I just put on pandora channel two steps from hell.
When facing Wraiths or other shadowy creatures:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rWO5w7O24w
Boss battle with a melee person/gish: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znQaKaQXZUM
Big army battle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ex8dmquJ1o
This is the tool that I had been using to convert the youtube videos to audio files.
Great suggestions though, all. Keep them coming!
I used this (or a similar tool) to make the docking music of Elite my ringtone on my mobile.
The Riverdance soundtrack is actually pretty good for journey or town music.
I made a boss battle mechanically similar to the Lair of the Metal Queen level of Brutal Legend, so I was humming Broca's Helm's Cry of the Banshee the entire time. Does that count?
In times of great drama or during epic battles I sometimes like to play music. Just the other week, during a showdown with the BBEG I played this and let me say, it really set the scene.
LOL. I need to know the story behind this. OMG.
So I've got four players in my Jade Regent game, so I've chosen four tunes from Two Steps from Hell to be their "theme music"
Paladin - Army of Justice
Samurai - Heart of Courage
Monk/Druid(Saurian Shaman) - Invincible
Summoner - Hmm, this one I'm still thinking about. I'm liking Titan Dune but I'm undecided as of yet. Any recommendations?
So the theme music is mixed in with the "battle" playlist, and its on shuffle. There are about 20 songs in there, and if yours comes up, well, you get a bonus to your combat rolls (I'll probably let them have a +2 bonus).
You think they'll bite?
prototype00
Edit: Actually Dragon Rider probably won't be bad for the Summoner, I'm just a bit thrown by the techno bits.
Ah, and I'll throw To Glory in there just for kicks, when that one comes up, everyone gets a bonus.
Oh, if you have a big awesome scenery reveal, try "The Sunken Cathedral" by Debussy. It's freaking amazing if you time the narration just right.
I actually like Lacrymosa, the classical version, for big epic fights. Especially with opponents that have a divine connection. Ah, Mozart...also, if you're dealing with an apocalyptic situation, The End of All Hope by Nightwish comes to mind.
Let me see.
No Lyrics:
Totentanz - (i.e. the dance of death) I imagine a very large, lumbering monster wreaking havoc on a town or chasing the party.
Discombobulate - This gives me the feeling of rushed exploration or the players chasing some mysterious person through a city.
The Fire and the Fury - Of course this has to be an epic battle... or they went to a heavy metal bard concert.
Within the Grove - This conjures up images of sitting around a campfire, playing music and dancing a bit. [note: one of my favorite albums]
Sacrapos - The Disparaging Last Gaze - Makes me think of a solemn ritual in the woods. Also makes the tiny hairs on my neck stand on end.
Something for the Ages - If you can't imagine epic battles happening to this song, you might want to put a few points into imagination on your next level up.
Unstoppable - Could be battle music, or an epic event taking place.
They Hit Without Warning - I imagine players being lead into an arena, thrust into gladiatorial combat.
Lyrics:
Sacred Worlds - I imagine defending a kindgom against a mass invasion from another plane.
Ride the Comet - Good one for players traveling using magic or getting ready to take on a risky journey.
Oh Death - Moody. Makes me think of a song that would be used when a vastly powerful and deadly enemy is first encountered.
Well. There are some ideas at least, just from browsing my music list.
Angry Wizard: Thanx for the bump! :) I have been thinking about this more lately and adding to my collection. I still have to check out if Broken Zenith made any advancement on his site for this stuff. Can't view it while at work.
I have found several recent songs to add to my list. Honestly a search for "Symphonic Metal" tends to offer some great battle songs. Some of them are great for dungeons as well.
I still like the stuff I posted about back in February. I'll add that if you've got a Viking themed game or PC then Wardruna might lend a cool vibe to it. Amon Amarth could work too depending on your musical tastes.
Since Arkona’s lyrics aren't in English folks might find them less distracting than some of the other stuff on my list. It can also be kind of fun telling folks that the same person is doing both the singing and the demonic growling.
I'll also add Ballad of the Weird Sisters, which I think sounds very appropriate for gaming.
