Podcast

Battle Bards Episode 162: Mystery abounds

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Do you love a good mystery? A hidden secret? A riddle wrapped in an enigma and presented on a platter of puzzle? Then you’re in for a treat with today’s Battle Bards, as mystery-themed music from MMORPGs is served for dinner! Also, Syl and Syp finally throw down over a long-standing criticism regarding song picks. It’s brutal.

Episode 162 show notes (show page, direct download)

  • Intro (feat. “Wintertide” from TERA, “A Lost and Secret Island” from Rappelz, and “Mystery Forest of Vikings” from Minions of Mirth)
  • “Mystery” from Astellia
  • “Heart of the Ocean” from Runes of Magic
  • “Winter’s Mystery” from WildStar 
  • “Riggle’s Theme” from Avabel Online 
  • “The Asura” from Rappelz
  • “Secrets of the Second Age” from Lord of the Rings Online
  • “Hidden Village” from World of Tanks
  • Which one did we like most?
  • Listener notes from David and Katriana
  • Jukebox Picks: “15F Master Suite” from Luigi’s Mansion 3, “Puzzled Creatures” from Concrete Genie, and “Aqua” from Smurfs’ Nightmare
  • Outro (feat. “The Mystery” from Allods Online)

Battle Bards Episode 161: Dragon Quest X

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While Square Enix’s Final Fantasy XIV is enjoying rousing success here in the west, its other MMO — Dragon Quest X — never made it across the Pacific. Today, the Battle Bards assemble to examine the soundtrack to this overlooked fantasy game and see how it holds up by itself and in comparison to the Dragon Quest franchise.

Episode 161 show notes (show page, direct download)

  • Intro (feat. “Bright Horizons,” “Soprano of Blue,” and “The Race of Water”)
  • “Overture”
  • “The Heavens” 
  • “Good Night Villagers”
  • “Town Music”
  • “Melody of the Blade”
  • “Casino”
  • “Exploring the Hills”
  • Which one did we like most?
  • Listener notes from Druidsfire, Bill Champagne, Katriana, and Wolfy
  • Jukebox Picks: “Endless World” from Dragon Quest II, “Main Theme” from Toonstruck, and “Edge Water” from The Outer Worlds
  • Outro (feat. “Comedic Fight”)

Battle Bards Episode 160: MMO cover songs vol. 2

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For the first time since Episode 50, the Battle Bards crew returns to the theme of cover songs of MMO tracks. Several extremely musicians tackled their favorite MMORPG tunes to our delight, taking us on a breathless tour of their spin of these classic tunes. Since we want to give all of the artists full credit, you can find links to their full tracks in the show notes — give them a listen!

Episode 160 show notes (show page, direct download)

  • Intro (feat. “Grizzly Hills Theme“ from World of Warcraft, “Main Theme“ from Albion Online, and “Fear Not This Night“ from Guild Wars 2)
  • “Gondamon Theme“ from Lord of the Rings Online, performed by Brandon Skelton
  • “The Secret World“ from The Secret World, performed by Lord Bif Music
  • “Forest Calling“ from Lineage II, performed by Dryante Zan
  • “Heavensward Synth“ from Final Fantasy XIV, performed by Dutyyaknow 
  • “Arthas Theme“ from World of Warcraft, performed by Eliott Tordo 
  • “The Tale of the Mad King Thorn“ from Guild Wars 2, performed by Sharm
  • “Stones“ from Ultima Online, performed by Mathias Semborg 
  • Which one did we like most?
  • Jukebox Picks: “Jade Plateau” from Blast Corps, “The Trial” from Epoch, and “An Endless Beach” from Death Stranding
  • Outro (feat. “Kelethin” from EverQuest)

Battle Bards Episode 159: Black Desert revisited

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It’s a return to a soundtrack that, over the past couple of years, experienced a lavish remastry. This week, the Battle Bards explore the wild notes of Black Desert, a soundtrack that relishes its situational and ambient tracks. It might not be the most memorable score, but enjoyable? Yes, we’d advocate that. Also, Steff finally snaps and tells her co-hosts off. Draaaaamaaaaa!

Episode 159 show notes (show page, direct download)

  • Intro (feat. “Florin,” “The Capital City,” and “Glish”)
  • “Serendia”
  • “Valtarra Mountains”
  • “Treant Forest”
  • “Northern Wheat Plantation”
  • “Acher Western Camp”
  • “Behr Theme”
  • “Terrmian Waterpark”
  • Which one did we like most?
  • Listener notes: George Wilson III
  • Jukebox Picks: “Main Theme” from Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order, “Magical Merrymaking” from Wizard of Legend, and “Monolith” from Cloudbuilt
  • Outro (feat. “Hidel City”)
  • Stinger: The superiority of the Swiss

Bio Break 2019 Wrap-up: Battle Bards

Syp1 Comment

Battle Bards — the world’s first, only, and best MMO music podcast — had another tremendous year in 2019. Steff, Syl, and I produced 23 brand-new episodes for our listeners to enjoy, along with a handful of new Retro Reprise shows as well. If you missed any, now’s your chance to catch up!

As for Retro Reprise:

 

Battle Bards Episode 158: Winter returns

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Do you feel a little… frozen this winter season? Winter is something amazing to behold, especially when video game composers attempt to capture its unique magic in their songs. Today, let the Battle Bards warm up your bones and your ears with tunes from the snowy vales and icy wastes of MMORPGs!

Episode 158 show notes (show page, direct download)

  • Intro (feat. “Another World (Winter Journey)” from Aion, “The Long Winter” from Asheron’s Call 2, and “Sorceress of Melted Snow” from Allods Online)
  • “Sea of Snow” from Runes of Magic
  • “Violet’s First Adventure” from RuneScape
  • “The Snow Falls” from Pantheon
  • “Winter Night Crystal” from Black Desert
  • “Ice Cave (Day)” from Trickster Online
  • “A Perfect Snowball” from Spiral Knights
  • “Dazzling Snow” from Ragnarok Online
  • Which one did we like most?
  • Listener notes: Liraven and Spookydonkey24
  • Jukebox Picks: “Floor 2-2” from Streets of Rogue, “Main Theme” from The Invisible Hours, and “Holders of Power” from Ys 1 & 2
  • Outro (feat. “Winter Wonderland” from Ashes of Creation)

Battle Bards Episode 157: Chronicles of Spellborn

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An odd, offbeat, and short-lived MMO, Chronicles of Spellborn hardly registered on most of the gaming community’s consciousness. However, this fantasy title has not escaped the attention of the Battle Bards, especially with Assassin Creed’s Jesper Kyd composing most of the score. It’s a strange score, with plenty of otherworldly tunes, but just perfect for this team to tackle!

Episode 157 show notes (show page, direct download)

  • Intro (feat. “Main Theme,” “Lullaby,” and “Palace at Night”)
  • “Armada Combat”
  • “Stonedeep”
  • “Aldenvault”
  • “Silent Child”
  • “Gleaming Cauldron Tavern”
  • “Fountain”
  • “Traitor’s Rest Tavern”
  • Which one did we like most?
  • Listener notes: Katriana
  • Jukebox Picks: “Afterimage” from Einhänder, “Main Theme” from Yonder, and “Colored Engine” from FAR: Lone Sails
  • Outro (feat. “Housing”)
  • Stinger: Battle Bards’ t-shirt store