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View Full Version : Music for an Utterly Evil Villain



Leliel
2009-09-08, 08:24 PM
Well, when I get bored of anti-villains and heroic antagonists filling the ranks of my Evil Conspiracies-TM-I like to throw the kind of villains that a serial torturer would take advice from.

These guys are never the BBEG-I find it's more compelling to have the aforementioned anti-villains and heroic antagonists in charge-but they're kept around because they're able to do things their bosses would never consider. They're usually first on the "kill in the most painful manner possible list once I rule the world" list, but they get the job done.

Of course, a genuinely evil villain needs a genuinely kickass theme song for battling, so:

What would you use as the theme for a battle against what TV Tropes calls a Complete Monster?

I was of two minds-Perfect Cell's Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpkeAQG6kQw&feature=related) for the "holy crap this guy is an evil bastard" quotient, and Nuclear Fusion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugV-tUwhWyg) for the "let's remove this freak from the face of the earth" mood.

Dixieboy
2009-09-08, 08:27 PM
Toccata and Fugue by Bach.

I'm old fashioned. :smallwink:

Edit: That's really better for the introduction though.

OrangeQuarter
2009-09-08, 08:44 PM
My personal favorite is Duel of The Fates.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyCigHHwOcE

Yukitsu
2009-09-08, 09:24 PM
I'm fond of something a bit off in regards to music and a situation. Probably got that from enjoying Neon Genesis Evangelion.

Anyway, I'd have him hum/sing this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Mn1ibFdXDU

There is something particularly disturbing about a man who can sing about the grace of god while murdering people.

NorseItalian
2009-09-08, 09:33 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c38ajRm3Kes

Of course, the battle usable part doesn't come in until a bit before 3:00, but I suppose you could use the early stuff as buildup if you want to have a mood whiplash effect.

Mando Knight
2009-09-08, 09:34 PM
You need to make your own Villain Sucks Song (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TheVillainSucksSong). Y'know, like Goldfinger (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MagCoUYvIXE). Or Cruella De Vil (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcdQk7JBPzQ). And the Phony King of England (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37bbj8HbM5I), and Mr. Grinch (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPBS7dVrE1U)...

Dienekes
2009-09-08, 09:36 PM
Toccata and Fugue by Bach.

I'm old fashioned. :smallwink:

Edit: That's really better for the introduction though.

Personally prefer Night on Bald Mountain for my classical villainous music.

Oh and to the OP, you really should try centering a campaign around one of those ruthless evil torturous villains. They can be incredibly interesting.

I'd also suggest for music for a more mocking song When You're Evil

Milskidasith
2009-09-08, 09:36 PM
Supreme Ruler of the Nine Heavens:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eK5cRPzYa2w


I need to find some music to link to that isn't Baten Kaitos. But it's just so good.

Thane of Fife
2009-09-08, 09:37 PM
Slaughter Your World (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcbazH6aE2g), perhaps?

Or more seriously, Power-Hungry Fool (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiUC4aXtC3Y&feature=related)?

Mando Knight
2009-09-08, 09:41 PM
Or more seriously, Power-Hungry Fool (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiUC4aXtC3Y&feature=related)?

If you're gonna pull out Fire Emblem music, go whole-hog...
Like To Challen (http://serenesforest.net/media/fe9music/18%20-%20To%20Challenge%20Ashnard%201.mp3)ge Ashnard (http://serenesforest.net/media/fe9music/18%20-%20To%20Challenge%20Ashnard%202.mp3).

And for the Magnificent Bastard quality, there's nothing like chanting for truth and hope in our Fatherland/ and death to every foe. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRIAw6LkqlE)
ALL HAIL BRITANNIA!

Revanmal
2009-09-08, 09:48 PM
If they get a chance to survey a large scene of carnage caused by this guy, go with Adagio for Strings (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRMz8fKkG2g) here.

With the right description it can really set the mood when your players are looking out over a vast field of the dead and dying, burning corpses and broken bodies strewn across miles of bloody field.

Overlord Nicy
2009-09-08, 09:54 PM
Crash Landing. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NAkEP68agk)

Master_Rahl22
2009-09-08, 09:56 PM
I was always partial to Id's Theme from Xenogears. It's creepy in an understated sort of way.

Ranis
2009-09-08, 10:17 PM
Here's one that you've probably never heard:

Release The Seal, from Blue Dragon:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIOm1BZIGNQ

Probably because I'm the only person in the world to ever have beaten it. :(

grungar3x7
2009-09-08, 10:17 PM
Well, for my part, I would reccomend something like: Voices, by Disturbed. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQWwvI41Eyo) Mainly for its high energy and the suggesion of evil being forced upon others.

Agrippa
2009-09-08, 10:30 PM
First my response will depend upon the answer to this question Leliel. Would any of the below I just listed count as Complete Monsters to you? This is barring Fandumb, Draco in Leather Pants Syndrome and whatever Freudian Excuse they may claim.

Kefka
Xykon
Sephiroth (you know from where)
Seymor Guado
The Joker
Randal Flagg
Jonathan Teatime
Bangladesh DuPree
The Kurgan
Fabius Bile
Wolfgang von Uberwald

Leliel
2009-09-08, 10:41 PM
All except Kefka and DuPree (Too funny), then Kurgan and Fabius (beacuse I have no freaking clue who they are, and Wikipedia doesn't give anything beyond their basic biography).

For me, a villain has to do some truly awful things and so absolutely no remorse or redeeming qualities that make him not hatable.

Agrippa
2009-09-09, 12:30 AM
Usually when thinking about Complete Monsters I utterly discount their humorus nature as a morally redeeming feature. Otherwise you'd have to let certain villains get a pass due to good looks due to the fact that it's also a "redeeming feature". Also I give you Fabius Bile (http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Fabius_Bile) and the Kurgan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurgan_(Highlander)). I hope these links help. And of course, The Kurgan's Song, Gimme the Prize (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TbsLV2yklw) and lyrics (http://www.queenwords.com/lyrics/songs/sng15_07.shtml).

AslanCross
2009-09-09, 01:36 AM
The Midnight Carnival (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKJ9AVrpM9s)

And if you want to be really mean to players: Holy Orders? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_r6BLw8Qm0)
(Warning: This song is incredibly painful to listen to.)

Grim ranger
2009-09-09, 01:44 AM
I would suggest Belmont The Legend's (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vz8DH30l2_E)theme for speedy battle

NeoVid
2009-09-09, 01:58 AM
And if you want to be really mean to players: Holy Orders? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_r6BLw8Qm0)
(Warning: This song is incredibly painful to listen to.)

Seriously? I like that version more than the regular one...

Anyway, this takes a classy and warped type of bad guy, but there's Keep In Gates (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o70tJ9JbjCg).

Sintanan
2009-09-09, 02:12 AM
I have to vote for Id's theme (The One Who is Torn Apart (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tD25_StvAT0)) as well... Id is just such a memorable BBEG, but the song might not be what you're after.

Godskook
2009-09-09, 02:21 AM
welcome home by Coheed and Cambria(instrumental version, the vocals don't do it any favors as a villain's song) Watch the trailer for "9" to see it put to good use.

nihilanthic
2009-09-09, 02:37 AM
Torn between Meshuggah's Bleed (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qc98u-eGzlc) (granted it turns into a curbstomp battle or at least tears a few continents out of the mantle of the planet in question) or some kind of dissonant song where it totally doesn't match how awful the situation is.

(NSF Ears) :smallbiggrin:

Johel
2009-09-09, 03:36 AM
If you're gonna pull out Fire Emblem music, go whole-hog...
Like To Challen (http://serenesforest.net/media/fe9music/18%20-%20To%20Challenge%20Ashnard%201.mp3)ge Ashnard (http://serenesforest.net/media/fe9music/18%20-%20To%20Challenge%20Ashnard%202.mp3).

And for the Magnificent Bastard quality, there's nothing like chanting for truth and hope in our Fatherland/ and death to every foe. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRIAw6LkqlE)
ALL HAIL BRITANNIA!

Damnit, I've just realised that All Hail Britannia's lirics weren't Japanese !!
:smallredface:

Drevius
2009-09-09, 10:05 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLTAPeiaqQc&feature=PlayList&p=50EA8A7C9DAB9CF8&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=30

nuff said.

EDIT: there is also probably a longer loop of this out there, can't remember the link at the moment.

Karsh
2009-09-09, 10:11 AM
Prologue (Apprehension) by Apocalyptica is good if he's getting ready to beat down on them: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JX2abtsB5I

If you do some digging, there's some amazing creative commons stuff out there. Paul Houseman is a good name to google. Also, Celestial Aeon Project.

Atelm
2009-09-09, 10:31 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QocOxPvHxdY&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOcwvDcnne8&feature=related

Thane of Fife
2009-09-09, 10:35 AM
Hmm...

Kriegsgewitter (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQJrotmk2o4&feature=related) could work - it has a nice destructive sound to it (there's a different bit near the middle, so listen to the whole thing).

War (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsXm0y7z0Gc&feature=related) from the same game. Combines some other works into a nice piece.

Lycan 01
2009-09-09, 11:06 AM
O Fortuna and Requiem for a Dream are pretty good, too.


I'm planning on having the PCs fight against a Black Dragon atop a speeding train as it crosses a large bridge at one point in our campaign. He's the recurring villain in our campaign, having already killed 2 PCs so far. I want the fight to be really dramatic, and I think some theme music in the background would work pretty good. Nothing overdone, though, like One Winged Angel... (Even though I love that song... :smalltongue:)

So yeah... Any musical suggestions for a duel with a hated dragon atop a speeding steampunk train? :smallbiggrin:

Drakyn
2009-09-09, 11:14 AM
O Fortuna and Requiem for a Dream are pretty good, too.


I'm planning on having the PCs fight against a Black Dragon atop a speeding train as it crosses a large bridge at one point in our campaign. He's the recurring villain in our campaign, having already killed 2 PCs so far. I want the fight to be really dramatic, and I think some theme music in the background would work pretty good. Nothing overdone, though, like One Winged Angel... (Even though I love that song... :smalltongue:)

So yeah... Any musical suggestions for a duel with a hated dragon atop a speeding steampunk train? :smallbiggrin:
Random Baldur's Gate ideas:
Gorion's Battle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzlwyaH23I0
Attacked by Assassins (first fight in the game, better music than some final bosses in others, I swear to god): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4Oszn0Oluw&feature=PlayList&p=3689F00E55624177&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=32

Telonius
2009-09-09, 11:24 AM
"Time Stands Still (at the Iron Hill)" by Blind Guardian. Great boss music in any case, and it was written about Fingolfin's battle with Morgoth. Can't get much more evil than the personification of discord himself.

Yora
2009-09-09, 11:28 AM
This is cute. What ideas people have for theme music for Complete Monsters. :smallredface:

Or myabe it's me, who has a rather sick and twisted mind when it comes to really horrible villains. :smallconfused:

My Heaven (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tY92NAdGaR4), though probably too wonky for most fantasy games and with slow build-up. :smallbiggrin:

Violent Maria (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4M0ujNfkJ8). Though maybe more fitting for a one-Winged Angel,
The World of the Dead (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HNIqJMbqrg)
Ashen Spire (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKhNKMtVPbk), short but makes for a good entrance.

Tyrael
2009-09-09, 11:37 AM
For epic battles, I'd go with practically (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSwkz0RcTyQ) anything (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9LsBWPlors&feature=related) from (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMRuJfLuKVY&feature=related) X-ray (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEJ3fLIKMUU&feature=related) Dog (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6lhDIlcKPk&feature=related).

Then again, even sources like Mario (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTYlRHLOAyk&feature=PlayList&p=26FA82CAAFD27C7C&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=8) and The Legend (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dv6NpFd0hlk&feature=PlayList&p=3D9A22ADBCFDAA2B&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=4) of Zelda (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeuUln-24oU&feature=related) have their shares of epic evil music. Not to mention gems from older RPGs like Chrono Trigger (http://chronofan.com/Black/Music%20(Chrono%20Trigger)/CTRP/bLiNd%20-%20Chrono%20Trigger%20-%20Battle%20with%20Magus.mp3)


As for quieter evil stuff, you've got Psycho Mantis' hymn (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvqyR3BG24s), Emperor Palpatine's theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5T7aqYF6zM), and even the hair-raising scrape of The Joker (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAB-dQ7XyA0&feature=related) (first 1:00 or so).

Hope that helps!

Lycan 01
2009-09-09, 10:46 PM
Hm... Okay, I've got a few songs picked out... I'm looking for a particular sort of song now, I suppose. Anybody know any good classical pieces with Latin lyrics? Fast-paced Latin would be a plus.

I dunno why, I just think of a Latin chorus when I imagine epic BBEG music... Then again, my group plays a lot of Call of Cthulhu and Dark Heresy, which are heavy in Latin-related content, so I suppose it matches pretty well, actually.

Agrippa
2009-09-09, 11:15 PM
Or you could go with Stealers Wheel Stuck in the Middle With You (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gy6cqFIljQo). Mr. Blonde thought it was pretty good. Or if you want something thematically appropriate with a good heaping dose of Lyrical Dissonence try The Beatles Maxwell's Silver Hammer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfnpZhJ8exQ) or Kurt Weill's Mack The Knife (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3zTFRuuDQ4).

P.S. I replaced the Bobby Darin version because it was barely comprehensible.

Lycan 01
2009-09-09, 11:23 PM
Oh! I actually found a few good ones on the BlazBlue Soundtrack. Specifically, Awakening the Chaos (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hd0cJG8qzMA)...

BlazBlue might end up providing quite a few songs for me to use. Yay! :smallbiggrin:

llamamushroom
2009-09-10, 07:07 AM
Personally, I've always had a thing for Complete Monsters who think that they're justified, or excusable. Hence, the Libera Me (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQAfZaKqe-I&feature=related), from Faure's Requiem. In terms of massed choir, though, you really can't go past Karl Jenkins' The Armed MAn: A Mass For Peace, especially Sanctus (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQEwBimcrfY), or Hymn Before Action (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1U-LVDSnAM&feature=related).

Melamoto
2009-09-10, 11:12 AM
Buckethead - Jack the Ripper (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8T_bygB4DG8)

Good for a boss fight: Intimidating, engaging, and slightly scary at the start, and then it sort of blends in with the rest of the sound. Every now and then it picks up a bit to draw away monotony. Around the 3 minute mark, it really picks up.

Not a good choice if you want it to be loud and exciting the whole way through the fight.

Try to listen to the whole thing before you make a judgement.

Ratflail
2009-09-10, 05:01 PM
This (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yu_moia-oVI) is some pretty good music for a boss fight.

Fiery Diamond
2009-09-10, 06:14 PM
Don't Rickroll, it isn't nice at all. Here I was curious to see what you had linked to.

On topic: Another Apocalyptica. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKGEHOg-dow&feature=related)

Tiki Snakes
2009-09-10, 06:59 PM
Personally, I got some mileage out of this kind of stuff, whilst my players explored an ancient, abominable temple to a forgotten demon-lord/Alien God, risen from the depths of a stinking black ocean in the Shadowfell...

We Shall Dive Down Through Black Abysses (http://www.last.fm/music/The+Unquiet+Void/_/We+Shall+Dive+Down+Through+Black+Abysses?autostart )

The Esoteric Order (http://www.last.fm/music/The+Unquiet+Void/_/The+Esoteric+Order?autostart)

The Shadow Over Innsmouth (http://www.last.fm/music/The+Unquiet+Void/_/The+Shadow+Over+Innsmouth?autostart)

Though admittedly it wasn't exactly simple getting my hands on the albums.

Shadowbane
2009-09-10, 07:04 PM
I use Requiem for a Dream.

NeoVid
2009-09-11, 12:38 AM
BlazBlue might end up providing quite a few songs for me to use. Yay! :smallbiggrin:

BlazBlue's soundtrack is amazing in general, though not quite on par with Guilty Gear.

Back to evil: there's also Thin RED Line (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8SdnRLd6Es) or Worthless as the Sun Above Clouds (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvPRk-QT5pk).

Blacky the Blackball
2009-09-11, 03:32 AM
You know in those silent film melodramas where the damsel in distress is tied to the railway tracks and there's a train coming?

That music (whatever it's called)...

Tyrmatt
2009-09-11, 05:17 AM
For a psychic utterly evil and deranged villain, I like The Master Vainglorious (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwSAE4yyh84) from Doctor Who S3 largely because I know all my players have watched Dr. Who and so this song is somewhere in the back of their heads, filling in the little gaps and making him that much more of a villain. John Simms' Master is the most fun I've ever had watching a villain revel in his evil plan. I like to see people being thrown around by psychic powers to it.

I also have vague memories of clown themed villains that attacked to things like Bananas in Pyjamas. That's a pretty sick thing to do.

This also just sparked off two ideas in my head, one villain with a predilection for showtunes and another who stalks the players with brief snatches of The Magic Roundabout...

Time to ruin some childhoods :D
EDIT: I now realise that the wholesale slaughter to a kids song I witnessed was The Banana Splits theme.

Ellington
2009-09-11, 12:11 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7Tn1Y-ERCE

Creepy, and has buildup.

Kulture
2009-09-11, 12:20 PM
If you need atmopheric music for a necromantic villain, look no further then this, from the Thief "Deadly shadows" soundtrack.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5ddKR-1Puw
The Shalebridge cradle...