Halo 2: Original Soundtrack

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Halo 2: Original Soundtrack
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

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.

Track listing

Volume 1

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

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 (Halo 2) – 3:11
12. 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.

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 except "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

• When played in reverse, Destroyer's Invocation from Mausoleum Suite on Volume 2 plays a cryptic message from what is thought to be the Gravemind or Mendicant Bias.
• Halo 2 has the most unreleased music of all of the Halo soundtracks.

Gallery

• 

  Cover art, Volume 1.

• 

  Cover art, Volume 2.