Halo 2 Soundtrack

Pop Music in the Halo 2 Soundtrack?

If you strip the score straight from the video game, you’ll find lots of orchestration and well-timed crescendos. Producer Niles Rodgers takes on the themes originated by Marty O’Donnell and creates a gamut of songs ranging from pop, dance, and if depressed can be a genre, he’s managed to create a couple of those types.

The Halo Theme (the first song) is turned into a Mjolnir mix, with more guitars added for more melody. The familiar choral voices are there and the tribal drums are left intact and because of the additions, the song sounds like it could come right of a rock opera.

The third song of the Halo 2 soundtrack, Peril, is a peppy little number with plucky strings and uplifting background accompaniment. Add some electronics drums or let Fatboy Slim have a go at it or a radio edit.

Heretic Hero is probably the best song on the soundtrack. It’s a simple song that starts with a drum beat and soon adds in vibrant choruses. You can definitely see yourself doing something heroic with this song as your background. It’s just the right speed with just the right amount of instruments. Heretic Hero is not overdone and introduces different elements at the perfect times, like a speedier drum sequence to the slower melody. It fits nicely.

Song number eight, Impend, is your typical soundtrack score. As with most of the Halo music, it has lots of orchestration. It’s a slower techno song, like something Groove Armada or Orbital may have done.

Never Surrender is a pure dance track, remixed by Niles Rodgers and Natara. Sound bytes from the game are used as well as parts of the main Halo theme. It’s upbeat, and fast, typical of your dance songs. The song is also remixed. The choral part of the Halo theme is inserted as it skips along the beat. You should never surrender and this song makes sure you don’t surrender. Ibiza, are you ready for this one?

Heavy Price Paid is a sad song. With losses surrounding him, Master Chief sees that even though he has risen to the challenge, success comes with a price. A soft piano guides this depressing song along.

Halo 2, Vol. 2

The Disappointments

Easily the worst song on the Halo 2 Soundtrack is the one performed by Incubus. The first 25 seconds of Follow (the first movement of the Odyssey) sounds good and will remind of you many Incubus songs. When the drums and speed metal begins, you will be annoyed. Worse is when Incubus throws in some ‘Whoas’ and ‘Yeahs’ in the middle of the song. Then weirdly enough, the last 25 seconds of the song is pretty good. If the entire song was like the first and last 25 seconds, this could have been a great addition to the soundtrack. Unfortunately, Follow is way too fast and out of place with the other songs on the soundtrack.

Ancient Machine, the tenth song, is almost as bad as Follow. The only saving grace is that it didn’t have Incubus singing in it. Instead it is one long, creepy song that sounds like a ghost is trying to spook you. You may rather listen to continuously screeching cat.

Collection Piece

If you are a Halo fan, you’ll want to pick up the Halo 2 soundtrack, which can be purchased at most music stores or downloaded from mp3 sites. Having a CD to listen to beats have to boot up your Xbox and find the level with the music you want to listen to. Most of the songs will appeal to you whether you are a casual gamer or not. There is a nice collection of remixed songs and simple songs pulled right from the game. You’ll recognize a lot of the main melodys and may even reminisce about that one level where you had 50 Covenant surrounding you. Good times. Good times.

(Here’s a little bit of soundtrack trivia: the trumpet playing is credited to Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers)