Black Swan Composer Takes Over Mass Effect 3

[The.Bard]

As long as the music is still amazing then all is good.

People are getting themselves all hot and bothered about Mass Effect 3 and it is really quite amusing seeing as we no absolutely nothing about it as of yet.

The other complaint people are making is that Drew Karpyshyn is not working as the lead writer of Mass Effect 3 whereas he was for the first two (he also wrote the three novels).

Mac Walters was the lead writer on ME2, and from what I've seen, will be the lead on the 3rd game, as well. Drew was only lead on the first game.

I'm sad Jack won't be back. I like Clint's work, don't get me wrong, but regardless of what he will bring to the table, I'm sad Jack won't be there to finish the journey with me, here, at the end of all things.

8'(

 

[The Last Nomad]

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I was going to use this video too, but then i saw it was in the first response.

But as I was going to say, The guy who wrote this, writing music for a video game. This can only end well.

 

[MiracleOfSound]

The two were made for each other
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I wholly disagree here.

I don't think it suits at all. The dynamics feel all wrong to me and I'm really going to miss the warm, analogue synths and strong melodies from ME1 and ME2.

 

[kajinking]

As long as he can make something as awesome as this...

I'll be happy.

I'll second that, this is the best thing I've heard since the theme from 300 and the way it was worked into that cutscene was truly epic. The song just has (quite literally) suicide mission written all over it.

 

[JeanLuc761]

I don't think it suits at all. The dynamics feel all wrong to me and I'm really going to miss the warm, analogue synths and strong melodies from ME1 and ME2.

Why are we assuming that all of that is going to go away? A composer can and is often required to change his style to fit the project at hand. I see no reason Chris Mansell can't fit into what Jack Wall has already done.

 

[Wieke]

This is excelent news, Mass Effect's soundtrack was by no means bad but Clint Mansell's work is on a whole different level. That said I would like the synth to be reterned to the world of Mass Effect, missed it the second time around.

Also because it didn't seeem to be posted yet:

Sounds like Mansell is a Nine Inch Nails fan.


As great as that music is, I can't imagine the dischordant notes and more organic sound fitting in that well with Mass Effect.

Are they even going to keep the 7-note main theme? I hope so, you know the one...

DUUUUN

DUN DUUUNNN


DE DE DUN DUUUUUNNNNN

From Clint Mansells Wikipedia page [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clint_Mansell] under "Pop career":

Mansell was the lead singer and guitarist of the British band Pop Will Eat Itself. When PWEI signed to Nothing Records, Mansell became friends with Trent Reznor, and he also performed back-up vocals on the 1999 album The Fragile by Nine Inch Nails.

So yeah, in hindsight some NiN influence seems to be expected.

 

[Shirokurou]

Was Gregson-Williams too busy with Metal Gear?

 

[DustyDrB]

I've only seen Requiem of a Dream and The Wrestler (both Aronofsky films, I think) out of those movies. Doesn't seem like a good fit. Wall was doing a great job. I'm about to go running to the Mass Effect soundtrack...

 

[MiracleOfSound]

Why are we assuming that all of that is going to go away? A composer can and is often required to change his style to fit the project at hand. I see no reason Chris Mansell can't fit into what Jack Wall has already done.

I hope you're right dude, I really do.

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.

If you or anyone could link me some music that he's done that sounds anything like the Mass Effect music, I'd be grateful to you to easing my apprehension.

 

[Rancid0ffspring]

As long as he can make something as awesome as this...

I'll be happy.

Just listening to this has got me giddy and Mass Effect 2 in the disk drive. Time for an engineer Shepard methinks!!!

OT: the sound track to Requiem For A Dream and Moon were amazing. I'm curious to see what he will bring to the table.

So excited about this game!!!!!

 

[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?