Dungeons & Dragons - Official Roleplaying Soundtrack

dungeons & dragons - official roleplaying soundtrack

Track Listings

1. Prelude

2. Troubled Times

3. Ride to Destiny

4. The Fens of Sargath

5. Descent into the Depths

6. Stealth and Cunning

7. Behind Door #1

8. Skirmish

9. Eternal Mystery

10. Heroes' Valor

11. Relic Uncovered

12. Deep Trouble

13. Chant

14. Craft of the Wizard

15. Beasts of the Borderlands

16. Secret Chamber

17. Lair of the Great Wyrm

18. Ancient Temple

19. How Strange . . .

20. Army of the Dead

See all 23 tracks on this disc

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.

Dungeons & Dragons - Official Roleplaying Soundtrack,Midnight Syndicate,Entity Productions,Electronic,Goth Rock,Pulse-pounding instrumentation and subtly-crafted sound effects that take listeners on a journey into the darkest corners of their imagination.

Dungeons & Dragons - Official Roleplaying Soundtrack

Average customer rating:

Another Dungeon Master's opinion
The coolest Gaming and Riding
A GameMaster's Review
Midnight Syndicate Critique
Only a gamer can make a class act sound track.

Dungeons & Dragons - Official Roleplaying Soundtrack
Midnight Syndicate
Manufacturer: Entity Productions
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Goth | Goth & Industrial | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

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Holiday | Miscellaneous | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | Soundtracks | Indie Music | Stores | Music
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ASIN: B0000BZYIS
Release Date: 2003-08-12

Tracks:

Prelude
Troubled Times
Ride to Destiny
The Fens of Sargath
Descent into the Depths
Stealth and Cunning
Behind Door #1
Skirmish
Eternal Mystery
Heroes Valor
Relic Uncovered
Deep Trouble
Chant
Craft of the Wizard
Beasts of the Borderlands
Secret Chamber
Lair of the Great Wyrm
Ancient Temple
How Strange . . .
Army of the Dead
Final Confrontation
Ruins of Bone Hill
City of Sails

Album Description

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

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.

Customer Reviews:

Another Dungeon Master's opinion.......2005-05-17

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.

The coolest Gaming and Riding.......2005-01-21

I went to Amazon looking for more afordable book than the ones I had just bougth at Hastings and suddenly, I met a CD by the name of Dungeons and Dragons. I was not a Midnight Syndicate fan before mind you, but after hearing this CD in converted and now I am looking forward to gettineg other CDs by them. The tracks in it are great 2/3 of them are not gloomy or rather mysterious. But this makes sence when you are "descending into the depths" or looking in a secret chamber. I love the"Prelude" because it sets the mood of a Fantasy like wolrd, the harp is really cool too. I loved "Craft of the Wizard" and the one also after that. It is like a march and then there is some catapults hurling stones. I also like the sword sound effects. They sound metally but hey most swords are thin (except Claymores):> But the Best song of them all would have to be "City of Sails" It is great, It sounds like Final Fantasy VIII a little but its great. The great thing about this music is that you can picture the action thats going on. I pictured myself riding a horse to victory. It is also great listening to it while in the car, especially in the morning because it wakes you up and puts you in a "triumphant" mood. Also I wrote some poetry while listening to "Ruins of Bone Hill" and when i read it aloud with the music it gave it a great effect.

So all in all This is One of the few great buys that i have loved right off the bat.
I hope you enjoy it as well.

A GameMaster's Review.......2004-10-12

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.

Midnight Syndicate Critique.......2004-09-22

I would give this product a 4 1/2 if I could. I will be honest, Its not the most spectacular album in the world, but it does fit its purpose exactly. From the core of your game until its over...You will enjoy this product completely! Th attitude and ambience it creates for RPG gamers (particularly D&D) just what the Master ordered. It fits extremely well into any game, as well as car or relaxation music. Overall: great product!

Only a gamer can make a class act sound track........2004-08-17

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

Average customer rating:

D&D extraordinaire
A stunning musical achievement!
Breathtaking!
There's only one word that fits for this one. That word is: Epic!!!
Mighty Malefik Musick...

Blood of the Dragon
Nox Arcana
Manufacturer: Monolith Graphics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Goth | Goth & Industrial | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000L22PE6
Release Date: 2006-11-27

Tracks:

Ancient Legacy
The Quest Begins
Citadel of Secrets
Sorcerer
Treasure of the Four Crowns
Highland Storm
Mist Loch
Underworld
The Mystic's Keep
Stygian Depths
Legions of Darkness
Steeds of Thunder
Rogue's Hollow
Warrior's Dawn
The Siege
Dragon Riders
Flame Tongue
Defenders of the Realm
Chamber of the Immortals
Blood of the Dragon
Eternal Champions

Album Description

In the time of the ancient gods, dragons ruled the skies and kingdoms rose and fell at the end of a sword. Legendary quests beckoned with the promise of danger and glory, and only a brave few dared to answer the call. For honor and vengeance they ventured forth with steel and sorcery to combat the merciless legions of darkness. For it was said that those who answered the call were possessed of the warrior spirit, and the blood of the dragon flowed through their veins.

Joseph Vargo and William Piotrowski have composed an epic soundscape of powerful orchestrations, chanting choirs, mystical melodies and medieval minstrel songs that sets the perfect mood as you traverse dark kingdoms ruled by wizards and warriors to battle alongside barbarian hordes, elven mages and knights of legend.

Customer Reviews:

D&D extraordinaire.......2007-01-12

Techniclly, you don't need a soundtrack to play Dungeons and Dragons, or maybe a "Lord of the Rings" Monopoly game. But asuming you WANT one, then Nox Arcana's latest, "Blood of the Dragon," is an excellent option -- majestical, fantastical, gothic, and geeky.

It opens with fantasy-rock flourishes, steam hissing, and a chorus of powerful choirlike voices. Very "Lord of the Rings." Then a deep voice says very solemnly: "In a time of the ancient gods, dragons ruled the skies. Kingdoms rose and fell at the end of a sword. Legendary quests beckoned with the promise of danger and glory, and only a brave few dared to answer the call..."

That more or less sets the tone for the rest of the album: Nox Arcana keeps up that high fantasy feel throughout, flavoured with some Celtic sounds. Bagpipe stomp, eerie haunting medieval ballads, shimmering ethereal pop urgent, urgent strings and ominous "Dark Lord" music, darkly intriguing gothic music, frightening fantasy war-march, and new-age balladry.

Nox Arcana has already tackled ghosts, vampires, angels and even sinister Christmas. It's about time that they got to the whole D&D-music style, and they pull it off quite nicely -- atmospheric and heavy, but the guys know when to lighten the mood with some more ethereal songs, and that not every song should be a hard-rocker about a battle -- there are magical moments as well.

In fact, this is sort of a story album, although the story is more or less yours to fill in. Nox Arcana uses heavy percussion, gongs, some well-played bagpipes, harp and hard strings to add intense atmosphere to all of these, and listeners can easily imagine what they represent -- a nighttime chase, underground searches, a misty lake, a beautiful palace, evil armies attacking a castle, or even.... yes, a dragon.

"The Siege" is the pinnacle of this, since it actually sounds like a battle -- war horns, ominous chants, stamping feet. Then the album really takes off, right up to the rousing, inspiring finale "Eternal Heroes" -- it's up to the listener what has happened, but the rousing feeling of it is clear.

Steeped in atmosphere, and rich with solid instrumentation, "Blood of the Dragon" is a must-have for D&D and/or fantasy geeks.

A stunning musical achievement!.......2007-01-02

In just a few short years, Nox Arcana has pioneered and perfected the gothic instrumental genre, and now they have taken the genre to an entirely new level.
"Blood of the Dragon" is an arresting symphonic experience that takes the listener on a journey back to a mythic, medieval world populated by sorcerers, warring knights and lethal dragons. This setting provides a rich canvas for Joseph Vargo and William Piotrowski to work their magic, and the composers deliver crisp, memorable melodies brought to life with the most intricate and impressive orchestrations Nox Arcana has yet created. Strings, horns and percussion are backed by stirring choirs and sound effects that easily conjure images of clashing swords, marching armies and awe-inspiring dragons. One of the CD's highlights is "Highland Storm," in which an urgent violin melodically chases a rhythm of pounding war drums, evoking images of horsemen racing across a storm-tossed plain. Another standout piece is the stark, slower-paced "Rogue's Hollow," a haunting mandolin song that showcases Nox Arcana's uncanny ability to craft elegant, meditative melodies that will linger in the listener's mind long after the CD has ended. Jeff Endemann's impressive guest vocal on the ballad-like "Treasure of the Four Crowns" is yet another CD highlight, demonstrating how Nox Arcana can move easily among musical styles, from stirring, symphonic war anthems to moody ballads and minstrel pieces.
"Blood of the Dragon" should have been the soundtrack to Lord of the Rings - it's that good. You have to hear it to believe it.

Breathtaking!.......2006-12-10

Whether it be by sword, sorcery or just plain creative genius Nox Arcana has stirred up an amazing alchemical mix of power-filled and haunting tunes. The bardic voice of guest vocalist Jeff Endemann is so heartbreakingly beautiful on "The Treasure of the Four Crowns" one can just imagine a lone shadow wandering a windswept cliff singing to the soul of those who would answer the call to this ancient quest. Vargo and Piotrowski lay out a feast fit for Kings and Queens- a feast for the ears, the eyes (Vargo's artwork adorns the accompanying booklet) and the heart that hungers for magick, mystery and a majesty of dizzying proportions. Escape to this realm and claim your right to the Blood of the Dragon.

There's only one word that fits for this one. That word is: Epic!!!.......2006-12-07

All those who would seek a majestic musical opus will do well to pay heed. A new tale has been woven by night's most masterful minstrels. 'Tis a grand tale indeed, of mystery, intrigue, danger, honor, glory, vegeance, and treasure beyond the reckoning of many a mortal mind. Behold, "Blood Of The Dragon" stirs from it's ages-long slumber, and what an adventure it is upon which any listener shall be invited to embark.

1. Ancient Legacy - The very first moments of this tell me we are in for a much different tale, and a grand thing it is. The music does not drift in gradually and 'creep' up on us. No, instead a powerful bass drum hit and rousing choral passages immediately throw us right into the middle of this epic. It calls to mind a clear sky with clouds drifting in over a bloodred sunset as we are given a panoramic view of a lush and rugged landscape, then taken into a village where a white-robed bard or sage dark of hair and piercing of eye sits among those gathered about a fire to begin his tale:

"In the time of the ancient gods, dragons ruled the skies and kingdoms rose and fell at the end of a sword. Legendary quests beckoned with the promise of danger and glory, and only a brave few dared to heed the call. For honor and vengeance the ventured forth with steel and sorcery to combat the merciless legions of darkness. For it was said that those who answered the call were possessed of the warrior spirit, and the blood of the dragon flowed through their veins."

This stirring preamble is underscored by a compelling mixture of strings and soft drums. At its conclusion, the piece is closed out brilliantly with more strings, soft percussion, rousing choral work, and the drawing of a sword.

2. The Quest Begins- If I had to use three words to describe this piece, they would be 'pageantry' 'hope' and 'beauty'. It's a wonderful blending of stirring string work, beautiful chorus, majestic horns and blood-pumping drumbs. It is easy for me to depict an army of valliant knights and warriors preparing to venture forth to accomplish the bidding of their king amdist grand spectacle amidst tender farewells to loved ones and the hope of a glorious return.

3. Citadel Of Secrets- This piece really impresses me with effective simplicity. With no more than a choir and a tolling bell, Nox Arcana is able to convey mystery, melancholy, wonder, reverence and power.Within my mind I see a candlelit temple where the guardians of vital ancient knowledge remain ever vigilant and secluded, yet willing and able to aid any who dare to seek them, that they might grant the boon of much needed knowledge and lore.

4. Sorceror- Chorus, drums, and swirling strings do a fantastic 'waltz' here. The chorus is especially majestic and powerful but everything blends wonderfully as the piece to me depicts a wise wizard working his craft expertly, that he might aid those embarked upon a vital quest filled with great peril.

5. Treasure Of The Four Crowns- I'll get right to the point for this one. This is a beautiful ballad. A heart-tugging blend of guitar, exotic percussion and gentle flute is combined with the bardic voice of guest vocalist Jeff Endemann. The blending of that voice with a solemn narration by Joseph Vargo in the middle of this piece works pure magic. It is a beautiful ode to a perilous quest for an ancient artefact prized of many for its power to grant immortality upon the worthy finder.

6. Highland Storm- A majestic musical movement, easily worthy to depict a tale straight out of Celtic myth. Rousing and blood-stirring Highland pipes start us off. The thunder of the bodhran soon appears, first mating with the pipes in a mighty slow thunder, and then picking up in pace to a gallop as it is overlaid with wonderful fidle work. I love the choral and cello work in this one too, and the mix of the Irish Uilleann pipes into it all. Taken together, this calls to mind misty emerald fields, meadows, and mountains through which warriors both mounted and afoot charge into and engage in desperate clash, beneath overcast and weeping grey skies as thunder and lightning mightily sing together, crashing and flashing repeatedly through the heavens.

7. Mist Loch- This is a perfect blend of beauty, mystery, menace and wonder. A beautiful harp passage is mated with a haunting siren's call. I love the feel imparted by the deep bass instrument, and the feeling of ominous dread invoked by it as it couples with a tolling bell Together, thest things show me a murky mist-clad waterway through which a regal songstress guides us with her voice and harp. The question is, to where, and what awaits ahead?

8. Underworld- I was initially surprised how much I love this piece, but love it I do. Despite it's darkly suggestive title, this piece is anything but PURELY dark to the point of becoming drab. It is dark indeed but it has sense of awe and wonder in it and is very much a rousing piece too. Pounding drums and a deep bass instrument that sounds to me a bit luke a tuba in it's depth of tone start us off... blending with strings that give us both a sense of adventure and urgency together. It is as if now the mighty hero has crossed the lake of mist and is entering deep dark caverns, exploring their secrets with his brothers in arms on the way to whatever lies ahead on his quest. The choral work in this peice lends a majestic power and magnifies the intensity tenfold.

9. The Mystic's Keep- Here, we get exotic. The feel to me is heavily Egyptian, Middle Eastern and Arabic. What sounds like a sort of gong is blended with invigorating Middle Eastern style percussion and tambourines. The piece is embellished further by boisterous male and pretty and soft female choral work, as well beautiful guitar and harp in the back of the piece and a rythmic powerful chant performed by co-composer Joseph Vargo in the front. To me, in my mind I see a a dimly lit but welcoming hidden sanctuary, nestled deep within perilous caverns. It is a haven where brave adventures may partake of brief rest and gain new information from a reclusive but wise denizen. The deeper bass drumming is especially strong here.

10. Stygian Depths- This piece is a mood setter as much as anything. It is comprised of the sound of wind, blending with a deeply booming drum and what appears to me to be the sounding of a great and ancient dark battle horn. The wind has an eerie howling moan effect to it that works wonders for the piece. It invokes pure dread as we await the imminent peril that is certain to come our way, and is a perfect segue for us into...

11. Legions Of Darkness - Tense and pounding strings and drums blend with a deep horn and male choir here to take us on this part of the journey. I love how the clash of swords and what sounds like chainmail-guarded footsteps blend with the percussion. A tolling bell makes a nice appearance too. To me this arrangement is dead-on as a fit for the title, depicting a meeting with relentless armies emerging from the depths both to confront and hinder adventurers that would dare to come. The final tolling bell is a very nice touch.

12. Steeds Of Thunder- Here we are aurally gifted and presented with deep rousing horns and thunderous pounding drums. They dance for us with powerful male and female choir and urgent strings. Mighty equine beasts are easily visualized, kicking up great clouds of dust and trodden earth as they gallop across great majestic fields. The powerful chorus compounds the already tremendous strength of this piece.

13. Rogue's Hollow- I am amazed by this. Why, you ask? Two words: Simple beauty. With no more than a pair of guitars, Nox Arcana depicts a homey sanctuary nestled within a lovely glade It is a place of rest come upon after the headlong dash through vast and perilous fileds and lands. It is a welcome and gorgeous quiet moment amidst the bombastic musical storms of the quest.

14. Warrior's Dawn- I see this is the antithesis of "Legions Of Darkness". Thundering drums mate with vigorous strings and choral work possessed of colossal strength. While still solemn in character, I see this piece as noble in its cast as well, while the other was sinister in its own way. The choir in this is very very strong, and I love the blending of the deeper bass drums with the galloping militaristic thunder of the snare drum and the booming resonant voice of what sounds to me like the Irish bodhran or the Japanese taiko. The occasional clash of swords within this piece is a beautiful percussive touch.

15 The Siege - A deep bass drone begins this one. It is soon blending with heavy slow drumming, invigorating but chilling choral chant, and brooding horns. After what sounds like a rousing battle cheer, the drumming kicks into VERY high gear, becoming a thunderous charge. That charge is lent extra power by the blended song of male and female choir, and the tensely swirling strings that drift through the chorus as the pounding percussion intensifies more and more, building to a breath-stealing climax.

16. Dragon Riders- I love this piece. It has resonant millitaristic drumming and urgent strings. They combine with majestic soaring horns and heart-pounding chorus to depict in my mind an army of airborned mighty warriors and the regal beasts they ride into desperate battle, contesting mightily with each other within darkened flame-streaked skies

17. Flame Tongue- This is a great heart-pounder of an ambient 'mood' track. The movement of great wings is combined with distant growls. Eventually they intensify in volume. The heart-stopping climax that also induced a smile of awe for me, comes when a pair of positively mighty roars are given, and combined with crackling flame. It was everything I had envisioned for a moment like this.

18. Defenders Of The Realm- Here we go! Now we get another touch of grand heroism! Deep and pounding drums blend once more with swirling strings and majestic choir as well as some very powerful horn passages. This time, the battle is turning in our favor. You see, we've got some tough hombres on our side too! I love the pure power of this piece It's an invigorating anthem for our land's heroes that I never tire of hearing. My mind depicts mighty heroic warriors rushing to meet the enemy within our keep, engaging in herculean battle within the keep as boiling oil and huge boulders rain down from above...Valiant archers lend their skill as well, firing swiftly and true upon the foes straining to breach our defenses, but failing in the end as our brave and mighty guardians save the day.

19. Chamber Of The Immortals- I will be bold and declare that this is the MOST BEAUTIFUL piece of music that Nox Arcana has EVER done to date. From the very beginning, the floodgates FLEW open for me and they absolutely would not stop. I immediately envisioned a beautiful crowned queen with long flowing hair clad in a pristine white gown standing amidst a magnificent treasure filled chapel-like room with brilliant light streaming in through crystal-forged 'windows' almost like stained glass, but crystalline in nature. I envisioned a mighty, steadfast and most noble warrior being given assurance of undreamed of glory, but that one final peril lay ahead for him to face. An even greater poignancy and power is lent to the peice by the blended chorus, and the soft drums and strings that augment it at the climax. The whole piece is heartstirring and heavily awash in pure loveliness.

20. Blood Of The Dragon- I LOVE 'thematic' compositions. Here, we get one of those, and it is grand and epic in it's power, scope, and stregnth. As with "Ancient Legacy", we are immediately gifted with a solitary bombastic bass drum hit blended with wonderful and regal choral melody. Instead of narration, this time we get to hear a blood-stirring combination of soft strings, drums and choir. Eventually, they all increase in strength and volume, and in power. They blend wonderfully to dominate the piece, mixing to comprise a composition replete with kingly intensity, depicting in my mind a colossal personal final battle between a mighty paladin of justice and a nefarious warrior king of dreaded repute. My favorite part is the POWERFUL chorus but the way the drums and the strings blend with it is absolutely stunning. The deep horns I heard near the end closed it brilliantly. Many times I have cried for awe when listening to this one.

21. Eternal Champions- Here we are, at last... facing the climax of this grand and epic quest. Here, we are at first gently washed over by a pounding three-hit drumbeat that alternates between three, four, five or more beats per measure. That is blended with powerful choir and tolling bells. Very soon, very comes the powerful bombast of regal horns and strings. This will stir the blood for certain. Further power is given bye an intense choral melody and song. I love the sword clashes that are part of the percussiveness of this piece. I adore the heart-pounding blend of everything: Drums, chorus, strings, horns, sword-clash and more. All told, it is a more than fitting closer to the disc. What I really love is how the horns and the strings will 'take turns' withing the piece. On the first 'run' the horns come to the front of the melody while the strings stay in the back. In the second 'run', the strings come to the front and the strings retreat a bit, but never "too much". It is just the right blend. In the final 'run' the horns and strings blend together equally, mixing with everything else to bring the tale to a stunning conclusion. All told, this song is a heroic fanfare very much befitting a victorious warrior and his band of bretheren. In my mind is depicted a mighty paladin of justice and right being gifted by the Lady seen in the Chamber Of The Immortals with the treasure long-sought by many, earning immortality and his rightful place in legend and lore, then freely going home at last with his faithful companions and his valiant bretheren in arms.

There's one thing more that I will say. Do not hit 'stop' on your CD player when Eternal Champions goes quiet. The bonus tracks here are brilliantly done, and they each induced a smile from me in their own way and for their own reason.

In closing, if you are a fan of Nox Arcana, you owe it to yourself to get "Blood Of The Dragon". If you are not a fan, one listen to "Blood Of The Dragon" may be enough to make you a fan forever. It is a step into new territory for Nox Arcana, and what a great and tremendous step it is. They have meticulously crafted a beautiful, majestic, heartpounding, blood-stirring and soul-sooothing epic fantasy musical opus that could easily stand admidst the company of nearly any Hollywood fantasy movie score. It is a fantastic tale unlike any other that I have ever experienced. Come forth and embark upon this epic quest. It shall not be regretted. No, truly 'tis most likely that it shall be loved, as it is with me.

Mighty Malefik Musick..........2006-12-05

The theme of this invigorating Classical / Mideival opus is that of Fantasy-Action-Adventure, with music reminiscent of Highlander at some points, with a distinct Dungeons & Dragons flavor. A veritable soundtrack to warrior escapades into realms of myth and legend, dragons and knights, misty lochs, Sorcerers and maidens fair. Great musick to plunge the depths of the imagination to accompany many mental adventures, with narrations from a veritable "Over Watcher" leads you into places only dreamed of in dark lore fane.

The Ancient Legacy beckons The Mighty as The Quest Begins. The Citadel of Secrets awaits your entrance, towering from knotted vines and black iron gates. Can you translate the ancient runes encribed on yellowed scrolls to lead you to the next great discovery? Deep within the lambent temple dim by flickering torch flame, consult The Sorcerer to find the Treasure of The Four Crowns, where your journey twists along dark paths amidst the Highland Storm unto the enchanting Mist Loch where many mysteries dwell, transmutating fog swirls about you revealing ghostly forms and phantom faces; a gateway to the Underworld opens beyond The Mystic's Keep, leading down through the Stygian Depths where the Legions of Darkness await. Hellfires leap from below with vengeful demonic cries, whose denizens shall soon pillage the land. Steeds of Thunder shake the heavens and quake the earth in their terrible wrath as baneful spectres emerge with eyes aglow in infernal light.

Rogue's Hollow there dwells shrouded in a haze of ancient spell as the Warrior's Dawn glows red, an omen of what is to come. With hearts pounding, The Siege yields Dragon Riders sillhouetted upon the horizon, as the fearsome Flame Tongue spreads across the bloodied land. Defenders of The Realm rise up to battle these shadowy phantoms with warcries echoing through the ages. Within the marble-laden Chamber of The Immortals, the living gods are present, and with the Blood of The Dragon, hail the Eternal Champions evermore.

As usual, the actual CD and booklet are splendidly elegant, filled with marvellous artwork {including a topographical map of Draconia}, and accentuating storylines.

Dare you step through the arcane portal into fabled dangerous dimensions to face nightmarish creatures and bewitching beings who rise up from the Stygian depths? Can you solve the riddle and survive to become part of the legend, or perish where many mighty have fallen...

Average customer rating:

Silver Anniversary Edition
Awesome Savatage!!!
Great first album

Dungeons Are Calling
Savatage
Manufacturer: Metal Blade
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Sirens
Power of the Night
Hall of the Mountain King
Fight for the Rock
Gutter Ballet

ASIN: B0000645KU
Release Date: 2002-04-23

Tracks:

The Dungeons Are Calling
By The Grace Of The Witch
Visions
Midas Knight
City Beneath The Surface
The Whip
Metalhead
Before I Hang
Stranger In The Dark
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Bonus Track

Customer Reviews:

Silver Anniversary Edition.......2006-04-18

So what sets the Silver Anniversary Edition of Savatage's 1985 classic Dungeons Are Calling apart from the earlier Metal Blade release? Both versions had remastered sound as well as bonus material. The earlier Metal Blade disc featured two tracks - Fighting for Your Love and a live version of Sirens. The 2002 Silver Anniversary Edition features four bonus tracks: Metalhead, Before I Hang, Stranger in the Dark, and an untitled track. The untitled track is a weird little drums and vocals number, but the others are vintage Savatage, and totally fit the mood of the rest of the album.
Unfortunately the Silver Anniversary Edition does not contain the two bonus tracks from the earlier version, so Savatage completists (like me) need to have each version in their collection.
As an added bonus, the Silver Anniversary Edition features extensive liner notes on the band's early years written by original drummer Steve "Dr. Killdrums" Wacholz. To get the full story you'll have to get the Silver Edition of Sirens as well, but I figure die-hard Savatage fans would plan on buying that one anyway.

Awesome Savatage!!!.......2003-01-06

After the great Sirens, this is the best of all Savatage. Raw and unpolished .... True metal heads have this release.

Great first album.......2002-10-06

This i sSavatage's first album. It is raw and unpolished. If you like Hall of the Mountain King you will love this one as well.

Average customer rating:

Exciting, high quality fantasy music
Exactly what a gaming session needs.
A truly epic Medieval fantasy music CD. A great job!!!

Legends of Kitholan Vol. 1
Dronolan's Tower
Manufacturer: Dronolan's Tower Music (ASCAP)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | New Age | Styles | Music

General | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Dungeons & Dragons - Official Roleplaying Soundtrack
Magic Item Compendium (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying)

ASIN: B000NO2010
Release Date: 2007-04-25

Tracks:

Charge of the Valiant
The Return to Krangar
The Traveller's Song
Tales of the Long Forgotten
Allendale Square
Balisaar's Great Beast
The Empire of Nosokru
Attack of the Wraiths
Lady Elowyn
Night of the Dagger
Sylvan Dreams
Voyage of the Defiant
The Redemption of Lord Michael
The Ruins of Norgaard Keep
The Battle of Shadow Pass
Journey's End

Product Description

MUSIC BY GAMERS FOR GAMERS - Every good gamemaster knows how valuable background music can be to his game. Whether to help introduce a new character, underscore travel and exploration, or add excitement to battles, music can be a powerful tool for enhancing your gaming experirience. Dronolan's Tower is committed to the creation of high-quality music suitable for use in any medieval fantasy role-playing game. Each album features over 60 minutes of music, written by David Allen Young, an experienced composer and gamemaster of 15 years. Recorded with professional Hollywood studio musicians, Legends of Kitholan rivals your favorite blockbuster soundtrack. Your games deserve a continuous supply of original, high-quality music, and Dronolan's Tower is here to deliver.

Customer Reviews:

Exciting, high quality fantasy music.......2007-06-03

This album is truly some of the best music I've heard in the genre in a long time. Even though it is technically an album designed specifically as accompaniment music for RPGs, it will appeal equally I think to non-gamers like myself who enjoy film soundtrack and fantasy music. There are many very inspiring, beautiful melodies. There is a mixture of exciting and exhilarating music, as well as softer, more introspective melodies. There are suspenseful tracks and there are tracks that have what I refer to as goosebump quality - ones that evoke powerful, deeply felt emotions. And the musical quality - both in terms of production and artistic value - are very high throughout.

Some of my favorites are Lord Michael's Redemption(goosebumps), Voyage of the Defiant, and Lady Elowyn's Theme. Each one is very distinctive and the qualities for which I like each one are different - which is I think, a fitting description of my thoughts on the album as a whole. Whether you're a gamer or a fantasy music fan, you're bound to enjoy it.

Exactly what a gaming session needs........2007-05-20

I've enjoyed my share of role-playing games in the past, and something that any good GM will do is try to set a mood. Choosing the right background music is one of the best ways to do this. With this album one can set a scene for just about any coneivable fantasy event; dungeon crawling, combat, or just exploring a new kingdom.

The production quality is wonderful and the musical pieces are expertly crafted. You won't find yourself being distracted by music that sounds out of place or tinny.

A truly epic Medieval fantasy music CD. A great job!!!.......2007-05-05

I'll try not to be to 'fancy' here, but I will say this. This CD is wonderful and a truly pleasurable listening experience.

1 Charge Of The Valiant- A real blood pumper. A distant horn call builds into a frenzy of urgent strings, percussion and horns. A real enegy booster for me.

2. The Return To Krangar- This starts with a beautiful oboe passage, swirling strings and great chorus. A tolling bell is a nice touch in spots of it. It has a heroic feel. In particular I like the feel imparted by the deep bass drums combined with a snare drum, but I love the sweetness of the choir and the strings. The horn passages are nice and majestic too.

3. The Traveller's Song- A very pastoral piece. I love the terrific interplay between the flute, harp, strings and other winds (the oboe once again I think.) I picture travelling through a forested area near sunset on horsback. Really beautiful. Plucked strings and soft percussion in the middle make it a bit exotic in sound too. The flute at the end is a tender touch.

4. Tales Of The Long Forgotten- For me this track was a weeper. It was one of a couple times I cried during this CD. The beginning in particular is HEARTBREAKING, with beautiful but mounful harp, flute and very soft female chorals. I was bawling during this. Deep drums and soft strings and horns meet the harp in the middle to enhance the mournful feel That is enchanced further by tolling bells and gripping male and female chorus and strings. Bottom line, I REALLY love this one.

5. Allendale Square- I love the festive feel of the beginning of this, given by energetic drums, plucked strings and winds, like a flute of some type. It feels like an ancient Medieval dance. Later we get some nice soaring strings to give a 'cozy' feel, like we've come home to our village. Great piece. I love what sounds like a pennywhistle in the middle, floating over the top of a bed of strings, before the stirngs come back to the front, with horns under them. Nice flute ending to this.

6. Balisaar's Great Beast- One word for this one. Tense. Mid-tempo, dominated by brooding strings and bassoon. Horns add a bit of a punch, Snare drums add a martial touch. Winds add an interesting flair to it for me.

7. The Empire Of Nosokru- I love the feel of this. Begun with sweeping strings that soar by, like a bed of sound, this piece features great plucked strings and flute that very much reminds me of the feel of Japanese or Asiatic music in places of it. I just love the inclusion of the shakuhachi (the Japanese bamboo flute) in here. Great percussion and horns as well.

8. Attack Of The Wraiths- Another tense piece. Begun with tense piano and strings, it builds into a quick chase dominated by pounding drums and urgent chorus. Run!!! :)

9. Lady Elowyn- Two words. Regal elegance. It's one of my favorite pieces on the disc, and very beautiful. The beginning is a beautiful blend of lovely harp and strings. Terrific flute soars through it in places, and the female chorals are very touching. It's another tear-jerker. Violin and cello do wonders for this piece.The harp and bassoon dance terrificly in the 'second' part, along with plucked strings. I LOVE the "pure" harp section in the 'middle' of this. The 'strength' of the Lady is conveyed by heroic and royal sounding horns and drums near the end. The end is a beautiful choral passage drifing back to tender harp and strings for a lovely closure.

10. Night Of The Dagger- I love the feel of this. For some reason the soft percussion and bell-like (xylophone) sounds remind me of African music. Tense and brooding strings and exotic percussion give the piece a punch, along with occasional choral bits. A great piece.

11. Sylvan Dreams- Harp and strings dance for us, with high winds. The feeling of this is restful, and very serene. Really really nice. Almost like a tender waltz in tempo. I love the flute in this that just glides over the top. Wonderful music.

12. Voyage Of The Defiant- This puts me in mind of a sea voyage. It has an adventurous feel dominated by horns and soft strings. Deep bass drums give us a nice undercurrent. Again, the feel is one of great courage and valor. The 'middle' part stars great dancing between a harp, a flute and strings. Then the horns and drums come back and build up again, coming to a great close.

13. The Redemption Of Lord Michael- Deep bass drums and brooding strings start us off. A tolling bell is a great touch. This feels almost tragic in tone sometimes. It still has a beauty all its own, as if the 'redemption' is a quest the title character undertakes. The harp and flute and female chorals in the middle add a beautiful touch before regal horns hit us with a really dramatic epic punch. Near the close, the horns and chorals and snare drums impart a heroic feel. Mission accomplished.

14. The Ruins Of Norgaard Keep- Tense harp, tolling bells and strings start us off. It's a beautiful blend of music. The violin, soft flute and female chorals give us even more poignancy. Wistful beauty dominates the piece, especially the blend of female chorals and harp in the middle. I just love the balance of tension and ethereal loveliness in this one.

15. The Battle Of Shadow Pass- The "showpiece' of the disc, it is a masterwork. Urgent snare drums and deeper percussion combine with compelling male and female chorals to drive us on towards heroic battle to forge the destiny of the realm. I love the galloping strings and horns that come through in parts of this. The stings and percussion get faster in the second part, carrying tense horns and choral work as we build towards the end of the epic clash. Frenzied horns and percusion dance for us, as we build towards the end of the "middle". Soaring female chorals are a very brief rest. The last part is a furious attack by horns, drums, strings, and choir before the 'battle' is finally complete. There is a celebratory passage of horns and choir and deep percussion at the very end of this. This piece alone would make the CD an epic work unto itself but it is one of 16 great works.

16. Journey's End- The beginning of this made me weep yet again. It's a beautiful blend of tender harp and terrific violin work. It is as if we have bonded with our adventure mates, and now we must bid them farewell. The piece brims with longing, courtesy of great horns and strings for a while. After a little, the strings and percussion take on a gentle, pastoral, heroic feel, as if we are returning home to our loved ones. The middle of the piece returns to the tender, tear-jerking blend of harps and strings, before the melody once again turns joyful as soft harp, horns and strings combine with flute to close out this number in gentle but grand fashion. We are home again.

In closing, this is one of the best CDs of epic Medieval Fantasy music I have ever had the pleasure to hear. If you like this genre of music at all, you owe it to yourself to get this. It is... in a word, terrific. An epic musical work that could rival any epic fantasy movie soundtrack. Great job! Get it, and enjoy it to the fullest.

Average customer rating:

Classic Early Savatage
the perfect american metal album
the perfect american metal album
THIS ONE WAS AWESOME, DEFINATLY THERE BEST
THIS ONE WAS AWESOME, DEFINATLY THERE BEST

Dungeons Are Calling
Savatage
Manufacturer: Metal Blade
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Metal | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

Progressive | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Power of the Night
Hall of the Mountain King
Sirens
Gutter Ballet
Fight for the Rock

ASIN: B000001C84
Release Date: 1994-11-22

Tracks:

The Dungeons Are Calling
By The Grace Of The Witch
Visions
Midas Knight
City Beneath The Surface
The Whip
Fighting For Your Love
Sirens (Live)

Customer Reviews:

Classic Early Savatage.......2005-11-17

I still have fond memories of buying this album shortly after getting the excellent Power Of The Night. I used to crank Dungeons while mowing lawns in my neighborhood. Probably not good on the ears but it made the job more enjoyable! This album contains three of my all-time favorite Savatage songs: the title track, By The Grace Of The Witch, and Midas Knight! All of them are heavy rockers that should be played at full volume. Criss' playing smokes throughout this album. His tone is great and I always loved his use of octaves to double a guitar line. Of the other three songs from the original album, Visions and City Beneath The Surface are pretty good but I never really cared for The Whip. One re-issue of this album has a good live version of Sirens. A later re-issue has a classic song called Before I Hang that I never knew about! If you are new to Savatage you probably know their later albums. Their early stuff up to Hall Of The Mountain King is heavier and more straightforward rock without any piano or strings, except for the occasional ballad.

the perfect american metal album.......2004-10-26

savatage was one of the few american metal bands that wasn't thrash, just strait up traditional heavy metal in the same vain as iron maiden or judas preist. in a time when metal was dominated by thrash(metallica,megadeth,slayer,anthrax,testament)
on one side, then pop metal on the other, you had bands like savatage that didn't follow movments or genre's but created there own style,dngeons are calling" was one of the heavest 80's metal albums, so what if it's not thrash? this is better then anything by slayer,megadeth or metallica (acctauly, equaled w/ ride the lightning) or any other thrash band. just heavy (...) metal, no speed this,thrash that,death what ever, chriss oliva was my favorite american guitarist, his playing was better then any other at that time, in any kind of metal, mustaine,alex scholnic,hammet,hetfeild,king and hennamen were all great but chriss was better then all of them.

the perfect american metal album.......2004-10-26

savatage was one of the few american metal bands that wasn't thrash, just strait up traditional heavy metal in the same vain as iron maiden or judas preist. in a time when metal was dominated by thrash(metallica,megadeth,slayer,anthrax,testament)
on one side, then pop metal on the other, you had bands like savatage that didn't follow movments or genre's but created there own style,dngeons are calling" was one of the heavest 80's metal albums, so what if it's not thrash? this is better then anything by slayer,megadeth or metallica (acctauly, equaled w/ ride the lightning) or any other thrash band. just heavy f***ing metal, no speed this,thrash that,death what ever, chriss oliva was my favorite american guitarist, his playing was better then any other at that time, in any kind of metal, mustaine,alex scholnic,hammet,hetfeild,king and hennamen were all great but chriss was better then all of them.

THIS ONE WAS AWESOME, DEFINATLY THERE BEST.......2004-10-24

i was never a big fan of this band before i had this album, i mean, i had "hall of the mountain king" and "power of the night" which i really did not care for at all, but "dungeons are calling" definatly made me love this band, the title of this album could not be more correct, this definatly sounds like basement metal! i quickly sold "HofMK" and "PofN" after "dungeons" entered my music collection, why didn't savatage stay w/ this kind of metal? why did they have to get all polished after this and make all these prog concept albums? thats what queensrych is for. i do disagree w/ the guy that dissed metallica though, old metallica was an amazing band, infact this album reminds me alot of "ride the lightning".
anyway, this album is just awesome, its when savatage was a hungry young metal band "by the grace of the witch" "midas knights" "city beneath the surface" "the whip" are all killers as well as the whole album, you should make this and "sirens" your only savatage albums and just skip the rest because its all commercial garbage after "dungeons".

THIS ONE WAS AWESOME, DEFINATLY THERE BEST.......2004-10-24

Average customer rating:

Too bad the movie wasn't the smash hit it promised to be...
Very surprising
Fits very well in the adaption of the game!A must have!
Very nice indeed
An impressive debut.

Dungeons & Dragons (2000 Film)
Justin Burnett
Manufacturer: New Line Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Dungeons & Dragons - Official Roleplaying Soundtrack
XXX
Dungeons and Dragons- Wrath of the Dragon God (Widescreen Edition)

ASIN: B000056MTM
Release Date: 2001-01-16

Tracks:

Opening To Profion's Dungeon
Council Of Mages
Breaking Into The Magic School
On The Run
Damodar's Curse
Antius City
The Maze
Thieve's Fight
Capture By Norda
Death Of Snails
Dungeon Of The Rod
Battle On The Rooftop
Fighting Profion
Resurrection And End Titles
This Is Not A Game

Customer Reviews:

Too bad the movie wasn't the smash hit it promised to be..........2006-08-03

...because its soundtrack is just superior! Indeed, this was an album I'd been meaning to get my mitts on for several months now, and I'm certainly glad I did just yesterday, as the rich, dramatic overtures of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra capture the very essence of the world's most well-known role-playing game and its namesake motion picture like nothing else can.

Justin Caine Burnett obviously knew just what he was doing when he composed the score for one of Y2K's most surprisingly unsuccessful films, as each and every piece on this CD depicts its coinciding scene just right with such intense imagery that even one who didn't go see the movie can envision the action. Suspense, intrigue, disaster, grief, vengeance, and victory--it's all there within the one-hour-plus time duration of the first fourteen tracks, and with plenty of potency at that. As for the fifteenth track--a little high-energy number entitled "This Is Not A Game" and performed by the group Buck 250, whom I have sadly never heard of until very recently--I don't know of anyone who can complain. Without question, this final song is definitely worth listenning to for those music buffs who simply can't get enough of a good late-20th-/early-21st-century jam. In fact, the only track I have any complaint about at all is with Track 10, "Death of Snails," which was a little too long for my taste. Still, my overall opinion about the Dungeons and Dragons movie score is quite positive.

Hopefully, fans of J.C. Burnett will hear some quality work from him again in the future. I sure know I'd like to key my ears in to his latest material, judging from what I've heard here. It's a shame this music couldn't have saved the film, of course, for now I have a hankering to at least rent it for a given Saturday night and watch it for myself. Even so, I can't help but enjoy the musical score, and hopefully, my fellow D&D fans will as well.

Very surprising.......2005-11-09

Ok, so the movie was absolutely terrible, but there seems to be an unspoken rule in the film scoring world that states a composer must write their best work for the most terrible film they can get assigned to. In this case, Justin Caine Burnett, a member of Hans Zimmer's Media Ventures (now Remote Control) team, has really outdone himself here. This is, as far as I know, Burnett's first solo outing, and unfortunately I haven't heard anything from him since.

The album opens very strongly with 'Opening to Profion's Dungeon' which features the first full statement of the main theme played vigoursly on both the strings and brass by non other than the West Australian Symphony Orchestra. It then moves quickly into Profion's theme, which is a darker progression played by some very low brass, backed up by choir. In many ways, this first track is like a suite of what's to come - lots of deep, bold strings and brass, timpani rolls and touches of choir here and there.

It's very much a 'fantasy' score, with plenty of big themes to give a musical voice for the larger than life characters that inhabit the movie. There are no real solos or strange, ethnic instruments featured, but that's fine, because the orchestral muscle of the music very rarely lets up for the duration of the album, with many standout moments throughout, an exciting highlight of which is 'The Maze', which sounds like Indiana Jones on steroids and reinvents the main theme into a very rousing movement featured during one of the film's big action setpieces.

Don't let the poor reception the film recieved distract you from this amazing score. If you're a fan of John Williams or Jerry Goldsmith's bigger action/adventure scores, then you'll find something of comparable quality here.

Fits very well in the adaption of the game!A must have!.......2001-11-25

Well,I`ll begin this review with saying that Justin Caine Burnett is an absolutely talented composer,as this is his first own score (he has only been an assistant to Hans Zimmer on "The Rock")and it seems to be one of the best scores of the year 2001. The movie was actually better than I had expected it to be,with lots of cool CG effects,although it is probably more for the fans of the role playing game. This soundtrack is very well adapted to the "game" format of the film,and it could very well have been used in a game as well,as it features a huge brass section and lots of dark action cues. There are often some rousing strings,and if there are any similarities to other composers,then I would like to compare it with Howard Shore and Hans Zimmer - imagine a combination of "Seven" and "The Rock" and you`ll know what this one approximatley sound like. And then add some more fantasy sound of it. Sometimes,this score gets too dark to be interesting,but it is absolutley amazing. There is not much of love or ethnic themes here,so if that`s what you`re looking for,then you should not take this one. The slow moments of this score appears mostly in track 6 and 14. Most of the other tracks contain some dark,brassy music,as it waits for something,and suddenly,they burst out into massive action music. Some of that can be heard in "The Maze",one of the best tracks,featuring some really heroic,sweeping,2 minutes of action music before the track gets too dark. And "Thieves Fight" is another great action track,with some strings at the beginning,before it becomes a dark action track with the theme of "The Maze" heard in the middle,which is the heroic theme. Another heroic theme appears at the beginning of the first track,"Opening to Profion`s Dungeon". That is what I believe is the main theme of the soundtrack. After a minute,some dark chorus is heard,and the huge brass section is also used. Another great track to mention is "Battle on the Rooftops",where the seldom-heard female choir appears yet again. This is a nine-minute non-stop action track with some more heroic moments,which is heard when Ridley,the hero,fights the incredibly evil Damodar. And it ends up with some heroic brass and chorus as he throws his enemy off the tower!
Great action music can also be heard at it's best in the 13th track,"Fighting Profion".
The final highlight of the score is "Resurrection & End Titles" which is a nine-minute suite using some female chorus in the beginning. Then,it repeats all of the main themes with full orchestra. If you just want to hear the themes,then that is a recommended track.
Over all,this is a very great fantasy score and it really sounds like it was taken from the role playing game it is based on - some times may be a little too dark for some listeners,but that is really good,I think,because then you have easier to really think the villains are evil - with horrifying music,they become more horrifying as well. And so does the dragons.
It is also more inspiring than many people think. Here are the best scores of 2001 so far: this one (of course),Atlantis,The Mummy Returns,Jurassic Park 3,Final Fantasy and Planet of the Apes. This seem to be a great year for fantasy music - can`t wait till I hear the Lord of the Rings & Harry Potter scores.
But don't forget this one. It is very good too!

Very nice indeed.......2001-06-05

A fine peice of scoring for a terrible movie. Justin Caine Burnett once again seals the age-old riddle of the worst movies having fantastic, wonderful, classic scores (The Final Conflict, anyone?)

Though the CD it's self is rather loud and boisterous, there's not much to it. Burnett's orchestrations echo his mentor Hans Zimmer's quite a bit, but the music is his own. There is one utterly fantastic track on the CD, "The Maze" that has a beautiful, sweeping 2 minute opening that makes the CD worth owning.

Over all, considering this was an impulse buy, I'm very pleased with the CD. Anyone who likes this, I strongly suggest grabbing James Horner's Kull 2-CD or Basil Poledouris's Conan Soundtracks (which are among the finest in score history)

An impressive debut........2001-05-25

One of the better things about the so-so "Dungeons and Dragons" film is this wonderful score by first-time feature film composer Justin Burnett. This one has made a home in my CD changer ever since I bought it two months ago. It's just great music to have playing in the background while you read or surf the net. Sweeping, vibrant, audacious... it has all the qualities we respect in such established names as Williams, Horner and Zimmer. If Mr. Burnett keeps up the good work and starts receiving some recognition for his talents, I can see him doing some really high-profile work in a few years. I hope Hollywood doesn't overlook this diamond in the rough.

A word of warning: The last track on this CD is a horrendous piece of generic techno...in the vein of the "Mortal Combat" song. It was not written by Burnett, and was no doubt thrown in to try and give the film an extra Matrix-eqsue coolness factor. Buy the CD for Burnett's great score, avoid the last track at all costs.

Dungeons/Sirens
Average customer rating:
Dungeons/Sirens
Savatage
Manufacturer: Relativity
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music
Progressive Metal | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music
General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000008KFH
Release Date: 1992-10-05

Dungeons of the Vatican
Average customer rating:
Dungeons of the Vatican
Time Machine
Manufacturer: Lucretia
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music
General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
Hard Rock & Metal | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0007MYKIE
Release Date: 2005-02-15

Album Description

By Public demand, the cult-EP originally released in 1994 is going to be re-issued augmented by bonus material such as demo versions, live takes, unreleased tracks, referring to the 'Project-Time Scanning'. Also, the booklet offers a rich biographical overlook of the first period of activity of the band with original photographic material. Just like the original version, this reissue will be available as limited edition for die-heard-fans only. Lucretia. 2005.

Album Details

Reissue of the 1994 CULT-EP Augmented by Bonus Material Including Demo Versions, Live Takes, and Unreleased Tracks.

Average customer rating:

Sirens/ The Dungeons Are Calling

Manufacturer: Combat
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Metal | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0006TUQGI

Product Description

Song List 1. Sirens 2. Holocaust 3. I Believe 4. Rage 5. On The Sun 6. Twisted Little Sister 7. Living For The Night 8. Scream Murder 9. Out On The Streets 10. Dungeons Are Calling, The 11. By The Grace Of The Witch 12. Visions 13. Midas Night 14. City Beneath The Surface 15. Whip, The Contains the SIRENS LP and THE DUNGEONS ARE CALLING EP.

Average customer rating:

Rot Crumble Collapse
Carrion Crawler
Manufacturer: Rawker Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Death Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000PXRR26

Product Description

"This is some of the best grind-core Ive heard in a long time. I mean the bile is rising to the top of my throat and I still feel like ripping apart a mosh pit with my hands and teeth. These guys have a pace that cant be beat, a rhythm that thumps like adrenaline, and a gory necro-gangsta style that makes me want to recognize them with two middle fingers sky high. I havent heard from these guys in a few years. Man, am I glad that they sent this steamy pile to me in the mail. It is totally whipping my ass. You want to hear the most intense thing on the market today? Pick up a copy of Rot, Crumble, Collapse and get ready for the doo-doo to hit the fan. More gristly than Cannibal Corpse and 100% more entertaining."

Music:

Music

music

1. Prelude
2. Troubled Times
3. Ride to Destiny
4. The Fens of Sargath
5. Descent into the Depths
6. Stealth and Cunning
7. Behind Door #1
8. Skirmish
9. Eternal Mystery
10. Heroes' Valor
11. Relic Uncovered
12. Deep Trouble
13. Chant
14. Craft of the Wizard
15. Beasts of the Borderlands
16. Secret Chamber
17. Lair of the Great Wyrm
18. Ancient Temple
19. How Strange . . .
20. Army of the Dead
See all 23 tracks on this disc