Black Swan Composer Takes Over Mass Effect 3

[MiracleOfSound]

OK I've been researching a bit of his work and it seems he has had videogame connections before, doing the soundtrack for Doom, which was in my opinion just horrid, generic 'what would the stereotypical gamer want' faux industrial metal:


I'll be shocked if he makes something as good as the ME1 and 2 soundtracks.

 

[Wieke]

Everything I've heard by Mansell has a harsh and cold tone to it, full of high pitched, stabbing strings and mournful piano, neither of which I would like to hear in Mass Effect.

Just a thought, what if this will be appropriate for ME3? Remember that the Reapers are attacking and have reached earth. I wouldn't be suprised if ME3 will be the "darkest" of the three mass effect games. And if so, the music should reflect this.

 

[DustyDrB]

OK I've been researching a bit of his work and it seems he has had videogame connections before, doing the soundtrack for Doom, which was in my opinion just horrid, generic 'what would the stereotypical gamer want' faux industrial metal:


I'll be shocked if he makes something as good as the ME1 and 2 soundtracks.

Thats...icky.
Jack Wall has made a sound that is, while often understated, perfect for the Mass Effect experience. It's introspective music mostly, but can be epic and inspiring when it needs to be. Hopefully, this new guy recognizes the difference between Doom and Mass Effect.

 

[thespianicism]

This is... a surprise. I absolutely love Clint Mansell's work but Jack Wall (and Sam Hulick) did a great job with the first two games. I still can't decide how I feel about this.

 

[mykalwane]

Good to hear the worst part of the Mass Effect games is changing.

 

[The.Bard]

OK I've been researching a bit of his work and it seems he has had videogame connections before, doing the soundtrack for Doom, which was in my opinion just horrid, generic 'what would the stereotypical gamer want' faux industrial metal:


I'll be shocked if he makes something as good as the ME1 and 2 soundtracks.

Ah, c'mon, Miracle. I'm completely with you in that this news is less happy than "Jack Wall is scoring Mass Effect 3!" But I'm confident in Bioware getting Clint to where he needs to be. It's not like he's going to walk in and just make up his own music. He's going to have to play within the musical boundaries Jack & Sam Hulick established, at least to the point where Bioware is willing to stamp their approval on it.

That being said, how can you judge him so harshly for scoring Doom? He probably got paid $10, spent 4 hrs on it, was heavily restricted with bit rates and mb consumption. On top of that, Doom was, what, ~20 yrs ago. I'm so old now my brain barely works. I would be peeved if people judged my career without giving me any credit for growth in the last 20 yrs.

Positive energy, man! Not everything in life is a big stupid jellyfish! 8)

 

[MiracleOfSound]

Just a thought, what if this will be appropriate for ME3? Remember that the Reapers are attacking and have reached earth. I wouldn't be suprised if ME3 will be the "darkest" of the three mass effect games. And if so, the music should reflect this.

I'll be sorely disappointed if this is the case. Mass Effect to me is all about the balance between the dark, intense stuff and then the huge epic climaxes as the payoff.

The warm analogue synths mixed with the live instruments... it has a real nostalgic sci-fi feel that to me sounds like something full of mystery, technology and history.

I'd hate it if they went all edgy and harsh for the third game, focusing on creating a dark feeling instead of a balanced atmosphere.

 

[Hawgh]

Krogan ballet. KROGAN BALLET!
Doesn't really matter much to me, I never paid much attention to the music in mass effect. Except the title menu theme from the first game, which hurt my head.

 

[Programmed_For_Damage]

Am I the only one who remembers Clint Mansell from the classic 80's/90's grebo band 'Pop Will Eat Itself'? For shame.




He's the lead singer with the long black hair by the way.

 

[MiracleOfSound]

Ah, c'mon, Miracle. I'm completely with you in that this news is less happy than "Jack Wall is scoring Mass Effect 3!" But I'm confident in Bioware getting Clint to where he needs to be. It's not like he's going to walk in and just make up his own music. He's going to have to play within the musical boundaries Jack & Sam Hulick established, at least to the point where Bioware is willing to stamp their approval on it.

That being said, how can you judge him so harshly for scoring Doom? He probably got paid $10, spent 4 hrs on it, was heavily restricted with bit rates and mb consumption. On top of that, Doom was, what, ~20 yrs ago. I'm so old now my brain barely works. I would be peeved if people judged my career without giving me any credit for growth in the last 20 yrs.

Positive energy, man! Not everything in life is a big stupid jellyfish! 8)

LOl the music is from Doom the film, from 2005 starring the Rock

I'd love to think positively about this like you do man but I just absolutely loved jack Wall's music in ME2, so much that I listen to it often independently of the game.

It's like if they released Return Of The King and replaced Howard Shore - why fix what isn't broken?

 

[MiracleOfSound]

Am I the only one who remembers Clint Mansell from the classic 80's/90's grebo band 'Pop Will Eat Itself'? For shame.


.

ICH BEIN EIN AUSHLANDEEER!

I believe it was also him who said 'FUCK EM' AND THEIR LAW' on the Prodigy song.

 

[The.Bard]

Ah, c'mon, Miracle. I'm completely with you in that this news is less happy than "Jack Wall is scoring Mass Effect 3!" But I'm confident in Bioware getting Clint to where he needs to be. It's not like he's going to walk in and just make up his own music. He's going to have to play within the musical boundaries Jack & Sam Hulick established, at least to the point where Bioware is willing to stamp their approval on it.

That being said, how can you judge him so harshly for scoring Doom? He probably got paid $10, spent 4 hrs on it, was heavily restricted with bit rates and mb consumption. On top of that, Doom was, what, ~20 yrs ago. I'm so old now my brain barely works. I would be peeved if people judged my career without giving me any credit for growth in the last 20 yrs.

Positive energy, man! Not everything in life is a big stupid jellyfish! 8)

LOl the music is from Doom the film, from 2005 starring the Rock

I'd love to think positively about this like you do man but I just absolutely loved jack Wall's music in ME2, so much that I listen to it often independently of the game.

It's like if they released Return Of The King and replaced Howard Shore - why fix what isn't broken?

Ya know, I... Well, maybe it... *sigh* No, I just look dumb here anyway you slice it. In fairness, that movie was terrible and nobody affiliated would be able to draw any inspiration from it, except for endless pain. Maybe that's how Clint grieved his being hired?

I'm in the same boat in that I listen to both soundtracks constantly. I actually went to Jack's website and sent him a "I'MA MISS YOU!!! *SOB*" message, and he actually responded thanking me for the support!

The impression I'm getting isn't that Bioware is replacing him, but that he's moving on. I've heard nothing specific other than everyone still being friendly, but the terms they're using make it sound like he left the project.

IF that's the case, they need to replace him. And I think Clint is a better choice than Joe Bob my Tone Deaf Garbage Man. I hate that guy.

 

[GrizzlerBorno]

Note: He also wrote this.

<youtube=e2Ma4BvMUwU>

ME3 is going to have the best music evar.

Dosent fit in with Mass effect, sure he makes good music, but if the usic dosent fit then in the game it is bad.

When that tune hit one if it's high note/crescendo's........I just spontaneously imagined... The Reaper fleet Ominously gliding in from the depths of dark space, coming to our world for the sole purpose of eradicating our pathetic existence and then to vanish without a trace, leaving our bare bones to turn to dust in the silence of the outro...
And that just sent chills up my spine in a way Dead Space could only ever DREAM of doing.

Sorry if that was overtly dramatic, but you shouldn't call it before you see it

Now excuse me as i get my blankie......

 

[Jake0fTrades]

Part of being a talented artist is adapting to new themes and tones, rather than just recycling the same one over and over. I'm looking forward to this. Mansell will make it fit.

 

[Programmed_For_Damage]

Am I the only one who remembers Clint Mansell from the classic 80's/90's grebo band 'Pop Will Eat Itself'? For shame.


.

ICH BEIN EIN AUSHLANDEEER!

I believe it was also him who said 'FUCK EM' AND THEIR LAW' on the Prodigy song.

Respect! That album is in my car at the moment.

It was indeed him in that song. I think he was also in Bentley Rhythm Ace.

 

[Wicky_42]

Never been a fan of the Mass Effect music, tbh - it's all so forgettable, no melody to hum, just that one riff that seems to pervade everything. Like elevator music, but with the odd one-off moment, nothing great. Nothing game-defining like Halo 1's opening theme, or as instantly recognisable as Mario's main theme.

Will be nice to have someone else at the helm, give the game a more distinct feeling.

 

[MiracleOfSound]

Ya know, I... Well, maybe it... *sigh* No, I just look dumb here anyway you slice it. In fairness, that movie was terrible and nobody affiliated would be able to draw any inspiration from it, except for endless pain. Maybe that's how Clint grieved his being hired?

I'm in the same boat in that I listen to both soundtracks constantly. I actually went to Jack's website and sent him a "I'MA MISS YOU!!! *SOB*" message, and he actually responded thanking me for the support!

The impression I'm getting isn't that Bioware is replacing him, but that he's moving on. I've heard nothing specific other than everyone still being friendly, but the terms they're using make it sound like he left the project.

IF that's the case, they need to replace him. And I think Clint is a better choice than Joe Bob my Tone Deaf Garbage Man. I hate that guy.

You don't look dumb. I didn't specify which Doom it was from so it was an easy mistake to make.

If he's moving on I guess it's just sad.

Fingers crossed Mansell can at least keep the spirit alive in the music and not change it too much.

 

[Ghostkai]

He's got his work cut out then, the soundtracks for the first two were amazing. I miss Jack Wall already...

 

[MiracleOfSound]

I just think that Mansell's music is harsh, barren, somewhat detached and cold.

It doesn't have the sense of hope and heroism that the ME soundtracks have.

 

[pixiejedi]

If he can make something as soothing as this:


I'll be happy.

ME1 had a nice, soothing, interesting soundtrack. ME2 had more of a generic "action" soundtrack. Hopefully its more like ME1.

I completely agree with you, it worked but didn't stand out. I love Mansell's past work and look forward to ME3 even more (as if that were possible) because of his involvement.