Tried to elicit the sound of a bario, my take on the original "Lurking in the Darkness" contains elements of Acid Jazz, with some bent symphonic elements.

Over time, the track started as a blend between a Terrance Blanchard homage, and a tribute to the recording techniques Jerry Goldsmith employed in his original score for "Alien", specifically, using a multi-head tape delay that modulated the sound of pizzicato strings, and a large plate reverb.

With the random addition of a distorted trap kit, I realized that it was the perfect platform for a bit of a spoken-word performance. I used Rufus Shinra as my muse for that section, tweaking his speech about his father's methods to sound more present-day, looking back in the past a ways. The performance itself, by the immensely talented Ted Conti, really elicited Rufus's contempt for a cheap path to control (money), and a strained pride for instilling fear into the citizens of Midgar.

The undertone of the sensible, loving side of the world is emphasized in the hushed chanting of "this planet is dying", meant to be the perfect counterpoint to the greed of Shinra, and their willingness to destroy the planet. These whispers really harkened both Aeris and Tifa, and were wonderfully performed by my loving wife, Peggy Neale.

Appears on MATERIA: Final Fantasy VII Remixed