Podcast

Battle Bards Episode 154: Death and decay

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Get an early jump on Halloween with the Battle Bards, as they grab the nearest shovel and start unearthing all sorts of morbid and macabre tunes from MMORPGs! In this grim grinning episodes, Syl, Steff, and Syp explore the musical side of the afterlife in online games. Listen to it… at your own peril.

Episode 154 show notes (show page, direct download)

  • Intro (feat. “Paths of the Dead” from Lord of the Rings Online, “Graverobbing” from RuneScape, and  “Dead Forest” from Vanguard)
  • “Crypt of Decay” from EverQuest
  • “Secrets in a Shallow Grave” from Fallen Earth
  • “Graveyard” from World of Warcraft
  • “Silent Death” from The Secret World 
  • “Korriban Tombs” from Star Wars: The Old Republic
  • “Lullaby of Death” from Runes of Magic
  • “Graveyard” from Neverwinter
  • Which one did we like most?
  • Listener notes: Mark
  • Jukebox Picks: “Summer Day” from Radical Dreamers, “Create-a-Sim” from The Sims 4: Island Living, and “A New Adventure” from Hytale
  • Outro (feat. “Death” from Ryzom)
  • Stinger:

Battle Bards Episode 153: Elder Scrolls Online Summerset

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Gryphons, Elves, and gobs and gobs of singing people — that’s Elder Scrolls Online: Summerset for ya! The Battle Bards return to Tamriel to rate and review the second expansion soundtrack from ESO. Aside from practically non-stop choral contributions, the Bards quite enjoy this trip to a high fantasy land full of wonder and power.

Episode 153 show notes (show page, direct download)

  • Intro (feat. “Even Paradise Has Shadows,”  “Here Be Wonders,” and “Interlude”)
  • “From the Abysses Below and Beyond”
  • “Past Defines Future”
  • “Gryphons Soar in the Sun”
  • “Dusk Song of the High Elves”
  • “Sun-Blessed Alinor”
  • “Masque of Reveries”
  • “Three Hearts Afire”
  • Which one did we like most?
  • Listener notes: Castegere and Bhagpuss
  • Jukebox Picks: “Main Theme” from Gears of War 5, “Outer Wilds” from Outer Wilds, and “The Wind Sings of a Journey” from Legend of Mana
  • Outro (feat. “The Lullaby of Praxis”)
  • Stinger:

Battle Bards Episode 152: Main Themes 3

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Back for a third round, the Battle Bards examine a slew of main themes from MMORPGs! Considering how essential these themes are in making a strong first impression upon players, Steff, Syl, and Syp run these tracks through their paces to see which hook them on a first listen… and which put them to sleep.

Episode 152 show notes (show page, direct download)

  • Intro (feat. “Knights of the Fallen Empire Main Theme” from SWTOR, “Main Theme” from Lost Ark, and “Refly Main Theme” from Aion)
  • “Main Theme” from Atlas
  • “Main Theme” from Astellia
  • “The Dragon’s Spine” from Age of Conan
  • “Main Theme” from Echo of Soul
  • “Main Theme” from Eldevin
  • “Main Theme” from ArcheAge
  • “Main Theme” from The Chronicles of Spellborn
  • Which one did we like best?
  • Listener mail from Katriana, Zinn, Caroline, and Castagere
  • Jukebox picks: “Arbiter’s Mark” from Fell Seal, “What the Forest Taught Me” from Secret of Mana, and “Main Theme” from Rogue Squadron
  • Outro (feat. “Memories of Rohan” from Rohan)
  • Stinger: Playful evil

Battle Bards Episode 151: Minions of Mirth

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It’s an MMORPG you’ve never heard of. It’s an MMO soundtrack you’ve never heard, period. But as intrepid explorers of the musical unknown, the Battle Bards are here to unearth this tiny indie title and its score. Minions of Mirth may have died an ignoble death in 2017, but its soundtrack lives on — and now it’s immortalized in the 151st episode of this podcast!

Episode 151 show notes (show page, direct download)

  • Intro (feat. “Main Theme,” “Peaceful,” and “View Over the Water”)
  • “Inexhaustible Ardor”
  • “Villagers of Mirth”
  • “Battlefield’s Pride”
  • “Landpromise”
  • “Dwarves Krig”
  • “Wandering Day”
  • “The Sails of Salvage”
  • Which one did we like best?
  • Listener mail from Velimirius, Ghostlight, and Inon Zur
  • Jukebox picks: “Options” from Comix Zone, “Main Theme” from StarFox 64, and “Pictures of the Past” from Rain World
  • Outro (feat. “Black Air Magic”)
  • Stinger: M-O-M

Battle Bards Episode 150: The great plains

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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

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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

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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)