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Game Music

Wrath of the Lich King Collector’s Edition Announced, Includes Soundtrack

September 15, 2008 | Jayson Napolitano | 2 Comments Share this

That’s right, Blizzard has tacked a release date onto their sure-to-be-successful World of Warcraft expansion: November 13, 2008. In the same announcement, Blizzard also reveals what will be included with the Collector’s Edition, which we’re happy to see includes an official soundtrack featuring 21 “epic tracks” from the game along with some extra bonus tracks. Also included is a massive art book, an in-game pet, a “behind-the-scenes” DVD, a mouse pad, and even some exclusive trading cards.

If any of you played the beta, you know that the music is extremely minimalstic and even unsettling at times. I’m really looking forward to hearing the mastered versions on the official soundtrack, and even more curious about these extra bonus tracks.

Have you heard any of the music from Wrath of the Lich King? What do you think of the awesome, 8-minute long main theme that mixes bits from the original WoW in with new material?

Check out the official press release after the jump. (more…)
Game Music

Blizzard Unleashes Backlog of Soundtracks on iTunes

September 4, 2008 | Jayson Napolitano | 1 Comment Share this

I can’t tell you how many people have asked where to buy the World of Warcraft: Taverns of Azeroth Original Soundtrack and the StarCraft Original Soundtrack that were available at BlizzCon 2007. I’ve always had to tell them to be patient and to wait for BlizzCon 2008 when Blizzard would surely put the CDs up for sale once again.

Well, we’re still a month away from BlizzCon 2008, and these fans dying to hear these albums in all their legitamate glory will have to wait no longer. After posting the Diablo III Main Theme to iTunes earlier this week, Blizzard has opened the flood gates, uploading six full albums to iTunes today. They include StarCraft, Warcraft III, World of Warcraft, World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade, World of Warcraft: Taverns of Azeroth, and my favorite of the bunch, Matt Uelmen’s score from Diablo II. I’m personally a fan of physical releases, so hopefully they still have plenty of discs on hand for fans at BlizzCon this year, but this is definitely good news from Blizzard.

Have you been looking forward to any of these albums? Sick of trying to find the Diablo II Collector’s Edition for the amazing soundtrack to the game?

[via Destructoid]
Game Music

Diablo III: Free Music From Russell Brower and the Eminence Symphony Orchestra

September 2, 2008 | Jayson Napolitano | 8 Comments Share this

You heard me right. Blizzard has posted the “Diablo III Overture” we mentioned a couple months back at the Worldwide Invitational on iTunes for free. This is quite an unexpected surprise for fans, and is an awesome promotional move if I may say so myself.

Also note the credits here. Our good friends at the Eminence Symphony Orchestra appear to be involved with the recording, although it’s unannounced as to whether they’ll be involved with other tracks from the game. Doesn’t Russell Brower and the Eminence Symphony Orchestra sound like a pretty nifty band name?

So go and get it. It’s got the acclaimed Tristram theme included, although the epic orchestral approach may or may not be your thing. Do I smell a “more ambient music” petition brewing? Do you think it’s good to see a game company finally using music to promote their game?

[via Kotaku]
Game Music

Comic Con 08: Video Games Live Rocks, Plus Tommy’s ‘Precious’

July 25, 2008 | Jayson Napolitano | Comments Off on Comic Con 08: Video Games Live Rocks, Plus Tommy’s ‘Precious’ Share this

While the show’s special guests are still sitting through the meet and greet after tonight’s VGL performance in San Diego, I’m at home with my feet propped up, writing about it. It was a good performance, and the cool San Diego weather was definitely welcome after the Las Vegas performance last month. The much-anticipated VGL CD also went on sale for the first time in a physical form, so there are lucky people out there tonight enjoying the show even on their way home.

So what was new? They added an awesome Guitar Hero segment which was actually the highlight of the evening. The winner from the Guitar Hero: Aerosmith contest held during the pre-show festival was invited on-stage to perform Aerosmith’s “Sweet Emotion” on hard for the chance to win prizes including a new laptop. The orchestra provided a musical backing while the choir took care of the vocals, and “Joe R.” became a hero to every one of us in the audience as he performed almost flawlessly. He accepted the challenge, but opted to play on expert. He had everyone on the edge of their seats, and the crowd went wild when he passed the 200,000 point mark he needed to claim victory.

Aside from that, there was a funny bit near the end of the show where Tommy decided he needed to switch out guitars to something more appropriate for Comic Con. “Bring me my Spiderman guitar!” he called out to a stagehand. He then proceeded to reach his arms out into the air, making grasping motions and following with, “Bring it to me! Bring me my Spiderman guitar!” I thought he was going to start calling it his precious!

Okay, well, at least I thought it was funny. Anyone fans of past VGL performances? Will you be entering these pre-show festivals for the chance to rock out on stage at future shows?

Check out the full set list after the jump. (more…)
Game Music

Diablo 3 Main Theme Performed at Video Games Live

June 29, 2008 | Jayson Napolitano | 3 Comments Share this

It appears as though the predictions I made yesterday regarding the Diablo 3 soundtrack were correct. At the Blizzard 2008 WWI in Paris, Video Games Live had the pleasure of presenting the world premiere of the “Main Theme” from Diablo 3. The track is indeed the orchestral piece I assumed to be the main theme yesterday featuring hints of the popular Tristram theme from previous Diablo titles. I was also right about Russell Brower being responsible for the composition.

Check out a video of the performance after the jump. Are you impressed? (more…)
Game Music

Diablo 3: Tristram Anyone?

June 28, 2008 | Jayson Napolitano | 4 Comments Share this Diablo 3: Tristram Anyone?

Unless you’ve been living in cave for the past 12 hours, you likely know that Blizzard has announced Diablo 3 at the 2008 Worldwide Invitational in Paris. This has been one of my most anticipated titles for the last five or so years, so I am quite ecstatic about the announcement. I was curious as to how the audio direction would unfold with the absence of series veteran Matt Uelmen, but from the sounds of things, Diablo 3 is in capable hands.

View gameplay footage along with our initial impressions of the audio after the jump. (more…)