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{{Era|H1|H2|H3}}
{{Status|RealWorld}}
{{realworld}}
{{Music infobox
Every player of [[Halo: Combat Evolved]] and [[Halo 2]] recognizes the '''Mjolnir Mix''', it is the theme song of the ''Halo'' series. The song itself gets its name from the [[MJOLNIR Armor]] worn by the [[Master Chief]], the main character of the series.
| name      = Halo Theme MJOLNIR Mix
| yt      = 0JQt8VKgizg
| album      = ''[[Halo 2: Original Soundtrack]]''
| composer  = [[Martin O'Donnell]] and [[Michael Salvatori]] (feat. [[Steve Vai]])
| next      = [[Blow Me Away]]
| length    = 04:11
}}


The song, composed by [[Marcus R. Lehto]] and [[Michael Salvatori]], is the trademark music that is played at the beginning of each game. In ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', it was a mostly orchestral piece, but in [[Halo 2]], the producers brought in [[Steve Vai]] who remixed the song with electric guitars to give it a more pumped-up feel. The track is featured prominently on the [[Halo 2: Original Soundtrack]] volume 1, as the first song.
'''Halo Theme MJOLNIR Mix''' is the first track in ''[[Halo 2: Original Soundtrack#Volume 1|Halo 2: Original Soundtrack, Volume 1]]''.  


Part of the Mjolnir Mix is heard on the [[Halo 3 Announcement Trailer]], and it will probably continue to be the theme song when that game comes out. Interestingly, it is not heard in the [[Halo Wars Announcement Trailer]]. The song was then played again during the [[Halo 3 E3 2007 Trailer]] in a newer, much more dramatic tone. The electric guitars had been removed, and replaced with a much more orchestral piece more reminiscent of how it was originally written.
==Overview==
The piece is a remix of the original ''[[Halo Theme]]'', comprising of two electric guitars (a lead guitar on the left side and a rhythm guitar on the right side) accompaniment by [[Steve Vai]].  


==The Song==
Because of his involvement in the ''Halo 2: Original Soundtrack'', Steve Vai was invited to contribute to the ''[[Halo Theme Gungnir Mix]]'' in the ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary Original Soundtrack]]''.{{Ref/Generic|[[Remaking the Legend]]}}
Mjolnir Mix has no lyrics, but both versions of it start with a Gregorian-style choir chant. The chant quickly changes into instruments (drums and string instruments in the first Halo game, Steve Vai's electric guitar in the second). High note-string instruments are then added, and the piece gains speed as it goes on. It ends abruptly, though it is meant to repeat as the opening menu and closing [[credits]] are shown in the game. In the near end it goes with a tune which cannot be described which shows the Halos are very great and big in power. The Silent Cartographer activated over [[Easy]] music has it with a guitar and has the gregorian chant more.


==The Maw==
==Appearances==
The soundtrack can be heard in ''[[Halo 2]]'':
*During the demo video when idle in the main menu.
*At the end of ''[[Metropolis]]'' when the [[John-117]] boards a [[Protos-pattern Scarab|Scarab]].
*In full during the [[Halo 2 credits|ending credits]].


The song plays after Echo 419 (and Foehamemr) goes down in flames in the last level The Maw. It is normal until the player gets 400m within the Longsword. It has a saddish or like that tone and it then plays a tone like the Two Betrayals version.
==Production notes==
*The name of the soundtrack references the [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor]] worn by [[Spartan]]s.
*This is one of three tracks to have involved [[Steve Vai]]'s work in Halo 2, the others being [[Reclaimer (music)|Reclaimer]], which used additional guitar material from the same recording session, and [[Earth City]] (though the guitar recorded for Earth City was cut during production).{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.halopedia.org/User:Neo_Te_Aika/Audio_Production_Notes|Site=Audio production notes, Neo}}
*Martin O'Donnell uploaded footage of the recording session with Steve Vai during the production of the soundtrack.{{Ref/YouTube|6qvQ95JU6IY|Martin O'Donnell|Steve Vai Session Halo 2}}
*The soundtrack was available as a free [[Xbox LIVE]] download for the music rhythm game ''[[List of outside references to the Halo series|Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock]]''.


==Trivia==
==Gallery==
*Halo 2's version was played at the 2005 New Year's celebration in Seattle, Washington.
<gallery>
*Mjolnir Mix is a free Xbox Live download for the music game [[Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock]].
File:H2 Signed Sheet Music Steve Vai.jpg|Signed copy of this track's sheet music.
[[Category:Halo Music]]
</gallery>
 
==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}
 
{{Soundtrack|H2}}

Latest revision as of 06:10, March 4, 2024

Halo Theme MJOLNIR Mix

Album:

Halo 2: Original Soundtrack

Composer(s):

Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori (feat. Steve Vai)

Length:

04:11

Next:

Blow Me Away

 

Halo Theme MJOLNIR Mix is the first track in Halo 2: Original Soundtrack, Volume 1.

Overview[edit]

The piece is a remix of the original Halo Theme, comprising of two electric guitars (a lead guitar on the left side and a rhythm guitar on the right side) accompaniment by Steve Vai.

Because of his involvement in the Halo 2: Original Soundtrack, Steve Vai was invited to contribute to the Halo Theme Gungnir Mix in the Halo 2: Anniversary Original Soundtrack.[1]

Appearances[edit]

The soundtrack can be heard in Halo 2:

Production notes[edit]

  • The name of the soundtrack references the MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor worn by Spartans.
  • This is one of three tracks to have involved Steve Vai's work in Halo 2, the others being Reclaimer, which used additional guitar material from the same recording session, and Earth City (though the guitar recorded for Earth City was cut during production).[2]
  • Martin O'Donnell uploaded footage of the recording session with Steve Vai during the production of the soundtrack.[3]
  • The soundtrack was available as a free Xbox LIVE download for the music rhythm game Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock.

Gallery[edit]

  • Signed copy of this track's sheet music.

    Signed copy of this track's sheet music.

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ Remaking the Legend
  2. ^ Audio production notes, Neo
  3. ^ YouTube - Martin O'Donnell, Steve Vai Session Halo 2

v • d • e
 
Halo 2: Original Soundtrack
Volume 1
Volume 2
For a complete list, check out our soundtracks category.
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