GEM Impact

GEM Impact is an audio production studio founded by game composer and saxophonist Norihiko Hibino in 2005. It is located in Tokyo, Japan, and employs a number of composers, producers, and artists. Hibino’s fluency in English has allowed him to take the GEM Impact brand to a worldwide platform, which the basis for the studio’s motto: “From Japan to worldwide.” [ [http://www.music4games.net/Features_Display.aspx?id=206 Music 4 Games - The Future of Rock n' Roll & Interactive Entertainment. Est. 1999 ] ]

The studio employs a number of composers, including Norihiko Hibino himself, DJ Uraken, Takahiro Izutani, Yoshitaka Suzuki, and Takahide Ayuzawa. They have often made use of the talents of artist Uetake MacARTHUR for their graphical needs. [http://www.originalsoundversion.com/?p=85 Original Sound Version » Blog Archive » Metal Gear Solid 4: GEM Impact’s Story ] ]

While Norihiko Hibino is well-known for his contributions to the Metal Gear Solid series, many were left wondering what role GEM Impact had on the score for , as their contributions were not publicized. Hibino later revealed via an interview with Original Sound Version that GEM Impact in fact provided 90 minutes of music for the cinematic sequences in the game.

GEM Impact operates alongside GEM Factory, an in-house record label that is overseen by DJ Uraken. While the label has only released a single album, the debut album from Hibino’s jazz band, The Outer Rim , more releases are planned for the future. Vanilla Mood is a live venue located in Roppongi, Japan, that is the final component of the GEM brand. Operated by Hibino himself, it features nightly jazz performances, and artists who perform at the venue are often brought into the GEM Impact studio to record parts for various GEM Impact productions. [ [http://www.originalsoundversion.com/?p=131 Original Sound Version » Blog Archive » That Anime Whose Name I Can’t Say: Norihiko Hibino Talks Blassreiter ] ]

On September 2, 2008, FromSoftware announced the upcoming ninja action title, Ninja Blade, and named Norihiko Hibino and "GEM Impact" as the composers for the title. The team has already completed the music for the title, totaling close to three hours of original music. Hibino noted in a preview article at Original Sound Version that he believes this project represents the studio's greatest achievement to date, and it is a landmark for the studio. [http://www.originalsoundversion.com/?p=278 Original Sound Version » Blog Archive » First Impressions of GEM Impact’s Score for Ninja Blade on the Xbox 360 ] ]

taff

Norihiko Hibino (CEO, Composer, Producer, Saxophonist)
DJ Uraken (DJ, Composer, Producer, GEM Factory Label Producer)
Takahiro Izutani (Composer)
Yoshitaka Suzuki (Composer)
Takahide Ayuzawa (Composer)

Credits

2008
*"Sammy “Unannounced Title” (Arcade, Japan) – music
*"FromSoftware "Ninja Blade" (Xbox 360, worldwide) – music, main theme, ending theme
*"Konami “” (PS3, worldwide) – cinematic music
*"Atlus “Etrian Odyssey II SUPER ARRANGE VERSION” (CD, Japan) – music arrangement, production
*"Grasshopper Manufacture “No More Heroes” (Wii, worldwide) – main theme remix
*"The Outer Rim “The Outer Rim” (CD, worldwide) – production (via GEM Factory)
*"Capcom “1942” (Xbox Live Arcade, USA) – music
*"Konami “Metal Gear Solid 2 Bande Dessinee” (DVD, worldwide) – music
*"Konami “Beatmania 11DX 14 GOLD” (PS2, worldwide) – music
*"Bandai Namco “Idolmaster Fami-Song 8-bit” (CD, Japan) – lyrics, music
*"Gonzo “Blassreiter” (anime, worldwide) – music
*"Tochigi TV “The Sun” (TV, Japan) – music, main theme

2007
*"Heiwa “Unannounced Title” (Arcade, Japan) – music, recording coordination
*"Konami “” (PSP, worldwide) – music
*"Capcom “Commando 3” (Xbox Live Arcade, USA) – music
*"Atlus “Etrian Odyssey SUPER ARRANGE VERSION” (CD, Japan) – music arrangement, production
*"Konami “Metal Gear Solid Bande Dessinee 2” (PSP, worldwide) – music
*"Konami “Metal Gear Music Collection” (CD, Japan) – music, production, orchestral recording (China)
*"Yuki Koyangi “Sunrise” (CD, Japan) – lyrics, music, production
*"Chihiro Yonekura “Lion’s Song” (CD, Japan) – music
*"Properst (http://www.properst.co.jp) (web corporate promotion, Japan) – music
*"Marvelous Entertainment “Tokyo-Maj in Gakuen” (PS2, Japan) – sound design
*"Tohokushinsha Film Corporation “Scary Nursery Rhymes” (movie, Japan) – music
*"Konami “Pachi-Slot Beatmania” (Arcade, Japan) – music
*"10tacle “Boulder Dash” (DS, Europe) – music, sound design

2006
*"Konami “Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops” (PSP, worldwide) – music
*"SEGA “Yakuza 2” (PS2, worldwide) – music
*"Spike “Elvandia Story” (PS2, worldwide) – music
*"Konami “Rumble Roses XX” (Xbox 360, worldwide) – music
*"Gonzo “ROBO ROCK” (anime, Japan) – music
*"Capcom “Monster Hunter 3rd Anniversary Soundtrack (CD, Japan) – main theme remix
*"Konami “Yu-Gi-Oh Online” (Xbox 360, USA/Europe) – music
*"Konami “Thrill Drive 4” (arcade, worldwide) – music

References

External links

* [http://www.gem-impact.com/ GEM Impact Website]
* [http://www.vanillamood.net/ Vanilla Mood Website]
* [http://www.norihikohibino.com/ Norihiko Hibino's Personal Website]
* [http://www.originalsoundversion.com/?p=85 Interview with Original Sound Version]
* [http://www.squareenixmusic.com/composers/hibino/ Comprehensive Composer Profile at Square Enix Music Online] ]