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Title: ミストレイク
Circle: UI-70
Album: Reroute to Survive
Original: ミストレイク (Mist Lake)
Website: http://ui-70.sakura.ne.jp/ui-70/
Twitter: @UI-70
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/UI-70
Shop: https://ui-70.bandcamp.com/

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Buy ​Touhou 14 "Double Dealing Character":

http://playism-games.com/game/215/double-dealing-character

Around 1 year ago I was curious about what was going on in the Touhou universe. I saw that the most recent game (at the time it was "Double Dealing Character") was being offered via digital download to the overseas market (what took you so long ZUN?) and I bought it. My first impression of the game was very positive. I realised immediately that ZUN was trying to jump to the HD wagon, or at least offering a more polished (graphically speaking) version of its games.
However, what surprised me the most wasn’t the graphics. What assaulted me right in the face was the music. Right from the start, everything sounded cleaner, modern, polished, and deep. The first stage theme "Mist Lake" was so beautiful and retro (Bad Apple anyone?) that it touched my heart in every way possible. Melancholy and nostalgia are the feelings that predominate in this song, but also there is a hint of excitement of the beginning in the new adventure. The combination of both the flute and the solid bass line create and exquisite combination. The melody makes you feel all warm and cozy, while the upbeat tempo and rhythm instruments add that spice of emotion. It is something I've never experienced on a first stage song.
"Mist Lake" sets the mood for the rest of the game, as most of the songs are warm and melancholic compositions with a few throwbacks to the PC-98 era. However, each song stands on its own, and aside from one or two songs out there, every one is unique. Also, the selection of instruments is really rich and the production is top notch. Double Dealing Character OST is without a doubt, one of the best soundtracks for a Touhou game. It's a masterpiece every way you look at it, and I would even dare to say it's the best composition from ZUN to date.
The nostalgia I feel towards this song can only be accompanied by another nostalgic circle, namely UI-70. I still remember the first time I heard them (they were my first introduction to Touhou songs arranged in heavy metal), and how they catches my attention. Despite their work being miles away from Demetori and CROW'SCLAW, their work (when it is not synth metal) it's always welcomed. I've just recently found that you can buy their work via bandcamp, however there are no signs of this particular album being available. Anyway, be sure to check out the store and buy whatever may suit you.
"Double Dealing Character" set the bar really high in terms of ZUN compositions. I can tell you that "Legacy of Lunatic Kingdom", while being an excellent soundtrack as usual (with their high notes here and there), it lacks the coherence of the other soundtrack. Also, in "Double Dealing Character", ZUN composed one of the most gorgeous song (I'm not referring to "Mist Lake" ) if it isn't the ZUN "magnus opus".