Why You Still Think About "Shadowlord" 

What i think when i hear music theorie I like your funny words magic man

there's this old saying: "if you think your life is miserable, remember the Shadowlord"

The story of the shadowlord is the most heartbreaking in all of video games. He was manipulated by scientists and used while being promised a better future. This went on for centuries and centuries and he saw nothing. Then he got tired of the stagnation, he took his sister for himself. This leads to the most heartbreaking sentence I can think of: "he could either kill himself, or let himself kill him". The shadowlord didn't have a choice, he either had to kill his human body, dooming him to stay as a gestalt for the rest of time, or he could be killed by his replicant, dooming humanity to extinction.

My man Shadowlord literally sits on his knees, neck out, and nods the 'DO IT' gesture. And Nier *sees* it. And for a brief second, he clearly thinks "Am I killing a person? *Again*?" And then decides that everything he did would not be undone by one brief moment of hesitation, VISIBLY shakes off the doubt, and ends humanity. There is ZERO doubt in my mind that the Shadowlord *could* have won. He just...didn't want to anymore. He had no reason to. And if any of us have read the back story on brother Nier... we know what person he killed.

Whoa I got massive goosebumps with that perfect end narration... "...you quickly realise, this is just some guy. We can't see his hope and despair beneath his frozen face, but every person has them without exception. And if you listen carefully, you can hear them. So listen... 🎶🎵🎶"

What I find most intriguing about the dynamic between nier and the shadow lord is the character flaw they both share. Both are so focused on their own goal that they refuse to see the other’s side of things. Nier only views the shadow lord as the monster who kidnapped his sister and was the leader of the creatures who killed innocent people. Even when given evidence to the contrary, Nier refuses to think of the shadow lord’s circumstances or even view him in a pitiable light because it will weaken his resolve. The shadow lord himself also refuses to see the humanity and sentience of the replicants because it complicates his goal of yonah and himself regaining their human forms and being together again. This lack of willingness to understand one another and maybe even find a solution, leads to a dilemma where only one can survive and get what they want, and unfortunately neither end goal is good for humanity.

I've always loved the lines that are said after you reach the climax of the fight "Yonah, I can't live in a world without you." "I have something to defend, I have a reason to live" Also, the emotions that the Shadowlord expresses through body language and no facial expressions is just perfect here.

I won't lie, this made me cry. I have every Nier Replicant and Nier Automata song on my spotify playlist. Each time I listen to any one of them, I damn near tear up. The one that almost always makes me cry is End of Yorha weight of the world. The choir at the end always fucks me up.

"she doesn't want the bodies and lives he's been fighting for, she hears replicant Yonah inside her cryin' to be let out and to see her brother and the original Yonah can't bear to take this girl's life away from her even if her only alternative is her own death" I do not remember words ever hurting me so much before

This is why NieR Replicant will always be my favorite game. The amount of thought and emotion placed behind not only the story-telling, but the music as well just makes it something special. It'll always serve to be one of my biggest inspirations, and a game that I'll never forget.

I still remember the part of the music box. At this point you basically lost everything, Emil, Kaine, Weiss, just like the shadowlord, no one has anything left, part of me didnt want to continue thinking "what was the point anymore"? but I was so deep into this mess that, just like the shadowlord, had to end it all.

I'm glad someone decided to analyze this track. This is, in my opinion, one of the best songs I've ever listened to. The choir is just sublime. And the amount of emotions conveyed on this track is unparalleled. I know nothing about music theory, so I'm glad you could give a more technical explanation as to why this song is so well composed.

24:51 I loved that editing with the music, was a fun watch, good job Edit cause I couldn't watch the video to the end earlier: I have never considered the fact that in the end, you didn't really beat the Shadowlord, he simply gave up, stopped fighting. I realized that he didn't care much about the fight anymore in phase 2 as he wasn't even listening to Nier and simply talking to himself, asking why Yonah had to betray everything he did for her, but I never considered that you didn't even really beat him but rather finished off a broken Shadowlord, who had nothing left to fight for and thus gave up. This game is truly a masterpiece

I clicked on this video, not realizing it would be a full-blown musical theory analysis, and as a classically trained musician who also loves video games, I’m pleasantly surprised! This is excellently done! I’ll be looking at more of your content in the future 🎵

Hot damn that cut to Nier reaching out for Grimoire Noir at 24:50 hits so hard. This whole breakdown just makes me appreciate the impact of the piece even more, and your attitude is great. Still cried a little listening to this song even in a musical deconstruction vid :/ lol

This video is a masterpiece. Massive kudos to you, Jonathan. I have no doubt this channel will eventually blow up.

The original 2010 version of shadowlord is what introduced me to the nier series as a whole, and now it's my absolute favorite work of fiction period. Thank you so much for making this awesome analysis!!

Ah yes, Nier. The story of one boy and his stalwart determination to ruin everything.

I didn’t know how to put into words why Shadowlord resonated so much even though I have no music theory knowledge. Thank you for making this amazing video!

Usually I would never watch a thirty minute video about the analysis of music. But this theme is since the release of Nier Replicant Ver. 1.22... always in my head. No matter what happens in my life, I will listen to this theme or at least specific parts of it. Just like the part with the music box. Thanks to you I can now understand better, why this piece of music has this immense impact to me. Thank you for this masterpiece of a video and of an analysis.

"Or does he just... Stop..." oh god, who is cutting onions again?

Every Nier analysis gets better and better. By the end you are going to make a Thesis-level video worth a PhD. I can’t even imagine how much time is involved for your video scripts. Truly impressive. Regarding the video. I always wanted to understand the ingenuity of the final battle. Ever since playing it and facing the shadowlord over and over again while going through the multiple endings I have always felt like I can’t explain why it is so impactful. There are so many things going on. From the story’s climax, the mystery, the plot twists, the scenery, the pacing, and of course the music. Everything is so well integrated and even when knowing it is good, there are so many things to analyze that require knowledge in different fields. From writing, gaming, music, visual effects, color grading… That’s why I love these videos. I don’t know a lot about music but they really dig and explain the music very well. Thank you.

This is how you compose a track for an emotional Final Battle.

This theme stuck with me more than other theme, it's what made me buy a keyboard. Keichii Okabe is a genius, Evans work and voice is phenomenal. I love NieR and it's music, there's nothing like it

I cried so hard when the music started to fade into the music box. It’s just so incredibly sad. I know a lot of people hate the remastered themes, but I love them a lot. Even though the original music has accompanied me longer in playlists I listened to after playing papa Nier. Something about the remastered versions really struck a chord. Except „The Dark Colossus Destroys All“, I miss the percussions in the remastered version.

This has always been one of my favorite final boss themes. Seeing the musical breakdown is really cool! I can't wait to see what you're working on next!

I am so excited to watch this! It literally arrived at the perfect time for me. I'll edit this comment after I finish watching. :) God bless you, Jonathan! EDIT: This video legitimately makes me feel like music theory is underappreciated because it's a difficult subject that is often taught in a mechanical fashion. Describing the music for this song in the manner that you did is how music theory should be taught. As you said in the video, composing music is like writing a story...and that line of thinking in terms of music theory never really crossed my mind until now. And the way you painted the Shadowlord's story through this lens made me feel like you put us in the minds of the composers. This is the story they wanted to tell through the music. It is both a triumph and a piece laced in so much despair that examining it in this way is almost painful. When playing through the game it is so easy to get distracted by everything else that's happening, and it's only by truly listening that we can hear the deeper meaning behind the music. What was supposed to be the greatest moment for Nier, turned into a bitter tragedy. Nier's actions ultimately doomed the world around him even though he was successful in saving Yonah. And the Shadowlord lost everything he spent thousands of years fighting for within minutes. The warmth we hear in the music sells both sides of this conflict because the Shadowlord and Nier are the same at their core. What they wanted most in the world was to save Yonah...but one of them had to fail and lose everything for the other to have victory. The intensity and ferocity of the later sections of the music really sells the desperation and grief these two characters embody. It's chilling how closely this struggle between the Shadowlord and Nier mirrors internal battles we all have when under extreme pressure and stress in situations where the decisions we make could either lead to happiness or deeper sorrow. This piece has so many emotional layers I'm honestly impressed that you managed to condense those layers into just a little over a half-hour. And I definitely want to crack open my dusty music theory textbook from college and re-learn it now. This is how you get people interested in examining music on a structural level. Well done, Jonathan. This was excellent. I can't wait to see what you do next. Best wishes and God bless you!

This is better than One-Winged Angel honestly

Absolutely breathtaking. What a magical way of explaining music theory. NieR has some of my favourite songs ever created and this beautifully articulates why.

I love Nier (replicant) because it feels like even if it's not explicitly stated, he seems to know more than what he lets on, and is trying really hard to not think about it with how much of a mess everything is by the end. The way the fight ends on the shadowlord just giving up says a lot, especially with how the piece ends. I always felt like since the story is really flexing the whole "same person, different hellish tragedy" angle, it just makes it all hurt so much more. He was living proof of how far Nier would go to do what he believes to be right and protect the ones he loves, because without them, boy can he spiral! It's 4am and I forget the other half of what I was saying, but it's so great to find videos like this that make you remember how dense and fun to pull apart these stories are.

spoiler alert : And it surprised me that Kaine Death or Nier Sacrifice at C and D ending don't really affect me much, But B ending where Shadowlord back to his teenager form crying because he can't protect Yonah and his friends ,then Yonah come with the " hey" "Tks for always being there for me" make lose my shiet and tears keep going while Ashe of dream playing 😭

This game is an absolute masterpiece. Timing the chords of the music to the point when Yona is about to give herself up for her replicant is just UNBELIEVABLY moving. Its things like this that set Nier appart from ANY jrpg. Second to none. Also the music box at the end just POUNDS emotion into your brain.

This is one of my faves, quite possibly top favourite piece of music from the whole nier franchise. Thank you for such an insightful video.

When you swapped out the battle with the scene from the intro I couldn't help but choke up, this video was so well done. I don't know very much about music theory, but it's fascinating to see how much goes into composing something like this, and I really appreciate your efforts in deciphering it all.

I watched this with zero knowledge about music and cords, yet I sat listening the the analysis as if it meant something to me, great video !

YEEEES IM SO GLAD YOU DID THIS I WAS HOPING YOH WOULD DO THIS SONG AFTER THE SNOW IN SUMMER ONE Would love to see one on fleeting words outsider if you're still wanting to do replicant music 👀

And all this because Devola and Popula didn’t want to hurt someone’s feelings… Yes, there might have still been a major conflict. But at least everyone would’ve been aware of what they were choosing.

Amazing breakdown. I really like that you're willing to stop explaning for long stretches of time to let the things you pointed out sink in in context. It's great. And to say nothing of what aaall this would _come to mean_ in Automata, yeah? One of a handful of pivotal moments that define the world, story, and history of the Nier games. It changed so much, became so _mythical,_ and yet it's just... people being people. Doing what anyone, anything that could be called human, would have done in their shoes.

I can't wait for this channel to blow up! Your content is some of the best that I have watched in a while, especially analysing some of the best music in video games. Keep it up man!

This gave me such a deeper appreciation for these games and their music. So glad I found your channel!

Great video! The piece has stayed with me for a long time. One of my all time favorites

Finding your channel was one of the best things ever, I love the NieR series, the story, the music, everything. Your breakdowns make me appreciate them even more!

These videos are all excellent, thank you for making them

This video was up there with the song in terms of how beautiful it is. Well done mate, incredible take! 🙌🙏❤️

I love these kind of vids! I love video game soundtracks and you are breaking it down on why I love them so much. Also love learning about the why as well. Thank you for posting and can’t wait for more!! 😊

This is just stellar work. Thank you for doing so much justice for my favorite NieR series piece with your analyses!!

Absolutely wonderful analysis! I've loved this piece for 10 years and yet I had so much to learn about it's composition and the tools which actually made it so impactful. Looking forward to whatever you decide to cover next!

I've revisited this video countless times. I adore how you wove your words together to make already tender sequences so much more impactful and poetic. You've reshaped the entire way I approach this final act and I can't love it enough. ❤

Thank you, thank you very much for doing such an in-depth analysis of this song and the snow in summer. You are awesome!

When I read the title I thought it'd be an analysis of the character "Shadowlord", I can't say how much happier I was when you said it was about his theme! It was an amazing video, thank you very much! I always enjoy learning more about what goes on composing these masterful tracks that we love. Earned my subscribe and I can't wait to watch more of your content!

Jonathan i cannot overstate how incredible this video is. i only know the barest hint of music theory and the way you explain things makes it easy for even me to appreciate it. Thanks to you explanation, the resolution at the top of section C (following A and D) instantly brought me to tears. like i involuntarily inhaled sharply and the tears spill out of me. I loved Nier Replicant to pieces before this video but its flaws always made me wary to praise it too highly. after understanding the profundity of how the story, character arcs, world building, and music are weaved together, i can unabashedly say i think this game is a masterpiece. thank you for giving me the confidence to somehow love this game even more

Since I first heard 'Shadowlord' it's one of my favorite pieces. Thank you for explaining what exactly makes it so special :) I also really liked your editing, it's easy to follow your points and appreciate the music

One of my fav pieces from this game, thank you for this video!

This is easily the best informative theory video I've ever watched. You comprehensibly break down everything the piece does well, while also inserting a very charming sense of humour, and through your editing and script show an appreciation for Shadowlord, both the character and the song, equally as deep as your understanding of what makes it work. Thank you!

How did i find this channel. It's so impressive that you can tell an emotional story, keep me focused and on the edge of my seat throughout this whole video AND teach me some music theory all at once! You are a gem on this platform. Thank you so much for your work!

I will say, I did Ending D and E before I did Ending C, so when Kainé finally got her release then, after going through Ending E, I broke down there, this fight culminates so much pain and emotion in its expression of timing

wow, amazing work bro this was really good!

This is an amazing video man, kudos. I experienced so many chills!

This is fantastic. I absolutely love the music in Replicant, and it's great to see you talk about it in so much detail :)

I just found you today, and I gotta say I've fallen in love with the videos already lol. You perfectly described why I've held Shadowlord as one of the greatest pieces (in my opinion) to ever be created. Nier is a special series in my heart because the OST along with the storyline is some of the most thought provoking I've ever experienced. Thank you for such a great video.

This was a phenomenal breakdown! Thanks so much for your hard work in the script, transcription, footage, and editing! Ordinarily I would comment on some specific points of the game and music but it's too much. Overwhelmed! I will be re-watching this and checking out more of your channel ♥

Why I am so hype for each of your videos ?

I played this game; finished the story and did all endings and STILL want to play it again, this is by far the game I ever played in my life !

Thank you for this video! I really appreciate it!

Thank you so much for your thorough analysis, its great piece of work !

3:02 couldn't tell why my brain flickered until i rewatched it like 4 times lmao. nice

I think this is the best video i've seen in a really long time. I'm seriously, this was an experience!

Yesss! First of all great work on the video and thank you for putting so much effort into it! Ok so it was in the C section that I had been thinking about. Ah that part is just SO powerful. I’ll admit sometimes I can analyze something and see what musical function it is but somehow not understand that right there is the reason it has emotional depth. I’m like “oh cool, key change” and then you explained it so eloquently on why it exists that I had an ohhhhh moment haha

Damn the "so listen" part got me 😭

Thank you for making this video. It's greatly emphasised not only to the song but it's meaning and how it works and etc as well. I also liked the last part of the narration, "...you quickly realise, this is just some guy. We can't see his hope and despair beneath his frozen face, but every person has them without exception. And if you listen carefully, you can hear them. So listen...", it feels like something that Yoko Taro wanted us to know when we play this game. Please keep up the hard work there!

This was prettyyy goood mannnnn. Once again preaching what I could never put into words

Ohhh yes, new video!! Glad to be early for this one, bet it will be amazing as always!

Great job!

just so love the ShadowLord, thank you for explaining this and really enjoining this video

I love the qualtiy and effort you put into making this video. I dont under as much but your passion in the analysis is what compels me too keep watching it. And also, I love this piece. This moment in the game will never leave me.

Thank you for making these videos. I love your explaining and editing for Nier Music. Since I played Replicant 1.22 when it came out I listened to the music on a daily basis. I sometimes tell myself i understand music theory and why things sound good to my brain like they do.

Wow.... what an incredible video analysis... thank you so much...

Every time i hear Shadowlord i get upset that i didnt write it and i will probably never write anything this ascendant. Truly a once in a lifetime masterpiece.

Holy shit, dude. You did it again! I remember playing Nier Replicant remaster the first time and that transition to the music box rendition of Shadowlord made me so emotional that I had to pause the game and collect myself. I'm so SO glad that you ended the video discussing that transition and its narrative implications. Yoko Taro is a master of using small cues to clue the player in that something bigger we don't yet fully understand is underfoot. And taking what should feel like a triumphant GamerTM moment and underpinning it with surprisingly somber music is SUCH an effective tool in his kit. Every good fight has an emotional arc to match and it is so imperative that the music supports both. Shadowlord is a track that is really, really good at that. Thanks so much for sharing and putting so much effort into this video, you're quickly becoming one of my favorite gaming-focused channels and really elevating the appreciation for what game music composers, arrangers, and performers do!

How have I just found out about your channel. I hope this channel will blow up because this amount of work shouldn't be unnoticed. You just earned a well deserved sub You are a godsend Thank you

I really appreciate this video so much. I love this piece man I played the nier games for the music at first and I’m never sure how I could explain how emotional it gets me when I hear a piece that’s just amazing to me. I would prolong this fight just to listen to the whole thing. This games music means the world to me.

It's amazing how you made me tear up again for Nier especially this scene while also making me learn music :,) Thank you so much for the content, now with this context I will never be the same hearing the Shadowlord's theme. I also have to agree, the last section when you're about to do the killing blow and the theme turns into a music box version was one of the most powerful fight scenes I have to do in a video game that I had to pause the game for a bit to prepare myself. Also ending B's version makes it even harder to do

You deserve so much recognition for this video

When I finished the game and played it again and realized that the book in the intro scene wasn't Weiss it made it 100x more sad 😭

Amazing video, thank you

I almost broke down in the gym. Thank you. This was a beautiful analysis of a beautiful work of art

Thank you for this video. Shadowlord is my favorite song, probably ever? NieR RepliCant/Gestalt is also my favorite game of all time. This song has stuck with me for so many years, and it feels really powerful when you sing it (which I only really do when I'm alone, but still). There's so much I could talk about when it comes to NieR, but I don't want to flood the comments so I'll leave it at "God, what a fucking game"

Great video well worth the 33Mins. I love these analysis videos on these NieR tracks. Here is to hoping for an Ashes of Dreams analysis soon! Keep up the good work!

Never thought that a music review would bring a tear to my eye, but here we are. You sir are excellent😀

NieR may be my favorite soundtrack of all time. Just the level of beauty and depth in each piece stands on a league of its own. But even among a sea of gems, two stand out to me as nothing less than pure masterpieces and they are Snow in Summer and Shadowlord. Shadowlord maybe actually be my favorite song in any video game PERIOD. It's such an awe-inspiring piece of music that I literally never get tired of hearing. NieR truly is the gold standard for video gaming music in my opinion, even if it's not super iconic or well-known.

Barely understood anything about the music theory since I'm not very familiar with it, but your editing with side notes on sheet music + colors for keys/tones helped a lot to capture what you were saying out loud. It was great and helpful! Also your script with joke-ish and emotional story parts while tearing down the song were awesome, brought me back to when I was struggling emotionally to even finish the game 💙

Great video, you sure deserve more subs

I don’t know any music theory but god, I love this analysis and explanation so much cuz it shows just how much of the story is tied to a piece and you just have to feel it. It’s a go to song when I’m brainstorming on stories with a particular tone and I definitely understand it on a different level now than I initially did

I think Im too stupid to understand this video, although I love the emotions that Keiichi Okabe evokes in Yoko Taro's productions thanks to his music

Great work

really excellent video man.

omg! i remember seeing your "snow in summer" video and getting so excited, because nier and music theory are two of my favorite things but I thought they were too niche to ever see together?? that video was amazing, and I bet this one will be great too :) shadowlord is such a beautiful song (lol). keep up the great work!!! update after watching: i was near tears for the whole second half of the video, oh my gosh that was an amazing analysis-- not just musically, but for the story. I confess that I haven't played this game, but I know the story and soundtrack (the original version, the one that's on spotify) by heart. Shadowlord has been one of my favorite songs (and characters) for so long, but many of the sections aren't on the spotify version, so I was hearing them for the first time in this video! Also, I didn't know how the boss fight ended (with the shadowlord needing three hits and each hit stripping away the music), so hearing that along with your excellent storytelling caused so many emotions in me! The Shadowlord is such a tragic character... seeing how he gave up at the end broke my heart. you spoke so compassionately about him. The editing of this video is incredible, too. My jaw dropped when the video cut from boss-shadowlord getting hit to kid-in-store-shadowlord getting attacked the same way. Again, thank you so much for making this. It's embarrassing how strongly this video affected me. best wishes to you!

Glad you're back! Unfortunately I have nothing insightful to add as my brain has mushified, but the quality of your videos just keep going up, and they're already great from the get go

An awesome analysis right as flawless as that musical masterpiece. The massive feelings...

I never thought a musical analysis video would be able to make me hurt so much but I just hit the end of it and now I am ugly crying. That was excellently done.