Podcast

Battle Bards Episode 150: The great plains

Syp1 Comment

It may not be the most sexy or exotic of biomes, but plains tend to pop up in pretty much every MMORPG — and they always have music to adventure by! In this episode of the Battle Bards, the crew evaluates music from steppes, savannahs, and the great, great plains. Is it all dull atmospheric tunes? Far from it, as you’ll soon discover. So join this eclectic team for a grand 150th episode spectacular!

Episode 150 show notes (show page, direct download)

  • Intro (feat. “Plains of Beauty” from Runes of Magic, “Open Plains” from Anarchy Online, and “The Azim Steppe (Daytime)” from FFXIV)
  • “Plains” from World of Warcraft
  • “Plains of Ashford” from Guild Wars 2
  • “Gahren Plains” from Vanguard
  • “Pradeth Plains” from Aion
  • “Agris Steppe” from Black Desert
  • “Zafaria Savannah” from Wizard101
  • “Skypetal Plains South” from Blade and Soul
  • Which one did we like best?
  • Listener mail from Caroline, Sam, Sym, and Katriana
  • Jukebox picks: “Slinger’s Song” from Bastion, “Waterfalls” from Seasons After the Fall, and “The Roof” from Plants vs. Zombies
  • Outro (feat. “Thundering Steppes” from EverQuest II)
  • Stinger: Efficient German love

Battle Bards Episode 149: Istaria / Horizons

SypLeave a comment

Is Istaria more than just “that game where you can play a dragon?” If it is, the answer might lie in its hidden repository of soundtrack tunes! The Battle Bards once again assemble to apply their dragonish wit, tenacity, and fire-scathing critiques to a largely undiscovered score. It’s more fun of an experience than you might expect, so come along for the ride!

Episode 149 show notes (show page, direct download)

  • Intro (feat. “Saris,” “Kirasanct Tundra,” and “Spirit Island”)
  • “Main Theme”
  • “Ancient Ruins”
  • “Mahagra”
  • “Eyes in the Garden”
  • “Tazoon”
  • “Aughundell”
  • “New Rachival”
  • Which one did we like best?
  • Listener mail from Buddy, Smuggler-in-a-yt, and Chris
  • Jukebox picks: “Rab the Wizard” from Dragon Quest XI, “At Night the Forest Sings” from Anno 1800, “Main Theme” from Legend of
  • Outro (feat. “Mystery Ancients”)

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)