This is the soundtrack album for the Korean film "Castle of Destiny," directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk and released in 2018. This is Sakamoto's first time appearing in a Korean film.
The realism of the footage, shot entirely on location, depicting the extreme conditions of the siege while suffering from hunger and cold, is incredible, but by adding a variety of sounds, Sa
The ultra-low frequencies and clanging of "Vacant Throne," the analog synth chords and low bass of "The Fortress Title," the deeply reverbed internal piano technique of "Dispute," and the modular synth noise of "Yong's Threat"—these sounds are reminiscent of his later solo album "async," and are so captivating that one forgets they're a film soundtrack. Of course, the elegant, air-enveloping strings of the main theme, "King's March Strings Version," are a true testament to Sakamoto's talent, and the music played during battle scenes features orchestrations and rhythms reminiscent of Stravinsky, skillfully incorporating elements of traditional film music. "King's March" is available in a variety of variations, including the string version, but the beauty of the "King's March Spinet Version" is particularly striking. The spinet, an ancient instrument related to the harpsichord, produces a delicate sound, but its volume is not sustained and quickly fades away. By playing the spinet at a leisurely tempo, without being bound by beats or syllables, a gap is created between the end of one note and the appearance of the next, expressing a drawn-out sense of time and profound space.
