Control - Take Control | Reacting To Video Game Music!

[@celadore]

Old Gods of Asgard are a fictional band within the games Remedy makes (Control, Alan Wake, etc). The actual band is called Poets of the Fall. None of the rest of the soundtrack sounds like this. The song plays during the major action setpiece of the game and in the game it actually switches out different parts of the song dynamically with the gameplay.

[@hyperpixel4525]

They did Children of the Elder God, the 80s song from Alan Wake.

[@NoctisZeroWorld]

You have "my Dark disquiet" in the game, still.

[@SapphireDragon357]

Even better that the music (as with most music in Remedy games) is diagetic. The main character (also named Jesse) puts on headphones and listens to this song in the game during the whole sequence. At the end, she takes them off and even comments "That was awesome."

[@MD27024]

@@NoctisZeroWorld it is more like an easter eggs for most curious ones

[@Gnomageddon]

@SapphireDragon357 going back to 2010 with Alan Wake, Barry does the same thing after thier big fight against the dark sades.

[@TIkTakz96]

You NEED to see this song in-game. It’s a musical sequence that’s pulled of so well. It dynamically changes depending on the gameplay going on at the time.

[@sippy1sippy]

@Lind Morn Thirded, if I'm not wrong this isn't even the whole song, some verses can only be heard ingame if you play through the maze a certain way.

[@aespadalendaria]

The aplication of this song make no sanse! It's awesome! The looping, the time... It's fuck*ng fantastic and genius!

[@daddynitro199]

I was a little crispy the first time I got to the Ashtray Maze. It was ridiculous.

[@TomBombadil89]

Ashtray Maze is one of the best things in any video game

[@ValiantCrusader]

The best part of this song/sequence in the game was Jesse's reaction at the end.

[@IBAGGaming]

The song basically tells the entire story of the game, god damn I love Poets of the Fall so much. They cared so much about the game that Remedy were making that they learned the story to properly write lyrics, include game sounds of the Hiss speaking in the song and those last moments of "Take Control" going to "I Control" - I love everything about this. Can't help but sing it every time.

[@TheAlpha486]

Hearing this in game for the first time was definitely an experience. This song plays during one of the final action set-pieces in the game, called the Ashtray Maze. I definitely recommend looking up that level if you're interested. Its a visual and audio spectacle throughout the whole level

[@strawberrygemz2020]

Secondedddddd

[@No_Named_Nobody]

I actually don’t recommend looking it up. I think it’s best playing through it.

[@Attaxalotl]

The song is by the in-universe band Old Gods of Asgard, played by the real life band Poets of the Fall. In the context of the game, it's a gift from your boss, the supernaturally Finnish janitor/probable sea god Ahti so you can get through a magic maze in an ashtray and turn off a slide projector that's letting sound zombies into your reality.

[@markcarpenter6020]

And to anyone who hasn't played the game that sounds like the ravings of a mad man

[@Attaxalotl]

@@markcarpenter6020 Probably, yeah.

[@Mrinsecure]

It's hard to explain how out-of-place this song is, compared to the rest of Control. For context: Control is a game about a woman who seeks out the secretive Federal Bureau of Control, an SCP Foundation-style agency dedicated to containing and studying supernatural phenomena, in order to track down her long-lost brother. The environments are largely styled after 1950s and 60s office buildings with a touch of the paranormal, while the music is largely synthetic and oddly atonal, all intended to make the FBC's headquarters seem even more off-kilter. The two primary exceptions to Control's usual musical "style" (or lack thereof) are songs you've now already heard: Take Control, which plays during the game's biggest set piece, and Sankarin Tango, which is heard on radios throughout the complex. Everything else is... well, not particularly pleasant to listen to, on purpose.

[@writershard5065]

You have to also remember: Control is actually set in the current day. Smart phones and smart watches exist. The people outside live the same lives as us. However, digital technology is super vulnerable to paranatural phenomena, so the FBC is forced to stick to analog tech from the 60s and such. I feel like this is why the music you find playing in the world has so much synth and electronic sounds. It's an escape for their employees to feel a bit of the modern world in their lives.

[@EternalDensity]

ah but there's also My Dark Disquiet in Lab 1. By Poets of the Fall.

[@AggieNC]

I really like your analysis of this song. I am not musically inclined or knowledgeable. So I really loved hearing your comments on the techniques used throughout. Thank you

[@soundofnellody262]

amazing game, amazing song. When you played the game and know about the story and then listen to the lyrics .. I get goosebumps every time

[@dingbatfpv]

Alan Wake 2 has a few more BANGERS by "old gods of asgard" aka Poets of the Fall. Equally insane game sections to match up with them. I think this song hits me harder personally, but the Alan Wake ones are incredible both musically and with their presentation in game. Cool to see how your expectations were kind of subverted by this track as well lol

[@captaincasterroth9193]

The real life band Poets of the Fall, have yet to release a mediocre or bad song, in my opinion at least. Same for the game bands.

[@idesofmars]

is it anything like this stuff? lots of guitar work and solos?

[@penyuwan]

@@idesofmars their new album ghostlight has lot of mini solos and long solos as well very 80s.

[@idesofmars]

@@penyuwan right on I’ll check that out cheers

[@eduardo3652]

The band name in real life is Poets of the Fall. They're from Finland, and are friends with the game developer Remedy Entertainment.

[@BrawntanamoBae]

I’m glad I heard this song for the first time in the game. One of my favorite gaming moments.

[@PeTTs0n88]

Alright, I think it's time. I think it's time for you to check out the Herald of Darkness. The Old Gods of Asgard did it again, and then some. ^^ Just like with Take Control it comes to a new light ingame, but it's a track worth checking out on its own too, especially with the official music video out. I... think it's pretty safe to say you'll find it interesting. ^^

[@zee4you]

I LOVE this game!!! This song was perfect and came right out of left field! Can't listen to it enough ❤️ thank you for your review!

[@thenonexistinghero]

This song takes place near the end of the game is is also one of the most crazy and epic parts of the game. It's a bit scripted, but a lot of fun to go through. Definitely the best track in the game. Thematically it fits with the game as well. It's all about taking control of an uncontrollable situation and eventually succeeding and being the one who controls.

[@PapaMidnite__]

This section was such a refreshing moment for the game😭

[@rf_switch]

Really enjoy your reactions!

[@SMAAMB]

The band is called "Poets of the Fall"

[@juliettev.6309]

I'm glad you enjoyed this song, I LOVE Poets of The Fall, they're one of my fav bands. If you liked this one, I definitely recommend you listen to some other songs of theirs (most of them aren't vgm, only the ones labeled under "Old Gods of Asgard", so you should be good). I personnally would recommend Locking Up the Sun, My Dark Disquiet and The Sweet Escape (especially the "Alexander Theatre Sessions" acoustic version)!

[@alessiostarnini14]

God that solo goes hard eh? The guitar that basically did the air siren was great (ps real band is called poets of the fall they did control and alan wake songs i belive)

[@simochilo]

With Alan Wake 2 this band has released antoher banger called "Dark Ocean Summoning"!

[@danaos4120]

Game is a masterpiece. Nothing comes close.

[@JnEricsonx]

Happy I met the cast-albeit a year before the game came out.

[@jonnekallu1627]

I don't know why but whenever Poets Of The fall do Old Gods of Åsgard they remind me of Blue Öyster Cult.

[@hotlinechernobyl5157]

Well now you have to do "Children of the Elder Gods" by the same fictional band but for a different game, Alan Wake. They also have "Poet and his Muse" for something a little slower.

[@BigFry9591]

"Children of the Elder God" "The Poet and the Muse"

[@johnnychopsocky]

Don't forget 'Balance Slays The Demon'

[@mushinbujin]

Oh, I don't need to imagine hearing it for the first time because I did experience it in-game. It was awesome with all the trippy morphing architecture reminiscent of a certain OpArt artist whose name escapes me. Still, it didn't hit me quite as hard as the music scenes in Alan Wake 2. I'm sure you've heard about those by now.

[@jiilaa_with_randomness]

Evergrey, Steve Vai, PInk Floyd, in those guitar solos. GOOD DAMN! \,,/ Good stuff for yer Pony Walkman!

[@night1952]

Just listening to this song is a disservice, this song is to be played, best level in the game and one of the best ever.

[@penyuwan]

Now you have to listen to Old God of Asgard - Balance Slays the Demon from Remedy's game Alan Wake American Nightmare very 80s synth Rock.

[@Thiiisone]

Cool man

[@thomasschafer5939]

Nothing to see here, just the Poets being the Poets^^ (of the Fall)

[@yellowwish8136]

It's the game version of poets of the fall

[@ttopi]

There's a hidden message if you play this song backwards 😀

[@exceedcharge1]

For context, in universe this song was recorded 20+ years before the start of the game but the lyrics tell the story of the entire game or the main character in general

[@strawberrygemz2020]

Further context, the game's plot revolves around paranormal/multidimensional stuff. Very much SCP: Containment Breach vibes (so like urban legends in real life type stuff)

[@EmeraldEmsiron]

​@polybius-jy5rc not quite, this universe has a lot of in-universe control of narrative, like how jesse calling the hiss the hiss causes it to be called the his in all documents. especially since this was ahti's music player, there could be a strange nonlinear timeline

[@ninboy01]

@@EmeraldEmsiron With further context with Alan Wake, if the Old God's wrote the songs at their home in Bright Falls, near Cauldron Lake, their music not only has power, but would be affected by the Dark Places non-linear time. But they didn't effect the events of Ordinary's AWE, they just used their paranatural ability to "see" those events and used them as inspiration for their art.

[@KuthGoblin]

@@strawberrygemz2020 if scp foundation had sense of style

[@JnEricsonx]

@@strawberrygemz2020 SCP would be asking for Jesse's help.

[@CeliriaRose]

Large post incoming The band behind this is called Poets of the Fall. They actually have a history of working with Remedy having been involved in the games Max Payne 2, Death Rally, Alan Wake, Alan Wake American Nightmare, Control, and most likely they will be in Alan Wake 2. Over the course of these games they've performed songs both as the in game band Old Gods of Asgard as well as having several of their own songs featured. For the in game ones the songs are: -Poet and the Muse (Alan Wake) -Children of the Elder God (Alan Wake) -Balance Slays the Demon (Alan Wake American Nightmare) -The Happy Song (Alan Wake American Nightmare) *extra note this one is more of a gag song -Take Control (Control) Meanwhile their songs that have been featured are: -Late Goodbye (this was actually their debut single and was written in combination with Sam Lake the creative director and lead writer for Remedy) -War (their official music video for this song heavily references Alan Wake) -Can You Hear Me -My Dark Disquiet (again the official music video heavily references the game it was featured in this time Control) As a final pair of bonus notes their song The Labyrinth was supposed to be used in the game Quantum Break but didn't make it in due to contractual issues. Also this is a great article from PCgamer talking with both Sam Lake and lead singer Marko Saaresto about the story behind Late Goodbye. www.pcgamer.com/the-story-behind-late-goodbye-the-song-that-defined-max-payne-2/ As a final point I would heavily recommend Poets of the Fall as a band just in general. They've released 8 albums with their 9th coming out at the end of April and are one of the most consistently amazing bands ever (at least in my opinion).

[@idesofmars]

i was reading that their Poets of the Fall stuff is nothing like this tho. is that true? because im in it for those killer guitar solos

[@Darkclaw00]

@@idesofmars Dude, you really should listen to Carnival of Rust, another great song of Poets of the Fall. In my view, they are the same calliber as Dream Theater.

[@idesofmars]

@@Darkclaw00 i just listened to it. Not a bad song at all, but I’m a guitar solo nerd and that song didn’t really have one. I know what this band is capable of so it’s disappointing when they don’t do it.

[@PhazonInfuser]

I became SO obsessed with this song after playing Control. But the full awesomeness can't be experienced until you actually play the game and experience this song during the now infamous "Ashtray Maze" segment. One of the greatest gaming moments ever.

[@Dave_ja_vu]

The ashtray maze needs to be experienced.

[@JessesAuditorium]

Song mentioned in this video; Metallica - Breadfan kzbin.info/www/bejne/nWOYiGOgnb5pqcU

[@МаксимТанунин-ц6й]

*Video starts* -"Hello, my name is Jesse..." *My mind blowing. Another song from this game starts* And she walked in looking like dynamite She said now come along boogaloo through the night And by the way she's moving well Dynamite might she not with all she's got she's got the whole town lighting up dynamite Nobody quite knowing what to do Wrong or right But they all know Jesse is Dynamite They're right. XD

[@mr.radovic702]

Yooo

[@kevinprzy4539]

Dr Darling is a G

[@camilamazzuchell4198]

Old Gods of Asgard is a fictional band played by the awesome Poets of the Fall - which is explained better by their apparition in Alan Wake (also, the song they play for that game, The Poet and The Muse is so great, you should listen to it too!), Basically, in that world, artists, be it writers, singers, painters, etc, could create things in real life, changing reality, be it bad or good. They created something by that song, The Poet and The Muse, that is happening in Alan Wake. By this song, Take Control, they're also alfecting reality in the game Control, the same way they affected the reality in Alan Wake. I guess that's why they're also using the fictional band name here, actually giving enphasis in this section and in others that is The Old Gods of Asgard (and not the Poets of The Fall, because the actual Poets of the Fall does show up in another little corner of the game). This song is just great, everything is great here!

[@MrSpannners]

The song is good, but what makes it amazing is the sequence you hear it in the game. They work perfectly together. People have some gripes about Control, but I thought is was such a good game.

[@Mance1680]

Max0r's (incorrect) review of the game almost has him shoot the game down and not recommend it, but then he suddenly turns it around and states the Maze and this song makes it all worth it

[@Vulkans]

Poets of the Fall- lots of new fans coming in from Control, some older ones remember them from their equally cool single in Alan Wake, the ol' dogs remember them from Max Payne 1/2, and pretty much all of Finland knowing them from before that for their full length albums. All great songs in those games, but by gosh if there's a song by them I adore, it's the blues-y "Grinder's Blues" from the little known game Rochard. As an aside, the band's keyboardist Markus Kaarlonen was a big name back in the Amiga modtracker days, ask any of us old Amiga fans what their favorite mod was and I bet a bunch of them will answer with Kaarlonen's "Space Debris".

[@giodc8599]

Song is bomb but it's not the same thing without its true context, which is the Ashtray Maze. In an already batshit crazy game you end up in a very tricky spot, after borrowing a music player off a janitor and this song comes on. You really need to experience one of the most amazing moments in gaming history to appreciate this. IOh, by the way, Jesse like our beloved director/owner.

[@BigFry9591]

As has been said, the band that did this song is Poets of the Fall. They play as the fictional band Old Gods of Asgard. They're my favorite band of all time, and can do so many different sounds, it's insane. Many of their albums are different, each giving off different feels/vibes. They don't usually make music like this, but when they do, they absolutely nail it!

[@idesofmars]

they dont normally do guitar solos like this?

[@BigFry9591]

@@idesofmars They used to, but a lot of their more recent music doesn't go hard. It's pretty soft compared to their older stuff. Their older stuff isn't as hard as this track (especially considering that this was made specifically for a game), but it's definitely harder than their newer stuff.

[@idesofmars]

@@BigFry9591 so if I’m looking for guitar work/solos I should listen to their older stuff?

[@BigFry9591]

@@idesofmars Oh yeah, big time. They have a nice mix of music in their older albums, and definitely more guitar heavy stuff. I'd say that their heaviest album is Revolution Roulette. I highly recommend their song Rogue. It's off of their Jealous Gods album. It's their only song with no vocals. It's pretty much guitar work. It's so gooooood.

[@idesofmars]

@@BigFry9591 ohhhh man. Guess what I’m doing today. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction friend.

[@UnfortunateWatcher]

If you want to better experience this song, watch Maxor’s review of Control.

[@NickAltema]

There are some cool riffs of the full song that didn't make it on the official version. You see, this song was composed based on your players location and actions in a certain part of the game. For example, some of those riffs would go on a loop once you finish a fight, a moment of respite without loosing its temper to prepare you for the incoming next battle, in which it goes hard again with the vocals joining in. You should watch how's the full experience with all the guitar segments if you do not mind spoilers or do not plan on playing it. The section is called "Ashtray maze". Be weary because there are some videos on yt where the player is going too quickly and missing parts of the song.

[@arathain2]

Speaking of going off on this game, it is fantastic. 3rd person shooter haunted house thriller mystery set in a fictional US federal bureaucracy tasked with managing the supernatural. Very weird, and revels in its strangeness. You play a young woman who walks in off the street looking for her long lost brother. 10 minutes later, you're promoted from nobody to agency director, and have to rescue the building from a mysterious invading force possessing most of the staff. Action! Strange occurrences! Brutalist architecture! Strange enemies and stranger allies! This has all that and more. Great writing, amazing world art and world design. Highly recommended. Be sure to leave a good review for the motel, it really helps out... somebody.

[@BigFry9591]

Are you interested in the lead guitarist for this band? I personally think he's incredible, and yeah, he's someone who knows what he's doing. He does have a single. Just one song (that I know of) under his name. Just look up "Ollie T - Firefly" on KZbin and you'll find it easily. Personally, I think he made the song because the band turned from a more hard rock feel and having guitar solos, into just having a more toned down alt-rock feel with less electric guitar. And I think he just wanted to put his guitar skill on display. That's just what I believe, though. I don't actually know the true meaning behind the song.

[@Hawk_of_Battle]

This song is great on its own, but it's probably one of the best examples of how something can only work as well as it does due to the medium it's played in. It's so out of contrast to all of the games other music, that you've spent the last few dozen hours hearing as you progress, slowly growing accustomed to all the bizarre things you've encountered in the world thus far, slowly growing in power as you master new abilities and weapons like telekinesis, air-dashing, mind control and levitation but still often being overwhelmed and never quite "in control" of each battle, to suddenly getting to the point where this song plays, in-universe for your character, as you absolutely slaughter your way through an ever-shifting, unnavigable maze as this song dynamically shifts with the environment around you and responds to your actions as you progress. It's the absolute culmination of your journey and it's an utter spectacle that only works in a videogame. You HAVE to play this game yourself and immerse yourself in its story for it to pay off as well as it does.

[@velosiped135]

Essentially this song comes out of nowhere in a sequence that is basically one of the most memorable in modern gaming. To those that have played it, you only need two words, "ashtray maze." For a few minutes things become bat$#it crazy and when it pops off, few games will have the player feeling as OP as this.

[@left4deadfreak]

Control has easily become one of my favorite games. I heard this song for the first time during the game and it was even better than you can imagine

[@Air-ts7cu]

Bro, please do Dark Ocean Summoning. It's from the new game that also has this band.

[@DragonSoul621]

I wasnt a huge fan of the game, but im glad i stayed with the game long enough to get to the ashtray maze, and my god that has to be one of my favorite action setpieces in any game or media that i have ever experienced.

[@KitariItsSomethingRottenHere]

*With this and "Herald of Darkness" and basically all his work it's time for Olli Tukiainen to be included in every Best Guitarists Conversation. POTF is an Indie Band and has been for the two decades the band has been in existence so of course that hasn't help for him to get known.*

[@devvilboyy676767]

The 1st time I heard it in the game I stopped playing and grooved. It's so good I literally stopped playing to find out more about them

[@SeanVito]

I get put into a dreamy state much like when listening to Pink Floyd when that bridge-to-solo happens. This song is epic!

[@zeldacrafter4578]

never seen this youtuber before as soon as he said his name is Jesse I started snickering edit: no way he also has a song name polaris what

[@trancers3]

Remedy who made This Control game just released Alan wake 2 game and they just released Old Gods of Asgard - Herald of Darkness (Alan Wake 2 | Official Music Video)

[@JnEricsonx]

RIP James McCaffrey, so happy I met him some years ago.

[@valeryvolk3917]

hearing that first time via playing was indeed one of the best gaming moments I and many other people ever had. moreover, this song contains a hidden easter egg. If you are able to solve this puzzle, you can find a secret space in a secret room within a game. so this is an egg inside the egg. Of course today you can simply google the answer. But these gamers, who by themself suspected there was something wrong with this song, and decided to check a few hypotheses about it... I would be blown away by the outcome, because you usually don't expect a song to guide your gameplay. literally. masterpeace!

[@siddbastard]

this song is th "Key" to pas through a dimensional "lock" looking like a hotel with ever-shifting wall where you blast enemies left and right. you TAKE CONTROL, you won't take anybody's shit anymore. this sequence is trippy, violent, powerful and basically the moment Jesse, our heroine, is coming to term with her role of Director and taking control over her destiny, power, and new job as a Janitor. (the Director of the Federal Bureau of Control is the janitor assistant) it's an absolutely insane sequence.

[@Darkclaw00]

@siddbastard Janitor's Assistant, the real Janitor is Ahti (who is a creation of Alan Wake btw). The Janitor is an entity that fights chaos and as a Director of the FBC, you are assisting him. And as Ahti has a good sense of humor and is a pretty awesome guy in general, he litteraly made you his Assistant. So wear the job title "Janitor's Assistant" with pride.

[@RIDDICK0911]

"Sounds like it was recorder in 2000s" Haha, that's Poets of the Fall for ya. They're indie Nickelback, in a possitive way.

[@chrismaverick9828]

You can hear a lot of Iron Maiden style pacing in this. Having loved Poets of the Fall for a long time, nothing they do musically surprises me any more. They are SO solid in their ability to make music.

[@sofajockeyUK]

Such a joyful section to play. As good as gaming gets...

[@JnEricsonx]

More so when you're playing through and like, "SO, I've met all these wonderful people."

[@josephmiller4374]

@5:20 my exact reaction in game

[@zacharyhouse7344]

This plays in what's known as the ashtray maze and that whole sequence is a-maze-ing. XD

[@Sekainoowaride]

Old God's of Asgard, yeah.

[@DarekKozbur]

Yo I love you man. It's soooo cool to watch a guuitarist hear this band and comment on these amazing guitar parts, as I myself play guitar. I hope you react to some more Poets of the Fall in the future (Old Gods is their name in game)

[@markcarpenter6020]

When you finish the game you realize how incredible the lyrics are. The song actually tells you everything that goes on in the game.

[@sterben96]

This song itself its just amazing and in mid games its just amazing and by the way the band that made the song is called Poets of the Fall a Finnish band. But in the game theres a fake band called Old Gods of Asagrd. In mid game that song appears in a Maze witch is a very surreal its just amazing. The game is called Control.

[@IotaOmicron825]

YES, I've always thought that underneath the vocals, this has the structure and sound of an early Metallica track. Maybe some youtuber on here will make an AI thing for it

[@PieroMinayaRojas]

Yeah it kinda gave me Metallica vibes too

[@sithlord1782]

Have you played the game? You kinda have to the maun character's name is Jesse

[@tavastian3288]

You gotta listen the Herald of Darkness and Dark Ocean Summoning from them

[@brotheralaric7177]

the song is basicly a message adressed to the character we play in the game. it play at a critical moment , also polarisi something like a godlike entity in the game .

[@droid7627]

Jesse take control of Jesse in control

[@agentwash1]

One of my favourite things about this game is how triumphant it feels at then end

[@No_Named_Nobody]

Anyone who hasn’t needs to play this game.

[@anthonyspearman3656]

I can't believe YT didn't notify me you posted this on my birthday! When I got to the part of Control where this song plays, I was blown away. I wanted to stay in the segment forever so I could just jam. Such a great song! Also, you are literally the only other person I've ever heard talk about Metallica's Breadfan cover. What a world.

[@perahoky]

POETS OF THE FALL FTW !

[@xerayer]

Great song and great reaction! You should react to Star-lord - zero to hero from Guardians of the galaxy game if you haven't already

[@gigaganon]

oh that makes me think, someone need to recommend the starlords tracks from guardian of the galaxy!

[@ModoTronic666]

First time listening. It's a little annoying when you're saying things and little comments every 20 seconds over the music. It's my first time hearing it and I'd rather you save every comment for a pause I'm the music.

[@KAKELLA_]

Poets of the Fall one of 3 my love music band (Linkin Park, Dope, Poets of the Fall).

[@irinakairatovna2241]

xhsolj kzbin.info/aero/PLatBUqXIPJGg77ODNDckYbK6hiRP-ERW8