Songs for a post apocalypitci introduction session

[Kol Korran]

Ok folks, I'll be running a post apocalyptic one shot game, as an introduction to the FATE core system.

I'm looking for songs to set the mood. The feeling that I'm aiming for is a feeling for a world lost, but possibly with some sarcastic humor in it. The 50's music from the Fallout series work well as an example, but I'm looking for something... I don't know... different. It's hard for me to define it. I'm looking for music for 3-4 situations:
1. The players will be reading a bit about the set up for the game (a small town in the middle of the wasteland, trying to get by cut off nearly everywhere else). I want to give them something to hear while reading about it, setting them a bit in the mood.
2. When in the game, some music for the town itself.
3. different music for the Marylin- an entertainment house with recordings of the past, music and what not.
4.Music for the wasteland (though for this I can easily use the fallout music mentioned below)
5. Bad ominous music when in a bad bad place...

I've listened to the soundtrack of fallout 1&2, Fallout 3 radio songs and a few other things like Tom Petty but I can't quite get the feel i'm looking for.

Perhaps something dating not so far back, but more to the 80-90?

I'd like to hear what sort of ideas you can help me with? thanks!

[Bulhakov]

Some dark industrial ambient to set the mood:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h94dIE_4b6w

A Swedish song made famous by the Vikings intro:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXF9uHbAd9I

Another from the same group:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWFb5z3kUSQ

[Nepenthe]

Alternate Routes - Future's Nothing New
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BLLk-_5ibk

[Bulhakov]

Rhythm of the heat - perfect soundtrack for primitive wasteland tribes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzwMe-3XVn4

[DJ Yung Crunk]

Have you tried Lustmord?

Or, hell, really anything under the drone/dark ambient banner will do you just fine (the two genres tend to cross over an awful lot). A great, more recent, example is Raime's new album "Quarter Turns Over a Living Line"

[Slipperychicken]

The Planet is Dead

[Kol Korran]

Some dark industrial ambient to set the mood:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h94dIE_4b6w

A Swedish song made famous by the Vikings intro:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXF9uHbAd9I

Another from the same group:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWFb5z3kUSQ

Rhythm of the heat - perfect soundtrack for primitive wasteland tribes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzwMe-3XVn4

Hmmm... thanks, But it doesn't quite have the feel i'm looking for.

Alternate Routes - Future's Nothing New
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BLLk-_5ibk

This one is interesting, But I think I'll keep it for another game, not quite what I'm looking for this game.

Have you tried Lustmord?

Or, hell, really anything under the drone/dark ambient banner will do you just fine (the two genres tend to cross over an awful lot). A great, more recent, example is Raime's new album "Quarter Turns Over a Living Line"

These are great! they fit very well with the vibe I want to give to the wasteland and the forgotten world. Thanks! As the game might feature some horror, The various Lustmord tracks could fit very well. I can't believe I forgot about it!

The Planet is Dead

Interesting, and sort of fitting, but not quite... Thanks anyway!


Thank everyone who have shared their suggestions. I'm sorry I can't find the words to express more clearly what I'm looking for, but I papreciate the effort non the less. thanks!

Any more ideas?

[Zahhak]

Am I the only one who saw this thread and immediately went "Requiem for a Dream"?

On a general note, Industrial (genre), Nox Arcana, and Two Steps from H* seem like good choices. Other than Rammstein, the only Industrial group that comes immediately to mind is Porcelain/Porcelain and the Tramps.

*Self censorship.

[Slipperychicken]

*Self censorship.

Hell, far as I can tell, isn't censored on the forum.

[Zahhak]

Shows what I know. Two Steps from Hell.

[Kol Korran]

Am I the only one who saw this thread and immediately went "Requiem for a Dream"?

On a general note, Industrial (genre), Nox Arcana, and Two Steps from H* seem like good choices. Other than Rammstein, the only Industrial group that comes immediately to mind is Porcelain/Porcelain and the Tramps.

*Self censorship.

Hmmm, I don't quite see Requiem for a dream working for the atmosphere I intend to give at the table. It's far too melodic and such.

Nox Arcana has some great things I can use, thanks!

2sfH are my first choice usually at looking for songs, but nearly all of their songs won't fit due to be so amazingly overly epic. I'm looking for more low down, depressive/ dark/ 70-80s music, I intend towards the cynical/ morbid/ survivalist rather than the champion feel. (If this sentence makes any sense...)

I also prefer mostly music with little to no lyrics, since my players tend to focus on the words when hearing any, getting distracted.

Thanks for the great suggestions!

[Erasmas]

I am a huge proponent of movie/video game soundtracks while I play (and even when I am working on stuff as a DM). I even have an old Xbox with a music file in the room that we game in that has files for differing games/genres. I have found that avoiding songs with lyrics is best... as these tend to be less distracting (nothing to really sing along to) and are more supportive of the given mood, as opposed to feeding you a particular story in poetic fashion.

From everything said, I am assuming that this is a semi-modern apoc game (set somewhere in the last hundred years of our own history). And it also seems like this is more along the lines Fallout or Mad Max, where there are pockets of 'civilization' that have gathered together as opposed to something more like The Road (which might work).

I find what typically works the best, is to isolate the resounding emotional cue that you are searching for and figure out movies/games that share the same tone. With this particular setting... I am sensing that 'despair' may be the key.

So, based on what I have gathered, some suggestions:
Inception
Road to Perdition
Saving Private Ryan
Schindler's List
Dreamcatcher
Constantine
Count of Monte Cristo
Game of Thrones
Passion of the Christ
Kingdom of Heaven
Children of Dune
Ironclad
Reign of Fire
Signs
Frankenstein
Batman (any of the Nolan ones)

Not all of these may work for what you're looking for... but they should have dark and somber atmospheres that can get you in the right frame of mind. Hopefully this helps. Good luck!

[TheThan]

60’s protest songs might work well here:
Bad Moon Rising by CCR
Eve of Destruction by Barry McGuire
War (what is it good for?) by Edwin Starr
Unknown Soldier, By the Doors
are good examples.
How about something that speaks of time and the wastage of years.
Dust in the Wind, by Kansas

[DJ Yung Crunk]

Any more ideas?

I have pages upon pages of Dark Ambient recommendations when Raime and Lustmord stop working for you.

[Radar]

60’s protest songs might work well here:
Bad Moon Rising by CCR
Eve of Destruction by Barry McGuire
War (what is it good for?) by Edwin Starr
Unknown Soldier, By the Doors
are good examples.
How about something that speaks of time and the wastage of years.
Dust in the Wind, by Kansas

In that vein, i'd propose looking into Full Metal Jacket soundtrack (Paint it Black for example) - it also has very interesting ambient pieces.

For the entertainment venue, I'd porbably pick vinyl-era hits in a old-fashioned juckebox like 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 from really old ones and maybe some slightly less old 6, 7, 8, 9. In general, all the most sugery, carefree or lovey-dovey songs you can find.

Now to instill fear and uncertanity in their hearts, maybe experimental music?
Else Marie Pade, Delia Derbyshire (this piece from her White Noise collaboration might be even better), Maja Ratkje (so very much this).

Apart from that maybe this piece from Berserk soundtrack and maybe a thing or two from Akira.

As for the exposition music, Dark Knight's soundtrack might give the proper vibe of things going bad in a spectacular fashion. That, or the Watchmen theme.

[Blightedmarsh]

It also depends on the toan your trying to set as well as the type of apocalypse your world has suffered.

Anything from "Run to the hills", "hey there Cthulhu" or the theme to tomorrows world may be appropriate.

[DigoDragon]

Last time I ran a post-apocalypse game, I played "Don't Fear the Reaper" as I was setting up.

If you can find them, I think some of the various town music from the Silent Hill series is good for dark, foreboding atmosphere of a wasteland. Tingles upon horror, but then sometimes you just need music for when something is watching the PCs from the shadows of that ruined building over there.

[Mx.Silver]

Try this. I'm not the biggest Godspeed You Black Emperor fan around, but they're made for the post-apocalyptic mood..

[hiryuu]

Also this. I have used this. Still creeps my actual players out to this day.

[DisasterArea42]

Maybe some of the stuff from the They Bleed Pixels soundtrack or the Beyond Good and Evil soundtrack?

The BGE soundtrack is legally free and worth a listen anyway, it has an interesting mix of types of songs.

[Radar]

Also this. I have used this. Still creeps my actual players out to this day.

Good one, reminds me of Christmas at Ground Zero.

In my previous post I forgot the most classic example of music ment to make people very uncomfortable: Threnody for the victims of Hiroshima (Penderecki wrote more pieces like that by the way).\

edit:
Chris Watson should provide nice (or rather decidedly not-nice) background.

[Kol Korran]

WOW! Soooooo much... cooool tracks! (note to self- stop salivating). Thanks everyone! I haven't yet got through all the suggestions, but i'm getting there! They will surely add a lot to this game we'll be having...

And it also seems like this is more along the lines Fallout or Mad Max,

You got it right. I base it on Fallout 1&2, mad max, character and group composition from Firefly, and Deadwood for the town they start in.

I am sensing that 'despair' may be the key.

Some elements of despair, some elements of sadness for what was lost, and some elements of bad-assery survival ass kicking!

So, based on what I have gathered, some suggestions:
Inception
Road to Perdition
Saving Private Ryan
Schindler's List
Dreamcatcher
Constantine
Count of Monte Cristo
Game of Thrones
Passion of the Christ
Kingdom of Heaven
Children of Dune
Ironclad
Reign of Fire
Signs
Frankenstein
Batman (any of the Nolan ones)

I started to go through your suggestions. some good stuff there! still going through it!

60’s protest songs might work well here:
Bad Moon Rising by CCR
Eve of Destruction by Barry McGuire
War (what is it good for?) by Edwin Starr
Unknown Soldier, By the Doors
are good examples.
How about something that speaks of time and the wastage of years.
Dust in the Wind, by Kansas

Hmmm.. this is quite another take than I had in mind for the game, and i'm now quite sure where to incorporate it, but I think there may be ways. There may be a few parts where they'll be doing stuff in the town, and some near the entertainment establishment. These might work nicely to set the mood, thanks!

I especially like "Bad moon rising", "War, what is it good for" and "Dust in the wind" (not quite sure about the last one though). Thanks!

In that vein, i'd propose looking into Full Metal Jacket soundtrack (Paint it Black for example) - it also has very interesting ambient pieces.

Damn! I saw this movie ages ago, while I served in my country's military. this brings memories (sniff). Some good music there, I'll probably look for more ambient tracks fro mthe movie, as they suit my intention more.

For the entertainment venue, I'd porbably pick vinyl-era hits in a old-fashioned juckebox like 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 from really old ones and maybe some slightly less old 6, 7, 8, 9. In general, all the most sugary, carefree or lovey-dovey songs you can find.

Not sure it quite fits what I seek, a bit too happy and jazzy, and everyone will get very distracted by the music. looking for slightly more somber, or less well known pieces. But it's a good idea, and sets me on a good track...

Now to instill fear and uncertanity in their hearts, maybe experimental music?
Else Marie Pade, Delia Derbyshire (this piece from her White Noise collaboration might be even better), Maja Ratkje (so very much this).

Might work, haven't listened to them fully yet, just as samples. I'm looking for something somber and on the side of dark, but pleasant to listen to, if that makes sense? These tracks come close to atonal music, which I tried in a game and kind of messed concentration up. (which was good for a Far Realm weird sh*t session, but less for this)

Apart from that maybe this piece from Berserk soundtrack and maybe a thing or two from Akira.

Hmmm... these don't work, sound to techy/ new world/ weird for the old timers' west atmosphere I'm looking for.

As for the exposition music, Dark Knight's soundtrack might give the proper vibe of things going bad in a spectacular fashion. That, or the Watchmen theme.

Hmmm... I think the batman music might work better for battles, weird battles that I plan later on. The Watchmen's theme doesn't quite fit.
Anyway, Thanks a lot for your input! It really helped!

Last time I ran a post-apocalypse game, I played "Don't Fear the Reaper" as I was setting up.

If you can find them, I think some of the various town music from the Silent Hill series is good for dark, foreboding atmosphere of a wasteland. Tingles upon horror, but then sometimes you just need music for when something is watching the PCs from the shadows of that ruined building over there.

"Don't fear the reaper" is cool but not for this game I'm afraid, I just don't see it fitting. I'm going through the Silent Hill themes, they have potential!
Thank you!

Also this. I have used this. Still creeps my actual players out to this day.

It creeped your players? why? it sounded all jovial and happy (I doubt my players will listen a lot to the words)

Maybe some of the stuff from the They Bleed Pixels soundtrack or the Beyond Good and Evil soundtrack?

The BGE soundtrack is legally free and worth a listen anyway, it has an interesting mix of types of songs.

I've downloaded them, will listen to them later! soooo much music to go through (Ain't I supposed to be learning for a test?)

Good one, reminds me of Christmas at Ground Zero.

In my previous post I forgot the most classic example of music ment to make people very uncomfortable: Threnody for the victims of Hiroshima (Penderecki wrote more pieces like that by the way).\

edit:
Chris Watson should provide nice (or rather decidedly not-nice) background.

Christmas won't fit. I have used the Hiroshima music track before, again on a session involving Far Realm encounters. My players were very unsettled by the music indeed. Perhaps I'll use it here as well, some choices they can make may lead them to some weird places...

The Watson one I just don't find appealing, sorry.
-----------------------------

Thank you all for the help! I'll be sure to report on the game and include how they music helped the mood (or not? )

[Radar]

Damn! I saw this movie ages ago, while I served in my country's military. this brings memories (sniff). Some good music there, I'll probably look for more ambient tracks fro mthe movie, as they suit my intention more.

Nostalgia punch!

Not sure it quite fits what I seek, a bit too happy and jazzy, and everyone will get very distracted by the music. looking for slightly more somber, or less well known pieces. But it's a good idea, and sets me on a good track...

If you want obscure, I can totaly provide that: Piccioni, The Lovin' Spoonful, Grassroots, Four Tops, Erkut Tackin, Mungo Jerry.

Alternatively you can use artists such as Tom Waits, Charlie Musselwhite, Howlin' Wolf, Outlaw Social or Munly as somewhat disheartened live performers.

Might work, haven't listened to them fully yet, just as samples. I'm looking for something somber and on the side of dark, but pleasant to listen to, if that makes sense? These tracks come close to atonal music, which I tried in a game and kind of messed concentration up. (which was good for a Far Realm weird sh*t session, but less for this)

Usualy such tracks work better, if they are played really quietly - pretty much barely noticable. This will allow the eldritch sounds to dig their claws into your players very souls. But I digress: maybe Irfan, Comus, Dead Can Dance or this particular piece by Yello would work better? I'm still shooting in the dark though.

"Don't fear the reaper" is cool but not for this game I'm afraid

From Blue Oyster Cult I'd propose Veteran of the Psychic Wars, but the heavy metal sound might not be the thing here.

Christmas won't fit. I have used the Hiroshima music track before, again on a session involving Far Realm encounters. My players were very unsettled by the music indeed. Perhaps I'll use it here as well, some choices they can make may lead them to some weird places...

The Watson one I just don't find appealing, sorry.

No problem, it's always hit and miss with music requests.

[Erasmas]

If you're looking to Deadwood for inspiration... the soundtrack for it (at least the first season) has some really great stuff to it too!

[slowplay]

scorn - the end
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUJLwD9wWQs

[hiryuu]

It creeped your players? why? it sounded all jovial and happy (I doubt my players will listen a lot to the words)

My players drop EVERYTHING when I play a song with lyrics in it. This last session they'd been looking for the weakness of a particular extraplanar entity that has been hounding them since the beginning of the game, and I played "Georgia on my Mind" and "Down With the Sickness" for them and now they're looking up hospitals in Georgia that housed victims of previous flu epidemics so they can go check them for spirit world breaches under the assumption that their creature arrived through a hole there and acquired a weakness related to it.

...they're right.

They have been trained well.

[Kol Korran]

I apologize for the delay in response, I barely had time to really listen to these tracks these past few days, but now I have.

Nostalgia punch!

Nostalgic indeed, and brought a smile (and a bit of sadness- "I believe in god, and I believe that god believes in Claude, yes that's me!") to my face. not quite what i'm looking for.

If you want obscure, I can totaly provide that: Piccioni, The Lovin' Spoonful, Grassroots, Four Tops, Erkut Tackin, Mungo Jerry.

The four tops' "sugar pie" I will use, the rest sound too much like a dark moody jazz club sounds to me, not the right theme for the game I'm afraid.

Alternatively you can use artists such as Tom Waits, Charlie Musselwhite, Howlin' Wolf, Outlaw Social or Munly as somewhat disheartened live performers.

You have some good catches here! Funny you should mention Tom Waits, I found his work a few days ago, and they are quite ideal for what I intend to invoke. Musselwhite is a cool catch as well. Howlin' wolf is awesome! Munly... cool music, but not for this game.

Irfan, Comus, Dead Can Dance or this particular piece by Yello would work better? I'm still shooting in the dark though.

These may fit the wasteland quite nicely, or going through ruins of a forgotten town. I liked Irfan and Yello, Comus and Dead can walk not so much, but these two will be useful.

From Blue Oyster Cult I'd propose Veteran of the Psychic Wars, but the heavy metal sound might not be the thing here.[/quote]
hhhmmm... not so much

No problem, it's always hit and miss with music requests.

Thanks a lot for the help! you really gave me some great tracks to play!

If you're looking to Deadwood for inspiration... the soundtrack for it (at least the first season) has some really great stuff to it too!

I listend to a few tracks, they can indeed come in handy! :)

scorn - the end
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUJLwD9wWQs

Thanks for the suggestion, but it sounds too "new world" for the atmosphere I'm trying to convey.
------------------------------
The session will take place this Saturday. Thank you all for the suggestions, I shall use what I can in it, and if the party decides to continue, well... I think I now have a supply of cool tracks for quite some time now!

So thanks a lot everyone who contributed!