}
| website = {{URL|akirayamaoka.jp}}
}}
{{Nihongo|'''Akira Yamaoka'''|山岡 晃|Yamaoka Akira|born February 6, 1968}} is a Japanese composer and music producer. He is best known for composing music for several video games in the '']'' series by ], among other games. Yamaoka also worked as a producer on the series, as well as composing for the ] and ]. Since 2010, he has been the sound director at ].


== Early life ==
He is most well known for his work for the ] series of video games, for which he composed all the music and sound effects in all four games (this excludes Silent Hill: Play Novel for the ]); much of his work from previous Silent Hill titles have been compiled for the new Silent Hill movie. In the third and fourth Silent Hill games (which are available on the ] and ] and the ], ] and ] respectively) he also played a more important role as the games' producer. His music from Silent Hill 2 was performed live in 2005 at the third ] in Leipzig, Germany. His music's sound reflects that of ]. Yamaoka also performed music from Silent Hill at the world-premiere of ] on ], ] in ], and accompanied the orchestra with an electric guitar.
Yamaoka attended Tokyo Art College,<ref name="spelmusik1">{{cite web|title=Interview with Akira Yamaoka |url=http://www.spelmusik.net/intervjuer/akira_yamaoka_eng.html |publisher=spelmusik.net |date=July 2002 |access-date=July 16, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070629165120/http://spelmusik.net/intervjuer/akira_yamaoka_eng.html |archive-date=June 29, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> where he studied product design and interior design. He originally planned to follow a career in design.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Interview with Akira Yamaoka (Spelmusik.net) - Silent Hill Memories |url=https://www.silenthillmemories.net/creators/interviews/2002.07.16_yamaoka_spelmusik_en.htm |access-date=2023-02-02 |website=www.silenthillmemories.net}}</ref>


== Career ==
His first original album, ], was released in January 2006.
Yamaoka joined ] on September 21, 1993.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://anony.ws/i/2014/02/12/Qtf.png |title=Akira Yamaoka – Sound Director |publisher=Anony.ws |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151123033308/http://anony.ws/i/2014/02/12/Qtf.png |access-date=August 21, 2014|archive-date=November 23, 2015 }}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=July 2024|reason=Source is a low-quality screen capture located on a dubious site.}} He immediately began to work on the games '']'', '']'', and '']''. Shortly thereafter, he worked on the music for the PC Engine and Sega CD versions of '']''. 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.<ref name="spelmusik1" /> Although initially hired as a composer, he soon became involved in overall sound design.<ref name="factmag.com">{{Cite web|url=http://www.factmag.com/2015/10/29/akira-yamaoka-silent-hill-soundtrack-interview/|title=Interview: Silent Hill composer Akira Yamaoka|date=October 29, 2015}}</ref>


On December 2, 2009, it was announced that Yamaoka was leaving his long term employer Konami.<ref>{{cite web | author=Remo, Chris | date=December 2, 2009 | title=Report: Silent Hill Composer Yamaoka Leaves Konami | url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/26345/Report_Silent_Hill_Composer_Yamaoka_Leaves_Konami.php | publisher=] | access-date=December 2, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091204002628/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/26345/Report_Silent_Hill_Composer_Yamaoka_Leaves_Konami.php| archive-date= December 4, 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-12-01 |title=Rumor: Silent Hill composer leaves Konami |url=https://www.destructoid.com/rumor-silent-hill-composer-leaves-konami/ |access-date=2023-02-02 |website=Destructoid |language=en-US}}</ref> On February 3, 2010, it was announced that Yamaoka had joined ] and was working with ] and ] on their action game, '']''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/03/silent-hill-composer-yamaoka-joins-suda-51s-video-game-band|title=Silent Hill composer Yamaoka joins Suda 51's 'video game band'|access-date=February 3, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100205091319/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/03/silent-hill-composer-yamaoka-joins-suda-51s-video-game-band/|archive-date=February 5, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was first appointed to the role of chief sound officer at Grasshopper, but became involved in aspects of game production as well.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Brandon |last=Sheffield |date=2011-06-13 |title=Surprises In Store: Akira Yamaoka's New Direction |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/audio/surprises-in-store-akira-yamaoka-s-new-direction |access-date=2023-02-02 |website=Game Developer |language=en}}</ref>
== Credits ==
{| class="wikitable"
! Game Title
! Year
! Console
! Role
! Comments


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."<ref name="musicjapanplus.jp">{{cite web|url=http://www.musicjapanplus.jp/specialfeatures/8502/akira-yamaoka-interview-in-spain-at-play-fest/page/2/|title=AKIRA YAMAOKA – Interview in Spain at Play Fest}}</ref> On October 31, 2012, he announced via ], that the new three-track Spanish-language single "Revolución" would premiere at V-CON during a live performance.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=465362706848237&set=a.438255409558967.131500.408108545906987&type=1|title=AKIRA YAMAOKA – New Single Premieres at V-CON|website=]}}</ref> In 2014, he expressed interest in returning as a composer for '']'', although the project was later cancelled.<ref name="factmag.com" />
|-
| ''SmartBall''<br/>also known as ''Jerry Boy''
| 1991
| ], ]
| ?
| Unsure of this credit.<!-- <br/>With ] and ]. -->


In late October and early November 2015, Yamaoka and his band performed tracks from the ''Silent Hill'' series at nine live events in cities across the United Kingdom, titled "Silent Hill Live".<ref>{{cite web|last1=Priestman|first1=Chris|title=Silent Hill Composer To Perform The Soundtracks Live This Halloween|date=September 9, 2015 |url=http://www.siliconera.com/2015/09/09/silent-hill-composer-to-perform-the-soundtracks-live-this-halloween/|publisher=Siliconera|access-date=September 19, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Blake|first1=Vikki|title=New Dates Confirmed for Silent Hill's Akira Yamaoka UK Tour|date=September 23, 2015|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/09/23/new-dates-confirmed-for-silent-hills-akira-yamaoka-uk-tour|publisher=IGN|access-date=December 9, 2015}}</ref> In July 2016, Yamaoka performed live at the BitSummit 4th ] festival in ], Japan.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Greening|first1=Chris|title=Akira Yamaoka headlines BitSummit 4th lineup|date=June 26, 2016|url=http://www.vgmonline.net/akira-yamaoka-headlines-bitsummit-4th-lineup/|access-date=June 29, 2016}}</ref>

== Style and influences ==
When asked what other artists influenced his work, Yamaoka cited ] of ] as his "main inspiration, both performing and in music style."<ref name="musicjapanplus.jp" /> Among his other influences are ] (best known for his soundtrack work with ]), ] and ].<ref name="spelmusik1" />

When asked if his studies at Tokyo Art College had helped him in his musical career, he replied:<ref name="spelmusik1" /> "At that time, ] of ], ] of ], 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.

Yamaoka stated some of his favorite songs to be "Der Mussolini" by ], "Amber" by ], "Moments in Love" by ], "Moon Over Moscow" by Visage, and "]" by ].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Wahlgren|first1=Jon|title=Playlist: Grasshopper Manufacture's Akira Yamaoka|date=July 9, 2010|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2010/07/playlist_grasshopper_manufactures_akira_yamaoka|publisher=Nintendo Life|access-date=April 8, 2015}}</ref>

== 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.<ref name="spelmusik1" /> Yamaoka stated in 2009 that his favorite game creator is ] and his favorite video game is '']''.<ref>''Nintendo Power'', Volume 248</ref> In March 2011, Yamaoka auctioned some of his musical instruments to raise charity funds for the ].<ref name="giantbomb1" /> His favorite of his own soundtracks is '']''.<ref name="giantbomb1">{{cite web|url=http://www.giantbomb.com/akira-yamaoka/3040-40927/ |title=Akira Yamaoka (Person) |publisher=Giant Bomb |access-date=August 21, 2014}}</ref> In 2014, he stated his favorite film was ]'s '']''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://uk.games.konami-europe.com/posts/Creating-Fear-Interview-with-Akira-Yamaoka |title=Archived copy |access-date=November 22, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120201418/https://uk.games.konami-europe.com/posts/Creating-Fear-Interview-with-Akira-Yamaoka |archive-date=November 20, 2015 }}</ref> He is married to Ai "Tamu" Murata, who is the drummer of the heavy metal band ]. They have two daughters.<ref>{{cite web |title=むらたたむ |url=https://twitter.com/tamu_murata_dr |website=Twitter |access-date=28 January 2023}}</ref>

== Works ==

=== Video games ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year
! Title
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
! 1991
| '']''
| with ] and Manabu Saito
|-
! rowspan="4" | 1994
| '']''
| with several others
|- |-
| '']'' | '']''
| with several others
| 1994
| ], ]
| Composer
| Akira Yamaoka's first project at Konami.<br/>With ], ], ] and ].

|- |-
| '']''
| '']''<br/>also known as ''Perfect Eleven''
| with ]
| 1994
| ]
| Composer
| Konami requested a break beat club sound like The Prodigy.

|- |-
| '']'' | '']''
| Sega CD version, PlayStation version, Sega Saturn version
| 1994
| ], ]
| Sound Design
|

|- |-
! rowspan="4" | 1996
| '']''
| '']''
| 1996
| with ], Kiyohiko Yamane, and Motoaki Furukawa
| ]
| ?
| Did some sound design???

|- |-
| '']'' | '']''
| with several others
| 1997
| ]
|
| <!-- "ドラキュラ城" and "悲境の貴公子"??? -->Received a Special Thanks in the credits.

|- |-
| '']''
| '']''<br/>''
| ] version
| 1998
| ]
| Composer
| Name mentioned in the credits.

|- |-
| '']''
| ''Road Rage''<br/>also known as ''Speed King''
| "Spring's Undersea Walking Hurricane (Rankerk Hatred)"
| 1998
| ]
| Composer
| Was originally assigned to port the arcade game's music, but instead composed all new original music.

|- |-
! rowspan="3" | 1997
| '']''
| '']''
| 1999
| "Tears of Machine" and "TILT"
| ], ]
| Composer
| Composed "Love This Feelin' (Remix)".<br /><br />"Love This Feelin'" was remixed by U1-ASAMI under the pseudonym of Chang-Ma.

|- |-
| '']'' | '']''
| with several others
| 1999
| ]
| Sound Director<br />Sound Producer<br />Music Composer & Arranger
| With ] (composed "Esperándote").

|- |-
| ''] 4th Style'' | '']''
| with Soshiro Hokkai and Keiko Fukami
| 2000
| ], ]
| Composer
| Composed "250bpm", "Diamond Jealousy", "Love Will..." and "Minimalian".<br/><br/>"Love Will..." was composed under the pseudonym of riewo.<br />"Minimalian" was composed under the pseudonym of Detroian.

|- |-
! rowspan="3" | 1998
| '']''
| '']''
| 2000
|
| ]
| ?
| Possibly composed the "DEMO MOVIE1" and "DEMO MOVIE2" music???

|- |-
| ''] 5th Style'' | '']''
| with Yuichi Asami, Ryuichi Inoue, and Nobuhiko Matsufuji
| 2001
| ], ]
| Composer
| Composed "In My Eyes" and "Rislim".<br/><br/>Both songs were sung by ric.

|- |-
| '']'' | '']''
| with Kyoran Suzuki and Norikazu Miura
| 2001
|-
| ], ], ]
! rowspan="2" | 1999
| Sound Director<br/>All Music & Sound Effects
| '']''
|
|

|-
| '']''
| with Shinji Enomoto, Kosuke Soeda, and Hideki Kasai
|-
! 1999–2012
| '']'' series
|
|-
! rowspan="2" | 2000
| '']''
|
|-
| '']''
| with Shinji Enomoto, Kosuke Soeda, and Hideki Kasai
|-
! 2001
| '']''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://techraptor.net/gaming/news/akira-yamaoka-would-love-to-return-to-silent-hill|title=Akira Yamaoka "Would Love" to Return to Silent Hill|date=November 5, 2020 }}</ref>
|
|- |-
! 2002
| '']'' | '']''
| with Sota Fujimori
| 2002
| ]
| Sound Director<br />Music Composer<br />Sound Effect Design
| With ] (music composer).

|- |-
! 2003
| ''] 7th Style''
| '']''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://techraptor.net/gaming/news/akira-yamaoka-would-love-to-return-to-silent-hill|title=Akira Yamaoka "Would Love" to Return to Silent Hill|date=November 5, 2020 }}</ref>
| 2002
|
| ], ]
| Composer
| Composed "Bring Her Down", "i feel..." and "Love Me Do".

|- |-
! rowspan="2" | 2004
| ''] 8th Style''
| '']''
| 2002
| with several others
| ], ]
| Composer
| Composed "Bit Mania" and "Dancer".<br/><br/>"Dancer" was composed under the pseudonym of De Vol.

|- |-
| '']''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://techraptor.net/gaming/news/akira-yamaoka-would-love-to-return-to-silent-hill|title=Akira Yamaoka "Would Love" to Return to Silent Hill|date=November 5, 2020 }}</ref>
| '']''
|
| 2002
| ], ]
| Composer
| Composed "i feel...".

|- |-
! 2006
| ''] 9th Style''
| '']''
| 2003
| with several others
| ], ]
| Composer
| Composed "昭和企業戦士荒山課長", "ライオン好き" and "Rislim -remix-".<br /><br />"Rislim" was remixed by Hisashi Nawata.

|- |-
! rowspan="3" | 2007
| '']''
| '']''
| 2003
| with Masayuki Maruyama and Jun Ito
| ]
| Composer
| Composed "In My Eyes" (downloadable by purchasing Ultramix Song Pack #1).<br /><br />Received a Special Thanks in the credits.

|- |-
| '']''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/silent-hill-origins-mw0002423332|title=Silent Hill: Origins – Akira Yamaoka &#124; Songs, Reviews, Credits &#124; AllMusic|website=]}}</ref>
| '']''
|
| 2003
| ], ]
| Sound Director<br />All Music & Sound Effects<br />PC version Game Producer
| With ] (credited as Melissa Williamson. Vocals on "You're Not Here", "Letter - From the Lost Days" and "I Want Love") , ] (vocals on "Hometown") and Interlace ("Rain of Brass Petals").<br /><br />Game includes limited edition soundtrack CD.

|- |-
| ''] 10th Style'' | '']''
|
| 2004
| ]
| Composer
| Composed "Space Fight" and "システムロマンス". <br /><br />"システムロマンス" was composed under the pseudonym of Hiros & Chiiko.

|- |-
! rowspan="2" | 2008
| '']: RED''
| '']''
| 2004
|
| ]
| Composer
| Composed "Awakening" and "Injection of Love".<br /><br />"Injection of Love" was composed under the pseudonym of Akira Shintani, and featured ] as the vocalist.

|- |-
| '']'' | '']''
|arrangements
| 2004
| ]
| Composer
| Composed "You're Not Here" and "Your Rain (Rage Mix)".<br/><br/>"You're Not Here" originated from ''Silent Hill 3''.<br />"Your Rain (Rage Mix)" is a remix of the song "Your Rain" from ''Silent Hill 4''.

|- |-
! 2009
| '']''
| '']''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.factmag.com/2015/10/29/akira-yamaoka-silent-hill-soundtrack-interview/|title = Interview: Silent Hill composer Akira Yamaoka|date = October 29, 2015}}</ref>
| 2004
|
| ]
| Composer
| Composed "Pluck the Roses!" and "I'm too vituous".

|- |-
! 2010
| '']''
| '']''
| 2004
| with several others
| ], ], ]
| Game Producer<br />Sound Director<br />Music
| With ] (vocals on "Tender Sugar", "Your Rain", "Room of Angel" and "Waiting for You ~ live at "HEAVEN'S NIGHT" ~ (unreleased tunes)") and ] (vocals on "Cradel of Forest", music supervision and lyrics).<br /><br />Pre-orders received soundtrack CD.

|- |-
! rowspan="3" | 2011
| ''] 12 Iroha''
| '']''
| 2004
|
| ]
| Composer
| Composed "April Fool's Song" and "Ryusei Honey".<br /><br />"Ryusei Honey" was composed under the pseudonym of Akira Shintani, and featured ] as the vocalist.

|- |-
| '']: Happy Sky'' | '']''
| arrangements
| 2005
| ]
| Composer
| Composed "Empty of the Sky" and "tant pis pour toi".

|- |-
| ''Sdatcher''
| '']''
|
| 2005
| ]
| Composer
| Composed "INSIDE YOUR HEART" and "INJECTION OF LOVE (HINA MIX)" a Karaoke version of the song "INJECTION OF LOVE" from ] 11 IIDX RED. Also produced arrangements of "]" and "]".

|- |-
! rowspan="5" | 2012
| ''Rumble Roses XX''
| '']''
| 2005
|
| ]
| Composer
| Composed "My Rose" and "Your Rose". There's also a remix of "I'm too virtuous", from Rumble Roses and originaly arranged by Akira Yamaoka, arranged by ].

|- |-
| ] | '']''
| 2006 |
| n/a
| Composer
| Composed entire album. His first original album.

|- |-
| '']''
| ]
| music director
| 2006
| Film
| Composer, Executive Producer
| Music included in the movie was originally composed by Yamaoka for the Silent Hill games. Some of the tracks however were remixed for the movie.

|- |-
| ''] DistorteD'' | '']''
| guitarist on "Love Psalm (Book of Memories)"
| 2006
| ]
| Composer
| Composed "iFUTURELIST," a single from the ] album, and "Heavenly Sun" which was collaborated with a fan.

|- |-
| ''] 3rdMIX'' / ''] 2ndMIX'' | '']''
| |
| ], ]
| Composer
| Composed "Love This Feelin'" and "POWER DUNKER 2000X".

|- |-
! rowspan="2" | 2013
| ''] STR!KE''
| ''Rotolla''
| 2006
|
| ]
|-
| Composer
| '']''
| Composed "iFUTURELIST (DDR VERSION)", a single from the ] album, and "INJECTION OF LOVE (e)" an English version of the song "INJECTION OF LOVE" from ] 11 IIDX RED.
| music director
|-
! rowspan="2" | 2014
| '']''
|
|-
| '']''
| "Neeko"
|-
! 2015
| '']''
| "Time To Make History" remix
|-
! rowspan="3" | 2016
| '']''<ref>{{cite web|last1=Greening|first1=Chris|title=Ito, Koshiro, Yamaoka join forces for latest Puzzle & Dragons soundtrack|url=http://www.vgmonline.net/ito-koshiro-yamaoka-join-forces-for-latest-puzzle-dragons-soundtrack/|website=Video Game Music Online|date=January 5, 2017|access-date=January 12, 2017}}</ref>
| with ], ], and Keigo Ozaki
|-
| '']''<ref>{{cite web|last1=Greening|first1=Chris|title=Akira Yamaoka's latest soundtrack to release next month|url=http://www.vgmonline.net/akira-yamaokas-latest-soundtrack-to-release-next-month/|website=Video Game Music Online|date=September 17, 2016|access-date=September 19, 2016}}</ref>
| arrangements, "WHITEOUT"
|-
| '']''
| music director
|-
! rowspan="2" | 2017
| ''Astro Boy: Edge of Time''<ref>{{cite web|last1=Sackenheim|first1=Shawn|title=Akira Yamaoka scores the new Astro Boy Card Battler|url=http://www.originalsoundversion.com/akira-yamaoka-scores-the-new-astro-boy-card-battler/|website=originalsoundversion.com|access-date=June 25, 2017}}</ref>
|
|-
| '']''
| "Battle in Japan" with Andrius Klimka<ref>{{cite web|last1=Fuller|first1=Garrett|date=October 19, 2017|title=Interview with World of Tanks Composer Akira Yamaoka|url=https://www.mmorpg.com/world-of-tanks/interviews/interview-with-world-of-tanks-composer-akira-yamaoka-2000106861|website=mmorpg.com|access-date=June 29, 2020}}</ref>
|-
! 2018
| '']''<ref>{{cite web |title=The 25th Ward: The Silver Case – Coming 2018 |url=https://nisamerica.com/games/the-25th-ward/soundtrack/ |website=nisamerica.com |language=en}}</ref>
| with ], Erika Ito, and ]
|-
! rowspan="3" | 2020
| '']''
| ''Chapter XVI: Silent Hill''<ref>{{cite web|last1=McWhertor|first1=Michael|date=May 26, 2020|title=Silent Hill's Pyramid Head comes to Dead by Daylight|url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/5/26/21270326/silent-hill-dead-by-daylight-dlc-pyramid-head-cheryl-heather-mason|website=]|access-date=June 25, 2020}}</ref>
|-
| '']''
| with several others
|-
|''World of Tanks''
|"Mirny-13 – Hangar Theme" with Aleksandr Khilko and Aleksey Vanchuk<ref>{{cite web|date=October 23, 2020|title=Official soundtrack published to YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDBlcqCYpWQ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/uDBlcqCYpWQ |archive-date=December 22, 2021 |url-status=live|website=youtube.com|access-date=November 5, 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
|-
! rowspan="1" | 2021
| '']''
| with Arkadiusz Reikowski<ref name="Takahashi-May2020">{{cite web|last=Takahashi|first=Dean|date=May 7, 2020|url=https://venturebeat.com/2020/05/07/the-medium-is-a-next-gen-psychological-horror-game-from-blair-witch-maker-bloober/|title=The Medium is a next-gen psychological horror game from Blair Witch maker Bloober|website=]|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200508101054/https://venturebeat.com/2020/05/07/the-medium-is-a-next-gen-psychological-horror-game-from-blair-witch-maker-bloober/|archive-date=May 8, 2020|url-status=live|access-date=May 10, 2020}}</ref>
|-
! rowspan="1" | 2022
| ''Deathverse: Let It Die''<ref>{{Cite web|last=Romano|first=Sal|date=April 27, 2022|title=Deathverse: Let It Die second developer diary features composer Akira Yamaoka|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2022/04/deathverse-let-it-die-second-developer-diary-features-composer-akira-yamaoka|website=Gematsu|access-date=April 28, 2022}}</ref>
|
|-
! rowspan="2" | 2023
| '']''<ref>{{Cite web|last=Romano|first=Sal|date=May 11, 2023|title=Decarnation launches May 31, features music by Akira Yamaoka|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2023/05/decarnation-launches-may-31-features-music-by-akira-yamaoka|website=Gematsu|access-date=May 12, 2023}}</ref>
|
|-
| ''Stray Souls''<ref>{{Cite web|last=Romano|first=Sal|date=July 11, 2023|title=Stray Souls adds Akira Yamaoka as composer|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2023/07/stray-souls-adds-akira-yamaoka-as-composer|website=Gematsu|access-date=July 12, 2023}}</ref>
|
|-
! rowspan="3" | 2024
| '']''
|
|-
| '']''
| Remake
|-
| '']''<ref>{{cite web|last1=Lada|first1=Jenni|date=December 10, 2021|title=Bokeh Game Studio's Slitterhead Features Akira Yamaoka Music|url=https://www.siliconera.com/bokeh-game-studios-slitterhead-features-akira-yamaoka-music/|website=Siliconera|access-date=December 10, 2021}}</ref>
|
|}


=== Films ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year
! Title
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|- |-
! 2006
| '']''
| '']''
|
| with ], also executive producer
| ]
| ? |-
! 2011
|
| '']''
| "Julia's Wish"
|-
! 2012
| '']''
| with ]
|-
! 2014
| '']''
| sound director
|-
! 2017
| '']''<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Bein|first1=Kat|title=Help Flying Lotus Make His First Movie 'Kuso'|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/dance/7476072/flying-lotus-movie-kuso|magazine=Billboard|access-date=January 20, 2017}}</ref>
| with ], ], ], and various others
|-
! 2024
| '']''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wilson |first=Mike |date=2024-05-31 |title=Silent Hill Transmission Details ''Silent Hill 2'' Remake, Christophe Gans' ''Return to Silent Hill'' |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/video-games/3814397/silent-hill-transmission-details-silent-hill-2-remake-christophe-gans-return-to-silent-hill-video/ |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=]}}</ref>
|
|-
|}


=== Anime/television ===
{|class="wikitable sortable"
! Year
! Title
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|- |-
! 2022
| '']''
| '']''
|
| Anime series based on '']''<ref>{{cite web |last1=Skrebels |first1=Joe |title=Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, a Cyberpunk 2077 Anime Announced |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/cyberpunk-edgerunners-a-cyberpunk-2077-anime-announced |website=IGN |date=June 25, 2020 |access-date=June 25, 2020 |language=en}}</ref>
| ]
| ? |}
|



=== Other ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year
! Title
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
! 2006
| '']''
|
|-
! rowspan="2" | 2011
| "Ex Animo" by ]
| with various others
|-
| '']''
|
|-
! rowspan="2" | 2012
| ''Revolución''{{cn|date=August 2021}}
|
|-
| "]" by ]{{cn|date=August 2021}}
|
|-
! 2013
| "Rose Cat" by World 1-2
| with various others
|-
! 2014
| "Sustain the Untruth (Remix)" by Dir En Grey{{cn|date=August 2021}}
|
|-
! 2016
| ''En Mo Takenawa''
|
|-
|} |}


== Studio Gear == == References ==
{{Reflist}}
=== Hardware ===
* ] JD-800
* Roland JP-8080
* ]
* Roland MKS-80
* Roland DJ-70
* Roland VP-9000
* Sequential Circuit Prophet-5
* ] OB-MX
* ]
* ] VFX
* ] VX-600
* ] Prophecy.

=== Software===
* Emagic Logic Audio
* Emagic EXS24
* Emagic amt8
* Phrazer Infinity.


== External links == == External links ==
{{Commons category|Akira Yamaoka}}
*
{{Wikiquote}}
*
* *
* {{in lang|ja}}
* at ]
* {{IMDb name|1168522}}
*
{{Silent Hill}}
*
{{Authority control}}
*
*
*
*
*
* {{musicbrainz artist|id=c3171463-d55c-4140-ad06-dbdac29c508c|name=Akira Yamaoka}}

]
]
]
]
]
]


] {{DEFAULTSORT:Yamaoka, Akira}}
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Latest revision as of 06:37, 30 December 2024

Japanese composer (born 1968)

Akira Yamaoka
山岡 晃
Yamaoka in 2010
Born (1968-02-06) February 6, 1968 (age 56)
Niigata, Japan
Occupations
Years active1991–present
Employers
SpouseTamu Murata
Websiteakirayamaoka.jp

Akira Yamaoka (山岡 晃, Yamaoka Akira, born February 6, 1968) is a Japanese composer and music producer. He is best known for composing music for several video games in the Silent Hill series by Konami, among other games. Yamaoka also worked as a producer on the series, as well as composing for the Silent Hill film and its sequel. Since 2010, he has been the sound director at Grasshopper Manufacture.

Early life

Yamaoka attended Tokyo Art College, where he studied product design and interior design. He originally planned to follow a career in design.

Career

Yamaoka joined Konami on September 21, 1993. He immediately began to work on the games Contra: Hard Corps, Sparkster, and Sparkster: Rocket Knight Adventures 2. Shortly thereafter, he 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. Although initially hired as a composer, he soon became involved in overall sound design.

On December 2, 2009, it was announced that Yamaoka was leaving his long term employer Konami. On February 3, 2010, it was announced that Yamaoka had joined Grasshopper Manufacture and was working with Goichi Suda and Shinji Mikami on their action game, Shadows of the Damned. He was first appointed to the role of chief sound officer at Grasshopper, but became involved in aspects of game production as well.

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." On October 31, 2012, he announced via Facebook, that the new three-track Spanish-language single "Revolución" would premiere at V-CON during a live performance. In 2014, he expressed interest in returning as a composer for Silent Hills, although the project was later cancelled.

In late October and early November 2015, Yamaoka and his band performed tracks from the Silent Hill series at nine live events in cities across the United Kingdom, titled "Silent Hill Live". In July 2016, Yamaoka performed live at the BitSummit 4th indie game festival in Kyoto, Japan.

Style and influences

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

When asked if his studies at Tokyo Art College had helped him in his musical career, he replied: "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.

Yamaoka stated some of his favorite songs to be "Der Mussolini" by D.A.F., "Amber" by Craig Armstrong, "Moments in Love" by Anne Dudley, "Moon Over Moscow" by Visage, and "The Ecstasy of Gold" by Ennio Morricone.

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. Yamaoka stated in 2009 that his favorite game creator is Suda51 and his favorite video game is No More Heroes. In March 2011, Yamaoka auctioned some of his musical instruments to raise charity funds for the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. His favorite of his own soundtracks is Silent Hill 2. In 2014, he stated his favorite film was Dario Argento's Suspiria. He is married to Ai "Tamu" Murata, who is the drummer of the heavy metal band Nemophila. They have two daughters.

Works

Video games

Year Title Notes
1991 Smart Ball with Yasuhiko Fukuda and Manabu Saito
1994 Contra: Hard Corps with several others
Sparkster with several others
Sparkster: Rocket Knight Adventures 2 with Michiru Yamane
Snatcher Sega CD version, PlayStation version, Sega Saturn version
1996 Gradius Deluxe Pack with Miki Higashino, Kiyohiko Yamane, and Motoaki Furukawa
Ganbare Goemon: Uchū Kaizoku Akogingu with several others
Road Rage/Speed King PlayStation version
Lightning Legend: Daigo no Daibouken "Spring's Undersea Walking Hurricane (Rankerk Hatred)"
1997 Moon: Remix RPG Adventure "Tears of Machine" and "TILT"
International Superstar Soccer Pro 98 with several others
Nagano Winter Olympics '98 with Soshiro Hokkai and Keiko Fukami
1998 Poy Poy 2
NBA In The Zone '98 with Yuichi Asami, Ryuichi Inoue, and Nobuhiko Matsufuji
Kensei: Sacred Fist with Kyoran Suzuki and Norikazu Miura
1999 Silent Hill
ISS Pro Evolution with Shinji Enomoto, Kosuke Soeda, and Hideki Kasai
1999–2012 Bemani series
2000 Gradius III and IV
ESPN MLS GameNight with Shinji Enomoto, Kosuke Soeda, and Hideki Kasai
2001 Silent Hill 2
2002 Contra: Shattered Soldier with Sota Fujimori
2003 Silent Hill 3
2004 Rumble Roses with several others
Silent Hill 4: The Room
2006 Rumble Roses XX with several others
2007 Silent Hill: The Arcade with Masayuki Maruyama and Jun Ito
Silent Hill: Origins
Silent Hill: The Escape
2008 Silent Hill: Homecoming
Otomedius Gorgeous! arrangements
2009 Silent Hill: Shattered Memories
2010 No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle with several others
2011 Shadows of the Damned
Rebuild of Evangelion: Sound Impact arrangements
Sdatcher
2012 Sine Mora
Liberation Maiden
Lollipop Chainsaw music director
Silent Hill: Book of Memories guitarist on "Love Psalm (Book of Memories)"
Black Knight Sword
2013 Rotolla
Killer Is Dead music director
2014 Ranko Tsukigime's Longest Day
Murasaki Baby "Neeko"
2015 Persona 4: Dancing All Night "Time To Make History" remix
2016 Puzzle & Dragons X with Kenji Ito, Yuzo Koshiro, and Keigo Ozaki
The Silver Case arrangements, "WHITEOUT"
Let It Die music director
2017 Astro Boy: Edge of Time
World of Tanks "Battle in Japan" with Andrius Klimka
2018 The 25th Ward: The Silver Case with Baiyon, Erika Ito, and Masafumi Takada
2020 Dead by Daylight Chapter XVI: Silent Hill
Ninjala with several others
World of Tanks "Mirny-13 – Hangar Theme" with Aleksandr Khilko and Aleksey Vanchuk
2021 The Medium with Arkadiusz Reikowski
2022 Deathverse: Let It Die
2023 Decarnation
Stray Souls
2024 Silent Hill: The Short Message
Silent Hill 2 Remake
Slitterhead

Films

Year Title Notes
2006 Silent Hill with Jeff Danna, also executive producer
2011 Julia X "Julia's Wish"
2012 Silent Hill: Revelation with Jeff Danna
2014 Patema Inverted sound director
2017 Kuso with Flying Lotus, Aphex Twin, Thundercat, and various others
2024 Return to Silent Hill

Anime/television

Year Title Notes
2022 Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Anime series based on Cyberpunk 2077

Other

Year Title Notes
2006 iFuturelist
2011 "Ex Animo" by Play for Japan: The Album with various others
Snatcher
2012 Revolución
"Rinkaku (Eternal Slumber Mix)" by Dir En Grey
2013 "Rose Cat" by World 1-2 with various others
2014 "Sustain the Untruth (Remix)" by Dir En Grey
2016 En Mo Takenawa

References

  1. ^ "Interview with Akira Yamaoka". spelmusik.net. July 2002. Archived from the original on June 29, 2007. Retrieved July 16, 2007.
  2. "Interview with Akira Yamaoka (Spelmusik.net) - Silent Hill Memories". www.silenthillmemories.net. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  3. "Akira Yamaoka – Sound Director". Anony.ws. Archived from the original on November 23, 2015. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
  4. ^ "Interview: Silent Hill composer Akira Yamaoka". October 29, 2015.
  5. Remo, Chris (December 2, 2009). "Report: Silent Hill Composer Yamaoka Leaves Konami". Gamasutra. Archived from the original on December 4, 2009. Retrieved December 2, 2009.
  6. "Rumor: Silent Hill composer leaves Konami". Destructoid. December 1, 2009. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  7. "Silent Hill composer Yamaoka joins Suda 51's 'video game band'". Archived from the original on February 5, 2010. Retrieved February 3, 2010.
  8. Sheffield, Brandon (June 13, 2011). "Surprises In Store: Akira Yamaoka's New Direction". Game Developer. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  9. ^ "AKIRA YAMAOKA – Interview in Spain at Play Fest".
  10. "AKIRA YAMAOKA – New Single Premieres at V-CON". Facebook.
  11. Priestman, Chris (September 9, 2015). "Silent Hill Composer To Perform The Soundtracks Live This Halloween". Siliconera. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
  12. Blake, Vikki (September 23, 2015). "New Dates Confirmed for Silent Hill's Akira Yamaoka UK Tour". IGN. Retrieved December 9, 2015.
  13. Greening, Chris (June 26, 2016). "Akira Yamaoka headlines BitSummit 4th lineup". Retrieved June 29, 2016.
  14. Wahlgren, Jon (July 9, 2010). "Playlist: Grasshopper Manufacture's Akira Yamaoka". Nintendo Life. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
  15. Nintendo Power, Volume 248
  16. ^ "Akira Yamaoka (Person)". Giant Bomb. Retrieved August 21, 2014.
  17. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on November 20, 2015. Retrieved November 22, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  18. "むらたたむ". Twitter. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  19. "Akira Yamaoka "Would Love" to Return to Silent Hill". November 5, 2020.
  20. "Akira Yamaoka "Would Love" to Return to Silent Hill". November 5, 2020.
  21. "Akira Yamaoka "Would Love" to Return to Silent Hill". November 5, 2020.
  22. "Silent Hill: Origins – Akira Yamaoka | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic.
  23. "Interview: Silent Hill composer Akira Yamaoka". October 29, 2015.
  24. Greening, Chris (January 5, 2017). "Ito, Koshiro, Yamaoka join forces for latest Puzzle & Dragons soundtrack". Video Game Music Online. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
  25. Greening, Chris (September 17, 2016). "Akira Yamaoka's latest soundtrack to release next month". Video Game Music Online. Retrieved September 19, 2016.
  26. Sackenheim, Shawn. "Akira Yamaoka scores the new Astro Boy Card Battler". originalsoundversion.com. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
  27. Fuller, Garrett (October 19, 2017). "Interview with World of Tanks Composer Akira Yamaoka". mmorpg.com. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  28. "The 25th Ward: The Silver Case – Coming 2018". nisamerica.com.
  29. McWhertor, Michael (May 26, 2020). "Silent Hill's Pyramid Head comes to Dead by Daylight". Polygon. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  30. "Official soundtrack published to YouTube". youtube.com. October 23, 2020. Archived from the original on December 22, 2021. Retrieved November 5, 2020.
  31. Takahashi, Dean (May 7, 2020). "The Medium is a next-gen psychological horror game from Blair Witch maker Bloober". GamesBeat. Archived from the original on May 8, 2020. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  32. Romano, Sal (April 27, 2022). "Deathverse: Let It Die second developer diary features composer Akira Yamaoka". Gematsu. Retrieved April 28, 2022.
  33. Romano, Sal (May 11, 2023). "Decarnation launches May 31, features music by Akira Yamaoka". Gematsu. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  34. Romano, Sal (July 11, 2023). "Stray Souls adds Akira Yamaoka as composer". Gematsu. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  35. Lada, Jenni (December 10, 2021). "Bokeh Game Studio's Slitterhead Features Akira Yamaoka Music". Siliconera. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
  36. Bein, Kat. "Help Flying Lotus Make His First Movie 'Kuso'". Billboard. Retrieved January 20, 2017.
  37. Wilson, Mike (May 31, 2024). "Silent Hill Transmission Details Silent Hill 2 Remake, Christophe Gans' Return to Silent Hill [Video]". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  38. Skrebels, Joe (June 25, 2020). "Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, a Cyberpunk 2077 Anime Announced". IGN. Retrieved June 25, 2020.

External links

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