Battle Bards

Sometimes the Battle Bards have to give attention to the "little MMOs" out there.  Maybe you've never heard of World of Warcraft, but you probably have played Warcraft: Orcs & Humans back in the day.  Well, this is the MMO that's set in the same universe, and believe it or not, it's got some great tunes.  Let's give it a listen, why not? Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle Bards on Stitcher Episode 14 show notes Introduction (including “Main Theme” from World of Warcraft and "Howling Fjord" from Wrath of the Lich King) "A Call to Arms" from World of Warcraft "Elwynn Forest" from World of Warcraft "The Shaping of the World" from World of Warcraft "The Sin'dorei" from The Burning Crusade "Castaways" from Cataclysm "Mountains of Thunder" from Wrath of the Lich King "Stormstout Brew" from Mists of Pandaria Mailbag: Ian Outro (“Salty Sailor” from Taverns of Azeroth) Special thanks to Tesh for the Battle Bards logo!

What does adventure mean to you?  Everyone has their own definition, and the Battle Bards are bringing that question to the MMO music scene.  In this episode, each of the three co-hosts submit their own favorite "spirit of adventure" tracks for group discussion.  It's a big world out there and we need the very best soundtrack if we're going the journey through all of it! Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle Bards on Stitcher Episode 13 show notes Introduction ("Hearthstone Revealed" from Hearthstone) "Open Sea Music" from Pirates of the Burning Sea "Explorers and Artifacts" from Guild Wars 2 "Spiritual Elysium" from Anarchy Online "Step to the Next World" from Aion "Talking Island" from Lineage II "Romulus Suite" from Star Trek Online "Breeland Jig" from Lord of the Rings Online Outro ("Hills of the Shire" from Lord of the Rings Online) * Apologies for Steff's sound toward the end of the show -- Skype was being glitchy with us! Special thanks to Tesh for the Battle Bards logo!

Embark on a journey with us overseas, as the Battle Bards sail to the lands of Lineage 2.  It's a plus-sized soundtrack with surprisingly good music, and we're all about bringing you the best of the best.  Except for the one track that Syl held back for show 13 because she wanted to spite Syp.  Not that Syp is bitter.  It's a musical journey of cymbals, sunsets, and unicorn dreams.  But what else would you expect from this show? Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle Bards on Stitcher Episode 12 show notes Introduction (including After the Storm and The Beginning of Gracia) Opening: Call of Destiny Counterattack The Final Decisive Battle Temple of the Moon Praise the Victorious Knight Merchant Ships from the East Floran Theme Mailbag: Ian Outro (Unicorn Rest) Special thanks to Tesh for the Battle Bards logo!

Everyone knows that the Battle Bards are a little odd.  That's a fact.  So it shouldn't come as a shock to discover that they're also into MMO music that's a little... off the beaten path.  Today's episode is all about the strange and unusual themes that don't quite fit in elsewhere -- but they're in good company together! Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle Bards on Stitcher Episode 11 show notes Introduction (including unknown track from Meridian 59) Spiral Knights: "Lucky Knight" FFXI: "Dash de Chocobo" Defiance: "The Battle of San Francisco" WoW: "Operation Gnomeregan" GW2: "Sunny Glade" SWTOR: "Yesterday's Jawa" Glitch: "Rainbow Run" Mailbag: Belghast and Ian (here's the link to his YouTube channel) Outro (Champions Online's 3rd anniversary song) Special thanks to Tesh for the Battle Bards logo!

What pleases the Battle Bards? To crush their enemies, to see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of their husbands.  Also, good music, which is why the bards are diving into the Age of Conan soundtrack this week!  There are divided opinions on this incredibly popular score -- listen and see where you fall! Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle Bards on Stitcher Episode 10 show notes Introduction (including "Northern Grassland") "Hamlets of Aquilonia" "All Heroes Unite" "Memories of Cimmeria" "Villages of Khitai" "Ambush from Three Directions" "The Sands of Forgetfullness/Tortage Beach" "The Damp Barachan Nights" Speakpipe: Reply to Axel Grimwulf Mailbag: Reply to Kuter Outro Special thanks to Tesh for the Battle Bards logo!

This week on Battle Bards, the bards kick it old-school in their taverns of choice, checking out the sweet music and fine wine that pours forth from these iconic locations.  You can almost hear the crackling of the fire as these virtual poets strum their lutes... or can you? Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle Bards on Stitcher Episode 9 show notes Introduction to tavern tunes (including “Tavern De Kada-El” from PlaneShift) "Prancing Pony" from Lord of the Rings Online, composed by Chance Thomas "Tavern Rock Volume 1" from Dungeons and Dragons Online, composed by Stephen DiGregorio "Tavern" from World of Warcraft, composed by Jason Hayes "Spelunken und Tavernen" from Drakensang Online, composed by Tilman Sillescu and Markus Schmidt "Deepwater" from World of Warcraft, composed by David Arkenstone "Pub" from Ultima Online, composed by ?? "Inn Music" from Final Fantasy XIV, composed by Nobuo Uematsu Outro: “Main Theme” Special thanks to Tesh for the Battle Bards logo!

This week on Battle Bards, Syl, Steff, and Syp sail off to Norrath for a good dose of EverQuest 2.  It's a truly massive soundtrack with plenty of stellar pieces to plunder, although it does sound suspiciously more like a movie score than something in an MMO.  Intentional or not?  Listen and decide for yourself! Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle Bards on Stitcher Episode 8 show notes Introduction to city themes (including "Main Theme" and "Kelethin") "Character Menu" (comp. Laura Karpman) "Qeynos" (comp. Laura Karpman) "Isle of Refuge" (comp. Laura Karpman) "Skyshrine Merchant's Quarter" (comp. Inon Zur) "Antonica" (comp. Laura Karpman) "Tower of the Drafling" (comp. Laura Karpman) "Qeynos Guild Hall" (comp. Inon Zur) Website and blog plugs Outro: "Main Theme" Special thanks to Tesh for the Battle Bards logo!

This week on Battle Bards, we finally get away from singling out one MMO to doing another theme show: city tunes!  What tales do these virtual metropolises have to tell through music?  The bards are kicking up their feet in their home towns and telling their favorite memories that these songs evoke! (Apologies on the sound quality in spots -- we had a devil of a time recording this due to several power outages!) Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle Bards on Stitcher Episode 7 show notes Introduction to city themes (incl. "Birth of a Player City" from Star Wars Galaxies and "Omni-Tek theme" from Anarchy Online) "Coruscant" from Star Wars: The Old Republic (comp. Lennie Moore) "Stormwind" from World of Warcraft (comp. Jason Hayes) "Imperial Square" from Allods Online (comp. Vladislav Isaev, Mark Morgan) "Meridian" from RIFT (comp. Inon Zur) "Seville" from Uncharted Waters Online (comp. Kazunori Miyake) "Crossroad at Dawn / Gludio" from Lineage II (comp. Bill Brown, Inon Zur) "Kingdom of Light" from A

This week on Battle Bards, we're going to the future!  That's right, we're covering our first MMO that hasn't been released yet: WildStar.  We've got Composer Jeff Kurtenacker with us to share his insights as we talk about our favorite tracks that have been released so far.  If that's not exciting enough for you, we've got two new exclusive music tracks in the show as well! Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle Bards on Stitcher Episode 6 show notes Introduction to WildStar′s score and Jeff Kurtenacker (feat. The Cold Science of Supremacy, Enemy Battle, and Spanish Armada from Pirates of the Burning Sea) Character Creation Systematic Domination Justice Doesn't Always Wear A Badge Saving the Universe A Story of Hope and Healing (Battle Bards exclusive) War Will Come (Battle Bards exclusive) Website and blog plugs Check out Composer Jeff Kurtenacker's website! Special thanks to Tesh for the Battle Bards logo!

This week on Battle Bards, the world's only MMO music podcast is all up in Tyria's face.  That's right: We're going into Guild Wars 2, and we're not returning until we wring the best possible tracks from this already-stellar score!  So listen up, bookahs, 'cause we're only going to record this once! Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle Bards on Stitcher Episode 5 show notes Introduction to Guild Wars 2's score (including Saga of the Norn and Overture) and discussion of soundtrack collecting frustrations Knight of Embers A discussion of Jeremy Soule Battle of the Vanguard Snaff's Workshop Logan's Journey Bandit's Expanse Call of the Raven (Hoelbrak) Dawn in Shaemoor Gendarran Fields How does it stack up against Guild Wars 1? (including Fear Not This Night) Mailbag Website and blog plugs Outro: Guild Wars 2 Super Adventure Box theme Check out Composer Jeremy Soule's website!

This week on Battle Bards, Composer Chance Thomas joins the bards to talk about the stories behind Lord of the Rings Online's score.  It's a strange chance to offer our own reviews and then have the composer review our reviews on the spot -- but we loved it.  It's equal parts education, entertainment, and Elves on this preciousss episode! Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle Bards on Stitcher Episode 4 show notes Introduction with Composer Chance Thomas (featuring "LOTRO Legacy," "The Hollin Gate," and "Love of a Maiden Fair and Pure") More reading: Riffing on Tolkien Far Ahead the Road Has Gone Lonelands Lament for Oakenshield Hills of the Shire Things to Come Tom Bombadil Learning to Ride Urgent Errands Website and blog plugs Outro: "Silent Hope" Check out Chance Thomas online! Contact the Bards: email all the Bards: battlebards@mail.com Steph: MMO Gamer Chick @MMOGC Syl: MMO Gypsy @Gypsy_Syl Syp: Bio Break  @Sypster

This week on Battle Bards, the crew explores the darkly mysterious realm of music as they focus on spooky and magical tracks from MMOs. The fun of this episode comes as each of the bards interprets what the "spooky and magical" combo means. What songs will they pluck on their lutes? Tune in and find out! Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle Bards on Stitcher Episode 3 show notes Introduction to the spooky & magical theme (with a bit of Danny Elfman for flavor!) The Secret World: The Siren Song (feat. Alyssa Munaretto) World of Warcraft: Dalaran (composed by Russell Brower) Lord of the Rings Online: Ride of the Nazgul (composed by Chance Thomas) RIFT: Stillmoor (composed by Inon Zur) Guild Wars 2: Halloween Theme (composed by Maclaine Diemer) Lord of the Rings Online: The Hollin Gate (composed by Chance Thomas) A short discussion on why we do this podcast Ultima Online: Yew (composed by Joe Basquez and Kirk Winterrowd) World of Warcraft: Ashenvale (composed by Jason Hayes, Tracy W. Bush, Derek D

Welcome back to Battle Bards, a collaborative bi-weekly podcast that listens to and discusses MMO soundtracks!  On our second podcast, Syl, Syp, and Steff tackle the daunting and exuberant score of Final Fantasy XI.  It's an hour full of whimsy, mogs, and earworms! Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle Bards on Stitcher Episode 2 show notes Introduction to Final Fantasy XI's soundtrack (Composers Nobuo Uematsu, Naoshi Mizuda, and Kumi Tanioka) Airship Ru'Lude Gardens The Republic of Bastok Recollection Battle in the Dungeon Mog House Mhaura Sometime, somewhere Check out Distant Worlds Contact the Bards: email all the Bards: battlebards@mail.com Steph: MMO Gamer Chick @MMOGC Syl: MMO Gypsy @Gypsy_Syl Dodge: A Casual Stroll to Mordor @tdhowell Syp: Bio Break  @Sypster Special thanks to Tesh for the logo!

We're really excited and proud to announce a new project: Battle Bards, an MMO music podcast!  Ever since I started writing about MMO soundtracks, I've realized that there are others out there who are equally enthusiastic about these scores -- and that a podcast would be an excellent way to share our collective passion.  It's taken us a few months to get organized and figure out how best to do the show, but here it is, the first episode of Battle Bards! Our maiden episode is all about our favorite main themes.  Give it a listen and give us feedback! Show Notes: Introducing Battle Bards and its hosts Star Trek Onlinehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_INzWxfJ8mo Allods Online main http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p56T9JZYfsU The Secret World: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIGBebzJWi4 Wizard101 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irzdhm-WLXU Final Fantasy XI: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nlks4Bz2OgI World of Warcraft vanilla http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eE5oaOOwInE Ultima Online http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5X1gC