Not to be confused with Release.
Released

Album:

Halo 3: Original Soundtrack

Composer(s):

Length:

05:20

Previous:

Luck

Next:

Infiltrate

 

Released is the second track (Disc 1 Track 2) in Halo 3: Original Soundtrack, and plays during the Halo 3 campaign level Sierra 117. It is composed of Released (0:00-2:20), Wild Life (2:20-3:22), and Another Walk (3:22-5:20).

OverviewEdit

ReleasedEdit

Released (2:20) starts with a single low note, followed by a section of percussion. A layer of high strings joins in with suspense, followed by some digital sound effects. The choir then enters, singing the main melody of Impend from Halo 2, albeit in a slower tempo. The soft drums and strings return as accompaniment. The vocals fade out, leaving the drums. The piece plays at the start of the level, as John-117, Avery Johnson and Thel 'Vadam are walking through the jungle, and continues throughout the first combat encounter.

Wild LifeEdit

Wild Life (1:02) begins with low strings building tension, before the drums once again become the dominant instrument. The slow drum beat gradually accelerates, soon replaced by a faster and louder tempo. It ends abruptly. The piece plays after the area where Reynolds is being interrogated by a Jiralhanae Captain, as John-117 and 'Vadam make their way towards the river. This track was later reused in the Fireteam Raven, Reporting In trailer advertising Series 6 of Halo: The Master Chief Collection.

Another WalkEdit

Another Walk (1:58) transitions into a percussion part with a more relaxed beat, characterized by a snare drum. The choir then joins in with the melody of A Walk in the Woods (alluded in the name of the piece), with the percussion beat playing throughout. It ends with a cymbal clash. The piece plays at the river encounter, after the Pelicans are shot down by Banshees.

Production notesEdit

According to Martin O'Donnell, Another Walk was nearly cut because an executive producer did not like the use of snare drums.[1]

SourcesEdit

  1. ^ Twitter, Martin O'Donnell (@MartyTheElder): "It’s funny the little things you remember. The Walk in the Woods section of Released (Sierra 117 Part 1) was almost cut. I argued with the executive producer about it and I kept it in. He didn’t like the sound of the snare drum, said it sounded like a mistake. I said it was purposely punky and he was wrong. That wasn’t the only time I had to fight for music." (Retrieved on Dec 22, 2023) [archive]