User:BarcancelN/Sandbox 2

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BarcancelN/Sandbox 2
Volume One cover art.

Released:

November 9, 2004 (Vol. 1)
April 25, 2006 (Vol. 2)

Label:

Sumthing Else Music Works

Producer(s):

Nile Rodgers

Composer(s):

Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori

Performance:

Steve Vai, Breaking Benjamin, Incubus, Nile Rodgers, Nataraj, and Hoobastank

Total length:

69:20 (Vol. 1)
68:48 (Vol. 2)

 

The Halo 2: Original Soundtrack is the musical score for Halo 2. It was composed by Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori and produced by Nile Rodgers, with a few tracks by "guest stars" such as Breaking Benjamin, Incubus, and Hoobastank.[1][2][3]

The soundtrack is split into two volumes. Volume 1, packaged as Halo 2: Original Soundtrack and New Music Volume One, was released in 2004. Volume 2, packaged as Halo 2: Official Soundtrack Volume Two, was released in 2006.[4]

Overview

Production

During the development of Halo 2, veteran music producer Nile Rodgers and Martin O'Donnell decided to present the game's music in two separate volumes. Volume 1 contained music from the game that were completed as of the volume's production, alongside songs that were inspired by the game, created by the bands who also contributed towards the soundtrack. Volume 2 contained the rest of Halo 2's soundtrack that was not ready for Volume 1's release date. This volume is arranged in a suite format, presented as a concept album that follows along with the levels, story, and atmosphere of Halo 2. All of the songs featured in Volume 2 are utilised elsewhere in the game, in contrast with Volume 1.[4][5]

Alongside Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori's symphonic and orchestral compositions, Halo 2's soundtrack also focuses on heavy guitar riffs, with many rock bands "enthusiastically" contributing music such as Breaking Benjamin's Blow Me Away, Incubus's The Odyssey, and Hoobastank's Connected.[6] Nile Rodgers connected O'Donnell with Steve Vai, when all three of them held a session at Studio X in Seattle, Washington. Riffing on the Halo Theme featured in Halo: Combat Evolved, Rodgers's encouragement led Vai to improvise many guitar riffs while the Halo Theme played, eventually creating the Halo Theme MJOLNIR Mix.[3][7][6] Rodgers would also create his own spin on the Halo Theme with of Never Surrender, a techno-mashup that sampled both the original theme and Vai's MJOLNIR Mix. [6][2]

Release

Halo 2: Original Soundtrack and New Music Volume One released alongside Halo 2 itself on November 9, 2004. Halo 2: Original Soundtrack Volume Two was completed by early 2005, but legal issues pushed its release date all the way to April 25, 2006.[5] Both volumes were distributed by Nile Rodgers's publishing label Sumthing Else Music Works.[6][2][8]

Not all tracks the rock bands performed appear in the game itself, such as most movements in The Odyssey by Incubus. Connected by Hoobastank is listed as a "Bonus Cut" on the CD's track listing.[2][9]

Never Surrender also does not appear within Halo 2, but does appear as an Easter egg in Halo: Reach.[10]

Halo Theme MJOLNIR Mix was released on November 22, 2007 for the music rhythm game Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock as a free Xbox LIVE download.[11]

A remastered soundtrack of the Halo 2: Original Soundtrack was re-recorded and produced by Skywalker Sound and released on November 11, 2014 for Halo 2: Anniversary.[12]

Track listing

Volume 1

  1. Halo Theme Mjolnir Mix – 4:11
  2. Blow Me Away – 3:25
  3. Peril – 2:47
  4. Ghosts of Reach – 2:22
  5. Follow (1st Movement of The Odyssey) – 4:15
  6. Heretic, Hero – 2:32
  7. Flawed Legacy – 1:59
  8. Impend – 2:21
  9. Never Surrender – 3:36
  10. Ancient Machine – 1:39
  11. 2nd Movement of The Odyssey – 7:40
  12. In Amber Clad – 1:38
  13. The Last Spartan – 2:18
  14. Orbit of Glass – 1:18
  15. 3rd Movement of The Odyssey – 6:40
  16. Heavy Price Paid – 2:32
  17. Earth City – 3:06
  18. High Charity – 1:59
  19. 4th Movement of The Odyssey – 9:07
  20. Remembrance – 1:17
  21. Connected (Bonus Cut) – 2:39

Volume 2

  1. Prologue – 2:35
    1. Rising - 0:20
    2. Cloistered Expectancy - 0:25
    3. Weight of Failure - 1:50
  2. Cairo Suite – 9:42
    1. Cold Blue Night - 1:54
    2. Waking Spartan - 3:36
    3. Jeweled Hull - 2:03
    4. Chilled Exposure - 2:09
  3. Mombasa Suite – 6:41
    1. Metropole - 1:29
    2. Broken Gates - 2:47
    3. Encounter - 2:25
  4. Unyielding – 3:04
  5. Mausoleum Suite – 8:10
    1. Destroyer's Invocation - 4:36
    2. Falling Up - 1:49
    3. Infected - 1:16
    4. Shudder - 0:29
  6. Unforgotten – 2:09
  7. Delta Halo Suite – 11:26
    1. Penance - 2:32
    2. Wage - 2:42
    3. Leonidas - 2:28
    4. Dust and Bones - 3:44
  8. Sacred Icon Suite – 7:26
    1. Cortege - 3:38
    2. Opening Valley - 0:28
    3. Veins of Stone - 3:20
  9. Reclaimer – 3:03
  10. High Charity Suite – 8:27
    1. Rue and Woe - 1:30
    2. Respite - 2:17
    3. Antediluvia - 2:22
    4. Pursuit of Truth - 2:18
  11. Finale – 3:10
    1. Great Journey - 1:15
    2. Thermopylae Soon - 1:55
  12. Epilogue – 3:49
    1. Beholden - 1:03
    2. Road to Voi - 2:19
    3. Subsume - 0:27

Album credits

Volume 1

  • Original score composed by Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori
  • Album produced by Nile Rodgers
  • Album music co-supervisors: Nile Rodgers and Michael Ostin
  • Album executive producer: Sandy Ting
  • Album packaging art director: Lorraine McLees
  • Associate album executive producers: Steve Shreck, Alicia Hatch, and Alta Hartmann
  • Vocal samples courtesy of Spectrasonics "Symphony of Voices" CD-ROM collection
  • Bungie Studios manager: Pete Parsons
  • Halo 2 product marketing managers: Chuck Blevins and Cameron Payne
  • Music licensing manager for Microsoft Corporation: Lily Kohn
  • From the Xbox video game developed by Bungie Studios
Halo Theme Mjolnir Mix
  • Composed by Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori
  • Orchestrated and conducted by Martin O'Donnell
  • Produced by Martin O'Donnell, Michael Salvatori, and Nile Rodgers
  • Guitars performed by Steve Vai
  • Steve Vai appears courtesy of Epic Records
  • © 2004 Microsoft Music Publishing (ASCAP)
Blow Me Away

Performed by Breaking Benjamin

  • (p) 2004 Hollywood Records, Inc.
    Courtesy of Hollywood Records, Inc.
    Written by Benjamin Burnley
    Published by Seven Peaks Music a/b/o itself and Breaking Benjamin Music (ASCAP). All rights reserved. Used by Permission.
Peril
  • Composed by Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori
  • Orchestrated and conducted by Martin O'Donnell
  • Produced by Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori
  • © 2004 Microsoft Music Publishing (ASCCAP)
Ghosts of Reach
  • Composed by Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori
  • Orchestrated and conducted by Martin O'Donnell
  • Produced by Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori
  • © 2004 Microsoft Music Publishing (ASCCAP)
Follow (1st Movement of the Odyssey)

Performed by Incubus (Brandon Boyd, Michael Einziger, DJ Kilmore, Ben Kenney, Jose Pasilas II)

  • Produced by Incubus and Nile Rodgers
  • Courtesy of Epic Records/Immortal Records by arrangement with Sony Music Licensing
  • Except for Halo Theme. Written by Boyd, Einziger, Kenney, Pasilas II, and Kilmore
  • Published by Hunglikeyora Music (ASCAP). All rights reserved.
  • Halo Theme written by Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori
  • Orchestrated and conducted by Martin O'Donnell
  • Produced by Martin O'Donnell, Michael Salvatori, and Nile Rodgers
  • Halo Theme © 2004 Microsoft Music Publishing (ASCCAP)
Heretic, Hero
  • Composed by Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori
  • Orchestrated and conducted by Martin O'Donnell
  • Produced by Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori
  • © 2004 Microsoft Music Publishing (ASCCAP)
Flawed Legacy
  • Composed by Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori
  • Orchestrated and conducted by Martin O'Donnell
  • Produced by Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori
  • © 2004 Microsoft Music Publishing (ASCCAP)
Impend
  • Composed by Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori
  • Orchestrated and conducted by Martin O'Donnell
  • Produced by Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori
  • © 2004 Microsoft Music Publishing (ASCCAP)
Never Surrender

Performed by Nile Rodgers and Nataraj
Featuring Martin O'Donnell

  • Written by Nataraj, Nile Rodgers, Martin O'Donnell, and Michael Salvatori
  • Produced by Nataraj and Nile Rodgers
  • Lead guitar performed by Steve Vai
  • Additional vocals performed by Nataraj and Nile Rodgers
  • Steve Vai appears courtesy of Epic Records
    Published by Sony/ATV Songs, LLC (BMI) / Vitamin L Music (SESAC)
  • © 2004 Microsoft Music Publishing (ASCCAP)
  • Recorded at Le Crib and engineered by Rich Hilton
  • Mastered at Northeastern Digital Recording by Toby Mountain
Ancient Machine
  • Composed by Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori
  • Orchestrated and conducted by Martin O'Donnell
  • Produced by Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori
  • © 2004 Microsoft Music Publishing (ASCCAP)
2nd Movement of the Odyssey

Performed by Incubus (Brandon Boyd, Michael Einziger, DJ Kilmore, Ben Kenney, Jose Pasilas II)

  • Produced by Incubus and Brendan O'Brien
  • Courtesy of Epic Records/Immortal Records by arrangement with Sony Music Licensing
  • Written by Boyd, Einziger, Kenney, Pasilas II, and Kilmore
  • Published by Hunglikeyora Music (ASCAP). All rights reserved.
  • Used by permission.
In Amber Clad
  • Composed by Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori
  • Orchestrated and conducted by Martin O'Donnell
  • Produced by Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori
  • © 2004 Microsoft Music Publishing (ASCCAP)
The Last Spartan
  • Composed by Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori
  • Orchestrated and conducted by Martin O'Donnell
  • Produced by Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori
  • © 2004 Microsoft Music Publishing (ASCCAP)
Orbit of Glass
  • Composed by Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori
  • Orchestrated and conducted by Martin O'Donnell
  • Produced by Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori
  • © 2004 Microsoft Music Publishing (ASCCAP)
3rd Movement of the Odyssey

Performed by Incubus (Brandon Boyd, Michael Einziger, DJ Kilmore, Ben Kenney, Jose Pasilas II). Trumpet by Flea

  • Produced by Incubus and Brendan O'Brien
  • Courtesy of Epic Records/Immortal Records by arrangement with Sony Music Licensing
  • Written by Boyd, Einziger, Kenney, Pasilas II, and Kilmore
  • Published by Hunglikeyora Music (ASCAP). All rights reserved.
  • Used by permission. Flea appears courtesy Warner Bros. Records
Heavy Price Paid
  • Composed by Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori
  • Orchestrated and conducted by Martin O'Donnell
  • Produced by Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori
  • © 2004 Microsoft Music Publishing (ASCCAP)
Earth City
  • Composed by Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori
  • Orchestrated and conducted by Martin O'Donnell
  • Produced by Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori
  • © 2004 Microsoft Music Publishing (ASCCAP)
High Charity
  • Composed by Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori
  • Orchestrated and conducted by Martin O'Donnell
  • Produced by Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori
  • © 2004 Microsoft Music Publishing (ASCCAP)
4th Movement of the Odyssey

Performed by Incubus (Brandon Boyd, Michael Einziger, DJ Kilmore, Ben Kenney, Jose Pasilas II)

  • Produced by Incubus and Brendan O'Brien
  • Courtesy of Epic Records/Immortal Records by arrangement with Sony Music Licensing
  • Written by Boyd, Einziger, Kenney, Pasilas II, and Kilmore
  • Published by Hunglikeyora Music (ASCAP). All rights reserved.
  • Used by permission.
Remembrance
  • Composed by Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori
  • Orchestrated and conducted by Martin O'Donnell
  • Produced by Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori
  • © 2004 Microsoft Music Publishing (ASCCAP)
Connected

Performed by Hoobastank

  • Music by Daniel Estrin
  • Lyrics by Douglas Robb
  • Courtesy of The Island Def Jam Music Group
  • Published by "Spread Your Cheeks and Push Out the Music" (ASCAP)/Warner/Chappell
  • Produced by Howard Benson
  • Recorded by Mike Plotnikoff
  • Recorded at Bay 7 Studio, Calabasas, CA
  • Additional engineering by Eric Miller
  • Mixed by Chris Lord-Alge
  • Assisted by Dim-E and Keith Armstrong
  • Mixed at Image Recording Hollywood, CA

Volume 2

  • Music written and composed by Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori
  • Performance by: Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori
  • Concert master/contractor: Simon James, Northwest Sinfonia
  • Conductor: Christian Knapp
  • Steve Vai appears courtesy of Epic Records
  • Additional orchestration: Stan LePard
  • Additional guitar: Tom Kroll
  • Choir conductor: Marcie O'Donnell, Don Murphy
  • Vocal samples courtesy of Spectrasonics "Symphony of Voices"
  • Additional engineering: Reed Redy Studio X, Rick Fisher - RFI/CD mastering
  • Produced by Nile Rodgers
  • Album music co-supervisors: Nile Rodgers, Michael Ostin
  • Album packaging art director: Lorraine McLees
  • Music licensing manager for Microsoft Corporation: Lily Kohn
  • From the Xbox video game developed by Bungie Studios

Covenant scripture

Contained within the booklet inserts for both volumes of the OST are some sections of Covenant scripture. Volume 1 included an excerpt from the Writ of Union, originally cut from Halo 2 itself and later featured in Halo: Contact Harvest, while Volume 2 contains an excerpt from the Ratification Parley.[13][14]

Volume 1 excerpt

"So full of hate were our eyes
That none of us could see
Our war would yield countless dead
But never victory
So let us cast arms aside
And like discard our wrath
Thou, in faith, will keep us safe
Whilst we find the path"
— High Council of Concordance,
First Age of Reconciliation
Volume 2 excerpt

"What hope has this alliance
If we cannot conquer
Doubt of faith not each other—
If our belief should falter?
But put an ear to the stones
Of this Holy City
Inside Their voices echo still:
"Seven rings begin The Journey!""
— Excerpt, Ratification Parley
High Council of Concordance

Production notes

  • When played in reverse, Destroyer's Invocation from Mausoleum Suite in Volume 2 plays a cryptic message.
  • On the track list for Volume 1, 2nd Movement of the Odyssey is erroneously listed as being 5:10 instead of 7:40.[9][2]

Gallery

  • Volume 1 cover art.

    Volume 1 cover art.

  • Volume 1 credits.

    Volume 1 credits.

  • The Writ of Union from Volume 1.

    The Writ of Union from Volume 1.

  • Volume 2 cover art.

    Volume 2 cover art.

Sources

  1. ^ Halo 2: Original Soundtrack Vol. 1, Song credits
  2. ^ a b c d e Discogs, Martin O'Donnell And Michael Salvatori – Halo 2 Original Soundtrack And New Music: Volume One (Retrieved on Sep 24, 2025) [archive]
  3. ^ a b Music4Games, Interview with HALO 2 composer Martin O'Donnell (Retrieved on Jun 19, 2006) [archive]
  4. ^ a b Discogs, Martin O'Donnell And Michael Salvatori – Halo 2 Original Soundtrack: Volume 2: Media Notes (Retrieved on Sep 24, 2025) [archive]
  5. ^ a b Music4Games, Interview with Halo 2 Volume Two composer Martin O'Donnell (Retrieved on Jun 19, 2006) [archive]
  6. ^ a b c d Billboard, November 2004 (Issue #45) - 'Halo 2' Soundtrack Bolsters Game Push., page 43–45
  7. ^ YouTube - Sumthing Digital, The Moment the Halo 2 Theme Was Born
  8. ^ Discogs, Martin O'Donnell And Michael Salvatori – Halo 2 Original Soundtrack: Volume 2 (Retrieved on Sep 24, 2025) [archive]
  9. ^ a b Halo 2: Original Soundtrack Vol. 1 - Track list
  10. ^ Halo: Reach, campaign level New Alexandria: Club Errera Easter egg
  11. ^ Xbox Wire, Guitar Hero III: Halo Theme Mjolnir Mix (Free) (Retrieved on Aug 17, 2025) [archive]
  12. ^ IGN, Listen to the Halo 2 Anniversary Soundtrack Right Now -- IGN First (Retrieved on Sep 24, 2025) [archive]
  13. ^ Halo 2: Original Soundtrack Vol. 1 - Covenant Writ of Union, Canto I
  14. ^ Halo 2: Original Soundtrack Vol. 2 - Ratification Parley
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