Halo 2: Original Soundtrack
From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
The Halo 2: Original Soundtrack was composed and produced by Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori, with a few tracks by Incubus. While the Halo: Original Soundtrack was released in a one format, the Halo 2: Original Soundtrack was split into two volumes, which were released almost two years apart. Volume 1 was released on November 9th, 2004 and Volume 2 was released on April 25th, 2006. Rather than keep the medley form from the Halo: Original Soundtrack, the Halo 2: Original Soundtrack focused more on suites with different chapters, similar to movements in a symphony. Unlike the Halo: Original Soundtrack, the Halo 2: Original Soundtrack focuses more on heavy guitar riffs and beats as evident in the re-designed Halo Theme- Mjolnir Mix. As such, O'Donnell brought in several bands and guitarists (such as Incubus and Breaking Benjamin) to help compose the songs.
Volume 2 of the soundtrack differs greatly from Volume 1 in the presentation and form of the songs. While Volume 1 is made up in a "movement" form, Volume 2 focuses heavily on suites. As stated on the Volume 2 inlay card, Martin O'Donnell details why he chose to use this structure: "I decided to use a "suite" structure that corresponds to the chapters within the game. In a sense, by listening to this soundtrack, you will hear the musical representation of the story of Halo 2."
Track listing
- Original composition: Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori
- Sound design: Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori
- Arrangement: Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori
- Label: Sumthing Else Musicworks
- Performance: Martin O'Donnell, Michael Salvatori, Steve Vai, Breaking Benjamin, Incubus, Hoobastank, Nile Rodgers, Nataraj, Daniel Estrin
Trivia
- Volume 1 also included an excerpt of the Covenant Writ of Union.
- Volume 2 also included an excerpt of the Covenant Ratification Parley.
- When played in reverse, the "Destroyers Invocation" part of Mausoleum Suite on Volume 2 plays a cryptic message from what is thought to be the Gravemind, but could in truth be many people/AI.[1]
- The "Infected" movement seemingly contains reversed vocals as well, it is unknown whether there is a message hidden here or if they are just part of the music.
- There are several extra tracks not included in either of the two Halo 2 OST's, and can only be heard during gameplay, some of these are:
- Metropolis (Bridge) - Played when halfway across the bridge at the beginning of Metropolis. This is an altered version of the MJOLNIR Mix track, focusing on the instrumental side.
- Metropolis (Finale) - Played at the end of Metropolis during the Scarab battle. Another altered version of the MJOLNIR Mix, this one, focusing on the guitar.
- Delta Halo (Landing) - Played during the Warthog sequence on Delta Halo. This track is obviously a remix of In Amber Clad, but is shorter than its counterpart.
- Sacred Icon (Final Drop) - Played when dropping down the final piston on Sacred Icon. This is an altered version of the last part of Sacred Icon Suite. It is also played on The Arbiter when you first encounter the Heretic Leader.
- Quarantine Zone (Drumrun) - Played in the Sentinel factory on Quarantine Zone. As it's name implies, this track is focused on the drum section. This was also featured in the "Another Day At the Beach" podcast.
- There's another "lost song" played in Commons Area B-01 on Cairo Station, as well as several minor variations of the soundtrack songs in-game (eg: a more instrumental version of Earth City on Metropolis, an alternate version of "Cortege" from Sacred Icon Suite on Regret, and the variation of Heretic, Hero played during the Quarantine Zone elevator sequence) .
- There is also an eerie choral background on The Arbiter in the hangar bay.
