Halo's legendary music

Hey!
Instead of doing homework- which I should probably get back to right after this is up, I’d began to think about the future of Halo. Of course, all of us have, but in my humble opinion, it’s not just the big things that make Halo… well… Halo! It’s the smaller things as well.

See, the past two Halo games (343i’s Halo games) have had constantly… un-Halo-ish music. It peeks more into the action-y sort of digital vibe and style. What happened to the mythic staple that Halo had on all of its games? The one thing that Bungie kept constant, and one of the things most associated and recognizable than nearly anything else? If you haven’t caught on to that last bit, I’m talking about the music of course. Bungie did an amazing job with their music. It was so unique, uplifting, and overall made this really strange but perfect atmosphere of shooting aliens with an orchestra and chorus blasting in your ears. It didn’t match- but it was that difference that made it fit so well. You were a bad–Yoink- space super-soldier exploring an ancient alien weapon the size of a planet, watching all these wonders unfold right before your eyes. The sentinels, the covenant, the horror of the flood, everything. It created, per-say, a ‘religious’ atmosphere. One filled with wonder, grace, and still had the tenacity to bring in the bad–Yoink- of humanity in the future. It was a story of sadness, motivation, struggle and relentlessness on both sides. A fight to survive. Of course, the orchestral music and the chorus made it all much more dramatic, and filled in much of the atmosphere we all know and love today. So- now we know the obvious importance of the music for the games, how do we dare address such a masterpiece? How do we continue its legacy?

Well, as I stated, the music of Halo today isn’t what it once was. They tried change and evolution- which granted is required to make a new game, but they strayed too far. We’ve seen them attempt to remaster the music of the older Halo games with the anniversary versions. Sure, they haven’t with Halo 3, but we’re all sure an anniversary version is on it’s way (possibly). I just wanted to pop a quick question to you guys to see what your thoughts on this were. What if, to fit the new age of Halo as well as the return to the original Halo art style and vibe, they combined the music? That may sound crazy but hear me out. Neither version is perfect and we both may think each has its own pros and cons. Take Halo 2’s Peril and Jeopardy songs for example.

(Apologies but you can’t click on the links but have to manually paste them.)

> Halo 2 OST - Peril: Halo 2 Soundtrack - Peril - YouTube

> Halo 2 Anniversary OST - Jeopardy: Halo 2 Anniversary OST - Jeopardy - YouTube

Now that you may or may not have listened to them and compared the two, you can tell that each side has its own pros and cons. Personally, I like the original version better because it’s more clear, but Jeopardy definitely has a stronger bass and is much more… motivational? I don’t know the word I’m looking for, but regardless it is a nice version. Now, I’ve come across a video after looking at some Halo songs, and it’s actually both songs combined by a lovely man on youtube named InfinityXSeven. As I said, he’s combined both versions and somehow made a version that’s (again, in my opinion,) better than both of them since he made it compliment each other. I wanted to know your thoughts on how he did, and also if you’d like to see a classic music style mixed with a newer one?

(Again, sorry but you have to paste the link manually.)

> Halo 2 Anniversary: Peril & Jeopardy Combined link: - YouTube

If you want to know what the song is basically, it’s got the bass of Jeopardy as well as the pizzicato (plucking of the strings) in Peril. It combines both much better and highlights the best of both songs.

Anyways, give me your all’s honest thoughts. I’m just rather curious as to how you all feel about this!
Cheers!
Kmic

They might very well combine the two styles. I did enjoy Kazuma’s music, but Marty’s material will always be in a league of its own. The trailer for Infinite seemed to have a mix of new and classic music, with the ending shot of the title having the famous “da-da-daaaaaa-da-daaaaaaaaaaaaaa.” Since Kazuma is no longer at 343i either, the new composer could very well end up blending the work of both those composers. The reason I think he/she won’t have a completely new style of music is because the game seems to be going in a classic direction with some 343i enhancements, at least as far as art style is concerned. An entirely new style of music wouldn’t really match. Either way though, this is an interesting topic and I’m excited to get my hands on the soundtrack whenever it comes out :slight_smile:

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> They might very well combine the two styles…

Thanks for the response :). I have a good feeling that, since they’re trying to bring in older fans and bring in what made Halo amazing, they’ll pull back the music as well to a time when it was bliss. Regardless though, thanks for the extra info :slight_smile:

I’m still holding out hope that Marty will somehow be involved in the score, despite his being busy with his own studio.

What with him hanging out with Jen Taylor and some 343 people a few months ago (around the time Kazuma Jinnouchi was announced to be leaving 343, coincidentally), I feel like the possibility could’ve at least been DISCUSSED. Also, the fact that Infinite is ostensibly going back to its “classic” Halo roots (music included, based on the trailer), bringing back the “Marty Magic” would certainly help the cause.

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> I’m still holding out hope that Marty will somehow be involved in the score, despite his being busy with his own studio.

I hope that’s the case. Regardless, he was fired from Bungie a few years back meaning that he isn’t tied up with any contract unless he’s taken one up with 343. In that case, I hope he’s taken up that contract because Halo needs him- or at least needs a part of him back. It just isn’t the same without his iconic and catchy tunes in our ears.