Why is TotK's COLGERA theme SO good?

[@weebatron5793]

The biggest hit from the Colgera theme is actually dynamics and variation in instruments in my opinion. Of course the chords are cool, but having the entire song upto that point have similar wind instruments and then out of nowhere launch into a huge, orchestral movement with a loud choir is just such a powerful thing to do.

[@reev9759]

Saying "actually" and "in my opinion" are at odds with each other.
At what point are there similar wind instruments? The entire theme is orchestral.

[@Skip6235]

One other reason the Dragon Roost Island callback is so good, is it’s also the theme used for Rito Village in BoTW and ToTK. In that heroic context with the chords underneath and played with the strings and horns at full blast, it represents the Rito rising up against the scourge of Colgera that has made their land inhospitable.
Epic.

[@robindebondt4111]

This. I see very few people mentioning that the melody already is in the game. It is a callback to Dragonroost as much as an ode to the village and the people that are linked to this boss (and boss arena).

[@empty-voiid]

Going from the chilling, almost frozen in time theme of the Rito village to this epic boss music was just... *chef's kiss*.

[@Wreaknatter]

That fast and upbeat, underlying melody is also a redux of Molgera's Theme from Windwaker. This whole Temple, Boss and all, was a major love letter to the game. Favorite part of the game for me.

[@luciferfaust]

Yes, the molgera theme does NOT get enough love or acknowledgement from fans! I don't get how people don't realize it. Aside from the music, the names are very similar, and where Molgera is fought in a sandpit, Colgera is fought in the air!

[@KyleDavis328]

You're the first person I've found that has also noticed this, I heard it immediately on my first play through. My mind was blowing so hard through that whole temple (I went there first). I went from "THERE ARE ACTUAL TEMPLES!!!!" to "THEY BROUGHT BACK MOLGERA!?!?! *COL*GERA?!?!?!?" to "IT'S MOLGERA'S THEME THEY'RE REMAKING MOLGERA'S THEME" to "IT'S FUCKING DRAGON ROOST!!!!!!!!!" all in the span of a few minutes (well the first one came a bit earlier, but still). None of the other temples or bosses hit nearly as hard for me as this one did. Lightning Temple being a fully indoor temple with light mechanics was a very close second, I certainly did the whole thing with a makeshift mirror shield as much as I could rather than just using the mirrors on their own, totally worth it.

[@JarumaruKnox]

Finally I found someone who noticed it as well!!

[@theoryforger]

Lol I did notice the clear inspiration Colgera took from Molgera, but somehow that didn’t come to mind specifically while I was filming and editing 😅
Whoopsies

[@lisalimmen5239]

Definitely 1st thing i thought of when seeing this boss! Even the name Colgera is basically cold molgera

[@smartkaboose3806]

Youre so right, most people dont care about the callbacks, music theory, etc, but we all FEEL that magic when we listen to the tracks. It really is magic

[@johnathandys8894]

This guy knows more about music than half of the other “music theorist” UA-camrs, AND he can explain it cohesively and intelligently. Massive props bro.

[@DaveMojica]

Yeah I don't give out likes very easily but he got one in less than two minutes.

[@renaultft1917]

Yeah I watch a lot of people analyze music with music theory and most of the time I have no clue what they're talking about. This is the only guy I can somewhat understand what is happening.

[@xoreign]

There will always be subpar content for any topic.

[@Swack]

DUDE this video went crazy! your editing skills are seriously great, I'm super impressed by how much unique and creative bits you added in, loved this and looking forward to more!

[@TheMrmike12]

Putting the streamers reaction when the dragon roost island theme hits was beyond amazing. Have been feelings goosebumps every time I hear this piece, since the first time I listened it

[@felypsilon]

that part literally made me cry a bit. the music is great, and you can see the emotions it gives them in their faces, it's amazing

[@kraymerman]

Even though I'd played Wind Waker so many times before fighting Colgera and hearing this song, I didn't actually recognize the Dragon Roost chunk as being from Wind Waker. But I'll tell you what, when I heard that glorious moment, when the chorus of voices broke through the chilly undertones, singing over the beast's storm, my breath actually caught in my throat, I audibly gasped, and I teared up.
It's just such an incredible moment of auditory storytelling. The loud chorus, overpowering everything else in the song, beautifully communicates this feeling that you are not fighting this ancient beast of ice and snow alone. All of Rito kind is there, fighting back against Colgera's reign of terror, saying "No. You will torment us no longer. We are the Rito, children of the sky, and you are trespassing in our domain. You fight, foul beast, yet you have already lost. We command you to DIE!"

[@brettmorgan3538]

Whenever that Dragon Roost Island theme kicks in, I get chills. Every time. Without fail.
Keep up the great work bro
EDIT: I love how the part in the beginning where the music opens up from that pedal tone is a callback to the skydiving music which is awesome

[@moltenking2362]

Never knew the refrence, but overall still is a good theme.

[@Mogswamp]

Awesome breakdown

[@hiilikepizza3197]

Yooo superflat man

[@DanielDarzy]

What are you doing here?

[@Lion50-86]

Well that’s someone I didn’t expect to see here

[@TabythaK]

In a way the dragon roost island theme is a reminder of how far Zelda games have come, The rito were first introduced in the windwaker and they're just making sure people don't forget that awesome master piece. I had to pause that fight when the music came on to just cry.

[@KimeriX]

It's not that Dragon Roost is used in the piece, because Rito Village already has the same part used in it's theme, but it's that it slaps so damn hard.

[@emmab5838]

PLEASE keep making videos. This is exactly what I love watching. Mixing music theory, Zelda music, comedy. This is awesome.

[@milowannebo-sorensen1776]

Watching this as an excuse to hear colgera theme

[@TimEssDub]

I love hearing the music theory behind my favorite songs and soundtracks including this one. Thank you for this explainer and the theory why this piece is such a musical payoff at the end of not only a story line, but the music that also tells it. This has become my favorite piece of video game music.

[@MonsterMasher137]

This theme NEVER fails to make me tear up, every freaking time

[@deadshotairsoft7627]

Dude, HOW does your stuff not have more views??? This is awesome!!
Also: PLEASE UPLOAD MORE STUFF!

[@theoryforger]

Thank you! I'm actually working on video 3 this second. Hopefully it'll be out Saturday, but definitely no more than a week later.

[@deadshotairsoft7627]

@@theoryforger Can't wait!

[@deadshotairsoft7627]

@@theoryforger I also just realized the ostinato is, at times, very similar to the one in the boss fight with Koloktos in Skyward Sword.

[@NelsonTheAwesome]

I never even played windwaker and this theme during the fight hit me so hard anyways and when I found out it was a callback it just made me like it more

[@MeMelon]

Would love to hear your take on how they handled the main Legend of Zelda theme into TOTK or perhaps Zeldas fall at the end of the game as it mixes 3 themes in one. Really love how you mix the theory into your videos so we know WHY these themes hit so hard

[@bluelynx12]

oh DEFINITELY need to hear his thoughts on zelda’s fall theme

[@BenthovenMusic]

I almost had a heart attack seeing 7 flats in the thumbnail. Jokes aside, this was absolutely fantastic!

[@seanmurphy8202]

This channel has so much potential. Really good first 2 videos. Also great editing. LOVED the interstellar theme in the background. Perhaps an interstellar video on why it's main theme is so good?

[@woxic27]

dude I did not realize that you had only made two videos until I looked at your channel. This stuff is good, keep it up

[@brummelbar]

I couldn't figure out why this theme makes me tear up each time I listen to it but know, you made me understand it a little more!

[@irisrose6693]

WOW! Look at the quality of this video, the knowledge, the editing!!! And this is coming from a huge Zelda nerd that loves music analysis! You've earned a subcriber.

[@KyleDavis328]

So one thing I want to point out about this theme as well (that I haven't found anyone else mention yet), the flute melody that goes hard before the Dragon Roost/Rito Village callback is in it of itself reminiscent of Molgera's Theme in Wind Waker. It's not an exact quote, but I can definitely hear the inspiration when you hear their melodies back to back.

[@BurnedOut99]

For alot of people, Wind Waker was their first Zelda game from either playing on the GameCube or the Wii U. The latter was for me back in like 2015 or so. The moment I stepped foot on Dragon Root and the music kicked in, I was completely invested in the world of Zelda. 8 years later, the power of Colgera's theme hit me like a truck. It was truly a full circle moment for me. Utter perfection.

[@leftonred11]

i think the instrumentation is definitely part of it, i dont know what it is about it but i can always feel tears pricking in my eyes when it kicks in. and im not a crier

[@kevinbacon5517]

Super excited for video 3! This channel has blown away my expectations so far

[@RoiOfTheSuisse]

5:20 I've heard that they wanted to make japanese-style Zelda titles (as opposed to previous titles which were more western fantasy inspired) so they took harmonies (especially the fourth intervals) from Joe Hisaishi's music (especially from Spirited Away).

[@WantedRecords5506]

Thank you UA-cam for recommending this channel

[@maahigg]

As someone who can’t really explain music and music theory in the best way out loud but is in love with music and playing it, I’m so amazed by how clearly you explain everything and how musically intelligent you are. You’re an inspiration to me. Thank you for this video. Combining two of my loves, music and Zelda

[@Mtoutexable]

The famous Ganon theme consists in perfect fourths 😊
Great video from a great musician thank you !

[@I_Iron_ManMK]

I just found you're channel, but am I not only impressed, I am also really intrigued! Keep up the good work!

[@Gamerboy95165]

Your videos are good he deserves more subscribers

[@laserfloyd]

This music is awesome and the breakdown was awesome as well. Well done. :) I recently replayed the game and the whole Rito arc still hits pretty hard.
10:46 It felt pretty awesome having done all the Shrines of Light and getting that armor to face off against Ganon. I had no idea that was the reward, lol. Though, it felt like a nice way to rub it in his face that a Hylian in armor that makes you look like a Zonai took him down. ;)

[@gamecubepim]

Nice analysis of the hero chord! The D major (or the F sharp specifically) that doesn’t belong is actually because it’s not an aeolian (minor) scale, but a Dorian scale, which has a sharp 6th in it. David Bennett actually has a nice video on this on UA-cam. The sharp 6th is what makes the 4th chord major. That 4th chord is also a V-I if taken from the hero chord position.

[@theoryforger]

Thanks! Yeah, I had a bit of an internal debate about whether or not to go into the Dorian mode in this video, but I decided not to just because I had already thrown in a bunch of music theory concepts already. I do plan to do a more in-depth video on that in the near future tho. I don't think I've seen that video by David Bennett - I'll have to check it out when it's time to make that. Thanks for the pointer!

[@lazarus_089]

Saw this pop up in my feed, had to take a look. Awesome video! Love hearing about music theory.

[@DrStabkill]

Ridiculous how quiet they made all the music in botw and totk and absolutely mind boggling how you can’t even adjust the music levels in the games settings. So much incredible music written for these games only to be silenced in the end product

[@thatdudeoverthere1754]

I don’t even need to watch the video, the thumbnail says everything

[@NEOblitz86]

Ima but late but this is an awesome breakdown of my favorite totk theme!

[@merlinprivat-pw5dq]

Woah! Dude your explanation is awesome, funny, and educating… do more ☺️

[@smokesparkdragonfly1368]

no way in hell you only have 2,000 subs! For sure I thought I was recced a video from a channel with 200,000. your content is so high quality!

[@nanda28cc]

How is this free? Damn, this is the most music education I got from any video in UA-cam.

[@DaveNodon]

This is what a hard working, skilled, and up-and-coming UA-camr looks like 😊 Really liking the content

[@iliya1933]

The Colgera theme also has hints of the Molgera boss theme from Windwaker.

[@Alchemyst326]

The other major callback melody used is that the fast melody, the one used as a counterpoint in flute to the massive brass-and-chorus Rito Island excerpt, is a slightly altered version of the theme of Molgera, the serpentine boss of the Wind Temple in Wind Waker, and the obvious inspiration for the ice-themed Colgera. Therefore, from about halfway through the track, the leitmotif of the boss itself enters the already present ostinato of the temple theme, and then is fought in a back-and-forth with the theme of the Rito. The boss battle is literally happening in the background music itself.

[@Roinaeh]

Yup ,that's a nice video. It's explaning stuff, it shows the sections, you hear it and get the feels.
Truely an awesome arrangement, thanks for ripping it apart and nerd around that piece.

[@vendel8007]

Linebeck's Theme from Phantom hourglass is also a really cool track which uses the Hero chord progression. Debatable if he deserves it

[@Marigold11037]

Maybe it's to foreshadow his courage in the final fight? He overcomes his selfishness and self preservation to save Link and get his ship back

[@captainschnauzer9919]

Bro this is such awesome stuff. As a huge music nerd and Zelda nerd myself I'm loving this stuff. Such a dope niche man I can't wait for more stuff.

[@jmartinramirezt7684]

Hey man your videos are just too good for having just 2 videos keep going

[@richardyao]

Another amazing musical allusion is to Molgera's Theme from Wind Waker. It's particularly awesome because Colgera is clearly an evolution of Molgera, who was ALSO the boss of a wind temple!

[@horseboater8601]

Great Editing! Top tier TOTK song!

[@skylarway3370]

Hi! Not a huge music theory buff, but as a fan of classical music, I loved your video! Having the keyboard on screen as you played made it a lot easier to see some of the patterns you were talking about. I loved your editing! Awesome video!

[@Rikkuunn_]

I really like your videos, keep them coming! Plus i love the flare you bring to them yourself with your humour and editing style :D

[@BlackStarSymphony]

I don't know about any of the things you talk about but I love it anyway.

[@aamu3]

great video!! windwaker is my favorite game and hearing the music during that just blew me away!! (ha! blew...)
it's just so incredible how music can do that to you and how they wrote it so amazingly

[@8Rincewind]

I don't really understand anything that's being discussed, but I still find it super interesting to listen to. It's great listening to somebody that's so knowledgeable on a topic, talk about it in such an enthusiastic and entertaining way.

[@someonesnobody2222]

The music of the journey up the mountain and through the temple and the boss set up expectations for me that the other reigns music would be awesome just like it. But I was a little disappointed that the other regions were not as memorable as the Rito phenomena.
And, man, your video is the reason why I love music so much. Even though I don't know much, music gets me so excited and so does Colgera's theme. Definitely subscribing to hear what you've got to say.

[@DrizzyDrizzySimpTide]

Where has this channel been my whole life

[@mtgstudios1556]

In my opinion what makes this song so good is that it makes it feel like the environment and world around you are also fighting back against Colgera. To me the third section's beginning feels like something sacred is finally breaking free from the icy prison being trapped behind the intense cold that the first two sections represent. To make it even more awesome inside the 3rd section at certain points the cold threatens yet again to drown out the melody, but the melody instead forces itself through at a frantic rate showing that the battle for Rito Village is still raging on even if the end is in sight.

[@brythkaltaris]

I'm actually quite happy to have found this video going in quite a bit of detail. For when I write my own music I might use the Hero Chords, now that I've learned about them

[@brendanrisney2449]

I care! I care about the major four chord!
I've been really wanting to get into music composition but, beyond my years in orchestra and the one music theory class that I took, I know jack about how to.
I learned so much from this video and the last of yours that I came from. I've been told many times that piano is the most important instrument for learning music and I can really see why here. The visualization on screen really helped piece everything together in my head. I doubt it'll stick more than a day, but I'll definitely be back for more!
That and you've got some genuinely funny edits, so it's entertaining, too.

[@Jsali35]

Love this video. Explaining music theory and composition in video games and movies is something I always enjoy watching and explaining to people and you hit all the marks on your narrative with this bro. Keep it up 🎻💚

[@tumanyninjas]

This was a great watch, keep em coming! Loving it

[@ghadyissa1820]

Beautiful video... You have a bright future ahead

[@racheldacatbird8520]

Wow man!!! Love the videos!!! You explain music theory in a way that someone who doesn’t know much about it can understand, unlike other Zelda music theory channels I’ve watched before. I can’t wait to see you grow!

[@azuquirtle]

I’m gonna need to hear that piano cover

[@theoryforger]

If ya like, I posted it on my piano channel, TuneForge. I haven’t posted on there in a while, and I won’t be able to for a little while longer, but I’ve got a few TotK covers up there.

[@insurrectionindustries1706]

Movie is hoodwinked. Great flick. Also great video!

[@oliviagraef1491]

this is exactly the video i was looking for and the information and editing and everything was so impressive and well done! can't believe you only have 2k subscribers rn, but i'm so confident you'll make it big with the quality of your videos

[@anderskjllesdalhansen9580]

Just got this in my feed. You are doing great! Keep it going!

[@ManFromThere158]

Amazing fast paced content brother, absolutely fantastic video! Keep up the good work!

[@amjthe_paleosquare9399]

I like this vid, and not only because you explain each scale (I like your funny words, magic man). Great humor too :D

[@turtle_king5231]

Haven’t seen many people reacting or breaking down the Colgera theme. This is much music to the ears.

[@nolanmart]

What a fun and engaging video! As others have said, your editing style was really fun and showed great mastery. This channel definitely has a lot of potential and I look forward to seeing what comes next! Thanks for working hard to make such high-quality videos. Awesome analysis of an awesome theme song!

[@FrankBirdleg]

Impressive that you have only made two videos and you still have that good video quality

[@CantSleepWithoutZopiclone]

Omg I discover your channel today and I love it. Thank U and please we need MORE Zelda 😍

[@Jamil1989]

I never heard of Dragon Roost before, but hearing it first time in TOTK it was UNBELIEVABLE!!! I had a wave of unfamiliar nostalgia even though I am completely alien to the song. And that rise of the climax was completely epic! Had me rooting for Link and Tulin the whole time. All in all a very good time!

[@Vincent-in1uc]

The ostanato is also very similar to Blizetta's ostonato from TP

[@tysondennis1016]

When I fought Colgera, I went in blind. I had to figure out how to damage it, and was on a timer, and didn’t know I could dive through it. The pressure made that first encounter much more memorable.

[@chuumivods]

extremely well done. i dont know a lot about music but i understood this all really well, keep up the good work!!! ^^

[@Neibus]

Direct honesty here: I personally never gave wind waker a chance just because I didn't like the graphics, dynamics, and just overall temperature of the game. But after hearing this theme and everyone freaking out that it was windwaker I now want to do a full play through of the game.
I also asked why it sounded so damn good and it's just genius the way this theme was composed, one of the best things you can do in composition is draw connections and parallelism but at the same time complete the theory behind those connections. That is because we associate things with motivic ideas ex, Star Wars theme, Hyrule theme, Halo theme, etc. So when you draw a connection in an environment in relation to another game in the franchise especially when I think totk has paid such good omage to the whole franchise. + You make it just epic by adding hero chords as well as big timbres. It hits way better than anything.
I think this bossfight had the potential to be the best bossfight in gaming history, if it didn't last 1 minute lol. The freedom of flying, the music, the phases. All epic, just not enough health lol.

[@evananderson5148]

Love the videos - keep it up!
I think that the 4ths also show up in Ocarina of Time in relation to Gannondorf (like in the organ theme in Gannon’s castle). I always figured the 4ths in TotK were a call back to OoT Gannondorf since it’s Gannondorf that was resurrected.

[@someangel-shape6797]

Just a note on terminology in the section about the Hero chords - since you’re talking about the context of an A minor key centre, G and F would just be written as chord VII and VI, not bVII and bVII, since the notes aren’t sharpened in the key itself.

[@someangel-shape6797]

*bVII and bVI

[@dave_the_slick8584]

Nailed it on the head with that last part. I've never played Wind Waker so I had no idea there was a callback but even STILL that part hits hard.

[@thequagiestsire]

I absolutely love those chromatic lines, they feel like a F5 tornado is threatening to throw us across Hyrule and back and that we’re barely able to hang on to solid ground.
I call it the Tempest notif, based on a UA-camr (that I can’t remember the name of) using that name, and honestly its presence in all of the Rito Quest tracks makes them hit so much harder in spite of and thanks to its subtlety.

[@jamesonwhite167]

Hey Tuneforge, have you ever played any of the Earthbound/Mother series? I truly believe that together, this series has one of the best Soundtracks of all time! If you haven't I would TRULY recommend listening AND playing them if you haven't already!

[@-stryker-1784]

^ gonna second this!

[@4lifeSHINee]

I 1000% appreciate when people love, understand, and appreciate Zelda OSTs. They are truly something else and deserve all the recognition, especially when they encompass other connections from previous games

[@alongal407]

For me what does it is that fact it's a mix of both a throwback and cool new sick melody.

[@LyndenBarrass]

Honestly the music in Totk just hits me so much harder than botw. I rarely cry to music but usually when I do it’s only the xenoblade series and Zelda series. That callback piece hits me so hard considering wind Waker is my absolute favourite Zelda of the old formula. And dragon roost was my favourite part of the game.

[@ReptilianBoomer]

Why the f can't I subscribe to your channel, This is amazing content

[@MatrickLP]

Fun fact: The thing where d minor and b flat minor are combined/played afterwards is also in One Winged Angel from FFVII ("Estuans interius ira vehementi...)

[@the888gamemaster]

5:40 the "best part" is Molgera's theme from Wind Waker
Movie us hoodwinked from around early 2000's

[@sneaky_xd]

7:03 It's from Hoodwinked!

[@christianstephens1438]

Hoodwink reference was elite! 🔥

[@huckadams2058]

Great second video you're doing amazing keep up the good work.

[@thatguywhoanimids]

Nothing will beat fighting colgera for the first time.

[@seaborgium919]

I love icy Rito Theme. Its so good. The problem is that I think it's too peaceful and like. "Oh this is a nice snow area" for the setting of "oh no this town is about to be snowed to game over"

[@unclemoriarty1436]

this is so cool! im excited to see what other videos you'll come up with. any chance you'll analyze the Star Wars soundtracks? Since you brought up Rey's theme, I'm curious what you think of its connection to Kylo's

[@alduswong]

I just heard the not in scale tone sounds like the monster, which is new to the hero. Add a lot of uncertainty and tension to the player. After the 3 phase, the player slowly get how to defeat the monster, and hero theme cover the monster, which also help our confidence because we should successfully break 2 of 3 of the weakness and going to finish up the monster soon.

[@facelessbeats2004]

This guy needs more subscribers

[@sharchik916]

5:12 isn't Ganon's themes from a bunch of games or atleast Ocarina of Time a bunch of 4ths going up and down? could be a sneak of some Ganon-ness in the new game music.