Overture (Halo 3: ODST)

Overture redirects here. For the Halo: Reach soundtrack of the same name, see Overture (Halo: Reach).

Overture is the first track (Disc 1 Track 1) included in Halo 3: ODST Original Soundtrack. It is composed of Yet Alone (0:00-1:53), These Darkened Streets (1:53-2:44), Time to Dance (2:44-3:17), Key to the City (3:17-3:50), and Replacement (3:50-5:37).

Yet Alone (1:53) begins with sounds of rain falling and thunder clapping. A lone saxophone plays a short solo of three notes from Rain (from the later track Deference for Darkness. Strings enter with the melody of Cast Aside (from the later track No Stone Unturned). The strings play a soft flowing melody before being joined by woodwinds melody. Strings then take center stage with the same melody. The saxophone returns with a reprise of the short solo. This piece plays in the opening scroll of Halo 3: ODST, and the name alludes to the Rookie being alone after having awakened at night.

These Darkened Streets (0:51) features soft ambiance and digital sound effects playing in repeat. This piece plays in the menu of Halo 3: ODST, and the name alludes to the nighttime streets of New Mombasa.

Time to Dance (0:33) begins with a brief piano note before flutes build up tension. Strings enter with an intense melody while piano plays an intense background melody. The strings swell into a climax and the end. This piece plays in the menu of Halo 3: ODST, and the name is a direct quote of Edward Buck from the campaign level Prepare To Drop, "You know the music. Time to dance."

Key to the City (0:33) is an excerpt of From the Ashes (from the later track Bits and Pieces), featuring high strings playing short notes in a melody over flowing low strings in the background. This piece plays in the menu of Halo 3: ODST, and the name alludes to the Superintendent artificial intelligence of New Mombasa.

Replacement (1:47) begins with a slow rhythmic heavy percussion solo while low strings play a somber melody. High strings then takes over with a suspenseful melody. The melody plays in repeat until a variation is introduced, which is followed by shakers joining the heavy percussion. The strings fade out, and the percussion swells to a finish. This piece plays in the menu of Halo 3: ODST, and the name alludes to Alpha-Nine being composed of replacements for its previous members.

Trivia
Yet Alone begins with the sound of rain falling and thunder clapping in the background. The piece plays in the opening scroll of the game, during which the sound of the thunder that is heard throughout the duration of the track is paired with visuals of lightning behind the introduction's text. The thunder is likely a reference to the fact that the Rookie wakes up after a thunderstorm passes over New Mombasa.