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{{ratings}}
{{Title|''Halo 2: Original Soundtrack''}}
{{Era|H2}}
{{Status|RealWorld}}
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.
{{References}}
{{Soundtrack infobox
|image=<choose><option>[[File:Halo2-Volume1-OriginalSoundtrack.jpg|300px|Cover Art, Volume 1.]]</option><option>[[File:Halo2Soundtrack2.jpg|300px|Cover Art, Volume 2.]]</option></choose>
|release=
|label=Sumthing Else Musicworks
|producer=[[Martin O'Donnell]] and [[Michael Salvatori]]
|composer=Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori
|performance=Martin O'Donnell, Michael Salvatori, [[Steve Vai]], Breaking Benjamin, [[Incubus]], Hoobastank, Nile Rodgers, Nataraj, Daniel Estrin
|length= 138:08
}}


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]]."
The '''''Halo 2: Original Soundtrack''''' is the musical score for ''[[Halo 2]]''. it was composed and produced by [[Martin O'Donnell]] and [[Michael Salvatori]], with a few tracks by [[Incubus]].


=== Volume 1 ===
==Production==
[[Image:Halo2Soundtrack1.jpg|thumb|right|Cover Art, Volume 1]]
While the ''[[Halo: Original Soundtrack]]'' was released in a single album, the ''Halo 2: Original Soundtrack'' was split into two volumes, which were released almost two years apart. Volume One was released on November 9, 2004 and Volume Two was released on April 25, 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 redesigned Halo Theme Mjolnir Mix. As such, O'Donnell brought in several bands and guitarists (such as Incubus and Breaking Benjamin) to help compose some of the music.
# [[Halo Theme 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
# [[Flawed Legacy]] - 1:59
# [[Impend]] - 2:21
# [[Never Surrender]] - 3:36 (Nile Rodgers & Nataraj:)
# [[Ancient Machine]] - 1:39
# [[2nd Movement of The Odyssey]] - 5:10 (Incubus)
# [[In Amber Clad (Song)|In Amber Clad]] - 1:38
# [[The Last Spartan]] - 2:18
# [[Orbit of Glass]] - 1:18
# [[3rd Movement of The_Odyssey]] - 6:40 (Incubus)
# [[Heavy Price Paid]] - 2:32
# [[Earth City]] - 3:06
# [[High Charity]] - 1:59
# [[4th Movement of The Odyssey]] - 9:07 (Incubus)
# [[Remembrance]] - 1:17
# [[Connected]] - 2:39 (Hoobastank) "Bonus Song"


=== Volume 2 ===
Volume 2 of the soundtrack differs greatly from Volume 1 in the presentation and form of the music. 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]]''."
[[Image:Halo2Soundtrack2.jpg|thumb|right|Cover Art, Volume 2]]
# Prologue - 2:35
# [[Cairo Suite]] - 9:42
# [[Mombasa Suite]] - 6:41
# [[Unyielding]] - 3:05
# [[Mausoleum Suite]] - 8:10
# [[Unforgotten]] - 2:09
# [[Delta Halo Suite]] - 11:26
# [[Sacred Icon Suite]] - 7:26
# [[Reclaimer (music)|Reclaimer]] - 3:05 (Guitarist: [[Steve Vai]])
# [[High Charity Suite]] - 8:27
# Finale - 3:10
# [http://halo.wikia.com/wiki/Epilogue_(Music)] - 3:49


== Additional information ==
[[Halo 2: Anniversary Original Soundtrack|A remastered soundtrack]] of the ''Halo 2: Original Soundtrack'' was re-recorded and produced by [[Skywalker Sound]] and released on [[2014|November 11, 2014]] for ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''.<ref name="ign">[http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/10/13/listen-to-the-halo-2-anniversary-soundtrack-right-now '''IGN.com''': ''Listen to the Halo 2: Anniversary Soundtrack Right Now - IGN First'']</ref>
* '''Original composition:''' Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori
 
* '''Sound design:''' Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori
==Track listing==
* '''Arrangement:''' Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori
===Volume 1===
* '''Label:''' Sumthing Else Musicworks
#[[Halo Theme MJOLNIR Mix|Halo Theme Mjolnir Mix]] – 4:11
* '''Performance:''' Martin O'Donnell, Michael Salvatori, Steve Vai, Breaking Benjamin, Incubus, Hoobastank, Nile Rodgers, Nataraj,  Daniel Estrin
#[[Blow Me Away]] – 3:25
#[[Peril]] – 2:46
#[[Ghosts of Reach]] – 2:21
#[[The Odyssey|Follow (1st Movement of The Odyssey)]] – 4:15
#[[Heretic, Hero]] – 2:34
#[[Flawed Legacy]] – 1:58
#[[Impend]] – 2:21
#[[Never Surrender]] – 3:35
#[[Ancient Machine]] – 1:39
#[[The Odyssey|2nd Movement of The Odyssey]] – 7:40
#[[In Amber Clad (music)|In Amber Clad]] – 1:38
#[[The Last Spartan]] – 2:18
#[[Orbit of Glass]] – 1:17
#[[The Odyssey#3rd Movement of the Odyssey|3rd Movement of The Odyssey]] – 6:40
#[[Heavy Price Paid]] – 2:31
#[[Earth City]] – 3:06
#[[High Charity (music)|High Charity]] – 1:59
#[[The Odyssey#4th Movement of the Odyssey|4th Movement of The Odyssey]] – 9:06
#[[Remembrance]] – 1:17
#[[Connected]] – 2:39
 
===Volume 2===
#[[Prologue (music)|Prologue]] – 2:36
#[[Cairo Suite]] – 9:42
#[[Mombasa Suite]] – 6:42
#[[Unyielding]] – 3:05
#[[Mausoleum Suite]] – 8:12
#[[Unforgotten]] – 2:11
#[[Delta Halo Suite]] – 11:27
#[[Sacred Icon Suite]] – 7:27
#[[Reclaimer (music)|Reclaimer]] – 3:05
#[[High Charity Suite]] – 8:29
#[[Finale (Halo 2)|Finale]] – 3:11
#[[Epilogue (Halo 2)|Epilogue]] – 3:49
 
==Covenant scripture==
Contained within the booklet inserts for both volumes of the OST are some sections of [[Covenant]] scripture. Volume 1 included an excerpt from the [[Writ of Union]], originally cut from ''Halo 2'' itself and also featured in ''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]'', while Volume 2 contains an excerpt from the [[Ratification Parley]].
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
;Volume 1 excerpt
{{Quote|So full of hate were our eyes<br />:That none of us could see<br />Our war would yield countless dead<br />:But never victory<br />So let us cast arms aside<br />:And like discard our wrath<br />Thou, in faith, will keep us safe<br />:Whilst we find the path|[[High Council of Concordance]],<br /> [[Ages_of_Reconciliation#852_BCE:_The_First_Age_of_Reconciliation|First Age of Reconciliation]]}}
{{Col-2}}
;Volume 2 excerpt
{{Quote|What hope has this [[Covenant|alliance]]<br />If we cannot conquer<br />Doubt of faith not each other—<br />If our belief should falter?<br />But put an ear to the stones<br />Of this [[High Charity|Holy City]]<br />Inside Their voices echo still:<br />"[[Seven]] rings begin The Journey!"|Excerpt, Ratification Parley<br/>[[High Council of Concordance]]}}
{{Col-end}}


== Trivia ==
== Trivia ==
* Volume 1 also included an excerpt of the [[Covenant]] [[Writ of Union]].
*When played in [[Reversed Messages|reverse]], Destroyer's Invocation from [[Mausoleum Suite]] on Volume 2 plays a cryptic message.
* Volume 2 also included an excerpt of the Covenant [[Ratification Parley]].
*''Halo 2'' has the most unreleased music of all of the Halo soundtracks.
* When played in reverse, the "Destroyers Invocation" part of [[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>
 
** The "Infected" movement seemingly contains reversed vocals as well, it is unknown whether there is a message hidden here or if they are just part of the music.
== Gallery ==
* There are several extra tracks not included in either of the two Halo 2 OST's, and can only be heard during gameplay, some of these are:
<gallery>
**[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ez_glg1Yh6E Metropolis (Bridge)] - Played when halfway across the bridge at the beginning of [[Metropolis (Level)|Metropolis]]. This is an altered version of the MJOLNIR Mix track, focusing on the instrumental side.
File:Halo2-Volume1-OriginalSoundtrack.jpg|Cover art, Volume 1.
**[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjFdrB6gi4k Metropolis (Finale)] - Played at the end of [[Metropolis (Level)|Metropolis]] during the [[Scarab]] battle. Another altered version of the MJOLNIR Mix, this one, focusing on the guitar.
File:Halo2Soundtrack2.jpg|Cover art, Volume 2.
**[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-i_TTUhkN9A Delta Halo (Landing)] - Played during the Warthog sequence on [[Delta Halo (Level)|Delta Halo]]. This track is obviously a remix of [[In Amber Clad (Song)|In Amber Clad]], but is shorter than its counterpart.
</gallery>
**[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nc1xgOMS63M Sacred Icon (Final Drop)] - Played when dropping down the final piston on [[Sacred Icon (Level)|Sacred Icon]]. This is an altered version of the last part of [[Sacred Icon Suite]]. It is also played on [[The Arbiter (Level)|The Arbiter]] when you first encounter the [[Heretic Leader]].
**[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFxRAurzH5k Quarantine Zone (Drumrun)] - Played in the [[Sentinel]] factory on [[Quarantine Zone (Level)|Quarantine Zone]]. As it's name implies, this track is focused on the drum section. This was also featured in the "Another Day At the Beach" podcast.
** There's another "lost song" played in Commons Area B-01 on [[Cairo Station (Level)|Cairo Station]], as well as several minor variations of the soundtrack songs in-game (eg: a more instrumental version of [[Earth City]] on [[Metropolis (Level)|Metropolis]], an alternate version of "Cortege" from [[Sacred Icon Suite]] on [[Regret]], and the variation of [[Heretic, Hero]] played during the [[Quarantine Zone (Level)|Quarantine Zone]] elevator sequence) .
**There is also an eerie choral background on [[The Arbiter (Level)|The Arbiter]] in the hangar bay.


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


==Related Pages==
{{Soundtrack}}
* [[Halo 2]]
* [[Halo: Original Soundtrack]]
* [[Halo 3: Original Soundtrack]]


{{Halo Music}}
[[Category:Halo 2 OST| ]]
[[Category:The Real World]]
[[Category:Halo Music]]
[[Category:Music]]

Latest revision as of 00:49, March 27, 2024

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Halo 2: Original Soundtrack
Cover Art, Volume 2.

Label:

Sumthing Else Musicworks

Producer(s):

Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori

Composer(s):

Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori

Performance:

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

Total length:

138:08

 

The Halo 2: Original Soundtrack is the musical score for Halo 2. it was composed and produced by Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori, with a few tracks by Incubus.

Production[edit]

While the Halo: Original Soundtrack was released in a single album, the Halo 2: Original Soundtrack was split into two volumes, which were released almost two years apart. Volume One was released on November 9, 2004 and Volume Two was released on April 25, 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 redesigned Halo Theme Mjolnir Mix. As such, O'Donnell brought in several bands and guitarists (such as Incubus and Breaking Benjamin) to help compose some of the music.

Volume 2 of the soundtrack differs greatly from Volume 1 in the presentation and form of the music. 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."

A remastered soundtrack of the Halo 2: Original Soundtrack was re-recorded and produced by Skywalker Sound and released on November 11, 2014 for Halo 2: Anniversary.[1]

Track listing[edit]

Volume 1[edit]

  1. Halo Theme Mjolnir Mix – 4:11
  2. Blow Me Away – 3:25
  3. Peril – 2:46
  4. Ghosts of Reach – 2:21
  5. Follow (1st Movement of The Odyssey) – 4:15
  6. Heretic, Hero – 2:34
  7. Flawed Legacy – 1:58
  8. Impend – 2:21
  9. Never Surrender – 3:35
  10. Ancient Machine – 1:39
  11. 2nd Movement of The Odyssey – 7:40
  12. In Amber Clad – 1:38
  13. The Last Spartan – 2:18
  14. Orbit of Glass – 1:17
  15. 3rd Movement of The Odyssey – 6:40
  16. Heavy Price Paid – 2:31
  17. Earth City – 3:06
  18. High Charity – 1:59
  19. 4th Movement of The Odyssey – 9:06
  20. Remembrance – 1:17
  21. Connected – 2:39

Volume 2[edit]

  1. Prologue – 2:36
  2. Cairo Suite – 9:42
  3. Mombasa Suite – 6:42
  4. Unyielding – 3:05
  5. Mausoleum Suite – 8:12
  6. Unforgotten – 2:11
  7. Delta Halo Suite – 11:27
  8. Sacred Icon Suite – 7:27
  9. Reclaimer – 3:05
  10. High Charity Suite – 8:29
  11. Finale – 3:11
  12. Epilogue – 3:49

Covenant scripture[edit]

Contained within the booklet inserts for both volumes of the OST are some sections of Covenant scripture. Volume 1 included an excerpt from the Writ of Union, originally cut from Halo 2 itself and also featured in Halo: Contact Harvest, while Volume 2 contains an excerpt from the Ratification Parley.

Volume 1 excerpt

"So full of hate were our eyes
:That none of us could see
Our war would yield countless dead
:But never victory
So let us cast arms aside
:And like discard our wrath
Thou, in faith, will keep us safe
:Whilst we find the path
"
High Council of Concordance,
First Age of Reconciliation
Volume 2 excerpt

"What hope has this alliance
If we cannot conquer
Doubt of faith not each other—
If our belief should falter?
But put an ear to the stones
Of this Holy City
Inside Their voices echo still:
"Seven rings begin The Journey!"
"
— Excerpt, Ratification Parley
High Council of Concordance

Trivia[edit]

  • When played in reverse, Destroyer's Invocation from Mausoleum Suite on Volume 2 plays a cryptic message.
  • Halo 2 has the most unreleased music of all of the Halo soundtracks.

Gallery[edit]

Sources[edit]