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All of the latest Mists of Pandaria newsBreakfast Topic: Best Northrend zone music
by Daniel Whitcomb 
Nov 22nd 2008 at 8:00AM
So how many of you have been playing Wrath of the Lich King with the in-game music on? I will tell you right now, if you haven't, you are missing a whole lot. The music, instead of being a low background murmur, really comes to the forefront with bold instrumentals that speak to the scenery of the zone they're in and don't hide. It feels like the composers are using more and bigger instruments too. I don't think I've heard a piano used in WoW until Wrath, at least not to the effectiveness it's used in the Dragonblight music, while the Mountains of Thunder music is by turns mysterious, heart-rending, and majestic. Overall, while I have loved snatches and pieces of music from past WoW efforts, I can say without reservation that this complete Wrath of the Lich King soundtrack is a cut above what has come before, and enjoyable, well-crafted music in its right.
My personal favorite is probably the Howling Fjord music, if only for one reason: Uilleann Pipes. I'm a sucker for them, and the music of the Howling Fjord uses them to incredible effectiveness. The stirring notes set the mood for the soaring vistas and majestics forests of the zone, as well as the struggle with the native Vykrul. Grizzly Hills comes in a close second in part because it has those same pipes being used to similar effect. What about you? Have you been listening to the new music? If so, what's your favorite music so far?
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Blizzard, Breakfast Topics, Wrath of the Lich King
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 4)
Viper007Bond Nov 22nd 2008 8:51AM
Meh, I'd rather have Led Zepplin or something on rather than ambient music.
JustinM Nov 22nd 2008 9:44AM
I suppose "Black Dog" might be fitting while doing the oil-covered wolves quest...
Other than that, no. :p
Sipefree Nov 22nd 2008 9:05AM
I've found myself porting to Wintergrasp just to hear the calming music when there isn't a battle on.
Merah Nov 22nd 2008 9:08AM
I like them all, they made a really good job on the soundtrack
donz Nov 22nd 2008 9:11AM
i've found the piece from the Ruby/Emerald dragonshrines i was talking about earlier on the OST, it's called Garden of Life
now that i think about, brings Chrono Trigger/Cross to mind more than final fantasy
Flint Nov 22nd 2008 9:21AM
Yessss, this is it, listening to the soundtrack myself now. Amazing track, and really un-WoW-like. Like you said, it sounds much more JRPG-like.
Frank Nov 22nd 2008 9:13AM
The grizzly Hills music made me think of the Shire for some reason. It sounds exactly like the music they had in the LotR movies.
Also, the Dragonblight music. It sounds so broken and twisted.
Aliena Nov 24th 2008 10:11AM
Actually, my favorite music is the Dalaran theme. I'm not much of a RPer, but I've played a mage for a long time and being there is like finally coming home, and the music totally gets me.
arrogance Nov 22nd 2008 9:26AM
i like howling fjord and grizzly hills. very relaxing and in sync with the zone scenery. the music added wayyyy more than i thought it would to the whole experience.
i don't know if i imagined it but the nexus had this sort of technotron background music. it was pretty cool though. like a megaman videogame. i'm not sure though because i was at the end of a long gamebinge at that time and i might have been delirious.
Chris Anthony Nov 22nd 2008 10:25AM
You didn't imagine it. The Nexus score is considerably more modern in tone than the rest of the soundtrack. ;)
Grizzly Hills is my favorite hands-down; I'm having trouble choosing a second, because so much of the music is so good.
kietnong Nov 22nd 2008 9:28AM
I chose to start levelling in 'Boring Tundra' because of the Warsong Hold music. Gets me fired up, ready to serve Thrall and co.
For the Horde!
Terethall Nov 22nd 2008 10:02AM
You've heard piano in WoW before - it's part of the music for Dun Morogh. But I'd have to agree that while piano is a memorable part of the Dun Morogh theme, that's nothing compared to how it's used in Wrath.
Eric Diaz Nov 22nd 2008 10:04AM
I love the Sholazar Basin music best.
Shionia Nov 22nd 2008 10:44AM
I enjoy all the music as well - and add my vote to the Howling Fjord music - but for some odd reason my very favorite is the part from "Angrathar's Shadow" that plays as you fly from Dalaran to Moa'ki. ~ It doesn't fit with the world/New Age feel of most of the other pieces, but perhaps that's why it stands out for me.
Dah Nov 22nd 2008 10:49AM
There's a l0t of great music in Wrath, but I think the most well done music is from that small green area in Dragonblight where Yserra is located.
zetathran Nov 22nd 2008 11:11AM
I prefer Icecrown, by far. It's a wonderful orchestral score and I think it sets the scene for the entire expansion, not to mention the Lich King's stronghold itself, wonderfully: haunting, ominous, desolate. None of the other zones really make me want to turn off my background music, but Icecrown definitely does.
elstor Nov 22nd 2008 11:31AM
Grizzly Hills. In particular Venture Bay music. It's so... awesome!
Bastinator Nov 22nd 2008 11:53AM
I love the Howling Fjord music as well - also, the ambient Crystalsong music grabs me everytime I'm in the zone for any length of time, and I liked the Nexus music... pity it kept fading in and out.
I'm glad I turned the music on for Wrath though. Good job Blizz.
Juliah Nov 22nd 2008 12:00PM
I wholly agree, Daniel. Love those pipes! Thanks for bringing this up.
Mullinator Nov 22nd 2008 12:17PM
Surprised no one has mentioned this. The score from Old Strathholm is really damn sweet.
Specifically:
CT_StratholmePastBattleWalk01
CT_StratholmePastAlleyIntro
If you are looking through the data files for the music. There is just something about that gets me going. Although it may have been because I was listening to it last night when there was a massive blizzard going on outside my window.