Editing Halo Theme
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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]]. | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
[[ | [[File:Chanting_monks.png|left|thumb|The track being recorded.]] | ||
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.<ref name="RTL">'''[[Remaking the Legend]]'''</ref> He also drew inspiration from [[Wikipedia:The Beatles|the Beatles']] song "[[Wikipedia:Yesterday (Beatles song)|Yesterday]]", which helped him create the core melody.<ref name="Beatles">[http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/03/23/how-the-beatles-influenced-the-halo-theme-song IGN: ''How The Beatles Influenced the Halo Theme Song]</ref> 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 name="RTL"/> | |||
Staten told O'Donnell that the theme needed to evoke the game's "ancient, epic and mysterious" | |||
{{clear}} | {{clear}} | ||
==Uses== | ==Uses== | ||
===''Halo: Combat Evolved''=== | ===''Halo: Combat Evolved''=== | ||
{{ | |||
{{Infobox song | |||
| name = Halo Theme | | name = Halo Theme | ||
| | | video = {{#widget:YouTube|id=M0mQk7JEVq4|width=200|height=25}} | ||
| album = | | album = [[Halo: Original Soundtrack]] | ||
| composer = [[Martin O'Donnell]] and [[Michael Salvatori]] | | composer = [[Martin O'Donnell]] and [[Michael Salvatori]] | ||
| length = | | length = 2:57 | ||
| producer = | | producer = | ||
| last = [[Dust and Echoes]] | | last = [[Dust and Echoes]] | ||
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}} | }} | ||
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. | |||
The track | |||
===''Halo 2''=== | ===''Halo 2''=== | ||
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-47A 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]]''. | |||
===''Halo 3''=== | ===''Halo 3''=== | ||
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 heard humming it with the [[IWHBYD Skull (Halo 3)|IWHBYD skull]] activated in [[campaign]]. | |||
The theme was again revised for ''[[Halo 3 | |||
===''Halo 4''=== | ===''Halo 4''=== | ||
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's 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]]''. | |||
===''Halo 5: Guardians''=== | ===''Halo 5: Guardians''=== | ||
The ''Halo Theme'' returns in ''Halo 5: Guardians'' as part of the soundtrack ''[[Halo Canticles]]'', and rearranged in ''[[The Trials]]''. It was recorded at 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'' | |||
The Gregorian chant can also be heard faintly in the ''[[All Hail]]'' and ''[[The Cost]]'' advertisements. | The Gregorian chant can also be heard faintly in the ''[[All Hail]]'' and ''[[The Cost]]'' advertisements. | ||
===''Halo Infinite''=== | ===''Halo Infinite''=== | ||
The Halo theme was featured in the [[Halo Infinite - E3 2019 - Discover Hope Trailer]] implying its return in the sixth mainline Halo game. | |||
===Other media=== | ===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]]''. | 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]]''. | ||
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. | 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. | ||
A re-orchestrated version of the theme, titled ''[[Installation 04 (music)|Installation 04]]'', serves as the theme of ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''. | |||
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. | |||
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 in the track ''[[Axios]]'', which can be heard after John-117 kills the second Mgalekgolo in the climax 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> | 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 initial eight notes of the chant appear in | The initial eight notes of the chant appear in episodes three and six of ''[[Hunt the Truth]] [[Hunt the Truth Season 2|Season 2]]''. | ||
===''Halo: Legends''=== | |||
{{ | {{Infobox song | ||
| name = Halo | | name = Halo | ||
| | | video = {{#widget:YouTube|id=wqhOsvsJyKw|width=200|height=25}} | ||
| 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 | | next = [[Desperate Measures (music)|Desperate Measures]] | ||
}} | }} | ||
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==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
<references/> | |||
{{Soundtrack|H1}} | {{Soundtrack|H1}} | ||
