Heretic, Hero

Heretic, Hero
Album:	Halo 2: Original Soundtrack
Composer(s):	Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori
Length:	2:32
Previous:	Follow (1st Movement of The Odyssey)
Next:	Flawed Legacy

Heretic, Hero is the sixth track in Halo 2: Original Soundtrack, Volume 1.

Overview

The music features heavy, industrial tones, such as what sounds like pipes, mixed with light guitar riffs and Halo's trademark messianic singing. The main melody of the piece is a remix of A Walk in the Woods, which was featured in the Halo: Combat Evolved soundtrack. The percussive beat of the piece is a remix of The Gun Pointed at the Head of the Universe.

A shorter version of the track was incorporated into the ending of Penance from the Delta Halo Suite in Halo 2: Original Soundtrack, Volume 2.

The piece was re-orchestrated into Zealous Champion in the Halo 2: Anniversary Original Soundtrack.

Appearances

The soundtrack can be heard:

• In the form of Penance during the opening cutscene of Delta Halo, then in full when John-117 commandeers a M808B Scorpion.
• In the level Quarantine Zone, when Thel 'Vadamee takes the Gondola to the Library.
• At the beginning of The Great Journey, when Rtas 'Vadumee leads Thel 'Vadamee to the Bastion of the Brutes.

Trivia

• Despite being a Halo 2 soundtrack, it is played on the main menu of the Essentials disk of the Halo 3 Limited Edition.
• The title may refer to John-117, since to the humans he was a hero of the humans, but a heretic and Demon in the eyes of the Covenant. It may also refer to Thel 'Vadam, who is a hero to his people, despite being branded as a heretic.