What is your favorite shmup music?

[Aguraki]

battle garrega stage 3:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlGe-k-N ... re=related

Gradius Soundtrack - Mechanical Globule:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khYnYSY-g4k

mahou daisakusen stage 3:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_slJS4Vv88A

[Klatrymadon]

Hehe, Mechanical Globule is my favourite Gradius tune, too. It sounds fantastic in the MSX and PCE versions.

[Dragoforce]

Metal Black - Born to be free: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBTg1chqbvs

The first stage of Metal Black is in my mind the greatest moment in videogame history.

[Aguraki]

Hehe, Mechanical Globule is my favourite Gradius tune, too. It sounds fantastic in the MSX and PCE versions.

you are absolutly right and the MSX version is the one I listen in MP3

found the good link here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJboRvkv ... re=related

I have the complete gradius soundtrack I think I love it!

[MathU]

As far as I'm concerned, shooters are the definitive top tier when it comes to video game music. No other genre rivals them in consistent audio excellence.

[Blackbird]

I'm a huge fan of music. Often, I will randomly seek out a game's music before I even look at it, and that has a significant influence on my decision to investigate a game further. Here are a few of my personal faves.

DoDonPachi Stage 1&4 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDMjMv6C ... re=related

I love the feeling of being up against an insurmountable obstacle expressed by this song. Very appropriate for the tone of the game.

DFK BL Stage 1/Vertex - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GgYsBlj ... re=related

This song has a really dark sort of groove to it... I like the execution of the bass a lot, particularly combined with the stabbing synths and buzzing electro-guitars. It has a good momentum to get the game rolling.

Viper Phase 1: Stage 7/Unknown Threat - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUFaR8Kc ... 79&index=7

Go Sato's bass driven tunes combined with an extremely energetic synth melody. This song makes me feel really energized - I want to get up and dance (or just blow up some aliens)!

Raiden 2: Stage 2/8 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKi6QeIP ... ideo_title

Yeah, I'm a big fan of Go Sato's work. I feel Raiden II's soundtrack perhaps best evokes the feeling of actually flying in a plane and soaring above the clouds. Very inspirational tone.

Gradius III: Stage 3/In the Wind (Arranged) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LC0Q8fy_M8M

I couldn't tell you which version of this song I like best. I kind of like them all; Arranged versions, the Otomedius version and it's chiptuny goodness, and the original Arcade version. It's just a catchy, uplifting theme. Too bad you only hear it for like, 15 seconds in the actual game, lol.

Musha Aleste: Intro Theme - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7ZaD5CF ... re=related

I mean, just listen to it! I didn't even know the Genesis chipset was capable of emulating a dual guitar harmony until I heard this. I love Musha Aleste's churning, proto-doom-metal aesthete. It's so grim and repetitive. This particular track reminds me of giant, armored robots smashing into each other, which is pretty awesome!

The Aleste 2 version of this theme is interesting in that it presents a really minimal, stripped down version of the same idea (or should I say that Musha Aleste is a metalized version of Aleste 2?).

[Evilmaxwar]

I'm a huge fan of music. Often, I will randomly seek out a game's music before I even look at it, and that has a significant influence on my decision to investigate a game further.

Musha Aleste: Intro Theme - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7ZaD5CF ... re=related
I mean, just listen to it! I didn't even know the Genesis chipset was capable of emulating a dual guitar harmony until I heard this. I love Musha Aleste's churning, proto-doom-metal aesthete. It's so grim and repetitive. This particular track reminds me of giant, armored robots smashing into each other, which is pretty awesome!

Awesome! I was Wondering if i was the only one! Btw the Aleste song is great, didnt even know this one, favorited ! And yes the Genesis chipset can do some amazing things when programmed by a master, i always cite Noriyuki iwadare as an example, If you dont know it already check out the work he did with the langrisser series its crazy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRnCyiTB ... rofilepage

As far as I'm concerned, shooters are the definitive top tier when it comes to video game music. No other genre rivals them in consistent audio excellence.

I approve of this!

[Evilmaxwar]

Thank you everyone ive listened to most of the submissions i was not familiar with, plenty of great stuff!
Lemme add a couple more

Sol Feace/Sega CD stage 6 The boss of this Stage is such a PAIN and You loop back to start of PREViOUS level if you Die. I still kept playing to hear the kickass music
Longtime metal- Gradius Tribute by Megadriver Gradius1 stage 5 ?

[Blackbird]

Yeah, Langrisser is totally badass. If this were the "favorite game music" thread instead of shmup specific, I'd be busting out the Shining Force 2 about now =P...

Add me to the crowd of people that like Ketsui's soundtrack. It actually grew on me a lot... I didn't like it at first, now I love it. I actually like Stage 2/Suburb/Armored Green a lot... and No Remorse, obviously . The Ketsui Extra version with the vocals gives me chills. Oh and Defensive Line... ah, the whole damn soundtrack =P.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZ1j45ME ... 5012F6D42C

I guess I'm becoming a bit of a Namiki fan, as well.

Thunder Force IV - Stage 4/Space Walk - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSXOx5p2F5U

The Genesis bass groove is in full effect here. Gotta love that Genesis sound =).

Thunder Force IV - Staff Roll/Stand Up Against Myself (Arranged) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y12tHBbgMpA

It has to be one of the most epic victory fanfares of all time. Ride to glory!

[ratikal]

Thunder Force IV - Staff Roll/Stand Up Against Myself (Arranged) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y12tHBbgMpA

It has to be one of the most epic victory fanfares of all time. Ride to glory!

I want that played at my funeral.

Here are my favorites:
Deathsmiles - Burning Halloween - Town http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMP7a3nbuKk
DDP DFK iPhone Ver Stage 4B - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fnhnk2vgQLs
Battle Garrega Stage 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kcTXUwViWM also check out (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQv3dCkY2Tk)
Ketsui Stage 5 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ef5ouG0SfhU
DFKBL Arrange TLB - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elLjDw44 ... re=related

There's more but those are the ones I frequently shuffle for in my car.

I sort of want to be come a DJ so I can play these songs at raves/dances. That and be able to remix them to be danceable. I've also been considering taking up Famitracker and converting some of my favorites to VRC6 NSF formats. But, it looks so confusing @_@.

[MintyTheCat]

For me the music is a Shmup is very important and I have listened to a great deal of great gaming music through Shmupping.

Without a doubt, my favourite Shmup soundtrack is from Last Resort on the NeoGeo.
I really like stage #4 - "The Melting Point". Sorry but this is the CD version of the game, and I prefer the original AES version:

CD Version:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TrxH2NSUso

AES Medley:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJvAJPy2vP4

The Last Resort has never left me after all these years

I also really like Axelay's music along with Soldier Blade and Layer-Section.
Zuntata are quite amazing.
I also really like many 'FM' sounding audio (it's a long story ), and am quite partial to Thunder Force 4 and Undeadline.

Axelay, Stage 2 - "Colony":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiYFeVhcIlc

Soldier-Blade, Medley:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlJfnW5Rms8

Layer-Section, Stage 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAtqjWT2RFE

Thunderforce 4, stage 7 - "Metal Squad":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yhi_bK1bH4U

Undeadline, Stage 4 - "Cemetery":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_eKdleHUZw

FM sounds so incredibly 'metal' in a clangy sense of the word. Mind you, you have to be really careful as you can easily turn FM sound into noise very quickly - no one understands the f-domain

[exquisite_torture]

I think Konami SCC carts are the reason I spent most of the nineties in strobe lit shitholes surrounded by shape-throwing loons, that and my propensity toward drugs.

Salamander.
Gradius/Nemesis 2.

[Sumez]

Guwange!! How come no one mentioned it?

Not the sort of music I'd listen to outside of the game, but it sets the game's "peaceful" atmosphere perfectly while being fast paced and upbeat at the same time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3P5w5257Cs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-yfjlsC95M

[BPzeBanshee]

Guwange!! How come no one mentioned it?

Not the sort of music I'd listen to outside of the game, but it sets the game's "peaceful" atmosphere perfectly while being fast paced and upbeat at the same time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3P5w5257Cs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-yfjlsC95M

I shouldve mentioned Guwange before, its one of my favourites along with the Ketsui themes, as well as:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jECJkPQ ... re=related - ESPRade is my favourite Cave game I think
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oCg5tDrHB4 - couldnt check if anyone put this one up but I think the Thunder Force composers are all awesome (except TF VI's ones which are a little meh)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRNxV6eM ... 11C1CAAC4C - Raiden music FTW

And not to make it seem like I'm promoting my own material but:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0tzZmg7O18 - Tribute To The Knights Of Legend
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziSCjxBppFo - Aspiring For A Ray Of Hope

[TomuS]

Flame Zapper Kotsujin is the very best, and Silent Colony my favourite chiptune of them all.
I certainly pay attention to the music, and positive, hyper-melodic fast action is what I like best. Check out Dark Blue from Super Star Shooter, it's just... just.. damn!

Meta Fox's boss theme, "Cake-drive Daisen do your diamond job!"
Just wish the boss battles would have been as exciting..

+ many more, Toaplan games, Heavy Unit, Image Fight, R-Type, Daioh, Rayxanber, etc.

[Blackbird]

Hee hee. Someone rearranged a certain very recognizable Zero Wing track for the SNES chipset instead of the Genesis =).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZnEUa1H ... ture=feedu

[Observer]

Maaaaan, where do I start?

Ok, let's see. You just can't go wrong with Armed Motherfucking Police Buttraider (Batrider for the friends):

Let's ass kick together!: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nn10l3b--ds

WELCOME TO VIOLENT CITY. How can you go wrong?

The majority of Battle Bakkraid music is just as awesome, I love the whole damn thing.

The Stone-Like and Return from Radiant Silvergun.

"Return" just conveys what shooters should be considering how exaggerated and pompous it is.

Hellsinker, all three TLB themes (although the rest of the music is great too, like Segment 7+Rex Cavalier and the Apostles of the Seed theme)

Crimzon Clover's Transparent Stream. The bass here and the tense feeling of the song as you get consistently raep'd by flora & faunae is priceless. And then Heaven's Gate. Diabolos and Stage 4 theme are awesome, same with the special songs used in Unlimited and the TLB theme.

Thermosphere from Einhänder: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hJbe7YXsLU

Visionnerz from Darius Gaiden: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTrscZyvPrM

R-Type Delta Stage 1 (Crazy Machine): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31PXfL0F6zg

It degenerates from a melodic synth-driven song to a crazy rocking tune towards the end. The entire OST acts like this.

ESPGaluda HUEG BATTLESHIP ERINIESU (Huge Battleship Elinies) and Fort City.

Psyvariar 2 - Weakboson and Eta respectively:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFIU-MtnCdU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLWLNhOub8c

If final stages aren't serious business ala Crimzon Clover then they have to be techno punchi punchi piano driven like this!!!

RayForce/Layer Section/Gunlock/Galactic Attack - Penetration (man, what a name):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmPVoxQtIyc

Alternative Sphere - 未来へと続く道: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Pn0KDEuzyg
It's an ending theme you would expect from Chrono Cross rather than a shooter. I like it.

Alternative Sphere - あまねく光を統べし羽 (Amaneku hikari-o subeshi hane) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cxx62fuThoQ

G-Darius - B.T. Dutch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18TeTVdFmj4

This is what you get when you combine Silent Hill with a shooter. It's just so fucking kickass it's not fair.

Grey Hued from Sora is also pretty nice.

I admit I have a soft spot for whatever has a piano sounding... like Ether Vapor's stage 1 theme.

edit: RayCrisis - Vit Symty

[Evilmaxwar]

Woah guys! Keep them coming !!!

Hee hee. Someone rearranged a certain very recognizable Zero Wing track for the SNES chipset instead of the Genesis =).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZnEUa1H ... ture=feedu

Alternative Sphere - あまねく光を統べし羽 (Amaneku hikari-o subeshi hane) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cxx62fuThoQ

Pure Awesomeness!

Now for some slightly more metal songs.

Gate of Thunder - stage 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsKlYL2jmIc
*The part at 0:44 really puts me in the mood to play this game.
Ginga Fukei Densetsu Sapphire - Stage 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43rDvOIZ ... re=related

Talking of shmups with metal, one heck of a soundtrack is Jets & Guns gold. Game is sometimes Silly, but Hell they hired a band and made over an hour of original music for the game, best of all you can download pretty much all of it on the band website. http://machinaesupremacy.com/music/

One of my favourite is Archangels of Sidaroth http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLZRhbhL ... 40646401CA
Electric guitars, pseudo blast beat and 8bit nes synth. Its almost too much.

[rapoon]

Gigawing 2

[neon guide]

Oh I love a lot of different shmup music

Raizing Saturn stuff is particularly awesome, lots of people have posted garegga so far but my faves are -
Soukyugurentai - Arctic Oil Field Base http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOik2A0Fsn8
- On a Satellite's Orbit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9OQOxxa-Uo
Both are completely awesome, Sakimoto rules. Quite Ikaruga / Silvergun esque, but waaaay catchier

Kingdom Grandprix - Flag Race http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jANQSCfnFDU
Cool song, that works really well with the mad goings on of this game. Has anyone else noticed how much the shooting mode sucks on the saturn version? Completely kills the game.

Gradius Rebirth has some killer music as well -
Moonspin - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWxEdgog ... re=related

I like Batsugun's music -
Stage 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkp3Lu687pc

[Opethian]

Anything and everything by Tatsuya Uemura!!!

Outzone, Zero Wing, Hellfire, Dogyuun, Kyukyoku Tiger (with M. Yuge!)
all brilliant tunes

[Deca]

Batrider:
Chasing Gang, Need Speed

Garegga:
Underwater Rampart
Degeneracy (also the Saturn arrange holy shit)

Dimahoo:
Iron Nuckle

Metal Black:
Dancing Homing

Boder Down:
Girl of Power
Purple Town

Under Defeat:
Can't Come Back?

Mushihimesama Futari:
Sea of Frozen Crystals

DoDonPachi Dai Fukkatsu Black Label:
Sally


Those are the first that occur to me, I'm sure I left out a couple that I'll feel bad about forgetting later.
edit: fixed Underwater Rampart link

[yukin]

my favorite is bad apples ( stage 3) from Touhou 4

[Iaspis]

Truxton and Truxton II

strange noone mentioned those

[Iaspis]

Also this. Ok, it's not from a shmup, but imagine playing one listening to this

[Blackbird]

Yeah, it might be shorter to mention which shooting games -don't- have awesome music =P. So much quality stuff to listen to.

Loved your post, Deca. Solid gold. We have similar tastes in music, I think. I see the tracks you selected are bringing the bass =). That Saturn Arrange of Garegga... O_O. That's just outstanding.

Manabu Namiki was really in the zone when he made Garegga's soundtrack. The whole thing is like a love letter to some of the best that electronic music has to offer. The soundtrack should be set aside as a treasure of shmupdom.

That Batrider track was excellent too. I have yet to hear a Namiki track that I didn't care for.

Let's see what I can add to this...

Super Star Soldier - Trounce Parade/Stage 3

Otomedius - San Salvador Island (In The Wind Arranged)

Amusingly, the Otomedius arrangement of In The Wind manages to be even more chiptune-y than the original arcade version in some ways =P. I enjoy this version of the classic theme just as much.

[Evilmaxwar]

Yay, many great new titles, im happy someone submitted something from Dimahoo and batsugun, i also saw Dogyuun, i really like stage 1 from dogyuun : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PTPgBpX6GI

Truxton and Truxton II

strange noone mentioned those

I was also wondering when someone would mention truxton. My favorite version of Tatsujin is for the PC-engine. Game does not play as great as genesis or arcade version but i think the music sounds better.
Truxton on PC Engine

Let's see what I can add to this...

Super Star Soldier - Trounce Parade/Stage 3

In my book, pretty much everything in the star soldier series on PCE is godlike, i've burned all 3 games soundtrack on a cd and listen to it on the job, haha.

[Blackbird]

In my book, pretty much everything in the star soldier series on PCE is godlike, i've burned all 3 games soundtrack on a cd and listen to it on the job, haha.

Awesome! I'm totally going to blast some shmup-related tunes on my mp3 player when I get that game development job.

Have you heard the Star Soldier: Vanishing Earth/64 soundtrack yet? It's got some surprisingly good parts to it. I wonder how the gameplay is, seeing how it's the -only- shooting game I can think of on the N64 aside from the obvious Starfox 64.

Star Soldier: Vanishing Earth - Invasion

Star Soldier: Vanishing Earth - Caravan Mode 2 Minutes

[nZero]

I wonder how the gameplay is, seeing how it's the -only- shooting game I can think of on the N64 aside from the obvious Starfox 64.

It is awesomely outrageous.

Edit: on-topic, the Raiden DX incarnation of Gallantry.

[Xexyz]

I might be in the minority but I can't stand that Degeneracy remix for the Saturn. It sounds too happy and phony, it lost all the grit and jazz influence from the original. Other tracks from Garegga worth noting are:

Fly to the Leaden Sky:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Szr0TSXcWok

Just an awesome track to open up with for a game.

Boss Theme 2 (don't know the title):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TchiZFw_CY

Stab and Stomp is great, but I don't think this alternate boss theme gets enough justice. It's chaotic, I love it more than Stab and Stomp personally. Still Manabu Namiki's best soundtrack ever (kind of depressing).