I purchased this soundtrack without having ever played a moment of this game. There are no musical cues tied to any mindless slaughter, rather, it’s a beautiful, haunting experience that meshes well with Marty’s previous efforts. I initially came to learn about, and then love, Halo, from its musical score. I was flabbergasted that such a wondrous soundtrack was crafted with the intent to be mixed with a barbaric shoot-em-up.
But just as I discovered in the game’s campaign, I found the music tapped into a deeper, contrasting set of emotions, filled with dread, and the far off sense of hope. And that is what Halo 4 delivers. An exhilarating orchestra score rivaling these big budget flicks of today. You may deem a game’s soundtrack as something “for the gutters”, but clear your mind, and allow yourself the sense of escapism, to enjoy this music on its own merits. Away from those alien -Yoinks!-. No, it is not Mozart, but if there was a Mozart, or Beethoven, of gaming, then the Halo franchise is the closest we’ve come.
This is merely the expressions of one user who is fortunate enough to have the aid of ears, to another. If you happen to have a set of ears, I suggest you give the soundtrack a try, it may not be Marty, but it deserves a listen. Thank you. Hopefully musical discussion can tide our way until HALO 4 comes out. I’m outright avoiding game threads until after I’ve played.