Battle Bards

It might be the middle of the summer in the northern hemisphere, but it's never too early to start getting ready for the cold! On this episode of Battle Bards, the crew takes on the theme of bitter, desolate, and beautiful winter soundscapes from a wide range of MMO scores. Winter is, after all, coming. Let's prepare! Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle Bards on Stitcher Follow Battle Bards on Player.FM Episode 54 show notes Intro (featuring "Snowcloak" from Final Fantasy XIV and "Winter Theme" from Allods Online) "Sillus Mountains" from Aion "Wintertusk Hrundle Fjord" from Wizard101 "Iron Pine Peak" from RIFT "Winterspring (Cataclysm)" from World of Warcraft "Iceclad Ocean" from EverQuest 2 "Hoth, the Frozen Wastes" from Star Wars: The Old Republic "The Shiverpeaks" from Guild Wars 2 Which one did we like best? Outro (featuring "Dazzling Snow" from Ragnarok Online) Email the Battle Bards! Special thanks to Tesh for the Battle Bards logo! Battle Bards is part of The Gaming and Entertainment Net

It was the first big superhero MMO, and for at least one Bard, it was the entry point into MMO gaming. Today we'll be looking at the late, great City of Heroes and its strange, lovable, and often baffling soundtrack, as well as trying to explain to Syl why superheroes are totally cool. Pull on those tights and prepare to soar up, up and away into a score like no other on today's show! Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle Bards on Stitcher Follow Battle Bards on Player.FM Episode 52 show notes Intro (featuring "Main Theme" and "Steel Canyon Copper District") "Freedom Court" "Devil's Coat Tails" "Argosy Industries" "Freedom Theme" "Going Rogue Theme" "Welcome to Nova Praetoria" "Bloody Bay: Green Nugget" Which one did we like best? Mail from Joseph Outro ("Mission Complete") Email the Battle Bards! Special thanks to Tesh for the Battle Bards logo! Battle Bards is part of The Gaming and Entertainment Network of podcasts

Syp will need to apologize for his uncharacteristically grumpy attitude during this week's recording, as he did not fully understand the teacher's homework assignment and apparently hates good music. That said, it's a whirlwind hour of dreamy, thoughtful, and touching music as the Battle Bards tackle the theme of "introspective" tunes in MMOs! Also, Syl uses the line, "Dancing naked in the forest while getting high," which is going to bump up our SEO rating something fierce. Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle Bards on Stitcher Follow Battle Bards on Player.FM Episode 52 show notes Intro (featuring "Air Stream" from Myst Online and "Emerald Depths" from Vanguard) "Exiles of the Dream" from ArcheAge "Forest Calling" from Lineage 2 "Hail Novia" from Shroud of the Avatar "Heart of a Hero" from Lord of the Rings Online "Our Perception of Beauty" from WildStar "Redeemed Garden" from Anarchy Online "Memories of Spring" from Aion Which one did we like best? Outro Email the Battle Bards! Special thanks

Feel the power! Feel the burn! Feel the... Vindictus! When a game is made up of insane frantic combat, what will its score sound like? The Battle Bards are keen to find out with their journey through this particular game's soundtrack. It's wild, it's bombastic, and it's (as always) divisive! Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle Bards on Stitcher Follow Battle Bards on Player.FM Episode 51 show notes Intro (featuring "Ancient Dragon" and "Malina") "Crom Crauch" "Keaghan" "Main Theme" "White Whale Inn" "Craftsman Colru" "PvP Theme" "Succubus Queen/The Siren of Slaughter" Which one did we like best? Outro (featuring "Grim Reaper") Email the Battle Bards! Special thanks to Tesh for the Battle Bards logo! Battle Bards is part of The Gaming and Entertainment Network of podcasts

For our grand 50th episode spectacular, we looked to the MMO music community for inspiration. What we found were dozens of talented and interesting covers of some of our favorite game soundtracks! Celebrate with us as we give props to those who love MMO tunes almost as much as we do! Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle Bards on Stitcher Follow Battle Bards on Player.FM Episode 50 show notes Intro (featuring "World of Warcraft Medley Acapella" by Peter Hollens and "Ultima Online Theme" by Gillian Grassie) LOTRO: "Let us Sing Together/Tom Bombadil" by Lonely Mountain Band Guild Wars 2: "Fear Not This Night (Epic Rock)" by Little V Final Fantasy XI: "Airship Theme in 8-Bit" by Otoko no Zenyou EverQuest: "Kelethin" by Jeremiah Comer World of Warcraft: "Login Theme (Rock)" by Huskybythegeek Aion: "Tower of Eternity Main Theme (Metal)" by The Assbean WildStar: "Main Theme (Metal)" by DivinumX What did we like best? Outro (featuring "Main Theme" from Shroud of the Avatar) Email the Battle Bards! Specia

From the mind of Inon Zur to the ears of the Battle Bards comes the soundtrack to RIFT. And while the Bards may have a positive past with the game, their reaction to the score is a rocky ride indeed. What treasures and traps will they pull out of this music? Find out as they welcome Steff back into the fold after her long absence! Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle Bards on Stitcher Follow Battle Bards on Player.FM Episode 49 show notes Intro (featuring “Defiant Theme" and "Iron Pine Peak") "Main Theme" "Moonshade Highlands" "Scarlet Gorge" "Silverwood" "Shimmersand" "Atagarian Well" "Stonefield" What did we like best? Mail from Josh Outro (featuring “”) Email the Battle Bards! Special thanks to Tesh for the Battle Bards logo! Battle Bards is part of The Gaming and Entertainment Network of podcasts

Did you know that the Battle Bards have a time machine? Well they do, and this week they're setting it all the way back to the 1990s! With the help of guest host Scott (Ramblings of a MMO Gamer Guy), the crew examines music from an oft-overlooked era of MMO gaming (and soundtracks). Just because it's older doesn't mean it's ancient! Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle Bards on Stitcher Follow Battle Bards on Player.FM Episode 48 show notes Intro (featuring "Main Theme" from Neverwinter Nights AOL and "Excalibur" from Asheron's Call) "Bard Guild" from EverQuest "Dungeon" from The Realm Online "Minoc" from Ultima Online "Main Theme" from Nexus "Neriak" from EverQuest "Main Theme" from Meridian 59 "Nebula" from Rubies of Eventide What did we like the best? Mail From Tadamichi (Quiet Life and In Memories) Outro (featuring “Age of Heroes” from Dark Sun Online) Email the Battle Bards! Special thanks to Tesh for the Battle Bards logo! Battle Bards is part of The Gaming and Entertainment Network of pod

When Steff's away, the Bards will play... Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn, that is! The current beloved MMO of bloggers and gamers alike, FFXIV's rebooted soundtrack has made us take notice. With the help of guest host Scott (Ramblings of a MMO Gamer Guy), we tackle the highlights of this impressive score while trying to ignore the smell of chocobo poo. Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle Bards on Stitcher Follow Battle Bards on Player.FM Episode 47 show notes Intro (featuring "Prelude -- Rebirth" and "A World Apart") "Guildleve Theme/Tenacity" "Ramuh Theme/Thunder Rolls" "Defender of the Realm" "La Noscea Field Theme/On Westerly Winds" "Gridania Night Theme/Dance of the Fireflies" "Ultima" "Thanalan Field Theme/To The Sun" What did we like the best? Mail From Zulika Mi-Nam Outro (featuring "A Victory Fanfare Reborn") Email the Battle Bards! Special thanks to Tesh for the Battle Bards logo! Battle Bards is part of The Gaming and Entertainment Network of podcasts

It's been 10 incredible years since EverQuest II launched and players not only stepped into this version of Norrath but first heard the tunes of composer Laura Karpman. Join the Battle Bards for a special interview with Laura, who knows just so, so, so much more about music than the rest of us. We also had several audio glitches in this cast, so bear with us! Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle Bards on Stitcher Follow Battle Bards on Player.FM Episode 46 show page Episode 46 show notes Intro Interview with composer Laura Karpman featuring the following EverQuest II tracks: "Main Theme" "Antonica" "Commonlands" "Freeport" "Lavastorm" "Tower of the Drafling" "Isle of Refuge" "Thundering Steppes" "Qeynos" "Nectulos" "Nektropos Castle" "Clefts of Rujark" "Poet's Palace" "Silent City" Outro Email the Battle Bards! Special thanks to Tesh for the Battle Bards logo! Battle Bards is part of The Gaming and Entertainment Network of podcasts

This week the Bards have invited long-time friend and listener Belghast to join them -- and to pick the topic for the show! Bel picked a fun and unusual theme: Rocking out with electric guitars. Do MMOs and rock mix? On this particular episode they do! Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle Bards on Stitcher Follow Battle Bards on Player.FM Episode 45 show notes Intro (featuring "Blue Turns to Grey" from Tabula Rasa, "Battle on the Big Bridge Reborn" from FFXIV, and "Prologue" from Castlevania SOTN) "Titan Battle Theme" from FFXIV "Alonewolf" from Rusty Hearts "Toko" from Granado Espada "Character Select/Map Load" from Heroes of the Storm "New Conglomerate Main Theme" from PlanetSide 2 "Malicia's Finale" from DDO "Lucid Dreaming" from Aion What track did we like the best? Mail from Akiranon Outro Email the Battle Bards! Special thanks to Tesh for the Battle Bards logo! Battle Bards is part of The Gaming and Entertainment Network of podcasts

With Steff out of action for a few shows, Syp and Syl are left floating adrift in a sea of TERA tunes.  This week the Battle Bards will be treading the waters of this high-fantasy MMO soundtrack, finding the best and most interesting picks to discuss.  And then they drown.  The end. Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle Bards on Stitcher Follow Battle Bards on Player.FM Episode 44 show notes Intro (featuring "Awakening" and "Sailor's Horn") "Godspeed" "Elinu's Dance" "Homecoming" "Turnabout" "Riversong" "The Children of Karas" "Sanctuary" Which track did we like the best? Mail By Armagon Outro (featuring "TERA Nova")   Email the Battle Bards! Special thanks to Tesh for the Battle Bards logo! Battle Bards is part of The Gaming and Entertainment Network of podcasts

This week is an... unusual episode for the Battle Bards, but a fun one nonetheless!  The challenge was sent out for each of the bards to pick one song apiece for his or her co-hosts.  Will they like them?  What do these picks say about how the bards see each other?  Will there be a throw-down before all is said and done?  Find out! Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle Bards on Stitcher Follow Battle Bards on Player.FM Episode 43 show notes Intro (featuring "Air Stream" from Myst Online, "Continuum Alpha" from Neocron, and "Honesty to Oneself" from Ultima Forever) From Steff to Syp: "Shinies" from WildStar From Syl to Steff: "Cheerful Festival" from Blade & Soul From Syp to Steff: "Elven Dhalia" from RuneScape From Steff to Syl: "Main Theme" from Monarch From Syl to Syp: "A Pinch of Madness" from WildStar From Syp to Syl: "Protector's Enclave" from Neverwinter Were there any surprises? Mail from Plato Aly Outro ("What does the Lopp say?") Email the Battle Bards! Special thanks to Tesh for the

Talk about a challenge!  How do you pick a handful of tracks to represent a game that's been around for so long that it has over 1,000 pieces of original music in it?  Fortunately, the Bards are up to the challenge as they tackle RuneScape, that free-to-play game that probably deserves more respect than it gets. Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle Bards on Stitcher Follow Battle Bards on Player.FM Episode 42 show notes Intro (featuring "Theme B" and "Royale") "Arise Hero" "Dune" "Breeze" "The Reaper's House" "Honky Tonk Medieval" "Barking Mad" "Supreme Champions" What did we like? Mail from Adrien Mail from Thoroughmas (and the video link he mentioned) Speakpipe from Scott Outro Email the Battle Bards! Special thanks to Tesh for the Battle Bards logo! Battle Bards is part of The Gaming and Entertainment Network of podcasts

It's the end of the world as we know it -- but it's the beginning of the music revolution as we hear it!  In this episode, the Battle Bards don their best Mad Max costumes and tackle MMO music that comes straight from the many apocalypses that game designers have imagined.  Surprising enough, it's not that bleak! Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle Bards on Stitcher Follow Battle Bards on Player.FM Episode 41 show notes Intro (featuring "Trailer Music" from Myst Online and "Karakorum" from Auto Assault) "Ninety-Niners" from Defiance "The Traveler" from Destiny "Renewal" from Fallen Earth "The Survivors Trailer Music" from DayZ "Blood King Commander" from Firefall "Fallen Kings" from Asheron's Call 2 "Last Call" from Fallen Earth Which track did we like the best? Mail from Romeorites Mail from Armagon Outro Email the Battle Bards! Special thanks to Tesh for the Battle Bards logo! Battle Bards is part of The Gaming and Entertainment Network of podcasts

While we did a Wildstar episode back in show #6, we felt as though we didn't do that soundtrack justice (not the least of which was the fact that we didn't have access to the full OST yet!).  Now that the Bards have listened to almost 200 WildStar tracks, it's time to pull their favorites and discuss this wild, zany musical romp! Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle Bards on Stitcher Follow Battle Bards on Player.FM Episode 40 show notes Intro (featuring “Main Theme” and "A Golden Field") "The Weave" "Protostar Theme" "The Awakening" "Bandits, Thieves, and Epic Loot" "Smooth" "This is Our Song" "Genesis to Revelations" Which one did we like best? Mail from Shay Outro (“BEER!”) Email the Battle Bards! Special thanks to Tesh for the Battle Bards logo! Battle Bards is part of The Gaming and Entertainment Network of podcasts

It's going to be impossible to keep from tapping your toes during this week's show!  The Battle Bards bust out all manner of lively jigs and shanties for the enjoyment of all, and even their past feuds are set aside to dosey-do in front of the tavern fireplace.  We also tick off accordian players across the globe. Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle Bards on Stitcher Follow Battle Bards on Player.FM Episode 39 show notes Intro (featuring "Caribbean Port" from Pirates of the Burning Sea and "Player Owned Ports Ahoy!" from RuneScape) "Sea Shanty 2" from RuneScape "Seaside" from Free Realms "Cool Ranch Tavern Theme" from Pirate101 "Bash the Dragon" from Guild Wars 2 "Rum" from Monarch: Heroes of a New Age "Tavernenlied" from Drakensang "Pirate 3" from DDO Which one did we like best? Mail from Cindy Outro ("A Tavern Far Away" from DDO) Email the Battle Bards! Special thanks to Tesh for the Battle Bards logo! Battle Bards is part of The Gaming and Entertainment Network of podcasts

The Elder Scrolls soundtracks have a legendary reputation in the video game community, but when you take Jeremy Soule (mostly) out of the mix, can the MMO score stand up to this legacy?  The Battle Bards investigate in an exploration of this massive OST of one of the new MMOs of 2014. Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle Bards on Stitcher Follow Battle Bards on Player.FM Episode 38 show notes Intro (featuring "Winged Twilight" and "Moth, Butterfly, and Torchbug") "Three Banners: Fanfare" "For Blood, For Glory, For Honor" "Weapons Drawn" "The Towers Cast Long Shadows" "Greenheart" "Beauty of Dawn" "Lute Emote" Mail from Draculetta Outro (featuring "Three Hearts as One") Email the Battle Bards! Special thanks to Tesh for the Battle Bards logo! Battle Bards is part of The Gaming and Entertainment Network of podcasts

Pack  your coin purse, for the Battle Bards are off to the market!  In this episode, we'll examine music not only from MMO marketplaces, but tracks that inspire the feeling and atmosphere of bustling towns, harbors with ships being unloaded, and merchants selling exotic wares.  It's so much happy and uplifting music that you'll forget to be an internet cynic for at least two days! Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle Bards on Stitcher Follow Battle Bards on Player.FM Episode 37 show notes Intro (featuring "Nightfall Freedom Harbor" from Forsaken World and "Brownie Storehouse" from Vanguard) "Selbina" from Final Fantasy XI "The Town Market" from Elsword Online "Inside the Marketplace Tent" from Dungeons and Dragons Online "Town of Giran" from Lineage II "Draynor Market" from RuneScape "Free Market" from MapleStory "Town of Morvan" from Vindictus Which one did we like best? Mail from Logun Outro Email the Battle Bards! Special thanks to Tesh for the Battle Bards logo! Battle Bards is part of The G

This week we welcome Composer Tracy W. Bush onto the show to talk about his vast experience in the MMO industry.  His body of work includes World of Warcraft, DCUO, Dungeon Runners, Tabula Rasa, Free Realms, and City of Heroes.  He's also quite the talker, so if you want to get some insight into how the creative process works on a deadline, this will be the episode for you!  Also, you'll hear Tracy recreate his Murloc voice -- yup, this is the guy who created that iconic sound. Unfortunately, this week Steff was AFK, so it was up to Syl and Syp to grill Tracy.  Don't worry, Steff will be back for episode 37! Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle Bards on Stitcher Follow Battle Bards on Player.FM Episode 36 show notes Interview with Tracy W. Bush "Darnassus" from World of Warcraft "Radio Free Zerg" from StarCraft "Darnassus" from World of Warcraft "Tanaris" from World of Warcraft "Cimmora Main Theme" from City of Heroes Tracy's Murloc demo "Townston Theme" from Dungeon Runners "Rattletooth's Lair" fr

A good D&D session doesn't only need character sheets and an abudance of 20-sided dice, but atmospheric tunes as well.  What kind of soundtrack does the long-running Dungeons & Dragons Online have?  The Battle Bards investigate DDO's score this week, in particular contrasting the old tracks with the newer expansion ones.  As usual, Syp stands mostly alone. Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle Bards on Stitcher Follow Battle Bards on Player.FM Episode 35 show notes Intro (featuring “Character Creation,” "Crafting Hall," and "Wheloon Tavern 1") "Main Theme" "House Dun'Robar" "Yo Ho Ho, Surly Kobold" "Untold Truth" "King's Forest 2" "Eye of the Titan" "Eveningstar 1" Which one did we like best? Outro (“Eye of the Titan”)   Email the Battle Bards! Special thanks to Tesh for the Battle Bards logo!