Hunter Bridge

There is a level in Halo CE where you walk out onto a bridge between two mountains, and there is another bridge parallel to it with two "hunters" (large aliens with heavy armor and weapons) on it. This epic tune begins to play as you try to make your way across the bridge without getting shot by the hunters...

"Dundundun Dunnnnn, Dundundun Dunnnnnnnnn, Dundundun Dunnnnnnnnnn, Dundundun Dunnnnn, Duh-Duh-Dum!"

Day 9: Push Through

Volume 2 of the Halo 4 soundtrack has been helping me all too well. It's militaristic, alien themes match my sci-fi almost perfectly, and their upbeat pace keeps me writing fast and steady. The title o this song is very appropriate for NaNo, as well, especially to me, since I'm starting to fall behind... (Been busy lately... that's why I didn't post music yesterday, I didn't get any writing done!)

I also like that this specific one is kind of long, which makes it good for looping during word-wars. Which 'm doing right now, if anyone wants to join me!

Day 5: Aliens

From the Halo 4 soundtrack, volume 2. I'm currently writing about a very odd and creepy alien culture, and this music (along with a few other Halo 4 volume 2 soundtracks) really helps set the mood.

It's kept me motivated and inspired while writing about the strange natives of the planet Ybarra, and the humans attempting to forge an alliance with them. Heck, this could be the theme song for my entire story...

I'll admit, some of the vocals are really weird and creepy, but they add to the feel I suppose. I really love that deep "Vuzzzzzummmmmm" that plays every 20-30 seconds or so.

My Favorite Soundtrack Ever

This is my favorite soundtrack of all time.

I came across it during a time when my life was really starting to pick up, and it helped me control my nervousness during my first debate tournament, so that might be part of why I like it so much.

You can sense action, power, direction, confidence, purpose, honor, anticipation, tension, beauty... everything I like in my music. Everything.

I really don't know what else to say. I just love this so much. And sometimes I feel so alone in liking it. As if I'm the only one of my friends who enjoys it. Which is a depressing feeling, not some expression of hipster pride. I wish my friends liked this as much as I do.

Aside from the repetition at the ending, this is, in my opinion, perfect. It's perfect! I love it! It's my favorite! There's nothing else I can say! Listen to it, all the way through. Don't stop it after the first few notes, just because it seems like it's "not your cup of tea." Do yourself a favor and listen through it to the very end. Do it!

Cloud City

A very cool track. It gives you the feeling that you're moving through some kind of very exotic alien environment. I've never played Halo 4, so I don't know the real context of this piece, but I'm sure it's cool. 

At first we're given the impression that our surroundings are very high-tech, like we're in a spaceship or futuristic city. Then we slowly move out of the city, through the more dangerous, broken-down parts of town, and then out into the wild... Perhaps a jungle, perhaps a desert, perhaps caves and canyons... let your imagination decide.

Lasky's Theme

I've never played Halo 4, so I don't know who Lasky is or what the context of this track is. However, if I could rename the track, I would rename it something like "The Soldier's Sacrifice" or "Remember the Fallen." Something along those lines. The brass gives the track a feeling of honor, while the strings make me think of sadness and sacrifice.
My guess is that Lasky is a soldier who does something rather heroic.

What's your take on this soundtrack?

Halo 1, 2, and 3 Themes

Let's start things off with a triple-feature, shall we?

First comes the classic Halo theme, then a "Rock" version for Halo 2 with electric guitar, and then a "Classical Music" version for Halo 3 with more traditional instruments.

Halo 1 theme: Gotta love it. The vocals at the beginning give it that feel of mystery, suggesting alien secrets with an almost religious vibe. Then we get those drums, and things start building up, and you know the action is about to start. The female vocals kick in with more of that mysterious, alien theme we got a taste of at the beginning. Then we get the full Halo experience, that music that just goes perfect with Marines swooshing and driving their awesome vehicles through an exotic world, blasting away at their alien enemies. And finally, we end with those mysterious vocals from the beginning, with spooky wind blowing in the background.

Halo 2 theme: Exactly the same, but this time, with an electric guitar leading the charge. I typically only like electric guitar if it's used in a remix of something I already like, and this fits that category. Though it manages to be somewhat obnoxious at times, the Rock style brings something to the table that the original just didn't have. It does a better job at embodying that "Bad@$$ marine" spirit, and you can almost imagine Pvt. Vasquez from the movie Aliens shouting "LET'S ROCK!"

Pvt. Vasquez from Aliens, "rocking" with her smartgun

Halo 3 theme: The same once more, but this time, with a more "Classical" music style, led by a piano and strings. This gives it a more angelic vibe, and you can imagine the vast expanse of star-strewn space, which you know is about to be the scene of a battle (if it isn't already). Not much to say about it, other than that it's nice. I like it. A welcome change from the harsh tones of the last one. However, there is something about it, it just sounds... computer generated, almost. It doesn't sound authentic.

Overall, though themes 2 and 3 retain unique positive qualities not seen in the first theme, I still like the original the best. What do you think?