I'm Looking for Some Good Combat Music

[Ulrick]

I have all kinds of instrumental movie soundtracks that help establish the mood during game sessions. I have everything from Battlestar Galactica to Lord of the Rings. And while what I have is great, I'd love to know if there's any instrumental combat along the lines of Conan the Barbarian or Gladiator.

I'm looking for music that I can just play without having to worry about shifts in tempo--something that makes nice background music that gets the blood pumping. Most movie soundtracks are great for epic fights, but I'm looking for stuff to play when the PCs encounter some orcs or the villains minions. I want music that's instrumental but does not sound too modern.

What I've done in the past is play Rammstein and modern metal bands. But I'm getting tired of that and playing only a select few songs from Gladiator or Conan.

Anybody got any ideas of what to look for?

 

[Lord Xtheth]

The Matrix soundtrack
The Spawn soundtrack
The Mortal Kombat soundtrack
Rob Zombie's Hellbilly Delux
Rave-o-lution
Happy 2 B Hardcore

Edit: adding also The Blade soundtrack

If you find alot of these, you'll never run out of good combat music (especially with the Rave and Hardcore series).

 

[Turtlejay]

Yes, please post, I'll be watching this thread for ideas, as I'd like to know what people do to.

The most suggested idea that I have heard is video game music. Which makes sense, only it is not really easily obtainable.

Jay

 

[Angrydad]

I have all kinds of instrumental movie soundtracks that help establish the mood during game sessions. I have everything from Battlestar Galactica to Lord of the Rings. And while what I have is great, I'd love to know if there's any instrumental combat along the lines of Conan the Barbarian or Gladiator.

I'm looking for music that I can just play without having to worry about shifts in tempo--something that makes nice background music that gets the blood pumping. Most movie soundtracks are great for epic fights, but I'm looking for stuff to play when the PCs encounter some orcs or the villains minions. I want music that's instrumental but does not sound too modern.

What I've done in the past is play Rammstein and modern metal bands. But I'm getting tired of that and playing only a select few songs from Gladiator or Conan.

Anybody got any ideas of what to look for?

You're looking for something instrumental and "un-modern" but you play Rammstein?

Try Joe Satriani for some cool instrumental electric guitar tunes. It's not necessarily "battle music" but it does tend to be upbeat and get the blood pumping. Anything by Ensiferum makes great battle music (try "Battle Song"), though it does have vocals. The Planets Suite, by Gustav Holst has some good rousing music in it, Mars in particular. GWAR is good bloody punk influenced metal. I find it suitable for battles with goblinoids, giants, and any other bruisers. If you're fighting demons I'd recommend Slayer's "Reign in Blood" or "Seasons in the Abyss" for chaotic high speed thrash. Devils would be more suited to industrial metal like Ministry or KMFDM. The soundtrack to Braveheart has some good music for a variety of situations. Hope some of these help.

 

[rgard]

You're looking for something instrumental and "un-modern" but you play Rammstein?

The Planets Suite, by Gustav Holst has some good rousing music in it, Mars in particular.

I second Mars by Holst and I think they used it in Ben Hur during the naval battle scene. Also try:

1. Grieg's "In the Hall of the Mountain King."
2. Most of the starship battle scenes from the Star Trek movies.
3. Most anything Wagner, though the Ride of the Valkyries is over done for me.
4. Carl Orff's Carmina Burana: Fortune, Empress of the World: O Fortuna. Was used in Excalibur.
5. Ave Satini from the Omen soundtrack. Jerry Goldsmith adapted no. 4 above for this iirc.

Thanks,
Rich

 

[SpiderMonkey]

There are quite a few tracks on the 300 soundtrack that match what you're saying.

 

[mac1504]

I steal a lot from video games- personally I use fantasy (Icewind Dale, God of War, Guild Wars, etc.) but there are also some good modern setting video games that have decent soundtracks. I think videogames work pretty well since they have pieces that are written to be queued up when combat occurs.

I recently found the band Erdenstern and they have a good mix, and they conveniently describe the type of songs each album has (dark, combative, folkloric, etc.). It seems you can only find them on iTunes.

Check out Radio Rivendell , they are a streaming radio station that is always rotating good fantasy music- and has provided me with a new source of good songs for almost any occasion.

 

[jdrakeh]

The Krull Soundtrack is awesome for this (and for gaming in general, really). Tracks like "Battle on the Parapets," "Battle in the Swamp," and "Ride of the Firemares" are perfect for non-epic and epic battles alike, while they can also be played in a loop without diminishing their Awesome.

 

[RefinedBean]

Am I the only one who likes to hear some good hip-hop instrumentals during battles now and then?

Probably.

 

[beeflv30]

For a hobgoblin cave lair I used music from Neon Genesis Evangelion, try Magma diver, Decisive battle, Eva-00, Marking time waiting for death, and Harbinger of tragedy.