The turnaround for this one was especially impressive, considering it kind of came outta nowhere- was going over WIPs and sketches saved on me memory cards to see if inspiration would strike, decided to fiddle with some chords from a techno track that was DOA and otherwise scrapped, and, well, here we are. Not that I'm complaining; I've been itching to do more music for my Barnbellow's Estate project, and the Halloween season is the perfect time for it. The planned public release of the track is the 19th of October, so you're getting this a few days in advance.
Don't have a whole lot to say about it, really; I'm very happy with how it's come out, for the most part. It's one of the rare times on a Gonkaka project where it feasibly sounds like a different composer worked on a track then on another- compare it to the original Pursuer theme for Lady Barnbellow, and you'll hopefully hear what I mean. Credit where credit is due, as always; this piece much more directly lifts from it's Devil May Cry sources, with it's general flow, arrangement, and the breakdown taking heavy inspiration from Masato Kouda's "Flock Off!".
As a refresher, here's the short backstory/breakdown of the Pursuer that this chase theme is for:
Pursuer #2: Reverend Father MacLachlan
The Church of England, much like many other Christian sects, have bodies that keep tabs on demonic or occult activity, and are granted permission to perform rites- including exorcisms and blessings- where they may be necessary. Father MacLachlan was one such vicar, having stepped into the role following a spate of posessions that swept through his old parish, or so records state. Described as a softspoken, quiet gentleman with a gentle heart, he was called upon to investigate- and hopefully cleanse- a peculiar location in the Midlands known to be a hotbed of unholy activity. As the full extent of his presence was to be kept a secret, a church was constructed around the ruins at the heart of this location, serving as a place of worship for the community as well as Father MacLachlan's base of operations. During his stay, MacLachlan bore witness to a number of disturbing events, both in the quiet of the evening and unto his parishoners. but remained steadfast in his belief that he could “cure” the sickness that had infected the area. Perhaps too much so; he grew more and more obsessed with excising the evil presence, spending less and less time acting as leader of the parish and beginning to perform exorcisms without the authorisation of the Archbishop of Canterbury. He developed a pathological need to heal the very land itself, losing countless hours of sleep and slipping further and further into madness, screaming his prayers and blessings loudly into the night, believing he was the only one that could- that it was his duty under God to do so. In some sense, he achieved his goal- though demonic activity continued, it begun to centre- and thus victimise- only the Reverend himself. Eventually, all activity simply stopped; Father Maclachlan has disappeared entirely, and the church stood abandoned.
Father MacLachlan is the second pursuer encountered, and is the least openly hostile. Though he does give chase, his actions seem to indicate that he's still trying to cleanse the land (and upon discovering you, help you). Unfortunately, what should be a healing touch has long since been corrupted; if he catches up to you and lays a hand upon Yuna, her health will begin to slowly deplete until she can break free- how long that will take her is somewhat random. He is slightly faster then Lady Barnbellow is, seemingly gliding over the terrain as though levitating, and is fairly relentless in his pursuit; simply running away will not work. You will have to successfully hide from him to divert his attention elsewhere.
~ Decon (19/10/21)