This week we’re all about the unsettling side of the soundtrack. These 5 are a masterclass in using a cacophony of sounds to create a vibe that at once screams “You’re not welcome here. Turn back before it’s too late!”
Megaman X7 | PS2 | Soul Asylum
Look at the name. It’s called Soul Asylum. Is it any surprise it sounds the way
it does?
I’m not familiar with the lore of Mega Man, so I’m not sure
how well this fits with the philosophy of the X series. Its repetitive tones,
however, are effective in setting an unnerving vibe.
Mega Man X7 OST, T14: Soul Asylum - Crimson Palace Stage 2
Half Life 2 | PC | Radio
To me the Seven Hour War is perhaps this series’ scariest narrative. Think about
it: the entirety of Earth and its denizens under the absolute control of the
Combine in one average school day.
If the Combine Theme is successful
in conjuring up images of the alien army winning the battlefield; then Radio is
all about the post-apocalyptic aftermath of their brutal success.
The
distorted scream alone is enough to give one proper nightmares.
Half life 2 - Radio scary extended
Silent Hill 3 | PS2 | Prayer
Don’t act surprised, you knew Mr. Yamaoka would be on the list when you read the
intro.
Throat singing is never not cool. This style of singing just
fits the atmosphere of Silent Hill. It sounds motivated and driven, like there’s
a ritualistic purpose to all this.
I also urge you to listen to
Nature Ganganbaigal’s segment in the heavy metal choir from Doom Eternal.
Silent Hill 3 OST - Prayer
Earthbound | SNES | Giygas
Giygas terrifies me—not just as an antagonist, but because of what it
represents. It's an abstract, unknowable force. The boss fight isn't against a
character; it's against the entire screen.
If I were a sentient audio
format, this is the last theme I'd want to encounter in a dark alley.
Earthbound / Mother 2 Soundtrack: Final Battle (Giygas)
Control | PC | Metamorphosis
Control’s soundtrack is one of the best out there. The entire thing is hollow
and stark, very much like the Brutalist architecture so prevalent in the
game.
I find it cool that Martin Stig Andersen - one half of the
composer duo - is allowed to live out his signature audio design that he
perfected in Limbo and Inside.
Metamorphosis - Control Original Soundtrack
Article by: Hamza
