Dungeons & Dragons - Official Roleplaying Soundtrack

Midnight Syndicate | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 12, 2003)
• Original Release Date: August 12, 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Entity Productions
• ASIN: B0000BZYIS
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #82,775 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #5 in Music > Indie Music > Miscellaneous > Holiday
  • #43 in Music > Indie Music > Alternative Rock > Goth & Industrial

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist

For the past eight years, MIDNIGHT SYNDICATE has been creating classic gothic/horror soundscapes for the imagination. Featuring their unique blending of haunting orchestral music and carefully-crafted sound effects, the band has become one of the premiere artists in their field and one of the largest producers of Halloween music in the world.

Product Description

MIDNIGHT SYNDICATE brings you the first-ever officially licensed soundtrack to the roleplaying classic that started it all.

Ancient underground temples, dark knights, mysterious labyrinths, sorcerors, forgotten tombs, enchanted forests, and creatures await you on this new release containing over an hour of orchestral music from the masters of gothic/horror soundscape. It's the ultimate musical accompaniment to the DUNGEONS & DRAGONS roleplaying game, and promises to take listeners on an epic adventure through the darkest corners of their imagination.

Working closely with the game designers at Wizards of the Coast, this CD is a simple yet dynamic way for gamers to take their adventuring sessions to the next level.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Dungeon Master's opinion May 17, 2005

By Tim Andrews

Format:Audio CD

This disc really delivers! Not only is it great background for gaming sessions but the music definitely stands on it's own as cool listening/driving music. Dynamic pieces, a lot of instrumental variety, and just enough sound effects to enhance the mood.

As far as it's application to a game situation - I have to say this is the best fantasy RPG soundtrack I've ever heard (that seems to be the general consensus from the other DMs I've talked to on the convention circuit). The other soundtrack attempts before this one really pale in comparison in my opinion.

When I have the time, I like to go through all of my soundtracks and piece together a custom soundtracks for my games. This disc mixed with some Conan and any of the LOTR scores makes for a powerful combo.

More than often I don't have the time to devote to that. I'm pleased to say that in every session where I've JUST played this disc in the background, it's worked very well. A bit on the dark side but for a dungeon crawl I can think of no better music.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent CD October 17, 2003

By Miles Denton

Format:Audio CD

If you enjoy orchestral instrumental movie music with influences ranging from Poledouris' "Conan," and Williams' "Raiders of the Lost Ark," to Bernard's Hammer Horror film scores you will enjoy this disc. If you are an existing fan of Midnight Syndicate you will not be disappointed with this CD even though it is not as exclusively dark as their previous releases. Personally I found the change of pace for one disc refreshing and not too far from what I've come to expect from them.

I am a regular roleplayer. We recently put this disc on a continual loop in the background during our Dungeons & Dragons session. Like their other discs, it set a good background atmosphere without distracting from the game. Additionally there were several times where the music or (in one instance) a sound effect timed up uncannily with the action of the game. Kind of a nice effect since it made us feel like we were in a movie - which I guess is the goal of the discs they produce.

As with most Midnight Syndicate discs, some of the tracks are more melodic "main-theme"-type pieces. Some of my favorites of those include "Heroes' Valor," "Craft of the Wizard," and "Beasts on the Borderlands." Other tracks (often shorter in length) are more sound-effect/ambient-type tracks. In my opinion, these are the tracks that really put you in this "world" they are trying to create. "Stealth and Cunning" and "Fens of Sargath" are really creepy, suspenseful interludes that definitely set a mood. I also enjoyed "Behind Door #1" which is a 20 second bit of what an adventuring party hears behind a dungeon door before opening it. Fun track (especially for gaming sessions).

So here are my closing thoughts on this disc compared to the others.... It was darker than I thought it might be (which was good because that's my personal preference). It works well as a fantasy roleplaying tool (after using it that one night during our gaming session, all five members of our group ended up purchasing their own copy -- that sentiment seems to be mirrored in all the reviews I've seen in the gaming zines). I think the band shows more of its range. At the end of the disc there is a track called "Final Confrontation," a 5+ minute track of battle music (much like a chase theme from a Zimmer score). A good change of pace for them. "Eternal Mystery" also is a great Gregorian chant-type piece that put me right in a Mummy's tomb. Lastly, and most importantly, I think it's a great listen with more than a few memorable tracks. If you enjoy orchestral instrumental music that you can either listen to actively in headphones or just pop in for background as you write or do whatever, it's great. Read more ›

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Roleplaying Themed Music October 8, 2003

By The Dark Prince

Format:Audio CD

First off, let me say that this review is the veiwpoint of a RPG GM. I have been roleplaying for a large number of years and have always been disappointed with the lack of properly suitable background music for gaming. Then I stumbled across Midnight Syndicate. I was blown away by the very first track I heard. I rushed out immediately and snatched up everything I could by them. Their work previous to this album is all very dark, Call of Cthulu, Chill, Ravenloftish, possibly even VtM themed music. That took care of my favourite type of campaign, horror-based.
Then, reading through Dragon Magazine, I found out they were releasing a CD specifically tailored to gaming. I nearly jumped for joy. It's about time! I pre-ordered it and have never regretted it's purchase. The Fens of Sargath is a particularly prominent piece in my campaign right now, but pieces like Heroes' Valor and Ride to Destiny get the group worked up to accomplish whatever goals are set before them. If you're into fantasy-based background music or a GM who needs a bit more mood enhancement. This CD and all their others are perfect for the discerning ear. I cannot understand why any person who has an actual interest in this type of music wouldn't love practically every track.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A soundtrack filled with myth and legend... January 17, 2004

By Pamela Scarangello

Format:Audio CD

2003's "Dungeons and Dragons" is an original album based on the popular medieval roleplaying game. After hearing the CD from beginning to end, I can happily say that composers Edward Douglas and Gavin Goska have greatly improved their work since "Vampyre." With an orchestra of brass horns, cellos, bass violins, and crashing symbols (not to mention the clattering of swords and the uttering of spirits), Midnight Syndicate successfully assembled an authentic soundscape for the Dark Ages, one that helps listeners conjure up lavish images of wizards, castles, and kings. It also must be known that "Dungeons and Dragons" stands out on its own, despite the recent success of Peter Jackson's "Lord of the Rings" trilogy.
I will try to describe the cinematic images related to some of the CD's highlights. The gentle harp in "Prelude" creates a ripple in a pool while the sighing chorus casts an omen in the twinkling stars. The rhythms of "Troubled Times" march across the trenches as an unseen army prepares for battle. Then, the knights (with their chainmail, maces, and spiked gauntlets) try to invade enemy territory during the "Ride to Destiny." In the middle of the track's baying trombones, rocks are catapulted over the stone wall while flying arrows pierce shields. "Descent into the Crypt" takes listeners down into the cobwebbed catacombs where festering skeletons drag themselves by their iron chains. In "Skirmish," the swift violins scurry through a cursed forest, dodging wraiths and creeping vines. The methodical "Eternal Mystery" is set near an abandoned monastary; a male chorus prays to the cross while the primal drums part the trees asunder. "Heroes Valor" pulsates during an ugly confrontation between a sword-bearing knight and either a monstrous serpent or spider.... In "Craft of the Wizard," piano keys float in a cauldron whirlpool while foreign incantations are uttered. The drums and bass strings on "Beast of the Borderlands" growl, signifying a creature that can crush tree trunks under its massive paws. The faster "Lair of the Great Wyrm" is a wicked hex that transforms travelers into livestock. All the while, comets of light rush back and forth in the night air. Finally, in "Army of the Dead," rotting cadavers crawl out of the muddy earth, scaring away diseased rats.
If you are interested in purchasing a truly imaginative album, I recommend "Dungeons and Dragons," 2001's "Gates of Delirium," and 2000's "Realm of Shadows." Read more ›