The Many Musical References in Guilty Gear 

There's going to be some errors in the video especially when it comes to the album artwork. I tried to fix them and I got a lot of them working. But Vegas just hates me on this project and kept rending something's wrong. I eventually just said screw it and went with what's currently up.

Just like JoJo's, Guilty Gear is just Daisuke sharing his Spotify playlist

At this point Ky Kiske is just one walking Electric eye reference Daisuke went all way and gave him electric eye.

Daisuke and Araki would probably be great friends, considering how much they both love music and making stylish characters.

Some of these were subtle, but the first floor is LITERALLY named "System of a Down"

Nagoryuki’s theme is a reference to “Come Together” by The Beatles.

Kuradoberi Jam being the japanese pronunciation of Cloudberry Jam is way too funny to me

It would be interesting to note that "Thunderbird" and "Skyfish" are both literal references to cryptids of the same names, considering he is a self proclaimed cryptid collector.

Really well made video. Tons of references i've never could have guessed. A theory about Zato-1's blindfold. Zatoichi is a famous fictional character in Japan who is a blind samurai. And since 1 is pronounced "Ichi" the reference seems to be quite a given.

Great stuff. Gotta also mention that the word megadeath is an actual word. It means "death of at least 100,000 people via nuclear detonation." So a megadeth class gear is actually one that would be capable of that level of atrocity.

"That is a bridge that can be commonly found not being in tune" Damn, you hurt my soul right there.

17:22 really glad you mentioned this one - starting in Xrd, Ky can use gear powers because he switched his left eye with Sin’s gaining a boost in power to his electric magic: he literally has an electric eye!

12:11 You missed the opportunity to say "In this Behemoth Typhoon, Goldlewis possibly references the band Behemoth." Other than that, amazing video dude keep it up. Really interesting to find out some of these that I never caught.

Me, who knows like 10% of these references: “neat”

im surprised you didnt mention nagoriyuki's theme having a "come together" reference

Ramlethal’s Strive theme is one big ELP reference to the Tarkus album, specifically Bitches Crystal.

I'd say Goldlewis' coffin alien is more of a reference to Hangar 18's alien in the cover, though that's kind of a stretch

Daisuke straight up lifted like, most of the bassline from Forever, including the fills. International copyright laws are cool. Also I'm kinda disappointed you didn't say that nobody cares about the Goo Goo Dolls that was my favorite part of the first video

This is probably more coincidence since it's not a rock song. I think the concept of Valentine's all being modified clones of Aria is a reference to the song "My Funny Valentine", which is famous for being covered over 70 times by various, well known musicians.

The "cryptid" in Goldlewis's box is also somehow related to Eddie. Check out the lines Zato and Millia have when defeated by him. Basically, both creatures hail from "the world of U.M.As" as far as I can tell. So, yes, it's very likely Goldlewis's entire gimmick is based on Ishiwatari having a fevered thought about the Iron Maiden mascot's "alien phase". It's also interesting that the "aaaaalien" is a shining light as opposed to Eddie being a shadow. Next thing you know, we're going to find out Faust's condition is a result of whatever the polar opposite of Millia's hair is. Just imagine May yelling at him for being bald, then he yells back, "I didn't ask for thiiisssss!"

20:30 "Bad Moon Rising" was originally a Creedence Clearwater Revival song off their album "Green River". It's one of their best-known hits, right up there with "Fortunate Son", "Proud Mary" and "Lookin' Out My Back Door". Testament's "Badlands" attack may also be a reference to the Bruce Springsteen song of the same name from the album "Darkness At The Edge of Town"

JoJo: I have the most music references Guilty Gear: huh, lemme try having some

Leo's theme also has another Queen reference, at 2:30 there is a part that resembles Queen's Great King Rat. Also another one that may be a strech is that Axl Low's theme has some small parts that are similar in to some parts in Queen's One Vision but that one may be a stretch. Great video dude.

I haven't seen anyone mention this, but Happy Chaos' sunglasses look like the classic happy face with crossed out eyes logo for Nirvana. Showed the Strive opening to my dad and as soon as he saw Happy Chaos he said "he must be a Nirvana fan" lol.

I strongly believe Elphelt also references both "Sweet Child O' Mine" (in her Sign design) and "Knocking on Heaven's Door" (in her story in Revelator). " *She's got eyes of the bluest skies* As if they thought of rain I'd hate to look into those eyes and see an ounce of pain Her *hair reminds me of a warm safe place* Where as a child I'd hide And pray for the thunder and the rain to quietly pass me by" "Mama put my guns in the ground I can't shoot them anymore That cold black cloud is comin' down Feels like I'm knockin' on heaven's door" Take that as you will.

all these reference in the game but jojo localization cant even reference one song from queen.

Some Developer: So how much metal do you want to put in the game? Daisuke: Yes.

The soft part of Faust's theme in Strive sounds almost the same as "No Surprises" by Radiohead

"Heaven or Hell" could also be a reference to Hotel California where the lyrics say "I was thinking to myself, this could be heaven, or this could be hell"

I think it's worth noting in regards to Pot's IK that "Opera" is the latin plural of "Opus", so the reference is even closer than you might have thought

I don't think Nagoriyuki's name is a reference, or at least a reference was not the primary intention for naming him that way. Nagoriyuki is japanese for "unseasonable snow", or the snow that starts after Spring has begun. A lot of his moves' names are themed around snow, too. There are a couple of themes to pick up about Nago being an outsider to society, being African in feudal Japan, a samurai and vampire to the modern world, etc. His name could be a reference, but I think it primarily serves to show that he is a stranger to the world and could never truly fit in, despite his wishes.

The opening riff of Giovanna’s theme in strive sounds like a reference to sabotage by beastie boys to me

This video proves that Guilty Gear is a musical albums and the games are extra 👌

It's a crime Goldlewis didn't have a move called Rust in Peace

I've heard that the way magic works in Guilty Gear and the whole "Theory of Magical Science" they've got going on is very similar to music theory, given Daisuke Ishiwatari's love of music.

I'm surprised you didn't point out that the chorus in Faust's Strive theme straight up jacks the melody from the Chorus of Green Day's 21 Guns

goldlewis's 'kiss of death' theme may be a reference to megadeth's tornado of souls lyrics off rust in peace 'its a kiss of death'

Kys theme in strive has a part that clearly sounds like "Livin' on a prayer" by bon Jovi. "We gotta hold on to what we got,it doesn't make a difference if we make it or not, "Go fourth and don't look back, I can't believe in the path I'm on" Both sung with a very similar melody and flow

20:36 I don't know who's editing the wiki and calling things by their Japanese names when they've had official English names for years now (Forbidden Beasts)

Leo yells "Ascendancy!" when he does a roman cancel in Strive which is probably a reference to the Trivium album Ascendancy.

Also in Xrd Sign, in the English Sol system voice, instead of saying “Heaven or Hell” Sol says “Live and Let Die” like the title of the Guns N’ Roses song. Also Heaven or he’ll can also be a reference to the Hotel California line “This could’ve heaven or this could be hell”

To be entirely fair there's so much references to Hard Rock/Heavy Metal in GG it's pretty much impossible to get them all. Even the slightest potential reference is impossible to get discounted.

First thing that came to mind when seeing Goldlewis Dickinson with the Area 51 Alien is the album hangar 18 by Megadeth, especially with the alien in a sort of coffin.

3:30 Zepp could also be reference to Zepp Music Halls, group of music halls in Japan where famous musicians have held large-scale concerts

I can see the Bullet For My Valentine connection but I think it's more likely that Elphelt's instakill is a reference to Bon Jovi's "Shot Through The Heart" Also, I know the rest of the comments have already point this out, but Nago's theme "What Do You Fight For" share some *similarities* with The Beatles' Come Together

About Slayer's Undertow, I'm certain that it's named for an Outrage song from the album Life Until Deaf, since the song right after it is called "The Midnight Carnival," the subtitle for Guilty Gear XX. Undertow is a widely used name but given Ishiwatari's love for Outrage I think it makes the most sense.

What about Giovanna's theme being barely different from the Beastie Boy's Sabotage theme?

Great work with this video! Can't even imagine the ammount of work... To mention another reference, Gio's theme is similar to a Beastie Boys song, Sabotage

I actually believe that Goldlewis' Thunderbird and Skyrod are name after two cryptids of the same names. Skyrods being a rod like being that moves faster than eye can see but can only be observed using a camera and the Thunderbird being an incredibly large bird said to create thunder by flapping its wings

Aria is a musical term that means a self-contained piece for solo voice, usually accompanied by orchestra. could be inspiration for well...aria.

Bro, Bullet for my valentine has been my favorite band for many years and I didn't notice that reference! WHAT THE HELL?? I love Daisuke even more now

There's two references I realized you missed or excluded. In Guilty Gear Xrd: Revelator, the songs "All I can do" and "Blank" start almost exactly like "More Than Words" by Extreme, and "Spread Your Wings" by Queen.

I also think the buildup in "Love the Subhuman self" (theme of Millia Rage in GG Strive) is a reference of the buildup in "Omen", from The Prodigy.

Another reference you missed regarding I-No is that both Guilty Gear XX and her boss theme names are a reference to the Outrage song Midnite Carnival

Few additions: the stage Nightmare Theater could also be a reference to the album of the same name by 80s metal band Exorcist. Since you brought up Hallows Eve, Megadeath class gears could also be named after the HE song Plunging Into Megadeath. Note the spelling. Testament has 3: Badlands is also the name of a song by American thrash band Metal Church (RIP Mike Howe), Warrant is also the name of a German power metal band, and Seventh Sign might be named after the Iron Maiden album Seventh Son of a Seventh Son

I think the way Daisuke uses music in the story and for references into stuff he likes is my favorite part of the guilty gear series aside from gameplay

3:48 Honestly, I thought Bedman and his stage were a reference to Enter Sandman by Metallica. 10:26 Fun Fact: the South Korean version of Guilty Gear XX has an entire soundtrack exclusive to that version of the game. Maybe that has something to do with Daisuke putting a tribute to a South Korean band in Xrd. 24:28 So I guess Sol is the personification of the Metallica song Fuel? He has fire powers and his desire to defeat That Man and in Xrd, save Aria from becoming Justice again are his "fuel".

This was great! My favorite possible reference in GG is the Misfits skull on Baiken's jacket; as a Misfits fan I want to believe lol

i feel like i learned another language. extremely well made and thank you for that crazy effort

At 13:12, I think hear one more potential solo reference in the form of Diamondhead's "Am I Evil?".

Great video! Some things I caught: 3:18 "An iced over version of the stage hell" - The Eagles album, Hell Freezes Over 10:58 "An alien from Area 51" - Area 51 is a japanese metal band debuting around 2009/2010

at 24:03 rock you could also be referencing rock you like a hurricane from scorpions

Thanks for this video man, it's great. As a huge metalhead part of the fun of GG is the metal pop quiz you get while you play it.

What a gnarly video. Man it makes me wonder if you have ever found references in GG spin offs or other games? Judgement, Isuka, Petit, Overture?

Chemical love could also be a reflection to “my chemical romance”… And jack-o’s… everything, is possibly also a reference to her love of candy, not rock related but still-

now I understand why GG music goes so smooth into my brain

this is fckin incredible ~ also, the sheer heart attack reference is adorable

12:48 this is the most minor notpick imaginable but a strat also refers to the single coil pickups in the stratocaster guitars, as well as the body

13:51 it's possible that her overdrive is also named after the song megalomania by the Japanese thrash band outrage

YESSSSS I was waiting for you to talk about Strive references!

Thank you for making this video!

Gonna def. bookmark this and use it as a jumping off point to get into 'actual' metal music, thanks for all your hard work!

12:37 - That symbol is more likely a reference to the symbol used by DevilDriver on their albums

5:10 She's the dancing queen. Young and sweet. Married to a key.

Great video and good job pointing out the references 👏

nice video it's cool to know all of the many music references in this amazing game series :)

the ending bit of alone infection almost sounds like radiohead's no surprises

Fun fact, Outrage, a band that Naoki Hashimoto is (or were) in, has a song named Megalomania too, IDK I just think it's funny

Kinda love Daisuke name the top rank floor as one of the forbidden song in rock and metal community. And also the reason chipp's appearance same as Billy Idol maybe both of them are previously a junkie

It's impossible to list every music reference but one I caught is that Elphelt's dress is based on the dress Stephanie Seymour wore in the November Rain music video. She actually has a different dress in Xrd that's based on a dress worn by Shiina Ringo.

13:54 It is probably a Sabotage reference, but it may also be a reference to Outrage's 1995 Album "Life Until Deaf" where the first track is also called Megalomania and another track on the same album is titled "Midnite Carnival" which is fairly likely referenced in X2's subtitle "The Midnight Carnival"

i think sol's strive theme (find your one way) is a reference to a Sixx Am song called this is gonna hurt

I was so happy to see a Alive or Just Breathing reference in GG. I hope to see a Periphery reference in it sometime

i need all the songs featured here in a spotify playlist

I would never known Guilty Gear paid homage to music like that without this video. I thought it was just some anime fighting game.

The one thing I think was missed was Nagoriuki’s song having many parts of the lyrics sounding like Come Together by the Beatles, but other than that this was a very informative video

If Daisuke makes a character that can copy moves like Kirby in Smash Bros or Twelve in Street Fighter he has to name him after Weird Al to honor his song parodies

Damn you're the one who included the Angra thing into the wiki? Thank you for that sir.

13:19 That's exactly how I remember "One" sounding. Ethereal Metal.

The moment the vid got to the st elmo reference I instantly got a sesame place ad lmao 😂

Hellfire also has another queen reference with the galloping section from great king rat

I-No's victory solo is also super similar to the lick Bill and Ted air guitar with all the time.

We Brazilians appreciate adding the Angra reference on the GG wiki.

Slash could also be a reference to the chord type where you use your thumb to add a bass note. Goldlewis and Axl are the "wrong" nationalities of the characters they reference, and the addition of Goldlewis feels like having that brought full circle somehow. Not really a reference, I just think it's a funny little coincidence. Chipp seems to be (somewhat unintentionally probably) based (pardon the pun) on bass playing, what with his two-finger poses, his songs having really prominent bass solos, and himself being named after a bassist. Baiken's Momentary Life is a really blatant tribute to the fourth movement of the Yamato Suite by Musashi, and the main riff (which also made it into Rokumon) sounds lifted from Ain't My Bitch by Metallica. Burn it Down is also an Avenged Sevenfold song. Burly Heart's resemblance to Kashmir is even more pronounced in the X version than it is in XX, with the latter missing much of the orchestration that gives it that vibe beyond just the riff. Similarly Venom's theme has more sustain in the X version, making it sound even more similar to Breed to Breathe, and is in the same key too (being in C# minor instead of D minor.) Sehnsucht is pronounced either zayn-zookht or zayn-zoosht depending on what part of Germany you're from, and means "lust." As a Guilty Gear fan familiar with Raven, this should not surprise you ;)

21:57 for some reason i keep hearing the MW2 spetznaz theme

7:51 I'm getting some other Megadeth Vibes from this, it has a lotta similarities with the Verse part of Poison Was The Cure slowed down as well.

one of the characters in Strive during Happy Chaos taking over the government is named Stryper, named after the Christian metal band

Hate to repeat something that's already been said numerous times before, but Leo's XRD theme has a part that sounds extremely similar (near identical) to a part in a Judas Priest song: "Free Wheel Burning". But awesome video regardless, I love videos and references like this!

Hey awesome vid, I have an idea for a vid, maybe you could compare every theme to a band that is closest to the theme. Like maybe tool is closest to rams theme I dunno, love what your doing tho!

Additional reference for Ariels! Her skull makeup as seen in the Xrd Rev2 story is a reference to at least one of the following bands: - Papa Emeritus of Ghost - The logo for The Misfits - The 'juggalo' makeup of the Insane Clown Posse