Music you listen to during gaming [Archive] - Wizards Community

Music you listen to during gaming [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Ollom
10-20-05, 11:42 PM [FONT=Arial Black]Hey guys Im interested in knowing what some of you listen to during gaming. We need some new mode music and it would be great to get some feedback......Thanks a ton

Ollom
18th Cleric of Ironhome
AXES HIGH!!!!
Gray Richardson
10-21-05, 12:22 AM Some favorite soundtracks:

Conan
Stargate
Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow
Lord of the Rings (both new and old)
Backdraft
Indiana Jones (or anything by John Williams)
Robin Hood Prince of Thieves
The Midnight Syndicate D&D Soundtrack
The Eberron Soundtrack from City of Sharn
Various fantasy soundtrack compilations

Classical Music
Wagner Highlights
Holst's Planets
Selections from Carmina Burana

Mostly I burn CD's with a mix of pieces from a sampling of different soundtracks, I weed out the jarring or annoying songs. I try to balance the volume levels so they are somewhat even. Then I put about 5 disks in a CD carousel and set on random with the volume turned down soft so it sets a mood in the background but doesn't intrude or distract too much into game play.
Cli' San Aquanova
10-21-05, 05:37 PM Even though I've not used it (yet), I personally think that the Halo II soundtrack volume I could be awesome for a D&D session(s). It has rock in it, yeah, but it's fantasy rock, and IMO not only the best fantasy rock compilation of all time, but and the best work that combines rock and fantasia. Heavy Price Paid, High Charity, Impend, In Amber Clad, these are just a few of the awesome tunes on there.

Now if only Nile Rodgers would hurry his busy ass up and release volume II... :waits:

-C'SA
:u:Bring Back Merfolk!!!:u:
Red Konjurer
10-25-05, 11:11 AM I do not have it yet, but I think that the World of Warcraft soundtrack would be good for Forgotten Realms and for all of D&D. It is good fantasy jams.
Telathidar_Mhaelin
10-25-05, 11:14 AM Braveheart! :ayyyy!:
Halornn_Kaala
10-27-05, 11:17 AM Another good soundtrack is the Pirates of the Caribbean.

For classical, I like nice, dramatic romantic-era composers like Sibelius, Dvořák, Rimsky-Korsakov, Smetana, and Kodály.

Bjorn Lynne has a few nice fantasy-rock (instrumental) CDs:

http://www.lynnemusic.com/

For some good medieval folk/rock, check out the band Gryphon, especially their earlier stuff. Other artists I've put on that seem to set a good mood without being intrusive include Renaissance, Godspeed You Black Emporer!, and Sigur Ros.
Herr Doktor
10-27-05, 02:05 PM Music from the Baldur's Gate, and Icewind Dale games are always good, perhaps somethin' from Planescape: Torment as well (I've used the music from the Smoking Corpse Bar in my campaigns). The Midnight Syndicate released a D&D soundtrack that gets some use with me. Several other games provide music as well (Neverwinter Nights, and some MMORPGs provide music tracks for download on their website [Lineage 2]).
Zevox
10-27-05, 02:58 PM Listen to music while gaming? Granted I don't ever listen to music, but even ignoring such that strikes me as odd. Shouldn't you be paying attention to whats going on in the game, and specifically to what the DM is saying/doing, rather than to music?

Ah well, maybe its just something I can't understand; perhaps others can tune music out while listening to it, whereas I can't as I don't listen to it of my own choice.

Zevox
WagnerSika
10-28-05, 01:45 AM Fantasy heavy bands like Rhapsody, Manowar, Luca Turilli, Dragonforce, Ensiferum and so forth are just great, especially for heroic fantasy sessions. It's great to launch a song like A Dawn of Victory(by Rhapsody) in a climactic battle with the BBEG. For stealth and intrigue campaigns their use is bit more limited. We like to listen to melodic heavy metal like Nightwish (still can't believe that the boys decided to kick Tarja off the band but I guess they had their reasons) or Kiuas and some oldies but goldies like Iron Maiden.

I also use soundtrack music that others have already mentioned. Irish and german drinking songs are nice when the party is in the tavern or something
Cli' San Aquanova
10-28-05, 11:41 AM Fantasy heavy bands like Rhapsody, Manowar, Luca Turilli, Dragonforce, Ensiferum and so forth are just great, especially for heroic fantasy sessions. It's great to launch a song like A Dawn of Victory(by Rhapsody) in a climactic battle with the BBEG. For stealth and intrigue campaigns their use is bit more limited. We like to listen to melodic heavy metal like Nightwish (still can't believe that the boys decided to kick Tarja off the band but I guess they had their reasons) or Kiuas and some oldies but goldies like Iron Maiden.

I also use soundtrack music that others have already mentioned. Irish and german drinking songs are nice when the party is in the tavern or something
Heh, I like your style.

Something I forgot to mention was, pretty much anything by the Black Mages will fit into my sessions/settings. Clash on the Big Bridge, Those Who Fight Further, Force Your Way, Maybe I'm A Lion, all awesome combat songs. And Zeromus could be perfect for an anticipated showdown with the BBEG, or in any climaxing battle, really.

Going against the grain since '89,

-C'SA
:u:Bring Back Merfolk!!!:u:
Shy_Guy
11-02-05, 08:06 AM !!!Trust me on this. All you need is the LOtRings sound track, and any Enja album. Also if your players ever adventure in the Underdark and have a fight with Lolth and/or her minions, play Spiders by System of a down.!!!
Beppo
11-02-05, 08:51 AM Don't know if it was mentioned before, but I'd like to add some soundtracks too.

Bram Stoker's Dracula, Interview with the Vampire, Last Samurai (don't have the sound in mind, so could be not the burner)

For Dungeon Themes I used some tracks from the old "Dungeon Keeper 1" PC Game.

Usually these (and those mentioned before) help a lot to increase the atmosphere.
Don't let those CDs play again and again, change them as often as the situation demands it.
If your group really tries to sink into your campaign you should avoid well known sounds. Though this can be funny sometimes.
I'll never forget a scene when we once met Stallac Benadi (a high level bane lich) in Zhentil Keep and our GM started playing "The Emperor Theme" from Star Wars - our Paladin suddenly sank to his knees and muffled "Yes Master".

Probably the best method is to create your own samples from those Soundtracks you will need for the play session. It's a lot of work, but that can make a difference - especially in horror campaigns like Ravenloft.
Lothos
11-02-05, 07:19 PM Metalica: The back album
Metalica: Justice for all
Metalica: Master of puppets.
Weezer: The blue album
Sublime: 40 oz to freedom
Bad Religion: All ages
The Lotr soundtrack
Dr Demento's stuff (Cant recall the album name)
Opeth
Less than Jake: Losing Streak
Pressure 4-5
Incubus
Green Day
I think we listened to Rush once. And then decided against it.
DM_Anubis
11-03-05, 12:54 AM NIN, Tool, Foo fighters, incubus, A perfect circle, Cake, and Johnny Cash....
Ombre
11-03-05, 08:43 AM As someone has already suggested :

World of Warcraft
the whole Lord of the Rings trilogy
Conan

But also :

Warcraft III Frozen Throne
The 13th Warrior (very heroic theme)
Riven (perfect for underdark exploration, mysterious places such as Myth Drannor etc...)
The Abyss
The Name of the Rose
Willow
Excalibur
Gladiator
Fable (from the XBox videogame)
Kingdom of Heaven

and more...although I must confess that I'm no big fan of heavy/epic/goth/metal or whatever that's not purely instrumental, since lyrics can get distracting, which is why I only play movie/videogames soundtracks...
Oghmanyte
11-04-05, 11:29 AM I like to be cool even when I'm playing D&D, so I would like to suggest some indie rock. Espers is good, as is Six Organs of Admittance.
Gorgoth The Dark
11-04-05, 01:46 PM Dimmu Borgir Death Cult Armageddon
Demons & Wizards
Immortal
Opeth
Blind Guardian

Mainly Scandinavian Metal bands.

There is nothing like marching toward battle while playing Progenies Of The Great Appocolypse by Dimmu Borgir
Czechmate
11-04-05, 06:26 PM my group never thought about listening to music, good idea.
Tempus665
11-05-05, 05:00 PM For my gloomy Cold Lands campaign I'd like to listen to Candlemass :) It has the same sort of doomy atmosphere that I like to create for this campaign. We never play at my house though, so I'm not in charge of the music.

For several horror scenarios I've used Notre Dame (sigh, this band must be one of the world's greatest, believe you me!) and a little Cradle of Filth (particularly their earlier work).

Heroic crusades and straightforward goblin-smashing are done under the watchful eyes of Manowar, Dream Evil (even though I gotta admit they are a bit cheesy) and sometimes even Rhapsody.

Urban scenes work well with Depeche Mode, and if I want something to be really tragic (and I don't usually use music here), the Dresden Dolls, Marillion and the Counting Crows are okay.
The Axeman
11-06-05, 12:21 PM We like to listen to melodic heavy metal like Nightwish (still can't believe that the boys decided to kick Tarja off the band but I guess they had their reasons)

What??!! Are they fricking crazy?
MessiahOmega
11-06-05, 09:53 PM one really good band to listen to while playing is elvenking (www.elvenking.net)
you guys have some great taste in music, i think that this stems from the alternative nateure of DND? thoughts?
WagnerSika
11-07-05, 03:20 AM What??!! Are they fricking crazy?
Check out their homepage for the open letter to Tarja from the band. The english version is after the finnish version.
http://www.nightwish.com/

Tarja has answered in http://www.tarjaturunen.com/ Its the first item on the 'Latest news' section.

Fans have been divided roughly in three camps, pro boys, pro Tarja and life-goes-on-interesting-to-see-who-the-new-vocalist-will-be.
Ront Iron-Roar
11-07-05, 03:31 AM Conan, this was mention earlier. But, Anvil of Crom is fricken awesome for DnD.

Drowning Pool- Step Up, Bodies.

Disturbed- Down with the Sickness-Shifter character.

Halo 1 and 2 Soundtracks.
hreslingozer
11-08-05, 12:17 PM Conan and Gladiator are favorites, but also:

War of the Worlds
Pirates of the Carribean
Braveheart (good for the silver marches, and calvary attacks)
Conan the Destroyer (don't forget this one!)
The Messenger
Titanic (great for sea battles!)

I can't count the times that the music has seemed to conincide with some major event in our campaign -- the heroic blast of the Anvil of Crom whilst our paladin strikes down the evil dragon, the lamantation of Gladiator's final songs after the death of a PC.
Yokinobu
11-08-05, 01:28 PM A lot of people find soundtracks movies with a setting in the past or New Age music to be appropriate, but I love hearing old Metallica during a session. So many of the songs fit gaming situations, like Of Wolf and Man, which is alot about lycanthropy.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Ollom 10-20-05, 11:42 PM	[FONT=Arial Black]Hey guys Im interested in knowing what some of you listen to during gaming. We need some new mode music and it would be great to get some feedback......Thanks a ton Ollom 18th Cleric of Ironhome AXES HIGH!!!!
Gray Richardson 10-21-05, 12:22 AM	Some favorite soundtracks: Conan Stargate Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow Lord of the Rings (both new and old) Backdraft Indiana Jones (or anything by John Williams) Robin Hood Prince of Thieves The Midnight Syndicate D&D Soundtrack The Eberron Soundtrack from City of Sharn Various fantasy soundtrack compilations Classical Music Wagner Highlights Holst's Planets Selections from Carmina Burana Mostly I burn CD's with a mix of pieces from a sampling of different soundtracks, I weed out the jarring or annoying songs. I try to balance the volume levels so they are somewhat even. Then I put about 5 disks in a CD carousel and set on random with the volume turned down soft so it sets a mood in the background but doesn't intrude or distract too much into game play.
Cli' San Aquanova 10-21-05, 05:37 PM	Even though I've not used it (yet), I personally think that the Halo II soundtrack volume I could be awesome for a D&D session(s). It has rock in it, yeah, but it's fantasy rock, and IMO not only the best fantasy rock compilation of all time, but and the best work that combines rock and fantasia. Heavy Price Paid, High Charity, Impend, In Amber Clad, these are just a few of the awesome tunes on there. Now if only Nile Rodgers would hurry his busy ass up and release volume II... :waits: -C'SA :u:Bring Back Merfolk!!!:u:
Red Konjurer 10-25-05, 11:11 AM	I do not have it yet, but I think that the World of Warcraft soundtrack would be good for Forgotten Realms and for all of D&D. It is good fantasy jams.
Telathidar_Mhaelin 10-25-05, 11:14 AM	Braveheart! :ayyyy!:
Halornn_Kaala 10-27-05, 11:17 AM	Another good soundtrack is the Pirates of the Caribbean. For classical, I like nice, dramatic romantic-era composers like Sibelius, Dvořák, Rimsky-Korsakov, Smetana, and Kodály. Bjorn Lynne has a few nice fantasy-rock (instrumental) CDs: http://www.lynnemusic.com/ For some good medieval folk/rock, check out the band Gryphon, especially their earlier stuff. Other artists I've put on that seem to set a good mood without being intrusive include Renaissance, Godspeed You Black Emporer!, and Sigur Ros.
Herr Doktor 10-27-05, 02:05 PM	Music from the Baldur's Gate, and Icewind Dale games are always good, perhaps somethin' from Planescape: Torment as well (I've used the music from the Smoking Corpse Bar in my campaigns). The Midnight Syndicate released a D&D soundtrack that gets some use with me. Several other games provide music as well (Neverwinter Nights, and some MMORPGs provide music tracks for download on their website [Lineage 2]).
Zevox 10-27-05, 02:58 PM	Listen to music while gaming? Granted I don't ever listen to music, but even ignoring such that strikes me as odd. Shouldn't you be paying attention to whats going on in the game, and specifically to what the DM is saying/doing, rather than to music? Ah well, maybe its just something I can't understand; perhaps others can tune music out while listening to it, whereas I can't as I don't listen to it of my own choice. Zevox
WagnerSika 10-28-05, 01:45 AM	Fantasy heavy bands like Rhapsody, Manowar, Luca Turilli, Dragonforce, Ensiferum and so forth are just great, especially for heroic fantasy sessions. It's great to launch a song like A Dawn of Victory(by Rhapsody) in a climactic battle with the BBEG. For stealth and intrigue campaigns their use is bit more limited. We like to listen to melodic heavy metal like Nightwish (still can't believe that the boys decided to kick Tarja off the band but I guess they had their reasons) or Kiuas and some oldies but goldies like Iron Maiden. I also use soundtrack music that others have already mentioned. Irish and german drinking songs are nice when the party is in the tavern or something
Cli' San Aquanova 10-28-05, 11:41 AM	Fantasy heavy bands like Rhapsody, Manowar, Luca Turilli, Dragonforce, Ensiferum and so forth are just great, especially for heroic fantasy sessions. It's great to launch a song like A Dawn of Victory(by Rhapsody) in a climactic battle with the BBEG. For stealth and intrigue campaigns their use is bit more limited. We like to listen to melodic heavy metal like Nightwish (still can't believe that the boys decided to kick Tarja off the band but I guess they had their reasons) or Kiuas and some oldies but goldies like Iron Maiden. I also use soundtrack music that others have already mentioned. Irish and german drinking songs are nice when the party is in the tavern or something Heh, I like your style. Something I forgot to mention was, pretty much anything by the Black Mages will fit into my sessions/settings. Clash on the Big Bridge, Those Who Fight Further, Force Your Way, Maybe I'm A Lion, all awesome combat songs. And Zeromus could be perfect for an anticipated showdown with the BBEG, or in any climaxing battle, really. Going against the grain since '89, -C'SA :u:Bring Back Merfolk!!!:u:
Shy_Guy 11-02-05, 08:06 AM	!!!Trust me on this. All you need is the LOtRings sound track, and any Enja album. Also if your players ever adventure in the Underdark and have a fight with Lolth and/or her minions, play Spiders by System of a down.!!!
Beppo 11-02-05, 08:51 AM	Don't know if it was mentioned before, but I'd like to add some soundtracks too. Bram Stoker's Dracula, Interview with the Vampire, Last Samurai (don't have the sound in mind, so could be not the burner) For Dungeon Themes I used some tracks from the old "Dungeon Keeper 1" PC Game. Usually these (and those mentioned before) help a lot to increase the atmosphere. Don't let those CDs play again and again, change them as often as the situation demands it. If your group really tries to sink into your campaign you should avoid well known sounds. Though this can be funny sometimes. I'll never forget a scene when we once met Stallac Benadi (a high level bane lich) in Zhentil Keep and our GM started playing "The Emperor Theme" from Star Wars - our Paladin suddenly sank to his knees and muffled "Yes Master". Probably the best method is to create your own samples from those Soundtracks you will need for the play session. It's a lot of work, but that can make a difference - especially in horror campaigns like Ravenloft.
Lothos 11-02-05, 07:19 PM	Metalica: The back album Metalica: Justice for all Metalica: Master of puppets. Weezer: The blue album Sublime: 40 oz to freedom Bad Religion: All ages The Lotr soundtrack Dr Demento's stuff (Cant recall the album name) Opeth Less than Jake: Losing Streak Pressure 4-5 Incubus Green Day I think we listened to Rush once. And then decided against it.
DM_Anubis 11-03-05, 12:54 AM	NIN, Tool, Foo fighters, incubus, A perfect circle, Cake, and Johnny Cash....
Ombre 11-03-05, 08:43 AM	As someone has already suggested : World of Warcraft the whole Lord of the Rings trilogy Conan But also : Warcraft III Frozen Throne The 13th Warrior (very heroic theme) Riven (perfect for underdark exploration, mysterious places such as Myth Drannor etc...) The Abyss The Name of the Rose Willow Excalibur Gladiator Fable (from the XBox videogame) Kingdom of Heaven and more...although I must confess that I'm no big fan of heavy/epic/goth/metal or whatever that's not purely instrumental, since lyrics can get distracting, which is why I only play movie/videogames soundtracks...
Oghmanyte 11-04-05, 11:29 AM	I like to be cool even when I'm playing D&D, so I would like to suggest some indie rock. Espers is good, as is Six Organs of Admittance.
Gorgoth The Dark 11-04-05, 01:46 PM	Dimmu Borgir Death Cult Armageddon Demons & Wizards Immortal Opeth Blind Guardian Mainly Scandinavian Metal bands. There is nothing like marching toward battle while playing Progenies Of The Great Appocolypse by Dimmu Borgir
Czechmate 11-04-05, 06:26 PM	my group never thought about listening to music, good idea.
Tempus665 11-05-05, 05:00 PM	For my gloomy Cold Lands campaign I'd like to listen to Candlemass :) It has the same sort of doomy atmosphere that I like to create for this campaign. We never play at my house though, so I'm not in charge of the music. For several horror scenarios I've used Notre Dame (sigh, this band must be one of the world's greatest, believe you me!) and a little Cradle of Filth (particularly their earlier work). Heroic crusades and straightforward goblin-smashing are done under the watchful eyes of Manowar, Dream Evil (even though I gotta admit they are a bit cheesy) and sometimes even Rhapsody. Urban scenes work well with Depeche Mode, and if I want something to be really tragic (and I don't usually use music here), the Dresden Dolls, Marillion and the Counting Crows are okay.
The Axeman 11-06-05, 12:21 PM	We like to listen to melodic heavy metal like Nightwish (still can't believe that the boys decided to kick Tarja off the band but I guess they had their reasons) What??!! Are they fricking crazy?
MessiahOmega 11-06-05, 09:53 PM	one really good band to listen to while playing is elvenking (www.elvenking.net) you guys have some great taste in music, i think that this stems from the alternative nateure of DND? thoughts?
WagnerSika 11-07-05, 03:20 AM	What??!! Are they fricking crazy? Check out their homepage for the open letter to Tarja from the band. The english version is after the finnish version. http://www.nightwish.com/ Tarja has answered in http://www.tarjaturunen.com/ Its the first item on the 'Latest news' section. Fans have been divided roughly in three camps, pro boys, pro Tarja and life-goes-on-interesting-to-see-who-the-new-vocalist-will-be.
Ront Iron-Roar 11-07-05, 03:31 AM	Conan, this was mention earlier. But, Anvil of Crom is fricken awesome for DnD. Drowning Pool- Step Up, Bodies. Disturbed- Down with the Sickness-Shifter character. Halo 1 and 2 Soundtracks.
hreslingozer 11-08-05, 12:17 PM	Conan and Gladiator are favorites, but also: War of the Worlds Pirates of the Carribean Braveheart (good for the silver marches, and calvary attacks) Conan the Destroyer (don't forget this one!) The Messenger Titanic (great for sea battles!) I can't count the times that the music has seemed to conincide with some major event in our campaign -- the heroic blast of the Anvil of Crom whilst our paladin strikes down the evil dragon, the lamantation of Gladiator's final songs after the death of a PC.
Yokinobu 11-08-05, 01:28 PM	A lot of people find soundtracks movies with a setting in the past or New Age music to be appropriate, but I love hearing old Metallica during a session. So many of the songs fit gaming situations, like Of Wolf and Man, which is alot about lycanthropy.