Music

Battle bards Episode 148: Composer spotlight on Inon Zur

SypLeave a comment

On a special theme episode of Battle Bards, acclaimed composer Inon Zur is given the spotlight, especially for his contributions to several MMORPG soundtracks such as RIFT, TERA, and EverQuest II. If you’ve only known Zur as “The Fallout Guy,” then prepared to be pleasantly illuminated as to the wider body of his work! Also, the crew takes in an orphaned music track and gives it the name “Steve.” We will always love you, Steve.

Episode 148 show notes (show page, direct download)

  • Intro (feat. “Homecoming” from TERA, “Klak’Anon” from EverQuest II, and “Invisible Ghosts” from Fallout 76)
  • “Main Theme” from Fallout 76
  • “Trailer Theme” from Durango Wildlands
  • “Behind the Mountain” from Lineage 2
  • “Othmir Camp” from EverQuest II
  • “Variation 1” from Arena of Fate
  • “Oceans of Stone” from TERA
  • “Sanctum solo” from RIFT
  • Which one did we like best?
  • Listener mail: What soundtracks have you discovered through Battle Bards?
  • Jukebox picks: “Lost in the Cave” from 2003’s The Hobbit, “First Light” from Crysis, and “Unicorn’s Rest (Cover)” from Lineage II
  • Outro (feat. “Freemarch” from RIFT)

Battle Bards Episode 147: Continent of the Ninth Seal

SypLeave a comment

Bring on the heavy makeup, electric guitars, and MMO groupies, because the Battle Bards are rock and rolling their way into Continent of the Ninth Seal (aka C9). It may not be a game — or soundtrack — that most know, but does that mean that there is a musical treasure trove waiting to be discovered? Listen to this episode to find out!

Episode 147 show notes (show page, direct download)

  • Intro (feat. “Innocence RunersVill” and “Brotherhood of the Wolf”)
  • “Main Theme”
  • “Cold Mountain”
  • “Black Yard”
  • “Blade of a Knife”
  • “Gong!”
  • “Braveheart”
  • “Waterford Theme”
  • Which one did we like best?
  • Listener mail from Caroline, Bullwraith, and George Wilson III
  • Jukebox picks: “We’ve All Done Things” from Days Gone, “Main Theme” from Unending Dusk, and “The Adventure Begins” from Cube World
  • Outro (feat. “Silent Night”)

Battle Bards Episode 146: More vocals

SypLeave a comment

In another theme sequel, the Battle Bards return to the notion of vocal tracks in MMORPGs. Does singing hold a special place in online games, or is it immersion breaking? In some cases, it can be both. Join Syl, Steff, and Syp for a romp through a widely diverse array of sung tunes — and beware the pigs!

Episode 146 show notes (show page, direct download)

  • Intro (feat. “Singing” from Elder Scrolls Online, “Song from the Woods” from The Secret World, and “Eternal Love” from Lineage II: Oath of Blood)
  • “Dragonsong” from Final Fantasy XIV
  • “Glutton for Nourishment” from RuneScape
  • “The Daughter of the Sea” from World of Warcraft
  • “Dungeon Herograve” from Lime Odyssey
  • “Wild Side” from WildStar
  • “Port Lux (Vocal Version)” from Cabal Online
  • “Odyssey” from Granado Espada
  • Which one did we like best?
  • Listener mail from Caroline
  • Jukebox picks: “The Frostlands” from Octopath Traveler, “Dolphin Surf” from Tetris Effect, and “Future” from Max Payne 3
  • Outro (feat. “Day of Destiny” from Dragon Nest: Saint Haven)

Battle Bards Episode 145: Dark Age of Camelot

SypLeave a comment

It’s Bard vs. Bard vs. Bard in this show, as the trio of MMO video game music lovers take sides in the Dark Age of Camelot debate! This tri-realm PvP game is rather unique for having published an “inspired by” album featuring music not in the game at all in addition to the actual soundtrack. So why not review both? Syp, Syl, and Steff are more than up for the task!

Episode 145 show notes (show page, direct download)

  • Intro (feat. “Albion Town 1,” “Vinum Bonum,” “The Wizard,” and “Albion Campacorentin Forest”)
  • “Call to Arms (Frontiers)”
  • “Combat Music”
  • “Star of the County Down”
  • “Breton Melody”
  • “Moving”
  • “Hibernia Town”
  • “Albion Sailbury Plains”
  • Which one did we like best?
  • Jukebox picks: “Ceta” from Rimworld, “Across the Stars” from Star Wars: The Old Republic, and “Main Theme” from Trine 3
  • Outro (feat. “Howth”)

Battle Bards Episode 144: Colors of the rainbow

SypLeave a comment

Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet: Combined, these forces create the awesome power of Roy G. Biv — otherwise known as the rainbow! In today’s experimental episode of the Battle Bards, Steff, Syl, and Syp attempt to find MMORPG music tracks to go with each of the seven colors that shine over a rainstorm or in a particularly oily puddle. It’s a daunting mission, but these three are just crazy enough to finish it!

Episode 144 show notes (show page, direct download)

  • Intro (feat. “Greenwood Camp” from Free Realms, “Red Menace” from Stargate Worlds,” and “Purple Trip” from Glitch)
  • “Drinking from Red Wine” from WildStar
  • “Celestial Crab March” from Wizard101
  • “Hello Yellow!” from Club Penguin
  • “Green Valley” from Ys Online
  • “Flying in a Blue Dream” from MapleStory
  • “Purple Snow” from Grenado Espada
  • “Wild Violet” from Tree of Savior
  • Which one did we like best?
  • Listener mail from Sylkesh, George Wilson III, and Katriana
  • Jukebox picks: “End Credits” from Hello, Neighbor!, “Onward” from Diablo III: Reaper of Souls, and “Dulles Airport” from Die Hard Trilogy
  • Outro (feat. “Blue World” from MapleStory)

Battle Bards Episode 143: Rappelz

SypLeave a comment

It may see itself as an “old school fantasy MMO,” but Rappelz’ soundtrack is a great mixture of old and new, traditional and experimental. In this episode, the daring and ever-courageous Battle Bards plumb the depth of this score and see what can be brought out of obscurity and into the light!

Episode 143 show notes (show page, direct download)

  • Intro (feat. “A New Epic,” “Breeze of Old Forest,” and “Resonance of the World”)
  • “Main Theme”
  • “The Deva”
  • “Crystal Mountain”
  • “The Temple of the Masters”
  • “A Horizon in the Sunset”
  • “A Lost and Secret Island”
  • “The Morning Breaks of Rondo”
  • Which one did we like best?
  • Listener mail: Bullwraith, Katriana, Caroline, and Michael
  • Jukebox picks: “Cierzo” from Outward, “Green Village Baruchie” from Another Eden, and “La Pintarroja” from Tropico 6
  • Outro (feat. “The Ursa Caverns”)

Battle Bards Episode 142: Sunrise, sunset

SypLeave a comment

In MMORPGs across the world, days are beginning and days are ending — and with them come the catharsis of the sunrise and sunset. The Battle Bards draw together in this special stillness to discuss some of the in-game tracks devoted to these moments. So from sunrise to sunset, here are the melodic moods that accompany our journeys online.

Episode 142 show notes (show page, direct download)

  • Intro (feat. “The Flag at Dusk” from Blade & Soul, “The Warming Sunrise” from Star Wars Galaxies, and “A Horizon in the Sunset” from Rappelz)
  • “Sunrise” from RuneScape
  • “Weeping Sunrise” from Runes of Magic
  • “Dawn Gleams on Cyrodil” from Elder Scrolls Online
  • “Sunrise” from Worlds Adrift
  • “Crimson Sunset” from Final Fantasy XIV
  • “Eternal Sunset” from TERA
  • “Sunset Ridge” from City of Heroes
  • Which one did we like best?
  • Listener mail from Scott, Nogamara, Zinn, YD Wes, Phubarrh (listen)
  • Jukebox picks: “Main Theme” from The Secret of Monkey Island, “Day of the Bright Sun” from My Time at Portia, and
  • Outro (feat. “Dusk Song of High Elves” from Elder Scrolls Online)