Cool music for D&D sessions

[Adamaro]

Now, first, step on a brake, regarding your urge to post your favourite music score.

It is a fair warning, since, according to my rather large experience with these things, most "D&D music" music just sux for the sessions. Why is that? Because, while PCs are buying equiptment in ye olde store, a "battle music" is on. When they are facing a three-headed demon hound, an "elf, sleeping by the willow" is on.

So.

I have a few tracks, which had potential, but failed. One of them is Morrowind tracks (a bit too familiar to Elder scrolls players), second Dark Knight music score, but the latter is (as most classic/movie pieces) to damn silent at some parts and too loud at others.

So far, so good ... and only real choise, which never dissapoints is Conan: The Barbarian soundtrack. It really works for my party, but the problem is, it gets a bit repetitive after one heard it for 200-th time.

So.

Taking into consideration all that was written, can you recommend a music score, appropriate for D&D sessions? Not too silent, not too loud, but just the thing. It may be from a movie, a common music album even. Just that it does not suck a...

So. No FF soundtracks! And no other queen-tracks! Just those truly awesome and listenable - What is best in life - tracks.

For space-type setting I reccomend Two steps from Hell. Awsome.

[Divide by Zero]

You can never go wrong with Iron Maiden. But maybe that's just my group.

[icastflare!]

You can never go wrong with Iron Maiden. But maybe that's just my group.

your not alone. Its become our soundtrack.

[EvilJoe15]

For a pirate games I use Alestorm (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99a6DaheLqs)(For the tavern I use this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o05xPuZF2I8&feature=related)). Pirate Metal FTW!

For darker evil games check out norwegian deth metal, that stuff's just scary.

If you're looking for something less... heavy, I may not be the person to ask as I just listen to (Early)Metallica on my ipod.

[Adamaro]

Not bad suggestions. I am looking for something a bit more refined (maybe a down-tuned metal?) but these things are pretty close to my idea of a good music background.

[John Cribati]

The Avatar: The Last Airbender Soundtrack has some good music for tons of occasions. "This song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SNe1sCEvlU) is pretty good for reading off the adventure fluff, and for stealth-based missions. Hammy voice completely optional.

[CockroachTeaParty]

For creepy, mysterious, dark, or suspenseful parts, I like to use the soundtrack from Red Dragon.

If you want to check out video game soundtracks other than Final Fantasy, I use the Legend of Legaia soundtrack heavily (best boss fight music ever; also really good 'town' songs).

[acid_ninja]

Last of the Mohicans FTW. Especially for wilderness type games. Also, the Patriot or Braveheart. Any of those epic historical (ish) movies. Maybe not the whole soundtrack but certainly parts.

Slightly off-topic, one of my players always busts out the kirk vs spock music during combat encounters. The password is: mood-killer

[Reynard]

Those Were the Days, My Friend. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KODZtjOIPg) It screams a Bard that's retired from adventuring.
The Way. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0wfu3tOrtQ) More modern, makes me think of a bunch of friends who just up and leave one day.
The Comedians. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-vwkbAZ5Kw) Near TPKs are traditionally mourned with this song in our group.

[John Cribati]

The Comedians. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-vwkbAZ5Kw) Near TPKs are traditionally mourned with this song in our group.

You have made me very sad.

[Noedig]

We just listen to Tom Waits...

[Hendel]

I can not tell you how many epic quests have begun with the words, "We ride," to be followed with the pounding notes of the Anvil of Crom from the Conan the Barbarian soundtrack. It is truly an epic score!

I do see Adamaro's point about how it might be wearisome after epic quest #200. Actually, my current incarnation of a D&D group does not regularly use background music. You know we are all getting older and it is sometimes hard to hear over the din of players talking and background music.

I still, however, like some of the more obvious scores like Gladiator and all three Lord of the Rings. I will admit that they do suffer from extremly silent parts to thunderous choruses of the orchestra. Pound for pound I still favor Conan, but I have used Pirates of the Carribean for a dramatic sword duel scene before. I also have a copy of the soundtrack from the Japanese anime the Record of Lodoss Wars which I like (some of the songs are sung in Japanese, but you can skip over those for the instrumental versions if you want).

[Corbeau]

Here's an idea that just sprang to mind. Bear with me as it is just that, an idea. Anyways, you could take all of these suggestions and stuff them into Pandora or the like and create specific stations; e.g. "tavern" "battle" ect.

Might be worth a go anyways.

[Hendel]

Here's an idea that just sprang to mind. Bear with me as it is just that, an idea. Anyways, you could take all of these suggestions and stuff them into Pandora or the like and create specific stations; e.g. "tavern" "battle" ect.

Might be worth a go anyways.

I had a GM run us through a Star Wars rpg and he did just that. He had pre-selected music for each encounter, i.e. fight with the stormtroopers, or cantina encounter, or enter the dark sith, etc.

It was actually pretty cool and we only heard a tune or two for the duration of the encounter and then there was something new. It actually heightened the suspense and drama like a real movie score does. It does, however, take more work from the DM/GM but it payed off for us.

[CarpeGuitarrem]

Hmm. When I DM fantasy adventure, I should steal some anime openings, like the ones from Fullmetal Alchemist.

[Cogidubnus]

Nightwish and Dragonforce tend to cover it, even if it is a bit cheesy.

[Lord Vukodlak]

I use music from the Shadow Hearts RPG, series of video games, some from the legacy kain series. I figure an RPG video game is the best place to start looking for music for a tabletop RPG eh?

In addition Imperial March, and the rage remix of Imperial March, I've got a couple others in there to. Nothing like the cantina theme when they enter a wretched hive of scum in villainy. Also the rage remix of the imperial march.

The mortal combat theme. Vegeta's Theme and some others.

[UnChosenOne]

Music, eh?
Well, Melechesh (Genies Sorcerers And Mesopotamian Nights (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2vc5vRh_YQ) and The Scribes Of Kur (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPEeY2aMa4c&feature=related) as example of their music) for a example would probaly be perfect for sessions that takes place in a fantasy version of the middle-east.

[Ormur]

I solved this problem by creating four playlists after scouring through my Itunes library for every appropriate piece of music. I keep the epic classical and soundtrack music in the battle playlist. Then I made a creepy playlist with horror soundtracks an eerie modern classical music for dungeon and cultist temples. One is intended for background music and has more level classical music, baroque and chamber music. The last one is for cities and is more unconventional with jazz, elegant string quartets, French accordions, folk music and even Tom Waits for the taverns.

[Seffbasilisk]

Fair warning though; Lord of the Rings soundtracks, while epic, will sidetrack your players.

[Morth]

Some of the Ace Attorney music can work really well... mostly the character themes.