Halo 2, Vol. 1 [Soundtrack]

Yes, Incubus and Hoobastank and Breaking Benjamin are on here. And yes, that music is all in the game. Instrumentally, that is. A lot of people immediately scream that they can't imagine hearing some of the music in game, when they actually did, and didn't notice because the instrumental versions were used. If you hate Hoobastank and Incubus, never fear, the instrumental portions of their music are the primary focus and their lyrics are more or less thrown over them. Thus, even the greatest hater is still going to love the power of the music behind the people.

Marty O'Donnell and crew do it again. The soundtrack for Halo was one of the best videogame soundtracks ever produced, and Halo 2 might even up the bar. Long, flowing orchestrial pieces give way to thumping techno beats and intense musical queues that immediately create awe and wonder, or the urge to go out and save the world.

Fans of guitar solo features from the origional game (a la "Rock Anthem for Saving the World") will be especially pleased, as the "Holo Theme Mjolnir Mix" pounds out an amazing start to this soundtrack. Fans of the Gregorian-style chants and the tribal rhythms that dotted pieces in Halo will also be pleased- many of the old themes have been brought back and updated to carry their impact into the new game. "Ghosts of Reach" is definately going to be a recognizable track for Halo fans.

A great, great album on it's own merit made better by the videogame it represents. And heck, it's even got some pop influence to boot! Don't let the inclusion of a few big names keep you away from the rest of the content of this album- the pieces add to and back up Marty's work- they don't replace it.

There are a lot of complaints about the rock songs on this album, but most of them sounded fine to me. (We can X Hoobastank, since it really doesn't seem to have anything to do with the game, soundwise or not.) Save for that one, last track, I love the rest of the CD. "Follow" by Incubus is one song that I repeat all the time... in fact, it was that song that pushed me over the edge and made me buy the soundtrack. Hearing it in-game was a blast. (It's IN-game, so it is part of the game soundtrack, not just added in.)

The "problem" here is not that there is rock on the album: Halo is changing, this game is more intense than the first, and from what I've played, I like the new sound. It can't always be just Marty, and the fact that some big bands contributed to the album really shouldn't be that big of a deal. I have tremendous respect for Incubus, actually, because they composed four different pieces of music for the game, most of them over five minutes in length. (By the way, think it's too long? Think of it like a symphony... then it makes sense.)

My only real complaint is Hoobastank's song. I don't really like it. And "Never Surrender" throws me off a bit after listening to beautiful orchestral scores and intimidating rock songs--you want to talk about being out of place on an album? ^^;

Yea this Cd is great. Martin O' Donnell is one great composer! This music is highly recommended...especially is you like the first one...which is also amazing. The rock stuff actually is not that bad, but it takes up alot of the cd. Like the others have said i hope they put more of Martin's stuff on vol. 2. I emailed Nile Rogers, who produced this Cd, and he said that the rest of Martin's music would be included in vol. 2! Now here is my analysis of Halo 2 vol. 2.

(Rating 10 highest 0 lowest)

01. Halo Theme Mjolnir Mix-This is a great mix. Steve Vai is awsome on the gutiar, which is played with the excellent halo theme! (9)

02. Blow Me Away-Actually I thought this was a well done piece. It plays instrumental in the game though and i hope that is released on vol. 2!! (8)

03. Peril-This is a very happy track. Not to be played while blowing up grunts! (5)

04. Ghosts of Reach-This track resembles (Track 25. Dust And Echoes) on the original halo soundtrack. When the percussion kicks in at the end it sounds great! (6)

05. Flow (1st Movement)-I first heard about Incubus when I heard their "Warning" song, which is great. I listended to them on here and they are not that bad. This is one of their best tracks on the Cd. (10)

06. Heretic Hero-Great song, which echoes (Track 6. Walk In The Woods) on the original soundtrack. Very cool. (8)

07. Flawed Legacy-Amazing song. This is why Martin gets his music published! This one is similar to (Track 20. Perchance To Dream) on the original. (10)

08. Impend-Starts off with a teary beginning, but then swithces over to a very technoish style. There is a beat that sounds like a heartbeat which is creepy. Nice track! (8)

09. Never Surrender-...uhhh...no...they should of gotten prodigy or crystal method to do this one, but it gets a 1 for tryin (1)

10. Ancient Machine-Another creepy track, but its not that good (3)

11. 2nd Movement-Hmmmm...this one is kind of slow at the beginning, but when it hits the second minute it gets alot better. Great gutair! (8)

12. In Amber Clad-Wow this is probobly my favorite track on this Cd. This one echoes a song that didnt make it to the original soundtrack (Actually to be found at bungie.com). Great beat and gutair!!! Very cool! (10)

13. The Last Spartan-This one plays on most of the trailers for halo 2. Great song (7)

14. Obrbit Of Glass-A very ambient piece...you could fall asleep to this one...not sayin it bad or anything lol (5)

15. 3rd Movement-Another cool one that has a trumpet in it...it dont really sound like halo though. Not bad. (6)

16. Heavy Price Paid-This song plays at the menu screen on halo 2. Very slow and teary..especially when the piano comes in..WOW! (10)

17. Earth City-AMAZING!!! Wow this is great. Martin is awesome! This is Halo 2 in a nutshell! I like the last 25 seconds!

18. High Charity-This one is another slow moody track. (6)

19. 4th Movement-Great bongos at the beginng. Ineresting and nice closing for Incubus! (8)

20. Remembrance-Another slow song to sign off O' Donnell. See ya in vol.2.....and possibly halo 3!!! (4)

21. Connected-Hoobastank never should of had anything to do with Halo!!! (0)

As you can see this is one great soundtrack. Get it if you like good music, someting to relax to, or of you like halo.