This is the second entry in the synthesized Godzilla Legend series, featuring the infamous typo of “Godgilla” on the cover, which was originally released in 1984. While the first Godzilla Legend focused on the Godzilla series, this one is dedicated to Toho’s science fiction films that do NOT include Godzilla. An interesting choice for only the second chapter in the Godzilla Legend series, but where the first one played it safe, this one takes risks both creatively and in terms of the content selected. Those risks pay off and volume two is more enjoyable than the first.

Before diving into the music, it’s worth noting that: yes, the track titles are a little artsy for this release. Considering the volume has the subtitle “Voyage to Dream Quest”, I suppose this might even be expected. Still, it might be hard not to laugh at stuff like the “Steel Ape at the Pole”, which is not quite a poetic way to say Mechani-Kong at the North Pole.

This chapter starts off with explosions, panic and then the sound of the Dogora as their theme finally kicks in. It’s an odd theme to kick off with, but gives a hint that this is not going to be your normal selection of music. The unearthly theme of the aliens works pretty well for Makoto Inoue’s style. Not all of the themes play well with Inoue’s style, though. The famous Maser Cannon march, called “Maser Ray Vehicle March” here, sounds downright sad with a rather wimpy style to what should be an energetic march.

This disc kicks it into high gear around the middle, though. It includes the highlight of the entire series for “Lost Continent of the Sacred Mu Empire Song”. The track starts off with the Empress of Mu making a fiery declaration as chanting is heard in the background. The synth work then creates a drum background as the chanting takes center stage. The song is wonderful, much more engaging than the original version found in Atragon (1963). It hits a fever pitch too when Manda is mentioned and the snake-like kaiju roars in turn.

The second half of the disc is stronger than the first overall. Stuff like the main theme for Latitude Zero (1969) lend themselves well to Inoue’s style. They sound familiar yet different, to make them interesting. Stuff like the “Earth Defense Force” theme from The Mysterians (1957) and “The Great Aerial Science War” from Dogora (1964) work pretty well. The latter is an odd choice, but starts off soothingly before kicking it into high gear and shows how Inoue slightly adapts the material. “Requiem”, found toward the end, sounds more like the Susan and King Kong theme from King Kong Escapes (1967), but is actually devoted to the death of the Rodan in their 1956 film. This is not all that apparent up until the aerial bird cries out, which is followed by the death cries of Frankenstein and Sanda later in the track. Part of the beauty of Akira Ifukube, as familiar themes always returned in his work, this being a great example as the same piece was adapted into the BabyGodzilla theme for Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla II (1993).

This LP also introduces content from the Little Prince and the Eight-Headed Dragon. This is a Toei animated film that Akira Ifukube composed. It feels a little odd to see it included here, but arranger Inoue is clearly a fan as it will show up again in full force for Godzilla Legend IV.

The disc ends with the self-titled track “Voyage to Dream Quest”. This turns out to be the battle music from Battle in Outer Space (1959). The track is iffy at times, but pays off and is a more energetic way to top off the volume after the more somber “Requiem”.

As for this release benched against others, the sound quality is top notch. Everything is beautifully remastered, and the Mu’s song benefits from that the most. There is excellent range and clarity to the song, and it’s really great to behold the fruits of King Records’ labor in their remastering. Unfortunately, this disc is missing the karaoke version of that same song that was found on earlier editions. It’s also missing the alternate version of the “I’m a Space Pilot” song from Gorath (1962), although that was an odd bonus anyway since the original song is found in Godzilla Legend III.

Overall, of the original LPs, this one is my favorite. However, I have a nostalgic attachment to it as I was given a CD version of it back in the 1990’s. Objectively speaking, this is probably runner up to Godzilla Legend III. That said, it does feature the single best track of the series in the form of the Mu song which has never sounded better than it has on this release.

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