Halo Theme MJOLNIR Mix

Every player of Halo: Combat Evolved and Halo 2 recognizes the Mjolnir Mix, it is the theme song of the Halo series. The song itself gets its name from the MJOLNIR Armor worn by the Master Chief, the main character of the series.

The song, composed by Marcus R. Lehto and Michael Salvatori, is the trademark music that is played at the beginning of each game. In Halo: Combat Evolved, it was a mostly orchestral piece, but in Halo 2, the producers brought in Steve Vai who remixed the song with electric guitars to give it a more pumped-up feel. The track is featured prominently on the Halo 2: Original Soundtrack volume 1, as the first song.

Part of the Mjolnir Mix is heard on the Halo 3 Announcement Trailer, and it will probably continue to be the theme song when that game comes out. Interestingly, it is not heard in the Halo Wars Announcement Trailer. The song was then played again during the Halo 3 E3 2007 Trailer in a newer, much more dramatic tone. The electric guitars had been removed, and replaced with a much more orchestral piece more reminiscent of how it was originally written.

The Song
Mjolnir Mix has no lyrics, but both versions of it start with a gregorian-style choir chant. The chant quickly changes into instruments (drums and string instruments in the first Halo game, Steve Vai's electric guitar in the second). High note-string instruments are then added, and the piece gains speed as it goes on. It ends abruptly, though it is meant to repeat as the opening menu and closing credits are shown in the game.

Trivia

 * Halo 2's version was played at the 2005 New Year's celebration in Seattle, Washington.