Elder Scrolls Oblivion Soundtrack Released

Damn, I wish it wasn't a DirectSong release. It really worked for GuildWars as you could also use the downloaded music expansions in-game, but for a standalone soundtrack the quality (and not having a hardcopy) just doesen't justify the price, in my opinion.

Unless of course its really, really good.

Edit: Listened to the samples and was sold, this really sounds like another winner for Soule.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by Bahamut Zero

I wouldn't want to listen to this now, because in my opinion it would ruin the atmosphere and epic experience of playing the game and hearing it for the first time then.

So true. Having listened to this thing through completely I have to say that most of the tracks are composed as atmospheric pieces, which most likely come together when paired with gameplay action. A few of the darker, dungeon pieces in particular will be really effective as the visuals, sound effects and music will create a really creppy atmosphere in a lot of dungeons (based on what I think it would have been like in Morrowind, had Soule composed dark ambience for dungeons in that game.) I think many will not like this soundtrack by itself before they play the game, but will grow to love it once they do.

And it looks as if you can burn this album to CD. Considering that is does include front and back cover art it looks like a no-brainer.

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Having listened to this thing all day today, I have come to like it better than I did the first time I heard it. The battle themes in particular are very well done. They are a little on the short side but serve the numerous (many times surprise) battles that take place in this sort of game. Many of the exploration themes are also quite good. "Watchman's Rest" is a soothing yet reflective piece that has some great fiddle sections. It would most likely give you an orgasm while playing this game on max settings and sitting by a brook or other scenic place. While not an exploration piece (I may be wrong on this one) "King and Country" is also a high point of the album. The sweeping, majestic theme paints a serene picture but there is also a hit of sadness mixed in. The numerous piano and flute interludes as well as the Thomas Newman-esque ending really emphasize this. "Through the Valleys" is another great exploration piece that takes one of Soule's Morrowind themes ("Explore 5) and really expands on it. This epic piece paints a vivid picture of the landscape, using the original clarinet melody as a base. The thing is quite beautiful, and if you didn't listen carefully you wouldn't catch that this was a very loose arrangement. "Auriel's Ascension" is one of the sadder pieces on the album, and features the quiet piano interlude that made several tracks on GW Battle Pack 1 so great. It works wonders here when combined with a strong flute melody that quickly changes the tone of the piece in the middle, before the piano returns, but this time joining a clarinet in a little duet. All in all, this is one of the best offerings, if not the best. Among the battle themes, the one that stood out the most was "Bloody Blades. This track starts off with pounding percussion and strings that develop into a really cool little march that adds a tremendous amount of tension to the piece. It will be really scary to be surprised by an enemy suddenly and have this theme kick in.

All in all, this is a very worthwhile album if you are a fan of Jeremy Soule's style or symphonic game music in general. Some pieces do have the potential to stand a good chance at placing in SoTW, which says alot considerig the general disdain the general GFF population has for his musical style.

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