Real World

Tip of the Spear (music): Difference between revisions

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{{Era|RW}}
{{Title|Tip of the Spear}}
{{Infobox song
{{Status|RealWorld}}
{{disambig header|the soundtrack|the level of the same name|Tip of the Spear}}
{{Music infobox
  | name      = Tip of the Spear
  | name      = Tip of the Spear
  | video     = {{#widget:YouTube|id=m9wdY1ONiJM|width=200|height=25}}
  | yt     = 9PBtHDy-FU4
  | album      = [[Halo: Reach Original Soundtrack]]
  | album      = ''[[Halo: Reach Original Soundtrack]]''
  | composer  = [[Martin O'Donnell]] and [[Michael Salvatori]]
  | composer  =  
*[[Martin O'Donnell]] and [[Michael Salvatori]] {{C|''Unreconciled''}}
*Martin O'Donnell, Michael Salvatori, and [[Stan LePard]] {{C|''Any Means Necessary'', ''Eyes on the Prize'', & ''Breaking Point''}}
  | length    = 6:05
  | length    = 6:05
  | last      = [[Nightfall (music)|Nightfall]]
  | last      = [[Nightfall (music)|Nightfall]]
Line 10: Line 14:
  }}
  }}


'''Tip of the Spear''' is the fifth track of the [[Halo: Reach Original Soundtrack]]. It contains the musical segments ''Unreconciled'', ''Any Means Necessary'', ''Eyes on the Prize'' and ''Breaking Point''.
'''Tip of the Spear''' is the fifth track (Disc 1 Track 5) included in ''[[Halo: Reach Original Soundtrack]]'', and plays mainly in the ''[[Halo: Reach]]'' campaign level ''[[Tip of the Spear]]''. It is composed of ''Unreconciled'' (0:00-3:09), ''Any Means Necessary'' (3:09-3:59), ''Eyes on the Prize'' (3:59-5:11), and ''Breaking Point'' (5:11-6:05).


==Appearances==
==Overview==
Unreconciled is played twice in the fifth campaign level in ''[[Halo: Reach]]'', [[Tip of the Spear]]: first during the opening cinematic and again during the [[Falcon]] turret section. It can also be heard in the opening cinematic for the tenth campaign level, [[Pillar of Autumn (Halo: Reach level)|Pillar of Autumn]], and during the Halo: Reach credits. The other songs of the track are played during various parts of Tip of the Spear.
===Unreconciled===
''Unreconciled'' (3:09) opens with low strings invoking the triplet rhythms from the Halo Theme. High strings join in, building up to a triplet rhythm, accompanied by percussion. High strings transition into the main melody, slowing down briefly before entering a trembling solo. Percussion returns, followed by low strings and chorus singing the Halo Gregorian chant, and then the melody of high strings from the second section of ''[[Truth and Reconciliation Suite]]'' (from ''[[Halo: Original Soundtrack]]''). Low strings continue, accompanied by high strings playing the melody. Together the two build up to a climatic ending in which all instruments played the triplet rhythm of the Halo theme, ending with a single note. The first section plays in the opening cinematic of the level Tip of the Spear. A percussion-only version plays when [[SPARTAN-B312|Noble Six]] commandeers the [[M12R Rocket Warthog]] and drives to the first {{Pattern|Cheru|Tyrant}}. A strings-only version with low percussion plays when [[Jorge-052]] and Noble Six ride the [[UH-144 Falcon]] to [[Spire One]]. The first section plays again in the opening cinematic of the level ''[[The Pillar of Autumn (Halo: Reach level)|The Pillar of Autumn]]''. The piece plays in full during the [[Halo: Reach credits|credits]] of ''Halo: Reach''.


==Trivia==
===Any Means Necessary===
*This soundtrack bears resemblance to ''Orbital Drop Shock Trooper'', a song from ''Finale'' in the ''[[Halo 3: ODST Original Soundtrack]]''.
''Any Means Necessary'' (0:50) features synth notes and digital effects, accompanied by percussion which takes over for the second half. The piece plays when Noble Six moves southwards after destroying the first Tyrant.
**Both soundtracks start with strong melodies. Usually it is a theme already played from the soundtrack, or reminiscences from the other soundtracks.
**The soundtracks relax toward the middle, and the climax is based on other songs from the ''Halo'' series, including the ''[[Halo Theme]]'' and the arpeggios in songs such as ''[[One Final Effort]]'' and ''[[Truth and Reconciliation Suite]]'' in ''Unreconciled'', and the alto saxophone theme most evident in  ''Overture'', ''[[Deference for Darkness]]'' , and ''[[Special Delivery]]''.
**Finally, as the song closes, a modified version of the beginning plays again, both songs have piano arpeggios at this section, and the song finally closes to a big finale.
*The first part of the soundtrack, ''Unreconciled'', is a reference that [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] forces and the [[Covenant]] forces are "unreconciled". It may also be a reference to "Reconciled", a piece in the Halo 3 soundtrack.
*The second part of the soundtrack, ''Any Means Necessary'', is a direct quote from [[Carter-A259]].<ref>'''Halo: Reach''', campaign level ''Tip of the Spear'' ('''Carter-A259''': "''I want you to neutralize that gun, by any means necessary.''")</ref>
*The third musical segment, ''Eyes on the Prize'', is also a direct quote from Carter-A259.<ref>'''Halo: Reach''', campaign level ''Tip of the Spear'' ('''Carter-A259''': "''Eyes on the prize, Noble.''")</ref>


===Additional information===
===Eyes on the Prize===
*Unreconciled: 3:05
''Eyes on the Prize'' (1:12) opens with ambient synth, joined by percussion and brass. It ends with synth notes. A version without percussion plays when Noble Six arrives at the [[BXR Mining Corporation|BXR]] mining facility. The full version plays when Noble Six attacks the second Tyrant.
*Any Means Necessary: 0:50
 
*Eyes on the Prize: 1:11
===Breaking Point===
*Breaking Point: 0:56
''Breaking Point'' (0:54) features low tempo, heavy percussive beats. It fades out for an ending. The piece plays when Noble Six enters Spire One.
 
==Production notes==
*''Unreconciled'' was composed as a "big heroic piece". O'Donnell maintained the use of major, minor, and atonal harmonies from the music in the ''Halo'' trilogy, but also incorporated [[wikipedia:Phrygian mode|Phrygian mode]] into its melody, particularly using the notes G-A♭-G-F-G (1-2-1-7-1 on the key of G) from the scale as the signature motif for ''Halo: Reach''. During its initial composition on the piano, O'Donnell struggled to find an ending for the piece until during an attempt titled ''"Unreconciled2"''.{{Ref/YouTube|QYE02nTHKdU|Martin O'Donnell|Reach Music Inception Pt1|Y=2020|M=11|D=4}}
*Structurally, ''Unreconciled'' bears resemblance to ''Orbital Drop Shock Trooper'', a piece from ''[[Finale (Halo 3: ODST)|Finale]]'' in the ''[[Halo 3: ODST Original Soundtrack]]''.
**Both pieces start with strong melodies. Usually it is a theme already played from the soundtrack, or reminiscences from the other soundtracks.
**The pieces relax toward the middle, and the climax is based on other music from the ''Halo'' series, including the ''Halo Theme'' and the arpeggios in ''Truth and Reconciliation Suite'' in ''Unreconciled'', and the alto saxophone theme most evident in  ''[[Overture]]'', Rain (from ''[[Deference for Darkness]]'') , and Street Sweeper (from ''[[Traffic Jam]]'') in ''Halo 3: ODST Original Soundtrack''.
**Finally, as the piece end, a modified version of its opening plays again, both pieces have piano arpeggios at this section, and the music finally closes to a big finale.
*The name ''Unreconciled'' is a reference to the track ''Truth and Reconciliation Suite''.{{Ref/YouTube|FTQwXVgNHLo|Bungie|Halo: Reach Campaign Preview|Y=2020|M=11|D=4}} It likely also alludes to [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] forces and the [[Covenant]] forces being "unreconciled". Incidentally, the similarly-named piece ''Reconciled'' (from ''[[Behold a Pale Horse]]'' in ''Halo 3: Original soundtrack'') is a rearrangement of the first section of ''Truth and Reconciliation Suite''.
*The names ''Any Means Necessary'' and ''Eyes on the Prize'' are direct quotes from [[Carter-A259]] during the level.{{Ref/Level|Game=Halo: Reach|Level=[[Tip of the Spear]]}}


==Sources==
==Sources==
<references/>
{{Ref/List}}


{{Soundtrack|HR}}
{{Soundtrack|HR}}

Latest revision as of 17:29, May 25, 2022

This article is about the soundtrack. For the level of the same name, see Tip of the Spear.
Tip of the Spear

Album:

Halo: Reach Original Soundtrack

Composer(s):

Length:

6:05

Previous:

Nightfall

Next:

Long Night of Solace

 

Tip of the Spear is the fifth track (Disc 1 Track 5) included in Halo: Reach Original Soundtrack, and plays mainly in the Halo: Reach campaign level Tip of the Spear. It is composed of Unreconciled (0:00-3:09), Any Means Necessary (3:09-3:59), Eyes on the Prize (3:59-5:11), and Breaking Point (5:11-6:05).

Overview[edit]

Unreconciled[edit]

Unreconciled (3:09) opens with low strings invoking the triplet rhythms from the Halo Theme. High strings join in, building up to a triplet rhythm, accompanied by percussion. High strings transition into the main melody, slowing down briefly before entering a trembling solo. Percussion returns, followed by low strings and chorus singing the Halo Gregorian chant, and then the melody of high strings from the second section of Truth and Reconciliation Suite (from Halo: Original Soundtrack). Low strings continue, accompanied by high strings playing the melody. Together the two build up to a climatic ending in which all instruments played the triplet rhythm of the Halo theme, ending with a single note. The first section plays in the opening cinematic of the level Tip of the Spear. A percussion-only version plays when Noble Six commandeers the M12R Rocket Warthog and drives to the first Cheru-pattern Tyrant. A strings-only version with low percussion plays when Jorge-052 and Noble Six ride the UH-144 Falcon to Spire One. The first section plays again in the opening cinematic of the level The Pillar of Autumn. The piece plays in full during the credits of Halo: Reach.

Any Means Necessary[edit]

Any Means Necessary (0:50) features synth notes and digital effects, accompanied by percussion which takes over for the second half. The piece plays when Noble Six moves southwards after destroying the first Tyrant.

Eyes on the Prize[edit]

Eyes on the Prize (1:12) opens with ambient synth, joined by percussion and brass. It ends with synth notes. A version without percussion plays when Noble Six arrives at the BXR mining facility. The full version plays when Noble Six attacks the second Tyrant.

Breaking Point[edit]

Breaking Point (0:54) features low tempo, heavy percussive beats. It fades out for an ending. The piece plays when Noble Six enters Spire One.

Production notes[edit]

  • Unreconciled was composed as a "big heroic piece". O'Donnell maintained the use of major, minor, and atonal harmonies from the music in the Halo trilogy, but also incorporated Phrygian mode into its melody, particularly using the notes G-A♭-G-F-G (1-2-1-7-1 on the key of G) from the scale as the signature motif for Halo: Reach. During its initial composition on the piano, O'Donnell struggled to find an ending for the piece until during an attempt titled "Unreconciled2".[1]
  • Structurally, Unreconciled bears resemblance to Orbital Drop Shock Trooper, a piece from Finale in the Halo 3: ODST Original Soundtrack.
    • Both pieces start with strong melodies. Usually it is a theme already played from the soundtrack, or reminiscences from the other soundtracks.
    • The pieces relax toward the middle, and the climax is based on other music from the Halo series, including the Halo Theme and the arpeggios in Truth and Reconciliation Suite in Unreconciled, and the alto saxophone theme most evident in Overture, Rain (from Deference for Darkness) , and Street Sweeper (from Traffic Jam) in Halo 3: ODST Original Soundtrack.
    • Finally, as the piece end, a modified version of its opening plays again, both pieces have piano arpeggios at this section, and the music finally closes to a big finale.
  • The name Unreconciled is a reference to the track Truth and Reconciliation Suite.[2] It likely also alludes to UNSC forces and the Covenant forces being "unreconciled". Incidentally, the similarly-named piece Reconciled (from Behold a Pale Horse in Halo 3: Original soundtrack) is a rearrangement of the first section of Truth and Reconciliation Suite.
  • The names Any Means Necessary and Eyes on the Prize are direct quotes from Carter-A259 during the level.[3]

Sources[edit]