In this weekly feature, I recommend game soundtracks. I share a few of my favorite tracks, talk about why everyone should listen to the soundtrack, and a little bit about the composer. This week's choice is The Banner Saga by Stoic Studio.
THE STATS
Name: The Banner SagaDeveloper: Stoic Studio
Publisher: Versus Evil
Release Date: January 14, 2014
Genres: Tactical role-playing
Composer(s): Austin Wintory
MY FAVORITE TRACKS
(The titles link to YouTube videos... and I highly recommend some good headphones to best enjoy all of the subtle elements of the music!)
This track has several different moods that it draws the listener through, with underlying currents the entire way. It manages to sound like a soundtrack all on its own.
"In the shadows of the great bridge, a long walk stills our hearts..."
Short, but the strings are captivating and lead us to the also-brief lyrics. There is only a little bit of movement in the melody -- that, coupled with drawn-out notes, helps to paint the picture of both a long walk and stilled hearts.
Short, but the strings are captivating and lead us to the also-brief lyrics. There is only a little bit of movement in the melody -- that, coupled with drawn-out notes, helps to paint the picture of both a long walk and stilled hearts.
If the flute singing its heart out doesn't grab you, then the following strings and woodwinds are clearly falling on deaf ears. The repeating theme helps give that sense of time doing one particular thing, alluding to the track's title.
This is a fairly short track, but the ethereal sound achieved with the instruments, vocals, and effects made this one I absolutely had to include in my list.
"A noble name shall never perish..."
Even if you don't understand the Icelandic lyrics (in full at the end of this entry), the vocals here are powerful. Despite this game being funded by Kickstarter, the talent is unquestionable. Vocals by Johann Sigurdarson, Peter Hollens, and Malukah.
Even if you don't understand the Icelandic lyrics (in full at the end of this entry), the vocals here are powerful. Despite this game being funded by Kickstarter, the talent is unquestionable. Vocals by Johann Sigurdarson, Peter Hollens, and Malukah.
"Onward/ Atonement rests beneath the stars/ For those who earn the night..."
It's hard to know if the whimsical instruments or the vocals are the more compelling part of this song.
It's hard to know if the whimsical instruments or the vocals are the more compelling part of this song.
WHY I RECOMMEND IT
Truth be told, I haven't finished playing The Banner Saga (even though it is a complete trilogy now). I had asked friends for recommendations for the Soundtrack series and The Banner Saga was one of the first listed (thanks, Mel!). Having spent a few hours listening to the soundtrack and letting it soak in, it was definitely the right choice to add it to my schedule.
So, do you like the rustic sound of epic sagas featuring vikings, fighting on horseback, medieval settings, and sometimes mythical creatures? Then this is probably a great soundtrack for you to listen to. It is very similar in sound to the Riders of Rohan expansion OST for Lord of the Rings Online, but darker and lonelier in tone. The last two tracks (the last two I listed above) are particularly powerful with the tone of their vocals. They also coincide with poignant parts of the game's story, so it's great that the lyrics are in Icelandic (unless you happen to be fluent, then you might not want to pay attention and possibly spoil the plot for yourself).
So, do you like the rustic sound of epic sagas featuring vikings, fighting on horseback, medieval settings, and sometimes mythical creatures? Then this is probably a great soundtrack for you to listen to. It is very similar in sound to the Riders of Rohan expansion OST for Lord of the Rings Online, but darker and lonelier in tone. The last two tracks (the last two I listed above) are particularly powerful with the tone of their vocals. They also coincide with poignant parts of the game's story, so it's great that the lyrics are in Icelandic (unless you happen to be fluent, then you might not want to pay attention and possibly spoil the plot for yourself).
THE COMPOSER: AUSTIN WINTORY
I'd honestly never heard of Austin before researching for this entry. (I have the feeling I'm going to learn a lot the more I post these entries!) He has a website with a plethora of information about who he is and the projects he has worked on (though the page has not been maintained well -- it's behind by a few years on certain details). His accolades and musical accomplishments aside, the information I enjoyed learning best was that he's a huge supporter of education and does public speaking events at schools. One of the struggles I had when pursuing music even as just my minor in college was that the arts have been getting less and less in the way of funding in favor of athletics (which turn a profit better, or something). This was actually a large part of why I transferred halfway through college!
Austin's work clearly speaks for itself, and I'm going to look into the other games he has composed music for now that I know his name. If you like what you hear here, you should do the same!
Austin's work clearly speaks for itself, and I'm going to look into the other games he has composed music for now that I know his name. If you like what you hear here, you should do the same!
Öll erum við gestir hér á grund. | We are all guests upon the land.
Aldrei að gista á einum stað. | Never to stay in one place.
Göfugt nafn gleymist aldrei. | A noble name shall never perish.
Mín verður minnst. | I will not be forgotten.
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