Customer Reviews

Dungeons & Dragons - Official Roleplaying Soundtrack

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I agree in great part with the review by Ryan Marshall. I'll note that I have not listened to any other Midnight Syndicate works before this one, but I am making an effort to be objective.
My favorite tracks are the two `bonus' tracks, Ruins of Bone Hill and City of Sails.

The quality of this music (if you don't mind that it's synthesized and can appreciate this sort of thing) is a 4/5, which is a fairly high rating from me.

But as far as this music can be applied to roleplaying is a 2/5 at best...

Here's the problems:

1) The music all seems to have the dark/eerie flavor that seems to be the staple of Midnight Syndicate. This severely limits the themes, moods, and instrument sets that were used. The only exception is City of Sails. While this does not detract from the quality of the music itself, it would still be nice to have more variety in a collection that is supposedly `official roleplaying music'.

2) I rarely found that the intended setting for each track actually suited the music, but the sound effects that were included made it unusable for anything else.
For example, Beasts of the Borderland seemed to me to be a great track for an army on the march, until I started hearing strange `beast' noises that seemed out of place.

3) Speaking of out of place sound effects, I found that many of the sound effects were ambiguous, unfulfilling, or outright mood-spoiling.
For example, in both Skirmish and Final Confrontation, you hear the `clash of swords' at certain times. However, these `swords' sound like pieces of tin slapping against one another with minimal force rather than actual swords. Who uses tin swords? Besides, not all `skirmishes' in roleplaying actually involve swords...

Side Note: Many portions of the melodies were familiar and some outright recognizable as being nearly identical to some of those used in older console RPGs. Perhaps it was from such games that they drew their inspiration. It would have to be a very big coincidence otherwise.

If you are a roleplayer and/or enjoy background music and aren't penny pinching or if you are a Midnight Syndicate fan, then you will probably want to buy this anyway. But I would not recommend this collection to anyone else.

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."

Not just for geeking out with your D&D crowd, this is good stuff. I listen to it during my hour drive to work, it helps keep the imagination fired in spite of the mind-numbing commute. I haven't tried it in Faerun yet, but look forward to it. This CD makes perfect atmosphere music; it is moody and rich, but it's subtle enough so that it doesn't distract or intrude.
***UPDATE: here it is a year later, and I still listen to this CD all the time. Better than the CD that came with the Sharn book, this one has some real staying-power.

I had heard this band was doing this a few months back and went out to find older CDs to listen to; I got hooked. I even found a nice hole in the wall store where I live in Philly called Dancing Ferret that I went looking for and almost didn't find. No real advertising and easy to over look but a gem worth rooting out in Philadelphia. I started my collecting there and I keep going back when I have a little extra cash to blow on experiments. I have yet to get something I haven't liked from this place on 5th just up from South, but I digress. This particular CD has some wonderful tracks to play while gaming or planning to game or even thinking about gaming. It's a great CD from a great band. Their earlier CDs lend a more Ravenloft atmosphere but this one is appropriate for most campaigns. If you're a d20 GM looking for some killer music to put in the background for your next Greyhawk, Forgotten Realms, Scarred Lands, etc. session, look no further, this is what you need. Great artwork and great music combine to make this a CD I am proud to own. Bottom line, a great instrumental CD that adds just the right ambience to virtually any gaming session.

Midnight syndicate does it again with their sound track for the D&D game. The music is thoughful, playful, and powerful. Perfect for any campaign or a drive in the car.
Once again it is a great feeling seeing another home grown product from the Midnight Syndicate. After all they started as gamers and have not forgotten their roots.

See them in person at their booth every Dragon Con in Atlanta Georgia.

Best:

David

These tracks are excellent theme/mood music for role-playing or inspiring creativity (I listen to them while working on a novel). Unlike great film soundtracks, these don't come with the baggage of someone else's story that everyone will associate them with, which allows your imagination to free associate while listening to these dramatic and gripping compositions.

I love using music in the RPG's I run, so when I heard that someone was making a CD specifically for that purpose, I ordered it immediately. Overall, I wasn't dissapointed. "Skirmish" and "Hero's valor" make great battle music. I've had "Ride To Destiny" running around in my head incessently. It's great, because it reallly captures the heroic sense of adventure and predestination. The center piece of this album is Chant/Craft Of The Wizard, an atmospheric, foreboding and mystical song. Really cool stuff. The only bad thing about this album is the lack of any real dynamics in any of the songs, and the sword sounds sound too much like someone rattling keys :-) I still highly recommend this CD to everyone. Oh, and if you buy it, play it on your computer to unlock the 'hidden track'. It's the sound of some guy marking something on his character sheet, rolling, and, from the sounds of it, watching his character perish :-)