The Wind Waker has a reputation as one of the best games on the Nintendo GameCube and Wii U. With smooth gameplay, a wonderful musical score, and a magnificent story, the game is an absolute classic. While this title often embraces a sense of unbridled joy and wild adventure, it also includes one of the saddest moments in the franchise: the heartbreaking goodbye between Link, Tetra, and the King of Hyrule. Punctuated by the haunting, piano driven piece known as “Farewell Hyrule King”, the exchange between the three characters is a moment that few fans will forget. The image of the King fading into the ocean waters is a poignant moment that lingers in many players minds long after they turn their consoles off.

This seven-minute cover of “Farewell Hyrule King” by The Consouls is an ambitious take on the song, but it faithfully captures the tone of the original when it wants to. The original version is a sad dirge that is almost exclusively a piano song. In contrast, this rearrangement makes use of a fuller set of instruments including piano, double bass, drums, saxophone, and electric guitar. The electric guitar and saxophone are especially notable in the song, providing an haunting take on the melody.

While the drums open the song, the guitar takes center stage for much of the first minute, accompanied by backing piano, bass, and drums. The guitar has a haunting sound that emphasizes the tragic nature of the song. Oddly enough, this guitar part reminds me of the guitar part in “Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts I-V)” by Pink Floyd, another song that has its roots in sad themes. In both cases, the howling guitar is a key part of conveying the tone of the piece. At around the 2:00 mark, the saxophone takes hold of the melody, providing a more smooth sound compared to the harsh guitar sound.

At 3:00, the song goes through a dramatic change in tempo. The next two and half minutes feel like a lightning-quick jam session, with each musician showcasing their skills and creating a wonderful, energetic interlude. The music transitions smoothly into the Hyrule Castle theme, which “Farewell Hyrule King” is based on. This change of pace helps the band keep the listener’s attention and provides some much needed energy after the haunting opening section. Then, in the last minute and a half, the tempo slows down again. A group of dramatic accented note signal the beginning of the end, and the lingering drum part slowly fades into the void as the song comes to an end.

What do you think of this ambitious arrangement of “Farewell Hyrule King” by The Consouls? Let us know in the comments below!

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