Microsoft and 343 Industries have confirmed the original soundtrack for Halo 4 will be available for purchase on October 22, 2012, and that Neil Davidge (of Massive Attack) will be composing the original score. The soundtrack will feature 75 minutes of music, and will be the first time Martin O’Donnell and Michael Salvatori haven’t been at the helm for the franchise’s music. No reason was given for their absence but this Massive Attack fan is thoroughly excited for the change.
The soundtrack will be available for preorder at http://halo4soundtrack.com/usd.html for $13.99 and will include all 15 original tracks from the game. Those who preorder will also get a voucher to download three of the remixes (see below). If they’re anything as shiny as, say, the Tron: Legacy remix album, we’ll be in for a treat.
If a plain old soundtrack is too boring, there will also be a Special Edition 2-Disc Box Set and will include a remix album featuring electronica mainstays DJ Skee, Sander Van Doorn, Gui Boratto, Caspa, Apocalyptica, Hundred Waters, and Smashing Pumpkins’ James Iha, to name a few. For diehard fans, the Special Edition 2-Disc Box Set will be available for $75 and will include:
o “Halo 4” 14-track remix album
o Exclusive “Making of ‘Halo 4’ Music” DVD containing over 70 minutes of unique behind the scenes footage, interviews and recording sessions from Abbey Road
o Exclusive hardcoverbook on the “Making of ‘Halo 4’ Music” featuring production and composition notes from Neil Davidge plus exclusive behind-the-scenes photos and exclusive artwork images
o Exclusive 12” Neil Davidge signed art print
o Exclusive 180g heavy weight 12” Vinyl Full color Picture Disk of Master Chief and Cortana in a uniquely designed Sleeve bag
o Exclusive Avatar T-Shirt download (Male & Female)
o The first 5000 orders will all be individually numbered in a limited series and personalized by Neil Davidge
Both versions will be available for purchase October 22, 2012. Halo 4 releases for Xbox 360 on November 6, 2012. In the meantime, check out Davidge’s Soundcloud page for samples!
About Jen Bosier
$75… I guess Microsoft and 343 decided to take a page out of Soule and DirectSong’s playbook on this one. Not sure how to take the news that a remix album is getting rolled out either. Reeks of cash grabbing excess.
I kinda liked what I heard (from the teasers trickling out thus far, etc.) but I feel like this is a repeat of how the news rolled down when Dan Licht was taking on the Silent Hill Downpour score. Unlike that time though, I get the impression that it’s less “how can we emulate what fans have come to enjoy so far” and more “let’s give them something completely different and hope we don’t get raked over the coals for it”.