Most Epic Video Game/Movie Songs?

[Executor]

In video games and in films, the traditions of classical orchestral music live on. Composers like Hans Zimmer, John Williams, Danny Elfman, James Horner, they are the Beethovens and Mozarts of our generation, and their primary outlet is video games and film. So what are your nominations for the greatest/most epic songs from video games and films?

Mine are as follows:

The Legend of Ashi-taka (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHOmkAQuOPA), by Joe Hisaishi, from Hayao Miyazaki's magnum opus, Princess Mononoke. (Apparently, the forum censors A****aka as it is regularly spelled, so I seperated it with a dash)

The Unsung War (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGX6vGL0GBI), performed by the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, from Ace Combat 5

Chevaliers de Sangreal (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5FyRZbqfeM), by Hans Zimmer, from the movie The Da Vinci Code.

Now We Are Free (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCw9zo0CAZU), by Hans Zimmer, from the movie Gladiator.

[SurlySeraph]

The Halo theme. (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=M0mQk7JEVq4)

[Lord Magtok]

Freedom Fighters (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sen6wouutp4&feature=related). A shame the gameplay didn't quite measure up. I mean, it was decent, but nowhere near worthy of its Jesper Kyd soundtrack. :smallfrown:

[kpenguin]

The obvious stuff from John Williams. Jaws, Indiana Jones, Star Wars, Jurassic Park... even Harry Potter.

Schindler's List's theme is also very good, but not because its epic. Its chilling as hell.

[Lerky]

ooooooh man, the Jurassic Park Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQTWNjr25WQ) always gets me terribly motivated to do ANYTHING. I also enjoy Star Wars background music, especially Imperial March (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8ZTTsiJupo) which makes you feel big and bad, which is always a good feeling:smallamused:
than a 2nd good Star Wars song is one I enjoyed from the youngest of ages...DUEL OF FATES! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKiDYrJW5ys)

as for video games...whenever I do anything slaughter type I usually listen to anything from Doom 3:smalltongue:

[afroakuma]

On the video game side, the best of Uematsu, Mitsuda and some Sakimoto.

TV: Not a whole lot; the Prison Break theme, that one tune from Heroes that leads with Shenkar.

Movies: All the usuals. Williams = awesome.

[Mando Knight]

Sonic Adventure and Sonic Heroes. Jun Senoue's band Crush 40 is probably the best thing about the 3D Sonic games.

Live and Learn, Open Your Heart, What I'm Made Of...

Also, Paul Shortino's E.G.G.M.A.N.

[Poison_Fish]

On the movie side of things, I'm quite partial to Karas's main battle theme. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caMFEcSROc0) I also like the music playing during this scene (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ndJ1QGAzIQ) from the first Kara no Kyoukai movies. Hans Zimmer also covers for a lot of other epic music, be it Black Hawk Down, Gladiator, Dark Knight, or his many other sound tracks he's composed.

For video games, Deus Ex's Main theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCk8ByyCsks) brings up fond memories. MGS4's main theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAkrjpWRqww&feature=related) is fairly epic. One also can't deny Frog's Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caRKvQAyU7M) from Chrono Trigger. Valkria Chronicle's main theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVY0Bo79uvw) fills me with epicness. All of the songs from Shadow of the Colossus, here is a good example (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5CbzA86MXg), I'd skip to about 1:40 in that one though.

I'm sure I can think of more, but for now that's off the top of my head.

[Lord Iames Osari]

The final 5 tracks on the Mass Effect soundtrack: Final Assault, Victory, The Wreckage, The End, and M4 Part 2 (Faunts).

[-Baldur-]

Easy, the final song on "The one" with Jet Li, it's by Papa Roach.

*droolage* God it was good.

Anyone know the name?

[RandomLogic]

The final 5 tracks on the Mass Effect soundtrack: Final Assault, Victory, The Wreckage, The End, and M4 Part 2 (Faunts).

Good, I was wondering if I would be the first person to list the Mass Effect songs.

[TigerHunter]

Diamond Mine Bombed from Blood Diamond

Everything a climactic battle scene's music should be.

[warty goblin]

Hmm.

The Witcher Theme, from said game, is pretty badass. So are pieces of the Sins of the Solar Empire and Medival 2: Total War soundtracks. In other news I am a collector's edition whore...

I'm not sure I'd like it particularly much outside the game, but when the Half-Life 2 soundtrack gets going, there's really nothing else like it for making me go "I am going to kill these zombies with this sawblade, and it will be the most badass thing ever."

Movie wise Gladiator and The Last Samurai have it pretty well nailed down.

[Verruckt]

MGS 2's theme (which is like 4's but slower)
And Ennio Morricone's "Ecstasy of Gold" from the final showdown in
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQ3u3fTG70Q
Also "The Kraken" by Zimmer from PotC2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eN5ExwsXUiQ
this one should be played loudly.

[Yulian]

Nobody is more epic...than the late Basil Poledouris.

The awesome Anvil of Crom (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkzPyXuJbFQ) from Conan the Barbarian.

The epic Klendathu Drop (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swVoHaQy9I0) from StarShip Troopers.

The stunning theme from Robocop (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7rjLQuW2nQ).

The majestic Hymn to Red October (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPsL2WVhFCc) from The Hunt for Red October.

...and in contrast, the moving and patriotic Theme to Red Dawn (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NA7aSZDFrdk)

None. None more epic.

- Yulian

[Hida Reju]

Pfft an epic song list without Robocop http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7rjLQuW2nQ

What about Battle beyond the Stars, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77gqh_O37qg horrible movie awesome song.

Epic thy name is Krull http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tw29mVh56fA

For something a bit more recent

Mona Lisa overdrive Matrix Triliogy or for that matter most of all three movies had music to die for.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaBefjx_RQw&feature=related

[Hida Reju]

As far as video game songs......

Kingdom Hearts 2 Utada is beyond epic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2Iltb_LLWY&feature=related

Devil May Cry 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N54HLqVbvoc

Persona 4 battle theme
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRwFapCq3vY&feature=related

Bioshock anyone?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vhb0yYjVKww&feature=related

[Setra]

In terms of Videogames I would say music done by Nobuo Uematsu tends to be quite good, my favorite being the ending theme to Final Fantasy 6, of which I can't find a 'single' youtube link for, as it runs about 20 minutes.

Another good one would be Yasunori Mitsuda though I can't think of a specific work for him.

In terms of movies (and some games), music by John Williams is of course an easy choice for me. Duel of the Fates anyone? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaiEHNv2g6w)

Others to whom I do not know the artist to would be this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRe3h1iQ1Os), I believe the original has lyrics but I prefer it this way.. (Anyone have an MP3 of this by the way?)

[Don Julio Anejo]

I like Disney songs, especially Prince Ali. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltcMueAFEl0)

What?

[Brewdude]

The theme from M.U.L.E.
Hearing it used in the space section of SPORE was the best easter egg of the whole game.

[kpenguin]

Another thing: Shirley Walker's theme for Mask of the Phantasm (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jQtIh1PCYA). Those who watched BTAS will notice that this is essentially Batman's leitmotif in the series, but with ominous (fake) Latin chanting and a generally epic orchestra.

[DomaDoma]

Movies: The finale of Braveheart, where they throw the sword. A Window to the Past. King of the Golden Hall. Okay, for Star Wars I'd honestly say Duel of the Fates like the rest of you, but Across the Stars and the throne-room march (all leitmotif variants) are also blooming amazing (and incidentally, isn't it amazing how much Williams got into those prequels?)

Video Games: The old stand-bys, I suppose - One-Winged Angel, Magus's Theme, You're Not Alone (yes, my fingers lack the reflexes to play anything not on the ATB system) - but I pretty much worship Terra's Theme. Also, final dungeon music doesn't get nearly enough press for its general epic levels.

Anime: Easily the most magnificent music I've ever, ever heard is that mournful, harmonic a capella chorus singing a masterfully arranged extract from the Requiem Mass. Not that I actually listen to it that often - if I want to hear those lyrics, I want to hear them in Libera Me From Hell. That said, pretty much anything from the Requiem Mass, or Latin at all actually, is a pretty good shot. As though it needed to be said, I'm a pretty big Death Note fan. In addition - whatever piece they played during the funeral in FMA. I've only seen the anime once, but do I ever remember that tune.

[Fan]

Proly already been suggested, but the heavy metal version of Omnishred done by Powerglove is pretty awesome.

[Morty]

Most themes from Planescape: Torment are absolutely great, especially Deionarra's theme.

[Aotrs Commander]

I should preface this by saying that 95% of my music collection is literally just themes and background from video games, movies and TV shows. So I hope you'll forgive expanding to those ranges...



It's not a movie or a TV show, but I think my absolute favourite set of theme music has to go to Star Fleet (Star Fleet X-Bomber to you in the states) as scored by Paul Bliss. Especially the closing theme (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=TgxQsM7xSSo). The score of that show has been rolling around in my head for the last , what 22 years...

Closely followed, I think, for many years by Transformer's the Movie's The Touch (Stan Bush).

More recently, anime has been getting a strong look in (again, not movies as such, but in particular Naruto's Strong and Strike, Pokemon's Pokemon Battlefield (from Generation 1 and the better version in the anime) and several of the themes in Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha.)

Honourable mentions all round of course to the Lord of the Rings trilogy score (and the BBC radio show's version as well), Pirates of the Carribiean, Star Wars and the Final Fantasy and Command & Conquer franchises (and come to that Universe at War which was by the same compuser of much of the latter) whose contributions are too numerous to mention individually.

(Though oddly, I think my favourite FF battle theme was VIII's odd considering it was the least good of the series I've played).

[Haven]

The Chrono Trigger soundtrack. Especially "Determination", the song that plays whenever they resolve to screw destiny.

"Dah dah dah dah dah dah dah! Dahdahdahdah dah dah dahdahdah! (Dah dah dah)!"

[kopout]

There are a lot of good ones on hear.
some that haven't been added yet:
that song from the end of beyond good and evil, or any song from that game (I was going to post a link but my sound card doesn't work and i might get the wrong song )

[pendell]

Wing Commander : Prophecy has an orchestral track and a heavy metal soundtrack (available in the simulator missions or with the cheat code 'alswantsmoretunes'). The orchestral track was ... adequate.

The metal soundtrack by Cobalt60 -- WAS AWESOME!

What about the end credits for Metal Gear Solid 3?

Respectfully,

Brian P.

[Oregano]

Most of the good ones have been mentioned but let me add The Last Remnant, the music is just superb(I don't know the names of the specific pieces). The battle music is the best, especially when it switches into pure epicness.

[pendell]

Star Trek Movie music. My favorite is The TMP score (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AiSbxZYViE) Not as epic as it used to be because used so often -- but it was used so often because it was that good.

Respectfully,

Brian P.

[Cpt. Soup]

So many good music bits for games all over! How can one pick!? After careful review someones already made mention to Medieval Total War, sigh. but now I shall pollute your minds with something completely the reverse of all currently mentioned if not all following tunes. Behold! The Sims 2 sound track! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBtrEhru3ZQ&)

In addition I will rob another of the pleasure of mentioning Team Fortress 2's main theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qV9rjUzapsI). Nahha!

As for movies I have Terry Gilliam's trilogy of dreamers. Time Bandits main theme(which I was unable to locate), Brazil's... Brazil (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4yWkBenRsU&) and The Adventures of Baron Munchausen's Munchausen Waltz! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DdfWyWIFqM) (about 1:15 into it.)

[Fifty-Eyed Fred]

People have already given all my serious ones, apart from Requiem for a Dream (no doubt you'll know Lux Aeterna already, so many things use it).

Thus I present Huntik (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_g0lRGKnUY&).

[Athaniar]

I have no real favorite, but I do like the Imperial March, and other Star Wars music. And the theme to Il Buono, Il Brutto, Il Cattivo is a classic.

Oh, and for video game with the best songs, I nominate Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

[Tengu_temp]

All of the songs from Shadow of the Colossus, here is a good example (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5CbzA86MXg), I'd skip to about 1:40 in that one though.


My favorite SotC song is The Opened Way (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=R3PRXFLJYcw). It really makes you feel the mass and power of the opponent you're facing.

Seconding Frog's Theme (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=caRKvQAyU7M) from Chrono Trigger - kickass theme even by the standards of a game with already kickass music. The title song (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=JDGVZUaCLFE) is pretty epic too.

Flight (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=4GvpjwTM8p0) from Xenogears.

Pierce the Heavens with your XXX (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=rJZelRyFl7U) from Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann.

The Sun Rises (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=5zrJY_-pIqw) from Okami.

That's it for now. I'll post more examples, including music from SRW, later. Unless Nerdo does it first.

[An Enemy Spy]

How has no one mentioned Finish the Fight yet. My friend knows Martin O'Donnell and Martin thinks I am a goofball.

[Nerd-o-rama]

That's it for now. I'll post more examples, including music from SRW, later. Unless Nerdo doTROMBE! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ot-0-KyPd0Y)

Fixed that for you.

The cool songs in SRW would take too long to list, really. I'd rather make Tengu do all the work.

I'm also a fan of songs from Persona 3, especially the different (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afTT1USIFXA) boss (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIn7yWzwCeo) themes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDv5xhqq7Iw). The final boss theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdMhTL5bZrs) is particularly epic.

[UltraDude]

The Battle for Everyone's Souls (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdMhTL5bZrs) is now playing in your head. Or in your browser if you clicked my link.

More Matrix OST (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOtoIBrBAYE)

The Morning Fog's Wave (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=fgsopPGpNx8) from Shenmue.

Nyan Nyan Sevice Medley (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=5H1yTmrrAFs). Macross Frontier OST. A decent portion of the OST's vocal tracks in one medley, with two great performers. The only thing that makes it better is all the asskicking going on when it plays in the show itself.

The Legend of Zero (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=WuNVe_iJYlo) from Gundam Wing. So much nostalgia... (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=WRPXmxX-hLY&feature=related)

Someone already mentioned SRW, so I'll throw in a few personal faves before anyone else snatches them away from me >_<
Marionette Messiah (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=YH33WbXmUoo&feature=related)
Beowulf (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=6cVAAhTsxIE&feature=related)
I am Invincible! (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=k0S8ZeRJ5k8&feature=related)
TROMBE OVERRIDES YOUR LINKS (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ot-0-KyPd0Y&feature=related)

EDIT: NINJA'D! ON TWO SONGS! Your Trombe has overridden mine.

[Oregano]

How has no one mentioned Finish the Fight yet. My friend knows Martin O'Donnell and Martin thinks I am a goofball.

In that vein, Blow Me Away by Breaking Benjamin, best part of Halo 2.

[RightHandless]

Ozar Midrashim - Information Society, as heard here (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=wroUC4Zi_i8) in the opening cinematic of Legacy of Kain: Defiance.

The entire soundtrack is filled with other utterly brilliant and evocative songs, all of which will immerse you utterly in the exquisite, gothic world of Nosgoth.

Also. The voice actors. Their voices. I want to have sex with them.

[memnarch]

Most of the Chrono Trigger and Chrono Cross music.

Warlock's Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaK3WZg16-o) and Time's Scar (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J46RY4PU8a8) are some of the best ones on the disks in my opinion.

[Tengu_temp]

Most epic SRW song. (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsTvThYgfwQ)

[Nerd-o-rama]

Most epic SRW song. (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsTvThYgfwQ)I still prefer GONG (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epALdu0bdVo)

They both win, though.

[Tengu_temp]

Does GONG appear in version with lyrics, though? I like it more than Hagane no Messiah but I haven't heard it the way it appears in Alpha 3, just JAM Project's original version.

[Nerd-o-rama]

It appears with lyrics as Alpha 3's theme song, and without lyrics as Alpha 3's last mission's background music, like most SRW theme tunes.

Major spoilers if you can figure out what's going on. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKSD8LUuOiM) GONG kicks in around 0:57.

[Tengu_temp]

Dood, I don't even know who half of these people are... need to read more TV Tropes.

Anyway. I like GONG better, but Hagane no Messiah is more epic.

[Terraoblivion]

Good work. I was afraid that i had to be disappointed in the two of you for not posting GONG. I am sure that everyone who knows SRW knew it was bound to come sooner or later.

[UltraDude]

Soooo... anyone here know a place with better script translations for Japanese only SRWs aside from GameFAQs? I would like to have a script to read while playing. Heck, I'm lucky if there's a menu translation patch for something...

At this rate I'm gonna have to learn to read Japanese just to play SRW. Stupid Mother 3 and crap like that get fan translations for the whole script...

Anyways, more muzak.

Morrowind Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWuNf4gxwuM)

[Satyr]

Movies:

"Extacy of Gold" from "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" by Ennnio Morricone. He is the unachieved Grandmaster of movie music, everyone else is only second tier in comparison.

The Godfather theme by Nino Rota.

"Also sprach Zarathustra" from 2001. I am surprised that this haven't been mentioned earlier.

"Lux Aetarna", also from 2001, by György Ligeti. Absolutely eery. Cubric had a good hand for chosing the soundtracks to his movies.

"Requiem for a Dream" by Clint Mansell. Before it got butchered too often.

"Das Boot" by Klaus Doldinger.

"Das Parfum" by Reinhold Heil and Johnny Klimek.

[Fri]

I'm a huge fans of western. People here had posted sergio leonne's ecstasy of gold, so I'll give the link to elmer berenstein's magnificent seven. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iteRKvRKFA&feature=related)

Epic.

And since ultradude there had done my job as a macross fan to link macross frontier's epic soundtrack (though as 'epic song' I prefer the instrumental Big Boys (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyRjY1a_7ps) and Private Army (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRRE5GnGxkE)) , I'll just link you guys to the other object of my fanboyism. Kaijura yuki.

My personal favourite are El Cazador (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYClczW3nIo) from the spaghetti western-ish El Cazador de la Bruja.

And of course, canta per me (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9pfSx6AjOE&feature=related).

You guys had mentioned most of my favourite, like duel of the fates and matrix' main soundtrack. Other than that I also like Pirates of the Carribean's He's a Pirate (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L063UP33nCM) And the very lifting and making me want to go adventuring Indiana Jones Theme (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xyo9xrd03jA)

Edit: It seems that I previously link the wrong song for the epic el cazador de la bruja song. link fixed.

[Dhavaer]

I agree with whoever said the Deus Ex theme. I think my favourite song from Mass Effect isn't on the soundtrack, it's the one that plays when you go to rescue Tali.

[Fri]

Eh, I forgot to add most LOTR music, especially the main theme and Rohan's theme.

[Prustan]

Many that others have said before - One Winged Angel, Halo theme, Deus Ex theme, Pirates of the Carribean, LotR, Kingdom Hearts 2 theme.

Others that haven't been mentioned - Simple and Clean by Utada Hikaru, from Kingdom Hearts 1
Navras from Matrix Revolutions
Rather like the opening theme from Ranma 1/2 Season 1
Song playing during the final battle with Beryl (Sailor Moon)
Song playing during large battle with Dark Moon Clan (also Sailor Moon)

Probably others I can't think of, pretty sure some of the themes from Bleach, Naruto and Full Metal Alchemist have been good.

[Fri]

is this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Htli7MvJyTQ&feature=related) the greatest rendition of magnificent seven theme or the most greatest rendition of magnificent seven theme?

[Gaelbert]

The music playing in Wanted when he
breaks into the Fraternity's fortress with the explosive rats. When he actually goes inside the building with the wreckage still in the air, two electric guitars start blazing, and it just gets better from there.

[Fin]

Easy, the final song on "The one" with Jet Li, it's by Papa Roach.

*droolage* God it was good.

Anyone know the name?

The song is called 'Last resort'

I also like all the music from the ol' classic video game, Crazy Taxi!

[Mikeavelli]

America, **** Yeah. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWS-FoXbjVI)

The entire soundtrack of Team America: World Police is epic, but that one wins.

[Rutskarn]

You are kidding me.

Nobody has said Still Alive from Portal yet?

That...I...

Something is seriously wrong with the universe, and I won't rest until I find out what.

[Bergett]

It took them long enough to mention LOTR

*Cough* Doctor Horrible's Sing Along Blog *cough*

[Rutskarn]

Yeah, those too.

\/ All depends on your definition of "epic".

[kpenguin]

You are kidding me.

Nobody has said Still Alive from Portal yet?

That...I...

Something is seriously wrong with the universe, and I won't rest until I find out what.

I wouldn't call Still Alive epic.

Creepy? Yes. Entertaining? Yes. Catchy as Hell? Yes. Epic? Naaaah.

[Remmirath]

I've always liked the music for the whole Baldur's Gate series, but especially the first one and Throne of Bhaal. Also Icewind Dale, particularly in Lower Dorn's Deep.

Movies? I can't really think of anything that hasn't already been mentioned.

[H. Zee]

Most epic song ever: "Clubbed to Death," (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=_YCGtT_FRYg)by Rob Dougan, for The Matrix.

The Matrix appears to be good at this.

[Berserk Monk]

SotC (http://www.vgmusic.com/music/console/sony/ps2/shadow_colossus.mid)
OoT (http://www.vgmusic.com/music/console/nintendo/n64/z64gerudo.mid)

That's all I can think of. I don't play many video games.

As for movies:
RfaD (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKLpJtvzlEI)
Most of the LotR soundtrack is good too.