Halo 2: Original Soundtrack

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

File:Halo2Soundtrack1.jpg

Cover Art, Volume 1

1. Halo Theme MJOLNIR Mix - 4:11 (Guitarist: Steve Vai)
2. Blow Me Away - 3:25 (Breaking Benjamin)
3. Peril - 2:47
4. Ghosts of Reach - 2:22
5. Follow (1st Movement of The Odyssey) - 4:15 (Incubus)
6. Heretic, Hero - 2:32
7. Flawed Legacy - 1:59
8. Impend - 2:21
9. Never Surrender - 3:36 (Nile Rodgers & Nataraj:)
10. Ancient Machine - 1:39
11. 2nd Movement of The Odyssey - 5:10 (Incubus)
12. In Amber Clad - 1:38
13. The Last Spartan - 2:18
14. Orbit of Glass - 1:18
15. 3rd Movement of The_Odyssey - 6:40 (Incubus)
16. Heavy Price Paid - 2:32
17. Earth City - 3:06
18. High Charity - 1:59
19. 4th Movement of The Odyssey - 9:07 (Incubus)
20. Remembrance - 1:17
21. Connected - 2:39 (Hoobastank) "Bonus Song"

Volume 2

Cover Art, Volume 2

1. Prologue - 2:35
2. Cairo Suite - 9:42
3. Mombasa Suite - 6:41
4. Unyielding - 3:05
5. Mausoleum Suite - 8:10
6. Unforgotten - 2:09
7. Delta Halo Suite - 11:26
8. Sacred Icon Suite - 7:26
9. Reclaimer [featuring Steve Vai (Guitarist)] - 3:05
10. High Charity Suite - 8:27
11. Finale - 3:10
12. Epilogue - 3:49

Additional information

• 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.
• There are at least five tracks not included in either of the two Halo 2 OST's, and can only be heard during gameplay, some of these are:
  • Metropolis (Bridge) - This is an altered version of the MJOLNIR Mix track, focusing on the instrumental side.
  • Metropolis (Finale) - Another altered version of the MJOLNIR Mix, this one, focusing on the guitar.
  • Delta Halo (Landing) - This track somehow resembles the track In Amber Clad, yet it is shorter than it's counterpart.
  • Quarantine Zone (Drumrun) - As it's name implies, this track is focused on the drum section.
  • Cairo Station (Armory and Commons B-01)(not released in any form so far) - A rather melancholy orchestral piece, heard after the Master Gunnery Sergeant is killed.

See Also

• Halo 2
• Halo: Original Soundtrack
• Halo 3: Original Soundtrack