Light is Green
From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
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Light is Green is the second track of the Halo 5: Guardians Original Soundtrack.
Overview[edit]
The score begins with deep, sustained bass drones and shimmering, ethereal synth pads, creating a spacious and subtly unsettling atmosphere. Around 0:07, a sparse, melancholic piano motif, laden with reverb, enters—plays notes of the main motif—adding a touch of intimacy and foreboding, establishing a sense of mystery.
Atmosphere gradually thickens as slow-moving, string-like synth pads are introduced, providing a gentle harmonic underpinning. The texture continues to build, with a subtle pulsing synth layer and more prominent, harmonically richer pads emerging. A higher, sustained synth or string line further elevates the tension, foreshadowing a significant shift. At around 1:02, the music undergoes a significant swell towards a more overtly cinematic and grand sound. Choir-like pads and low resonant percussive rumbles are introduced.
A more defined, heroic melodic line begins to emerge in the upper register strings/synths, culminating in a burst of epic and powerful brass fanfare that launches the first major heroic theme, reprising the main motif introduced early on by the piano. This section is characterized by prominent strings carrying a broad, memorable melody, strongly supported by powerful brass, strong 'bell' sounds per note for all six notes of the motif and others, alongside active percussion, and a distinctive string ostinato that's also a recurring motif of its own, creating a majestic and awe-inspiring feeling of power.
The energy slightly comes down, though the high energy action is maintained through the bridge section driven mainly by percussion that echoes the string ostinato, alongside foreboding synth drones. It leads into the next section, ranging from 2:31 to 3:04, driven by strong percussion, featuring strings, and sustained horns, playing a melody inspired by the phrase 'Oly Oly Oxen Free' alongside fragments of the main motif, though it's not as intense.
Then, at around 2:46, the full orchestra unleashes its maximum power—an overwhelmingly triumphant statement—stating the melody with immense force, driven by soaring regal brass fanfares, high, intense strings and obstinato, and relentless, impactful percussion. By 3:03, that melody comes to an ending with a final high note legato from brass. Following this peak, the string obstinato melody takes the central stage, supported by synth, preparing for the final resolution.
A cadential extension—where strong, sustained chords and melodic fragments are passed between sections—brass enters, soaring, percussion and string, relentless—driving towards a definitive, somewhat abrupt, and unambiguous tonic resolution—with loud brass delivering the final statement.
Then, a coda begins; the full ensemble sound gradually recedes, echoing the string ostinato, and long, sustained chords diminish in volume, leaving a lingering sense of awe and grandeur as it fades completely to silence.
Composition[edit]
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Arrangements[edit]
- The main motif returns in Kamchatka with similar brass arrangement, alongside the string ostinato, which is sometimes based on syth pulses.
- The main motif is referenced in Meridian Crossing with a similar brass arrangement.
Appearances[edit]
- The opening cutscene of the level Osiris, also released as the Halo 5: Guardians Opening Cinematic
Trivia[edit]
- Its title is a direct quote from Jameson Locke's line, "The light is green."
- A portion of the track, from 2:31 to 3:04, is based on the melody of Oly Oly Oxen Free.
