Good Music For A Battle with An Evil "Precursor" Race?

[Leliel]

Yes, I know I should probably consoladate these threads, but still...

Anyway, one of the campagins that I am planning involves the PCs discovering that the main antagonists, the Iul, are the mythical force that created humanity.

Of course, with this in mind, I set out to find a good theme music for the inevitable epic battle with their main army, and I found it in the Neon Genesis Evangelion Soundtrack: Cruel Angel Thesis.

I think the lyrics perfectly outline how the Iul veiw their creations-living weapons rather then sapient beings.

[AstralFire]

This might just be because I am not fluent in Japanese, but that sounds way too happy to me.

The song makes me want to get on the dance floor or bust out the Karaoke machine.

[Leliel]

This might just be because I am not fluent in Japanese, but that sounds way too happy to me.

It's supposed to sound happy.

There's a dissonance between the lyrics and the song.

[AstralFire]

It's supposed to sound happy.

There's a dissonance between the lyrics and the song.

I figured as much, knowing Eva.

It works if your PCs understand what the song's supposed to mean. Otherwise, you end up with the Mexican Disco Duel effect. (What do you mean, it's not a trope? Give it a month.)

[sonofzeal]

That is indeed an epic theme song, but there's a few problems...

{a} The tone is more suited to an overwhelming PC victory ("rise young boy like a star to the heavens"), rather than a bitter and potentially deadly battle against a dangerous foe. If that's what you're going for though, then great.

{b} It has words. The human brain automatically focuses on words, and it's much more difficult to tune out music that's sung. This is going to be a distraction at a time when the players need to focus intently, getting all their modifiers straight and planning tactical actions well in advance. If you can find an instrumental version, that would be much better.

[Tengu_temp]

Do you only want other dissonant songs here?

[Spiryt]

This song of yours seems way to dance like joly to me.

This theme always seems pretty epic to me. Opening makes you feel... well diferent. Certainly fits for cosmic scale conflict.

Plus, I'm hopelessly addicted to it...

Some other suggestions will probably come.

[Leliel]

Do you only want other dissonant songs here?

No, straight songs are fine.

[Dhavaer]

Sovereign's Theme from the Mass Effect soundtrack.

[LibraryOgre]

Also Sprach Zarathustra

[Spiryt]

Also, a thrashclassic.

Fits thematicaly, atmosphere fits too, no lyrics.

[Tengu_temp]

First - if you want to use Cruel Angel's Thesis, I suggest Kurikinton Fox's version.

I know I had another song in mind yesterday, but I forgot what it was... gah, maybe I'll remember later.

[Tengu_temp]

Okay, I'm 99% sure the song I had in mind is this.

[Shadowtraveler]

Mozart's Requiem, especially Dies Irae.

Big O's Stoning and Name of God are pretty nifty too.

It would kinda of help if you told us what you were looking for exactly.

[afroakuma]

Along the lines of Cruel Angel's Thesis, check out Stigmata from the Mana Khemia soundtrack.

Other picks for awesome chanty hardcoreness include The Ultimate Being from Parasite Eve, Planet Hell by Nightwish.

The Final Decisive Battle from Dawn of Mana is epic and deep, Silence of Time from Legend of Mana is dark and sweeping, Dragon God from Chrono Cross has bells, an imposingly slow tempo and random female chanting.

The Extreme from Final Fantasy VIII (whether the original or the cover), Fight to the Death from Kingdom Hearts II, Awakening from Xenogears, JENOVA or Jenova Absolute from Final Fantasy VII, Urban and Distorted from Cirque du Soleil's "La Nouba"

Any of these could do.

Of course, Final Destination from SSBB works too, but your players may recognize that and giggle. Otherwise, it has a great dark intro.

[Starbuck_II]

Yes, I know I should probably consoladate these threads, but still...

Anyway, one of the campagins that I am planning involves the PCs discovering that the main antagonists, the Iul, are the mythical force that created humanity.

Of course, with this in mind, I set out to find a good theme music for the inevitable epic battle with their main army, and I found it in the Neon Genesis Evangelion Soundtrack: Cruel Angel Thesis.

I think the lyrics perfectly outline how the Iul veiw their creations-living weapons rather then sapient beings.

I'd suggest from Dr. Horrible's Sing along Blog: Brand New Day or Everything You Ever.

[Nerd-o-rama]

Hm. I only thought the lyrical dissonance was apparent if you watched through the end of the show.

Anyway, to keep up my theme here, what can I pull out of Super Robot Wars for this one? To the End of the Galaxy, perhaps? If I knew what Irui's boss music was, that might fit even better. Or Inspector of the Malevolent Star, for a different crazy alien using humans as weapons.


Bah, let's get off the mechs. I've fallen in love with Persona 3's Final Boss Music lately. I think it definitely fits the feel of an evil precursor just as much as the cosmic horror it's for.