Halo 2: Original Soundtrack: Difference between revisions

{{ratings}}{{Era|H2}}

The '''Halo 2: Original Soundtrack''' was composed and produced by [[Martin O'Donnell]] and [[Michael Salvatori]], with a few tracks by [[Incubus]]. While the [[Halo: Original Soundtrack]] was released in a one format, the Halo 2: Original Soundtrack was split into two volumes, which were released almost two years apart. Volume 1 was released on November 9th, 2004 and Volume 2 was released on April 25th, 2006. Rather than keep the medley form from the Halo: Original Soundtrack, the Halo 2: Original Soundtrack focused more on suites with different chapters, similar to movements in a symphony. Unlike the Halo: Original Soundtrack, the Halo 2: Original Soundtrack focuses more on heavy guitar riffs and beats as evident in the re-designed Halo Theme- Mjolnir Mix. As such, O'Donnell brought in several bands and guitarists (such as Incubus and Breaking Benjamin) to help compose the songs.

Volume 1 of the soundtrack differs greatly from Volume 2 in the presentation and form of the songs. While Volume 1 is made up in a "movement" form, Volume 2 focuses heavily on suites. As stated on the Volume 2 inlay card, Martin O'Donnell details why he chose to use this structure: "I decided to use a "suite" structure that corresponds to the chapters within the game. In a sense, by listening to this soundtrack, you will hear the musical representation of the story of [[Halo 2]]."

=== Volume 1 ===

[[Image:Halo2Soundtrack1.jpg|thumb|right|Cover Art, Volume 1]]

# [[Halo]] [[Halo Theme|Theme]] [[Mjolnir Mix|MJOLNIR Mix]] - 4:11 (Guitarist: [[Steve Vai]])

# [[Blow Me Away]] - 3:25 ([[Breaking Benjamin]])

# [[Peril]] - 2:47

# [[Ghosts of Reach]] - 2:22

# [[Follow]] ([[1st Movement of The Odyssey]]) - 4:15 (Incubus)

# [[Heretic, Hero]] - 2:32

# [[2nd Movement of The Odyssey]] - 5:10 (Incubus)

# [[Orbit of Glass]] - 1:18

=== Volume 2 ===

[[Image:Halo2Soundtrack2.jpg|thumb|right|Cover Art, Volume 2]]

# Prologue - 2:35

# [[Cairo Suite]] - 9:42

# [[Unforgotten]] - 2:09

# [[Delta Halo Suite]] - 11:26

* '''Original composition:''' Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori

* '''Sound design:''' Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori

* '''Arrangement:''' Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori

* '''Label:''' Sumthing Else Musicworks

* '''Performance:''' Martin O'Donnell, Michael Salvatori, Steve Vai, Breaking Benjamin, Incubus, Hoobastank, Nile Rodgers, Nataraj,  Daniel Estrin

== Trivia ==

* Volume 1 also included an excerpt of the [[Covenant]] [[Writ of Union]].

* Volume 2 also included an excerpt of the Covenant [[Ratification Parley]].

* When played in reverse, [[Mausoleum Suite]] on Volume 2 plays a cryptic message from what is thought to be the [[Gravemind]], but could in truth be many people/AI.<ref>http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5067985657980184442&q=mausoleum+suite&total=17&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0</ref>

* There are four extra tracks not included in either of the two Halo 2 OST's, and can only be heard during gameplay, these are:

**[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ez_glg1Yh6E Metropolis (Bridge)] - This is an altered version of the MJOLNIR Mix track, focusing on the instrumental side.

**[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjFdrB6gi4k Metropolis (Finale)] - Another altered version of the MJOLNIR Mix, this one, focusing on the guitar.

**[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-i_TTUhkN9A Delta Halo (Landing)] - This track somehow resembles the track In Amber Clad, yet it is shorter than it's counterpart.

**[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFxRAurzH5k Quarantine Zone (Drumrun)] - As it's name implies, this track is focused on the drum section.

==References==

<references/>

==See Also==

* [[Halo 2]]

* [[Halo: Original Soundtrack]]

* [[Halo 3: Original Soundtrack]]

[[Category:Music]]