Milan Records releases music from the hugely popular anime franchise Fullmetal Alchemist for the first time ever outside of Japan. Available everywhere now are 11 original soundtracks, including music from both the original Fullmetal Alchemist television series and the Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood series, as well as soundtracks from the franchise’s two feature-length films, Fullmetal Alchemist: The Conqueror of Shamballa and Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos...

Having watched all of the Fullmetal Alchemist episodes, I was already familiar with the scores. In fact I was so impressed with them, at the time, that I bought as many of the soundtracks as I could online. I didn't know, until we received these reissues for review, that this is the first time that the soundtracks have been released outside of the Japanese market.

On Fullmetal Alchemist: Vol. 1 just about every aspect of composer Michiru Oshima's score is perfect. If you've heard it in the anime then you already know how important it is in breathing life, heart and soul into the series. But it works just as well as a collection of beautiful pieces in its own right.

While I love everything about this release, I have to give special mention to 'Hisou', 'Nukumori' and 'Hagane no Kokoro' for really delivering gorgeous melancholic themes.

This volume also includes the opening and closing theme songs 'Melissa' and 'Kesenai Tsumi'.

The album consists of 33 tracks (1 hr, 01 min, 46 sec) and I can honestly say that there isn't a wasted minute of music here. It's all incredibly layered and carefully constructed to get under your skin and force a strong emotional response.

10

Darren Rea