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| {{Quote|'''Duh-duh-duh-daaaaaah! Duh-duh-duh-daaaaah!''' It would be a real toe tapper... if I had some. You must listen to [[Martin O'Donnell|Marty O'Donnell]], he's quite the genius! He da man!|[[Tim Dadabo]] jokingly acting as [[343 Guilty Spark]], commenting on the Halo Theme and its composition.{{Ref/YouTube|bebfm7beKmM|Mike W|Original Halo Voice Outtakes|Time=857}}}}
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| [[File:Halo chant.png|thumb|380px|The chant from beginning of the Halo Theme.]] | | [[File:Halo chant.png|right|thumb|380px|The chant from beginning of the Halo Theme.]] |
| The '''Halo Theme''' is the staple music of the [[Halo universe|''Halo'' series]]. | | The '''Halo Theme''' is the staple music of the [[Halo universe|''Halo'' series]]. |
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| It is characterized by its opening [[Wikipedia:Gregorian chant|Gregorian chant]], a tribal percussion section, and a low strings section. The low strings section featured a series of triplet rhythms, in which each triplet was followed by the melody leaping upwards by an octave, a ninth, a tenth, and finally an eleventh, before restarting at an octave. The complete theme features high strings playing a high-tempo melody which repeats in variations.
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| ==Composition==
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| The song is set in the key of E Dorian, with two sharps: F and C. The first part of the song is a choir chant which is repeated at the end, and this is set to a beat of 4-4, with the middle section featuring string instruments and percussion; this is set to a beat of 12-8 and is significantly faster than the choir chant. As for the tempo, the starting choir is set to 95 bpm (beats per minute), while the middle section speeds up to 120, before the ending choir chant which settles back to 95.
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| ==History== | | ==History== |
| [[Martin O'Donnell]] and [[Michael Salvatori]] composed the ''Halo Theme'' over the course of three days in July of 1999. O'Donnell was asked by [[Joseph Staten]] on a Thursday to compose a soundtrack for the then-upcoming [[Halo announcement trailer|''Halo'' MacWorld premiere demo]] on the following Tuesday. However, the music would need to be first recorded and shown internally within Bungie on Monday — the same day Bungie representatives would board the flight to New York for the presentation on the following day. | | [[File:Chanting_monks.png|left|thumb|The track being recorded.]] |
| {{Ref/YouTube|Id=aias|oPK81NG5ncE|Academy of Interactive Arts & Science|Halo and Destiny Composer, Marty O'Donnell <nowiki>|</nowiki> The AIAS Game Maker's Notebook}}
| | The ''Halo Theme'' was composed over the course of three days in the summer of 1999 by [[Martin O'Donnell]]. O'Donnell was asked by [[Joseph Staten]] to provide a soundtrack for the ''Halo'' MacWorld premiere demo. Staten told O'Donnell that the theme needed to evoke the game's "ancient, epic and mysterious" ambiance. To best convey this impression, O'Donnell decided to incorporate a [[Wikipedia:Gregorian chant|Gregorian chant]], which has since become a staple of the ''Halo'' series in its various forms. O'Donnell has stated that he laid down the core melody of the theme in about half an hour. The theme was recorded with an orchestra and a choir one day prior to the MacWorld presentation.<ref>'''[[Remaking The Legend]]'''</ref> |
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| Staten told O'Donnell that the theme needed to evoke the game's "ancient, epic and mysterious" atmosphere. To best convey this impression, O'Donnell drew inspiration from his studies on [[wikipedia:Medieval music|Middle Ages music]] and decided to incorporate Gregorian chant into the theme, which has since become a staple of the ''Halo'' series in its various forms.{{Ref/Film|Id=RTL|[[Remaking the Legend]]}} He was also inspired by the first verse of [[Wikipedia:The Beatles|The Beatles]]' song "[[Wikipedia:Yesterday (Beatles song)|Yesterday]]", which inspired the four-phrase structure of the Gregorian chant.{{Ref/Site|Id=Beatles|D=01|M=6|Y=2020|URL=http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/03/23/how-the-beatles-influenced-the-halo-theme-|Site=IGN|Page=How The Beatles Influenced the Halo Theme Song}}{{Ref/YouTube|Id=digipen|UKG0d3jYe9Q|Martin O'Donnell|Composing Music for Halo, Destiny, and Golem}} O'Donnell has stated that he laid down the core melody of the theme in about half an hour during the drive to the studio at Salvatori’s house.{{Ref/Reuse|Id=aias}}{{Ref/Reuse|Id=RTL}} | |
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| Recording one day prior to the MacWorld presentation, the theme was recorded with an orchestra composed of six string instruments: four violins and two cellos. O'Donnell and Salvatori sung the Gregorian chant with three jingle singers, who had previously collaborated with the duo on a number of commercials. O'Donnell and Salvatori applied reverb to the strings and choir recordings, while the cello recordings were overdubbed, thus creating the impression of a large orchestra when the recordings were added on top of the [[Wikipedia:MIDI|MIDI]] recording. O'Donnell requested one of the jingle players to sing the [[wikipedia:Qawwali|Qawwali]]-like solo during the string melody, but upon hearing O'Donnell's example, it was decided O'Donnell would sing the solo instead.{{Ref/Site|URL=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/h/halo/themakers3.htm|Site=Xbox|Page=Just the Right Sense of "Ancient"|archive=https://web.archive.org/web/20070301150741/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/h/halo/themakers3.htm}}{{Ref/Reuse|Id=digipen}}
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| After the MacWorld presentation, O'Donnell adapted different aspects of ''Halo Theme'' into various pieces of music in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' and its sequels. O’Donnell cited an anecdote from his teacher, film composer [[wikipedia:David Raksin|David Raksin]]: according to Raksin, when he expressed concerns over the repeated use of [[Wikipedia:Laura (1945 song)|the main theme]] of ''[[Wikipedia:Laura (1944 film)|Laura]]'' in its film score, Raksin was told by his mentor [[Wikipedia:Alfred Newman (composer)|Alfred Newman]] that good themes should be used repeatedly, while bad themes would have never been used in the first place.{{Ref/Reuse|Id=digipen}} O’Donnell and Salvatori followed this philosophy when composing other ''Halo'' music - a tradition carried by future composers in the franchise. Called “emotional equity” by O’Donnell, a sense of familiarity would be felt by players when themes are being repurposed, remixed, and reused throughout the trilogy.{{Ref/YouTube|0zG18XfsnvI|The Act Man|A LEGENDARY Interview with Martin O’Donnell (Composer From Bungie, Halo, Destiny)}}
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| {{clear}} | | {{clear}} |
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| ==Uses== | | ==Uses== |
| ===''Halo: Combat Evolved''=== | | ===''Halo: Combat Evolved''=== |
| {{Music infobox | | |
| | {{Infobox song |
| | name = Halo Theme | | | name = Halo Theme |
| | yt = JDI1KlXRogo | | | video = <youtube width="200" height="25">M0mQk7JEVq4</youtube> |
| | album = ''[[Halo: Original Soundtrack]]'' | | | album = [[Halo: Original Soundtrack]] |
| | composer = [[Martin O'Donnell]] and [[Michael Salvatori]] | | | composer = [[Martin O'Donnell]] and [[Michael Salvatori]] |
| | length = 4:22 | | | length = 2:57 |
| | producer = | | | producer = |
| | last = [[Dust and Echoes]] | | | last = [[Dust and Echoes]] |
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| }} | | }} |
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| '''Halo''' is the twenty-sixth and final track in the ''[[Halo: Original Soundtrack]]''. It also features bonus piece ''[[Siege of Madrigal]]'' at the end.
| | In its original incarnation, featured frequently in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', it placed heavy emphasis on deep, powerful drums and fast paced strings. The track is heard most prominently at the start of the level ''[[The Silent Cartographer]]'', during the beach landing and during the final [[Warthog run]] segment of ''[[The Maw (level)|The Maw]]''. The chant at the beginning of the piece was used for the main menu screen in-game. On the [[Halo: Original Soundtrack]], however, it was the last track, and also included the bonus track [[Siege of Madrigal]] at the end. |
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| In its original incarnation, first heard in the [[Halo announcement trailer|''Halo'' announcement trailer]], it placed heavy emphasis on deep, powerful drums and fast paced strings, mainly the '''violin'''.
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| The track plays: | |
| *In the main menu of ''Halo: Combat Evolved''
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| *At the start of the level ''[[The Silent Cartographer]]'', during the beach landing.
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| *In the [[Halo: Combat Evolved credits|credits of ''Halo: Combat Evolved'']].
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| The Gregorian chant was adapted and incorporated into the following tracks:
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| *High strings and vocals in ''[[Enough Dead Heroes]]''
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| *High strings in ''[[Perilous Journey]]''
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| *''[[Ambient Wonder]]''
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| *Vocals in ''[[Covenant Dance]]''
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| *High strings ''[[On a Pale Horse]]''
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| *Vocals in ''[[Suite Autumn]]''
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| *Low strings in ''[[Dust and Echoes]]''
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| The string melody was adapted and incorporated into the following track:
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| *The "reveal theme" in ''[[Truth and Reconciliation Suite]]''
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| *The ''Halo Theme'' string melody variation in ''Truth and Reconciliation Suite''
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| *The rock remix as a contrary motion groove in ''Truth and Reconciliation Suite''
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| *The low strings as contrary motion groove in ''[[Perilous Journey]]''
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| *The low strings in ''[[Rock Anthem for Saving the World]]''
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| An arrangement of the theme, titled ''[[Installation 04 (music)|Installation 04]]'', serves as the theme of ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''.
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| ===''Halo 2''=== | | ===''Halo 2''=== |
| {{Main|Halo Theme MJOLNIR Mix}}
| | For ''[[Halo 2]]'', the theme was remixed into the ''[[Halo Theme MJOLNIR Mix|MJOLNIR Mix]]''. The basics of the theme remain the same, but it features electric guitar overlays by former Whitesnake guitarist [[Steve Vai]]. ''Halo 2'' uses the track in its original form in certain parts, such as at the beginning section of the level ''[[Metropolis]]''. The MJOLNIR mix is played at the end of'' Metropolis'' as [[John-117]] boards the [[Type-47 Scarab|Scarab]], and later during the [[Halo 2 credits|end credits]]. It is the first track on the ''[[Halo 2: Original Soundtrack|Halo 2 Soundtrack Volume 1]]''. |
| The original piece from ''Halo: Original Soundtrack'' was remixed into the ''[[Halo Theme MJOLNIR Mix|MJOLNIR Mix]]'', the first track on the ''[[Halo 2: Original Soundtrack|Halo 2: Original Soundtrack, Volume 1]]''. The main theme remains unchanged, but it features '''electric guitar''' overlays by former Whitesnake guitarist [[Steve Vai]]. ''Halo 2'' uses the track in its original form in certain parts, such as at the beginning section of the level ''[[Metropolis]]''. The MJOLNIR mix is played at the end of'' Metropolis'' as [[John-117]] boards the [[Protos-pattern Scarab|Scarab]], and later during the [[Halo 2 credits|end credits]].
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| ''Halo 2'' featured ''Cloistered Expectancy'' (from the track ''[[Prologue (music)|Prologue]]''), which was the ''Halo 2'' rendition of the Gregorian chant from the ''Halo Theme''.
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| Two variants of the ''Halo Theme'' are featured in the ''[[Halo 2 Anniversary Original Soundtrack]]''. The ''[[Halo Theme Gungnir Mix]]'' is a remixed version of the ''MJOLNIR Mix'' from ''Halo 2'', and the ''[[Halo Theme Scorpion Mix]]'' is a percussion heavy version of the main theme.
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| ===''Halo 3''=== | | ===''Halo 3''=== |
| {{Main|One Final Effort}}
| | The theme was again revised for ''[[Halo 3]]'', this time recorded with a live orchestra instead of synthesized strings. The version used in ''Halo 3'' finishes with the ending used at the end of ''[[The Maw (level)|The Maw]]'', as opposed to the reprise of the opening chant used in the original theme and the MJOLNIR Mix. Occasionally, [[343 Guilty Spark]] can be be heard humming it with the [[IWHBYD Skull (Halo 3)|IWHBYD skull]] activated in [[campaign]]. |
| The theme was again revised for ''[[Halo 3]]'', arranged into the track ''[[One Final Effort]]'', this time recorded with a live orchestra instead of synthesized strings with the '''grand piano''' as its main instrument. The version used in ''Halo 3'' finishes with the ending used at the end of ''[[The Maw (level)|The Maw]]'', as opposed to the reprise of the opening chant used in the original theme and the MJOLNIR Mix. Occasionally, [[343 Guilty Spark]] can be heard humming it with the [[IWHBYD skull (Halo 3)|IWHBYD skull]] activated in [[campaign]]. | |
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| ===''Halo 4''=== | | ===''Halo 4''=== |
| {{Main|Sacrifice (music)}}
| | The chant portion of the theme, now referred in the [[Halo 4 credits|''Halo 4'' credits]] as "Halo Cantorum", is heard when [[Installation 03]] is revealed in the level ''[[Composer (level)|Composer]]''. The main notes of the chorus play subtly when Dr. Halsey tells her interrogator not to underestimate the Spartans. The same part is heard more prominently in the theme ''[[117]]'' when John neutralizes the external shield generators on ''[[Mantle's Approach]]''. |
| The Halo Theme was reprised as the song [[Sacrifice (music)|Sacrifice]]. The chant portion of the theme, now referred in the [[Halo 4 credits|''Halo 4'' credits]] as "Halo Cantorum", is heard when [[Installation 03]] is revealed in the level ''[[Composer (level)|Composer]]''. The main notes of the Halo Theme play in the theme ''[[117]]'' when John neutralizes the external shield generators on ''[[Mantle's Approach]]''.
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| Notes that ambiguously sound similar to the main chorus play subtly when Dr. Halsey tells her interrogator not to underestimate the Spartans.
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| ===''Halo 5: Guardians''=== | | ===''Halo 5: Guardians''=== |
| {{Main|The Trials}}
| | The ''Halo Theme'' returns in ''Halo 5: Guardians'' as part of the soundtrack ''[[Halo Canticles]]'', and invoked in ''[[The Trials]]''. It was composed on Abbey Road.<ref>[http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/jun/12/halo-5-first-play '''The Guardian''': ''Halo 5: Guardians – first play (Always a hugely important part of the Halo experience, the soundtrack has been composed by Kazuma Jinnouchi, including a re-recording of the classic Halo theme at Abbey Road studios that features a rather pleasing piano motif providing a counterpoint to the traditional operatic sweep.)'']</ref> |
| The ''Halo Theme'' returns in ''Halo 5: Guardians'', rearranged as the ''[[The Trials]]'' with more focus on '''electronic''' digital instrumentation. It's also featured as part of the soundtrack in ''[[Halo Canticles]]''. It was recorded at Abbey Road{{Ref/Site|D=01|M=6|Y=2020|URL=http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/jun/12/halo-5-first-play|Site=The Guardian|Page=Halo 5: Guardians – first play|Quote=Always a hugely important part of the Halo experience, the soundtrack has been composed by Kazuma Jinnouchi, including a re-recording of the classic Halo theme at Abbey Road studios that features a rather pleasing piano motif providing a counterpoint to the traditional operatic sweep.}} | |
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| The Gregorian chant can also be heard faintly in the ''[[All Hail]]'' and ''[[The Cost]]'' advertisements. | | ===Other media=== |
| | The [[Halo Wars: Original Soundtrack|soundtrack]] for ''[[Halo Wars]]'', composed by [[Stephen Rippy]], also uses the ''Halo Theme'' at various points, including ''[[Spirit of Fire (music)|Spirit of Fire]]'', ''[[Quite the Vacation Resort]]'', and ''[[We're Burning Sunshine]]''. |
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| ===''Halo Infinite''===
| | The ''Halo Theme'' does not appear in ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''. While stated before release that the ''Theme'' would not appear in ''[[Halo: Reach]]'',<ref>[http://www.edge-online.com/ '''EDGE Magazine'''], ''February 2010''</ref> several tracks in the soundtrack borrow motifs from it. For example, ''Immemorial'' from ''[[Overture (Halo: Reach)|Overture]]'' takes three bars from the beginning of the chant, while ''Unreconciled'' from ''[[Tip of the Spear (music)|Tip of the Spear]]'' takes the drumbeat and uses both the beginning of the chant and the main melody. |
| {{Main|The Road (music)}}
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| The Halo theme returned in the sixth mainline game as ''[[The Road (music)|The Road]]''. It was first played during the [[Discover Hope]] trailer at E3 2019.
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| Part of the theme plays during the song [[Set a Fire in Your Heart]].
| | A re-orchestrated version of the theme, titled ''[[Installation 04 (music)|Installation 04]]'', serves as the theme of ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''. |
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| ===Other media===
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| The [[Halo Wars: Original Soundtrack|soundtrack]] for ''[[Halo Wars]]'', composed by [[Stephen Rippy]], also uses the ''Halo Theme'' at various points, including ''[[Spirit of Fire (music)|Spirit of Fire]]'', ''[[Quite the Vacation Resort]]'', and ''[[We're Burning Sunshine]]''.
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| The ''Halo Theme'' does not appear in ''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''. While stated before release that the ''Theme'' would not appear in ''[[Halo: Reach]]'',<ref>[http://www.edge-online.com/ '''EDGE Magazine'''], ''February 2010''</ref> several tracks in the soundtrack borrow motifs from it. For example, ''Immemorial'' from ''[[Overture (Halo: Reach)|Overture]]'' takes three bars from the beginning of the chant, while ''Unreconciled'' from ''[[Tip of the Spear (music)|Tip of the Spear]]'' takes the drumbeat and uses both the beginning of the chant and the main melody.
| | Two variants of the ''Halo Theme'' are featured in the ''[[Halo 2 Anniversary Original Soundtrack]]''. The ''[[Halo Theme Gungnir Mix]]'' is a remixed version of the ''MJOLNIR Mix'' from ''Halo 2'', and the ''[[Halo Theme Scorpion Mix]]'' is a percussion heavy version of the main theme. |
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| The initial eight notes of the chant appear in the track ''[[Axios]]'', which can be heard after John-117 kills the second Mgalekgolo in the climax of ''[[Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn]]''. | | The initial eight notes of the chant appear after John-117 kills the second Mgalekgolo in Part 5 of ''[[Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn]]''. |
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| Although the Gregorian chant portion of the ''Halo Theme'' is used as a major motif in ''[[Halo: Nightfall]]'' trailer, the original music piece does not contain the ''Halo Theme''.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FWdSEQOHzc '''YouTube''': ''"The Liberator" (Music from the Halo: Nightfall trailer)'']</ref>
| | The Gregorian chant portion of the ''Halo Theme'' is used as a major motif in ''[[Halo: Nightfall]]'' trailers. |
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| The initial eight notes of the chant appear in episodes three and six of ''[[Hunt the Truth]] [[Hunt the Truth Season 2|Season 2]]''. | | The chant can also be heard faintly in the ''Halo 5: Guardians'' ''[[All Hail]]'' and ''[[The Cost]]'' advertisements. |
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| ====''Halo: Legends''====
| | ===''Halo: Legends''=== |
| {{Music infobox | | {{Infobox song |
| | name = Halo | | | name = Halo |
| | yt = RVmLVGu479U | | | video = <youtube width="200" height="25">wqhOsvsJyKw</youtube> |
| | album = [[Halo Legends: Original Soundtrack]] | | | album = [[Halo Legends: Original Soundtrack]] |
| | composer = [[Martin O'Donnell]] and [[Michael Salvatori]] | | | composer = [[Martin O'Donnell]] and [[Michael Salvatori]] |
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| | producer = | | | producer = |
| | last = [[Opening Suite 2]] | | | last = [[Opening Suite 2]] |
| | next = [[Desperate Measure]] | | | next = [[Desperate Measures (music)|Desperate Measures]] |
| }} | | }} |
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| ==Sources== | | ==Sources== |
| {{Ref/Sources}}
| | <references/> |
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| {{Soundtrack|H1}} | | {{Soundtrack|H1|category=no}} |
| [[Category:Music of Halo: Combat Evolved]] | | [[Category:Halo: Combat Evolved OST]] |
