Resident Evil Collaboration Sought by Silent Hill Composer

Akira Yamaoka, the celebrated composer behind Silent Hill, recently shared that he has long harbored a desire to create music for Capcom's Resident Evil franchise. Continue reading to discover Yamaoka's perspective on composition and what originally drew him into the world of music.

Silent Hill Composer Akira Yamaoka Dreams of Working on Resident Evil

Ending the Rivalry for Good

In an interview with Cyber Temple, the developer of Dark Switch, Silent Hill's composer and sound director Akira Yamaoka revealed his interest in contributing to the music of Resident Evil, the rival survival-horror series. Yamaoka recently collaborated on the Dark Switch soundtrack. As part of the promotional activities leading to the game's October 2025 launch, the developer published an interview where Yamaoka discussed his career as a musician and his approach to composing.

While Akira Yamaoka has composed and directed music for games such as Slitterhead, Lollipop Chainsaw, and Shadows of the Damned, he is most recognized for his contributions to the Silent Hill series. Although the franchise already possessed a unique tone and style, Yamaoka's influence was pivotal. His signature dark ambient soundscapes, trip-hop elements, inventive sampling, and gritty industrial riffs—reminiscent of the late-90s and early-2000s alternative rock scene—helped define the series' auditory identity.

In a past discussion with Daniel Kalabakov for the Swedish music site Spelmusik, Yamaoka mentioned that he proactively volunteered during the initial concept phase, convinced that he was the only one capable of crafting the distinctive sound Silent Hill required.

"From the very beginning, during the concept planning stage, I believed I was the only person suited for this project. I was the first to step forward and put my name forward for selection."

It is commonly thought that Silent Hill was Konami's more psychological answer to Capcom's action-oriented Resident Evil, the series that pioneered the survival-horror genre. Given this perceived rivalry, one might expect an artist so deeply connected to Silent Hill to show little interest in the "other side." However, many argue that this rivalry is best left in the 1990s, a time when there were few successful titles in the survival-horror category.

Yamaoka's Musical Influences

Yamaoka's reason was straightforward: he is an avid fan of the Resident Evil games. Even before his defining work on Silent Hill, he had a deep appreciation for video games and music in general. In a 2007 interview with Game Developer, he explained that he taught himself music production through computer experimentation. It was only after realizing his passion for creating music that he left his design career to pursue work in the video game industry.

Yamaoka has frequently cited various artists as inspirations. In previous interviews, he highlighted Depeche Mode, Metallica, Nine Inch Nails' Trent Reznor, and notably, Angelo Badalamenti, the composer for David Lynch's Jungian-inspired classic, Twin Peaks. This time, Yamaoka pointed to Ennio Morricone, the legendary Italian composer famous for his scores in iconic Westerns like The Dollars Trilogy and Once Upon a Time in America.

Yamaoka expressed admiration for Morricone's ability to integrate his unique musical style without overshadowing the essence of the films he scored. This philosophy has profoundly influenced Yamaoka's own composition methods, evident in his strategic approach to game music and the integral role his music plays in the Silent Hill experience.

"I believe it's crucial to first understand the game's intended direction and its target audience," he explained to Cyber Temple. "The music should then be created to align with these insights."

Overwhelming Support from the Community

Fans who learned of Yamaoka's Cyber Temple interview reacted with great enthusiasm, demonstrating that the historic rivalry between Silent Hill and Resident Evil is no longer relevant. Many Resident Evil players expressed a desire for more compelling music in the recent remakes, while others were excited by the prospect of hearing Yamaoka's interpretation of a Resident Evil save room theme.

Whether or not Yamaoka will eventually compose for Resident Evil, the community's response makes it clear that his expertise and innovative vision would be a highly valued addition to the franchise.