I Need Badass Intro Music

[Anderlith]

So I'm gonna be running a game & I'd like to ask you guys for musical recommendations to set the tone & atmosphere of different things in the game. Sad, triumphant, stressed, stuff like that.

I also need a really badass intro song. My game features huge powerful magical megacities a la the Tippyverse except for plot reasons the city the player's are in explodes & they are left to survive in the forgotten wilderness of the world.

[Manly Man]

If you don't mind keeping it classical and the songs themselves being all over the place, the Soul Calibur III soundtrack is pretty awesome.

[Kol Korran]

Bad ass means different things to different people. I quite like a lot of the music from 2 Steps From Hell. I think checking out music from the "Nemesis" and "All drums go to hell" albums might fit nicely.

Some examples:
Sky Titans (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vX_iQqwYsuM) excellent intro music in my opinion.
All drums go to hell playlist (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXzgWzCdDh8&list=PL673D752F61595A03). Fast paced, tribal sounding. Puts people on edge.
Clash of Empires (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CGZ9QhAcyM&feature=BFa&list=PLA52F107876B166FD) another good track.

i also used quite a lot of music from famous westerns, from Ennio Morricone, but that takes a specific feel.

[Spacebatsy]

It all depends on what kind of game you’re running. I’ve put together a library over a long time, using a sound mixer. It’s my most valuable GM tool, and it’s free, I recommend it to anyone:
http://www.stefanisberg.com/mutant/Mixer_eng.html


It comes with a bunch of ready themes. But if you want something else I have a few suggestions:

Knights of the Temple OST
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_6y9cxgUZE&list=PL575EAF65196C92E7
Good for many situations, and beautiful music.

Chaos Legion OST
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63Fe4UV8zgs&list=PL9261A9C6C7FCF12B
A LOT of fast paced battle music

Apocalyptica
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2TBjwoUYxQ
A string orchestra/ metal band. They have a lot of different music both sad, badass and anything inbetween

The soundtrack from Donnie Darko is also great if you want a bit of unnerving music
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnjOTy1LroA&list=PLC2FA0A33304CF3E3

Medeski, martin & wood a great group for a bit more cheerful jazz tone
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcuoGmhfFjw

I use a lot of Half life music since I run a lot of sci-fi games
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCRZbxAJa5A

Metro is great for the eerie feeling
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaWX30EN11o

And of course so is the Silent Hill OST
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ei8qPp5sm2s

Otherwise, look through some classic or folk music
Enjoy!

[BWR]

You can't beat this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_D0ZQPqeJkk)for a gripping intro. Might be a bit too recognizable, so you can always go with Basil Poledouris' Conan soundtrack (which is the best part of the movie). Anvil of Crom (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHfE682mm3c)is certainly badass.

And for something less immediately recognizable and immensely influential, try Mars, Bringer of War. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0bcRCCg01I)

[Anderlith]

I definitely like the 2 Steps from Hell soundtrack. & will be using it. For my intro song I want something with lyrics though. Something about losing, or the fall of an empire, Bobaflex's "Bury me with my gun on" comes close, but doesn't quite fit, so something along those lines would be good.

[CarpeGuitarrem]

Oh...I guess non-English lyrics are out of the question...because that disqualifies Guren no Yumiya (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OkpRK2_gVs).

[Starbuck_II]

Baddest Man Alive:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJ8Gtx45Fmc

Dragonborn Comes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIqZflxZSO4

Let them Burn *(depending on game)
https://soundcloud.com/mo-mo-obrien/let-em-burn-good-version

When Will My Life Begin:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=je4nDvNJXsg

Hell Yeah
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmgne7B73Fk

Rock Anthem for Saving the World (Halo)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO1y7WQfD9c

Fight Until We Die (Maybe more a battle song)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzi2zr-7KOM

We Are the Chosen Ones:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nUFp8wLIms

Shattered Dreams :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cX-8MHKuQ5I

Die For Metal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpPEECWdjK0

[desero clades]

Rules of Nature is pretty badass.

[Radar]

Badass intro to a wilderness campaign you say?

Welcome to the jungle! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1tj2zJ2Wvg)

[Beowulf DW]

May I suggest: http://youtu.be/5nckqVPSejk

[Dienekes]

Look up a company called Two Steps From Hell. You know the badass background music for every trailer ever that gets you pumped for whatever is on screen? It was probably them.

[Mutazoia]

Ain't No Grave (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0MIFHLIzZY)

Legacy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1de0E3RZakg)

Hurt (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmVAWKfJ4Go) (Original)

Hurt (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htmKZKR7oyc) (NiN)

Pissed off and mad about it (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjCtHgNEcV0)

Increased Chances (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQZbwfZ2pro) (Original)

Increased Chances (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfZ4WTWk3tc) (Abney Park Redux)

End of Days (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PL557wdOvoA)

This is the End (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLKzqgq0W7Q)

The End (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSUIQgEVDM4)

The Forsaking (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSUIQgEVDM4)

Mozart Requiem in D Minor (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPlhKP0nZII)

Spirit Rituals Mix (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJ_gZ-h2X9Y)

Behold the Darkness (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMfoRqbS-Ko)

The Cannibals (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irx_QeW2EuY)

[oxybe]

the whole Kill la Kill soundtrack is pretty boss, featuring songs in english, german, japanese. the various artists' ability to sing in other languages might sound a bit funny at times, but well... gosh darn those instrumentals!

the whole was seemingly penned by Hiroyuki Sawano. his tvtropes "awesome music" page (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/AwesomeMusic/HiroyukiSawano)has links to almost the entirety of the KlK soundtrack in some form. listen to the various leitmotifs or songs like "Before my body is dry" or even "Blumenkranz".

as well as his works on Attack on Titan, Gundam Unicorn, Team Medical Dragon, Sengoku Basara, Blue Exorcist & Guilty Crown.

i want this guy to write the soundtrack to my life: imagine stumbling into the local Tim's ordering a muffin and a double double when, as you go to take that first sip, "the Dragon Rises (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiL5_FCbstk)".

or having a bit of forewarning at the arrival of your manager (https://soundcloud.com/excelntafr0/kiryuu-ga-kill). or boss (https://soundcloud.com/diabolus-exnihilo/blumenkranz).

[Mrc.]

the whole Kill la Kill soundtrack is pretty boss, featuring songs in english, german, japanese. the various artists' ability to sing in other languages might sound a bit funny at times, but well... gosh darn those instrumentals!

the whole was seemingly penned by Hiroyuki Sawano. his tvtropes "awesome music" page (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/AwesomeMusic/HiroyukiSawano)has links to almost the entirety of the KlK soundtrack in some form. listen to the various leitmotifs or songs like "Before my body is dry" or even "Blumenkranz".

as well as his works on Attack on Titan, Gundam Unicorn, Team Medical Dragon, Sengoku Basara, Blue Exorcist & Guilty Crown.

i want this guy to write the soundtrack to my life: imagine stumbling into the local Tim's ordering a muffin and a double double when, as you go to take that first sip, "the Dragon Rises (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiL5_FCbstk)".

or having a bit of forewarning at the arrival of your manager (https://soundcloud.com/excelntafr0/kiryuu-ga-kill). or boss (https://soundcloud.com/diabolus-exnihilo/blumenkranz).

Ye the KlK soundtrack is pretty good. It's telling, I suppose, that the intro is my least favourite Kill la Kill music and it's still better than most other music on my iPod.

[CarpeGuitarrem]

i want this guy to write the soundtrack to my life: imagine stumbling into the local Tim's ordering a muffin and a double double when, as you go to take that first sip, "the Dragon Rises (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiL5_FCbstk)".
That's...from a medical drama?!!?! Japan, you so crazy and it's great.

[Daer]

Dynasty warriors OST might be worth checking
Eve (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAs7dk_E5jg)
Verge of despair (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoyJ_xqOxY0)
Lubus theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlS7MH_Xs8c)
for couple examples

[Waker]

Really the whole Hellsing Ultimate soundtrack is pretty solid, but in particular I would point out Die Fledermaus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdjQtmay0os) which should do a more than adequate job of rocking your metaphorical socks off.
The Dirge of Cerberus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mu31dSSSU_I) soundtrack has a good selection of dramatic sounding music, so I'd suggest giving that a listen.
You couldn't go wrong with a bit of symphonic metal when you want to introduce a particularly badass boss fight, so give Schwarzalbenheim (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ng42hgc3UDw) by Therion a listen, as well as a few other songs by them.

[oxybe]

That's...from a medical drama?!!?! Japan, you so crazy and it's great.

yup. i haven't seen the live version that it's from, but i did read a bit of the manga. the core of it is that this one lady is gathering a team to help her put to practice her research on a difficult surgical procedure, and gathers a rather unlikely team of super-staff: not just surgeons, but also staff like the surgical nurse, anesthesiologist, post-op care professionals and even interns.

it's pretty good and it seems well-researched. i wouldn't know as i have no medical knowledge beyond "proxide > polysporin > gauze/bandaid".

don't rely on me for anything beyond scrapes and bruises, please.

[Asmayus]

Devil's fanfare (http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1842iIVRNWU)

no lyrics, but it oozes badassery :smallcool:

[Hyena]

Don't thank me. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fnB3IhWi6g)

[TeChameleon]

Wellp, if you want to go full-on classical, there's always Strauss' Also Sprach Zarathustra (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFPwm0e_K98). Intros really don't come much more epic than that.

Staying in the classical vein, Orff's O Fortuna (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWiyKgeGWx0) seems to fit the mood you're going for, given that it's all about the cruel fickleness of destroying fate (albeit in Latin). Good for setting an ominous tone :smallbiggrin:

On a more modern note, Immediate Music (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWTleKF4b2A&list=PL72CB76B52E8BD0BC) has some satisfyingly epic sounds... some Nightwish (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plkM5iQ6BvY&list=AL94UKMTqg-9AIkBUCMbCzL5kpPwFASQTd) stuff might also fit the bill for you, not sure.

Ah well, hope that helps.