Cadaver (Bitmap Brothers): Music Author?

[Al82]

Wasn't sure where to post this, but wondering if any history buffs might know the answer to this?

The Bitmap Brothers were well-known for using published artists on their game soundtracks (e.g John Foxx, Tim Simenon), but I wasn't aware that Cadaver was licenced?

I assumed Richard Joseph had composed the music, but it appears to feature as the "Intro" on "Necromanteion", a metal album by Graveland (Robert Fudali AKA Rob Darken). The game was released in 1990, but the album wasn't released until 1992.

I recently purchased and read The Bitmaps Brother: Universe (Darren Wall/Duncan Harris) - great read - and the book made no reference to Darken/Graveland in the making of Cadaver.

Was the music officially licensed from Darken? Was it "borrowed" and used in the game?

Game Footage: [ Show youtube player ]
Necromanteion "Intro": [ Show youtube player ]

[Predseda]

Richard Joseph hasnt composed many game music himself, but he very often re-arranged someone else's work. Not sure if licensed or not, though. Nice find.

[dlfrsilver]

indeed, that the reproduction of this music in RPJ1 music format. it's very clear

[Galahad/FLT]

http://www.nwnprod.com/forum/viewtop...020186e40f747c

This site suggests Cadaver was first

[britelite]

Yeah, Richard Josephs had a time machine and travelled to 1992 so he could rip off some (at the time) obscure metal band and release the ripped off tune in 1990...

[Dastardly]

Interesting. I've never heard of this connection. Considering the metal band's version seems to be exactly the same I would guess they ripped it off? It sounds as if it was originally created with the Amiga using very simple samples. I could be wrong.

Love that tune.

[no9]

Originally Posted by britelite

Yeah, Richard Josephs had a time machine and travelled to 1992 so he could rip off some (at the time) obscure metal band and release the ripped off tune in 1990...

He also separated sounds from CD record. Not easy achievement to this very day so possibly he travelled even further into the future.


Nice find anyway.

[jotd]

Richard Joseph indeed composed tunes: Chaos Engine in-game, James Pond 2, possibly Cannon Fodder 1 & 2, Chaos Engine 2, not sure about Speedball 2... Cadaver is probably his work. I don't see the Bitmap Bros "borrowing" a tune without licensing it clearly (as shown in other games: Gods, CE, Magic Pockets, Xenon 2)

Such a great artist...

[britelite]

Originally Posted by no9

He also separated sounds from CD record. Not easy achievement to this very day so possibly he travelled even further into the future.

Well, the demo was only released on cassette, but still...

[Al82]

Given the Bitmap's reputation, I really didn't see them "borrowing" the music. My feeling is the other way round - it's been "borrowed" for the album.

[britelite]

Originally Posted by Al82

My feeling is the other way round - it's been "borrowed" for the album.

Your original post sure doesn't sound like it...

[Al82]

Originally Posted by britelite

Your original post sure doesn't sound like it...

Some of the info I found elsewhere seemed to suggest it came from a collection of demos/early promo works or something, so it could have been feasible the track was available and simply didn't make it on to an album until later.

It's not the first time I've been wrong about such things, so I was curious to see if there was any evidence to support either case

[Tigerskunk]

We used to listen to this tune while playing "Space Hulk", a Warhammer 40k board game back in the day.

[britelite]

Originally Posted by Al82

Some of the info I found elsewhere seemed to suggest it came from a collection of demos/early promo works or something, so it could have been feasible the track was available and simply didn't make it on to an album until later.

I think you've got things a bit confused here. The demotape was released in 1992, and wasn't re-released as an album until much, much later (in 2009). Graveland itself wasn't even founded until 1991.

[sva]

https://blackdeathmetalhistory.wordp...icimagination/

article here seems to support a claim that that he wrote them on an amiga 500.

off topic: doesn't seem like a very wholesome guy from the wikipedia entry so i'm on richard josephs (RIP) side

[jotd]

It was probably made on an amiga 500, but by Richard.

[Al82]

Originally Posted by sva

article here seems to support a claim that that he wrote them on an amiga 500.

Interesting find; it seems to suggest the Amiga was used for sampling/mastering duties rather than composition? I'm wondering if the music was chosen deliberately because of the game's name...would be quite apt for the style of music.

[britelite]

Originally Posted by Al82

Interesting find; it seems to suggest the Amiga was used for sampling/mastering duties rather than composition?

Well, he says:

Keyboards and drums for „Necromanteion” and „Drunemeton” were made on Amiga 500.

So, he probably used a tracker to track drums and bass (not an uncommon practice back then, I did some demos myself this way).

And he of course needed an Amiga to be able to record the Cadaver tune to a tape

[sva]

Originally Posted by britelite

Well, he says:
So, he probably used a tracker to track drums and bass (not an uncommon practice back then, I did some demos myself this way).

And he of course needed an Amiga to be able to record the Cadaver tune to a tape

My thoughts exactly!