Ever since I first encountered the deep and expansive universe that surrounds the Halo franchise, I’ve found myself consistently impressed by one part of the foundation more than any other.  More so than the tight controls, the huge online community, or the beautifully crafted story arc – I love the music.  Regardless of how you feel about the gameplay, story, or look itself, the music is something special

There’s just something about the fantastic sonic experience that Bungie in-house composer Martin O’Donnell has delivered that fires on all cylinders.  Conjuring up images of war and alien worlds, each score attached to its respective game in the franchise is a story unto itself.

Finding ten individual tracks sprinkled among the over 100 pieces scored for the main series of Halo games is no easy task.  Nonetheless, I’ve done my best to group together a diverse sampling of songs, that really represent the masterclass body of work we’re dealing with here.

So enough of my fawning over the Halo soundtracks (They’re amazing!).  Let’s get to this Top 10!

10. “Finale” – Halo 3: ODST (Original Soundtrack)

It may seem a little ironic to start this Top 10 with a track titled “Finale”, but I’m doing it anyway.  For  “Halo 3: ODST”, Mr. O’Donnell chose a much different approach from past games.  Opting for subtly over driving string and guitar combinations, ODST features an almost Jazz-like feel, serving to really build the desolation and loneliness experienced by The Rookie as he searches for his squadmates in abandoned New Mombasa.  However, with the “Finale”, we finally got the rush and excitement we had for so long grown accustomed to hearing in Halo.  Sounding more like a movie score than that of a game, the “Finale” really is a treat to listen to.

9. “Truth and Reconciliation Suite” – Halo: Combat Evolved (Original Soundtrack)

The “Truth and Reconciliation Suite” makes an appearance in various forms over the course of the franchise, but only in small bits here and there.  However, the original Halo features the full length track, in its entirety, at the Main Screen.  Have you ever sat at the main screen, not pressing Start, just to listen to an orchestral piece of music?  Well I certainly did with this one.  Featuring the now iconic percussion beat that you’ll find in nearly any action packed Halo moment, as well as a decent sized section associated most often with the Flood, this piece of musical bliss is one of the most recognizable in the series.  A mainstay if there ever was one.

8.  “Greatest Journey” – Halo 3 (Original Soundtrack)

The beautiful opening of this song, featuring a vibrato-infused strings melody, is played during the death of one of the most central and important main characters since the series’ beginnings.  While I don’t wish to spoil anything for those of you who may or may not have experienced this moment, I will say that the heart wrenching strings are a key component of why this scene is, to many, almost tear-worthy.  This tracks emotional value to the story is what nets it a spot in this Top 10.

7. “Impend” – Halo 2, Vol. 1 (Original Soundtrack)

Impend is, for the most part, a driving percussion beat consisting of three different levels.  The percussion is joined by a chorus of vocals, similar to those heard throughout the Halo theme, and indeed, familiar to anyone with any experience with Halo at all.  This song plays during the final fight to deactivate the bomb in the Cairo Station of Halo 2.  Many gamers will remember this fight for the incredible (And downright badass) cutscene that followed, forever establishing Master Chief as a certified action god.  However, the fight that proceeded it, where you alone had to clear the room of several very skilled Elites, was one of the most hectic and heart-pounding fights to that point.  Talk about starting the game off with a bang.

6. “Epilogue” – Halo 2, Vol. 2 (Original Soundtrack)

Released more than a year after Vol. 1, the second volume of the Halo 2 soundtrack was less extensive than its sibling, but also more ambitious.  Many of Vol.1′s tracks were made with specific levels and moments from the game in mind.  Vol 2., however, dared to look beyond these moments, and see the scope of the world for what it was – huge.  “Epilogue” starts with a familiar string part, that by that point, many of us had already heard quite a few times.  However, those opening notes are then repeated, this time accompanied by some of the coolest, smoothest guitar riffs I’ve ever heard.  Not to mention the feel good, relaxing turn it takes immediately after said guitar part.  The heart and soul of Halo 2 and its dual-protagonists can be found here.

5. “In Amber Clad” – Halo 2, Vol. 1 (Original Soundtrack)

Short, sweet, and to the point, “In Amber Clad” is the prime representation of the modernized ‘rock’ style that Halo took on for its sequel.  Starting with the familiar use of strings, the track quickly adds on layers of sound.  About fourteen seconds in, a guitar begins to play, followed soon after by drums.  Faintly, in the background, vocals can be heard, giving the song a very atmospheric feel.  This continues for the rest of the piece, until the drums exit with six seconds left, leaving a guitar riff to finish out the piece.  Halo 2 is famous for its larger scale emphasis on action packed moments, and “In Amber Clad” embodies this perfectly.

4.  “Opening Suite” – Halo: Combat Evolved (Original Soundtrack)

Now one of the most recognized pieces of music in video game history, Halo’s “Opening Suite” is unmistakable.  Considered by most to be the Halo theme song, the monk like hymn that plays during the menu for Halo: Combat Evolved is the very definition of iconic.  I’m not really sure what else to say, other than that this very track was the first impression people got of the experience that awaited them in the original Halo.  The series continues to strong many years later, so I guess it was a good first impression.

3.  “Halo Theme (MJOLNIR Mix)” – Halo 2, Vol. 1 (Original Soundtrack)

Essentially a remix of track #26 on the original Halo soundtrack, “MJOLNIR Mix” featured an updated version of the formers fast string and drums combination.  Laid on top of this foundation were guitar tracks played by Steve Vai, the former Whitesnake guitarist.  As has been said, this was all to inspire the change in direction Halo 2 was taking, toward the bigger budget action spectacle Bungie was pushing for.  The Halo Theme makes an appearance in every single Halo game to date.  The main trilogy of games, obviously, as well as during the “Finale” track (See Number 10) in Halo 3: ODST, and most noticeably on the “Spirit of Fire” track in Halo Wars.

2. “Finish the Fight” – Halo 3 (Original Soundtrack)

First introduced at E3 2006, in the Halo 3 announcement trailer, many would argue that “Finish the Fight” is perhaps one of O’Donnell’s finest pieces.  Starting with a single gentle but gripping piano chord, strings begin to slowly build and build, until they reach a peak, where they suddenly stop.  A small piano motif plays, and then the song explodes into a convergence of melodies and instruments.  Percussion is added, the strings return, the piano remains, and a choir of voices enter the fray.  This is an exceptionally complex binding of each instruments unique melody to form one all encompassing one. All building up to silence once again, as the same piano note that opened the track returns.  At end, brass and strings play the piano theme again while the choir joins the harmony.  Truly an inspirational piece, and rightfully the tagline of the game itself.

1. “Never Forget” – Halo 3 (Original Soundtrack)

My top pick here may be a bit selfish, as it is the track that effects me the most, but I also genuinely find it to be the finest example of beautiful music anywhere in the world of Halo.  Based heavily off of the Halo 2 track “Unforgotten”, “Never Forget” is a solemn reminder of everything that has happened, all that we’ve been through, all that we’ve lost over the course of the three main Halo titles.  Yeah, I know they’re just games, but the lore of Halo has always grabbed me, and this song, more than any other, sends a resounding message that neatly sums up the reason for that.  It’s sad, and maybe a little daunting, but in the end, there is hope.  It also doesn’t hurt that, as a huge Final Fantasy fan, the piano used in this song reminds me a lot of “Zanarkand” from the Final Fantasy X soundtrack (My favorite Final Fantasy).  “Never Forget” is a piece of music that no one who loves game scores, or orchestrated scores in general, should miss.  Don’t believe me?  Listen to the song and hear for yourself.  Maybe you’ll feel the same as I do.

Thanks for reading this lengthy (But meaningful!) Top 10.  Martin O’Donnell has certainly graced us with some of the most memorable and beautiful music ever made, and we’re lucky enough to be able to listen to it time and time again.  While the above tracks may be some of the true gems, that by no means makes them the only ones worth listening to.  At your leisure, please check out all of the Halo soundtracks, from Combat Evolved all the way to ODST and Halo Wars.  They’re all worth it, and will almost certainly make you appreciate how far games and the music that fills them have come.

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