Joel Nielsen Xen Soundtrack 13 Ascension (v2)

[@darkstormgts-5449]

To me, this entire sequence was when Gordon officially became "The Freeman" in the eyes of the Vorts.

[@zedrising9430]

This is the moment Gordon became Heisenberg.

[@spicec3613]

Zed Rising Gerden u must retreeve methlymeme from xen

[@TheExperienceYT]

@@zedrising9430 Barney where is cocaine. In alien mr freeman. *Gordon freeman fucking dies*

[@Tenorite77]

yea and in hl2 they saw him as "the one free man" because no one was free from the combine until he had killed hundreds of cps and combine soldiers

[@kalibruhmoment3032]

Gordn Freebm

[@neonviking8447]

I just realised. The climax of this song follows the same Leitmotif as Resonance Cascade. Joel, you musical GENIUS.

[@Dallows65]

If you’re talking about what I think you are, it’s been there for a long time in other tracks. The original end soundtrack before zen was released had it, and I think one of the earliest bits of Music for the BMS soundtrack had it as well. Joel knows what he’s doing for sure!

[@user-pq9js4ty8l]

I mean, it too OTT for half life really and the rest of it before xen was awful I had to workshop it to get rid

[@bcn1gh7h4wk]

"What's he doing?" _Gordon drops the crowbar and picks up the ion cannon_ ".........he's beginning to believe."

[@Bobthesnob391]

*blue laser beams shoot from Gordon’s hands because it’s a glitch* “I AM THE FREEMAN!”

[@wallace_blackmesa_scienceteam]

​@Bobthesnob391and if it was from holly wood. I... AM FREEMAN

[@mikejustmike9995]

This theme is the difference between seeing Gordon Freeman as an exhausted theoretical physicist who's slowly losing his mind from the sheer scale of death and destruction he's seen, and as an unstoppable force of destructive power who's mad as hell and not going to take it anymore. Really explains why the Vortigaunts were so quick to assume that the Combine was screwed once he showed up.

[@mrsonicblah1]

He’s the quintessential element of pure human will, isn’t he though? Just when you think humanity has met its end, you see the light shine around a crowbar. That’s who Gordon is and that’s what he embodies.

[@TarsonTalon]

Honestly, even though I used to be a Halo fan more before it was ruined, amalgamation Gordan Freeman could win in a fight with amalgamation Master Chief. When I say amalgamation, I mean a combination of abilities from all their games. The gravity gun and exo pack would counter pretty much any equipment or ability trick Chief would have, and though the normal weapons wouldn't probably be very effective against Spartan armor, he can clean up the fight with an experimental weapon and win. Moreover, the HEV suit is no slouch, and probably has twice the shield strength of the Spartan armor, but unlike the Spartan armor cannot recharge on its own. But the fight would be long and drawn out, and the determining factor would be who runs out of trump cards first. I think it's Master Chief who will run out of counters first. Master Chief may be a master of war, but Gordan Freeman is a savant. It's more than just tactical prowess, but Gordan's ability to exploit the environment around him. Some of Master Chief's own abilities can be used against him, such as having his regeneration or bubble shield yoinked away by the Gravity Gun. Gordan's not above using mines and remote explosives to set traps for his adversaries on the fly. He's shown an incredible ability to analyze his opponents, WITHOUT the help of an AI.

[@DeltaSpark8]

Yeah, feel the sting of Defense Department funding! I don't know what this gun is, but it's VERY, VERY EXPENSIVE!

[@alfredquirinus4025]

Still thinking of how much more screwed up the combine would be if Adrian Shepard was released from stasis (say, a pipe wrench, a barnacle grapple, a teleport gun prototype, a functioning self reloading Shock Rifle and considerable military training ... make your guess, ppl!)

[@alfredquirinus4025]

@nigge r hmmm ... considering how it taps onto HEV terminals, I could risk doubting your comment ...

[@Hazen20009]

It's not an elevator music, it is elevating music.

[@ConquerHell]

Very true.

[@Kazuki-Batted]

It was so epic when i got there

[@btfo420]

nice eminem reference

[@Snark_Queen]

The greatest philosopher of the modern age

[@bprice7911]

It's not hip hop

[@doctornsilver3882]

This is so good yet bitter-sweet in two ways. In Freeman's perspective he is doing this to save the world but knows he will probably die afterwards. In our perspective we know Freeman saves the world, but only for it to be taken anyways.

[@THEFREEEMAN]

@LOAN NGUYEN i think thats what he meant by only for it to be taken anyway

[@THEFREEEMAN]

what's really sad is the fact that according to epistle 3 the combine are so unfathomably powerful that there really is no hope and we won't have a chance when they inevitably return eli vance : " it'll be the seven hour war all over again... except this time we won't last *seven* *minutes* "

[@the_furry_inside_your_walls639]

@LOAN NGUYEN I wouldn't say his efforts were entirely in vain. He managed to make one of humanity's initial enemies into their allies. I mean the vortigaunts, of course.

[@Tenorite77]

@LOAN NGUYEN zombie's can escape a quarantine zone how come gman can't escape containment

[@Tenorite77]

@LOAN NGUYEN okay that makes more sense

[@khornethebloodgod4155]

I view Gordon Freeman as the living embodiment of the Human Spirit, the will of an entire people that has been beaten, bruised, and abused by the rest of the universe, as the rest of Humanity surrendered to the Combine he alone has the strength to carry on and keep hope alive. This section is the baptism to which he ascends from a common scientist trying to survive to a messianic hero who will stop at nothing to free his people, just like he freed the Vortigaunts, just like he freed himself. The G-Man uses Alyx when he can because he is unable to truly control Gordon because he has Ascended past a mere man, He is The One True Free Man.

[@builderdude3428]

Beautiful

[@the_furry_inside_your_walls639]

And now he has to save Alyx from the Gman's clutches.

[@DuneJumper]

Now Valve just has to continue the story.

[@TheSleepster]

This is gold

[@SeldionDB]

amen

[@shingshongshamalama]

The finale of Black Mesa is not triumphant, but bitter-sweet. Perhaps even melancholy. This was never a story about saving the world. This is a story about how the world ends.

[@THEFREEEMAN]

it's literally the beginning of the end

[@ivopavlov5434]

Well, even if Gordon didn't defeat the Nihilanth, the Comine would've taken over, so you have a point, but from Gordon's point of view, he IS saving the earth. It's melancholy only because it's a suicide mission - he probably would've died if it wasn't for the G-Man.

[@ivopavlov5434]

YayDude123, Love your optimism, but the lambda scientists only care about killing Nihilanth. None of them say anything about a return journey and Gordon’s chances of survival are veery low. I think they expected him to die. ... Actually, the HEV suit is full of tracking devices...and they do send you supplies like health and ammo in capsules... You might have a point.

[@ivopavlov5434]

@YayDude123 Oh, I totally missed those lines. My little theory doesn't work then. Welp, whatever :D

[@xshullaw]

@YayDude123 In Opposing Force you see the Lambda Teleporter collapse afterwards, so he wouldn't have a return point. Also, the Nuke.

[@tpd1864blake]

This elevator ride is like a doom segment. The Nihilinth literally musters everything he can in a last ditch attempt to stop you from reaching him, and one person is able to kill his whole army of controllers. Since the vortiguants knew Gordon killed the nihilanth they probably saw this too, and this is probably the moment Gordon became the messiah to them

[@wyattbottorff2473]

I respect a messiah who has no claims to perfection, Gordon killed many of their kin which makes him imperfect... yet, still a savior.

[@sanguineaurora8765]

The one free man..

[@riezki4086]

@@wyattbottorff2473 their kin was under nihilanth controls so they can't blame for gordon action back on the earth

[@greyeagle7713]

Gordon to the Vortigaunts: "OKAY CHILDREN, CLASS IS IN SESSION!!"

[@-TheLegendHimself-]

a religion with actual proof lol

[@odessanlo2]

You can sense the fear the controllers are experiencing when Freeman ascends up the elevator and they all focus their attention on him. In the earlier chapter Lambda Core, they even go out of their way to leave their dimension just to prevent him from entering. This part in the game is when they all realise its too late and throw all the shit his way but to no avail. Also, it's really satisfying to kill these flying fuckers while they let out that god awful screech.

[@XtremePlayz01]

They even pull the elevator back down in an attempt to stop him, i mean, if that doesn't say something, then idk XD

[@MikMoen]

Welp you just opened my mind to the deeper context of things. It would make sense, the Controllers being desperate to stop Freeman at all costs.

[@yasinzeydulusoy]

Can you please link me that scene in game?

[@Merudiana-the-local-demoness]

That description actually reminds me of Doomguy

[@theharvinator7935]

Also the fact that they essentially torture the vortigaunts and turn them against you is just another reason to despise those screechy cunts

[@whynotdean8966]

The soundtrack for a fanmade remake of a game from the 90's has no right being this amazing. I find myself coming back to this song multiple times a week. Incredible work man.

[@shaan7]

If only every Remake was this good :)

[@phragrunt5680]

yea I think that in the remake the adventure is not set in the 2000s but in today's times, given the very modern style that has everything present in the game

[@davisdf3064]

​@@phragrunt5680 I dunno, they have many of those old "boxxy" computers and some very old looking servers, certainly something from early 2000. They only have more modern looking technology in the more restricted, high end parts of the facility, such in the genetic labs and the lambda complex. Wich makes sense, they could have simply developed those earlier, and then later they would be released for the market (well... If there was a market after the Black Mesa incident).

[@skittybug6937]

Hard disagree. It has every right to go as hard as it does for such a remarkable love letter to such a foundational game as Half Life.

[@rakuhn1]

Coming from an OG HL Player: I played Half Life when it was released back in '98. I waited for HL 2 to come out, and when it finally did I played the shit out of it. Then Episode 1 was released... then Episode 2 with it's horrifying and intense ending... I practically cried. I then replayed the entire game series all over in 2011 losing hope of there ever being a HL3. Then finally, on one rainy day... Crowbar Collective came through. I was informed of Black Mesa's release which I had been eagerly anticipating for years. I had to download the game in three different installments... IT WAS NOT ON STEAM AT THE TIME! The opening scene on the tram entering the Black Mesa Research Facility... with your music Joel.... WOW! I was floored by nostalgia. I was like a child again in complete AWE. I even downloaded your entire track back in 2012 and would keep it on replay while I was studying for... Y'ALL GUESSED IT! PHYSICS! Your epic music then, and your EPIC MUSIC NOW, integrating parts from your previous tracks into the finally release of XEN all these years later... my heart was racing playing this game. I could feel the intense energy when playing Ascension with your phenomenal music. My hat off to you sir. You made this old man feel young again. Thank you for your music which I find so moving. I appreciate you more than you could ever possibly imagine, AND WHAT MAKES THINGS BETTER? My soon to be 17 year old son is now a HUGE FAN of Half Life and your music... and I am so blessed that I get to share it with him. To anyone who made it to the end of this novel, I commend you for your patience, and one day just maybe one day... we can all share the amazing experience of HL 3. Although I did make my son promise me to play HL3 and pass it for me... for us... if I am no longer around to see that day. TO ALL MY FRIENDS WITH THE RESISTANCE... I SALUTE YOU! WE SALUTE JOEL!

[@TheONLYFeli0]

Amazing comment man

[@TheONLYFeli0]

this was awesome to read man, good for you

[@rakuhn1]

@@TheONLYFeli0 Thank you my friend! =)

[@stragnk1487]

"Mornin' Mr.Freeman, looks like you're running late." Because of Black Mesa, this has become one of my favorite quotes of the entire Half-Life series. It shows how such a simple concern as "running late" very quickly turns into a hellish nightmare, where Gordon Freeman can only think about surviving. Then you get to Lambda Core, which shifts the story towards telling the story of someone trying to survive, to a story of someone trying to save the world. I think this elevator segment perfectly reflects on this story line, as in the original Half-life, Xen was just another story of trying to survive against all means, where anything can kill you. This part however, isn't about survival. It resembles all of Gordon's and the Lambda Complex's efforts in the last few chapters. Instead of giving limited resources for surviving, this segment empowers you and makes you feel unstoppable, just how like how it should've been. At the credits of course, the game then lets you reflect on these 3 shifts in the story, and how long of a journey it's been from being a scientist, to basically a demi-god in a matter of 20 hours (or 2 days from Gordon's perspective). Oh, and all of this summed up by a kick-ass soundtrack, of course.

[@xshullaw]

Someone else who finds the deepest meaning in the simplest of moments. *tips hat*

[@valoch3187]

@@xshullaw Your comment gains a whole new meaning with hat that you have to carry trough BM.

[@Gordon_Freeman_PhD]

It's astonishing that Gordon managed to go 2 days without sleep the whole time. Maybe the few hours he was unconcious after Aprehension gave him some rest.

[@xshullaw]

@@Gordon_Freeman_PhD All the soda he drank along the way probably helped.

[@valoch3187]

@Mister Prae I wouldn't call Gordon "a reason". He was a puppet in hands of G-Man, being a perfectly foreseen consequence so speak.

[@ender2543]

I don't care how many people saying 80% interloper should be cut or Xen is just horrible. It is fine as it is. I don't know, everything in Blackmesa is the masterpiece to me. Both original and remake are great.

[@bobREALOG]

Interloper is definitely not my top pick but it is still fun explicitly with all the infinite ammo points

[@DARKANDGRIDDY1984]

who tf is saying that, they stupid as shit

[@a.a.l.dstudios6619]

Interloper g o o d

[@MrSolus-ls6us]

@@iamheavyweaponsguy2831 The least enjoyable chapter for me is Lambda core. Interloper was long yes but it more than made up with it in the Elevator section which is one of my favorite parts in the game. Lambda didn't do that for me.

[@bozo69420-l]

it's kinda laggy at least for my office laptop

[@mechaelite]

Man the elevator ride against those controllers whilst ascension plays on the background, added to the fact that you have unlimited gluon gun ammo, surely makes you feel like you're the messiah himself coming to liberate Xen

[@RolandVonRose]

We remember the freeman, we are coterminous! There is no distance between us. No false veils of time or space may intervene. We see you still in Black Mesa. Clearly we see you in the Nihilanth's chamber...

[@fabricando1064]

@@RolandVonRose We bear witness to the bright eternity of the Ninilanth's demise. You leap, you fall, you flash between the barriers. For a brief time, you joined us. You are one. Between the worlds...

[@Infinity-ye9my]

and then you learn it was all out of fear of a much greater force...

[@mechaelite]

@@Infinity-ye9my Well you know what they say. Divided we fall, United we stand. Soooo welcome in vortigaunts.

[@bogyma7915]

PLEASE DONT SPOILE, but yet again SURE

[@valoch3187]

That black mesa theme comeback is one of coolest things done in soundtracks ever. It is just so damn epic that as you're approaching one who made whole situation a lot worse you get reminded that there are still your friends on the earth whose life depend on your success.

[@MetalPeanut23]

is it a coincidence that the roar of the gluon cannon is in tune with this track? my primal screaming while vaporizing dozens of controllers wasn't in tune, however

[@JoelNielsenMusic]

:)

[@bearcatdog858]

@@JoelNielsenMusic Genius. It's just like when in certain games your character's running animation synchs with the music

[@alphawolf6708]

Pretty sure he used the fucking gluon cannon and the tau cannon to compose this track.

[@tgr3423]

Dude I think you're right. The song actually sounds so different without the constant sound of the Gluon firing lmao

[@arsalanmark2184]

@@JoelNielsenMusic this is funny and very... personal and jazzy of you

[@lightlytoastedrye]

Holy fuck. Not only is this the best song in Black Mesa, this is the best song i have heard in a Half-Life fan project, period. The leitmotif to the Black Mesa theme gave me chills. Bravo.

[@Weekeepeedia]

I saw you comment on a project borealis video. What do you think of Project B?

[@lightlytoastedrye]

@@Weekeepeedia I think it looks fantastic. Every time I see something new from that project, my expectations rise even more. It looks like it will be, at least in my opinion, a worthy conclusion to Half-Life 2's storyline. I used to be a complete fanboy over PB but now it is something that I am just mildly excited for. Now HL:A is my most anticipated Half-Life thing. (Boreal Alyph looks great too!)

[@Weekeepeedia]

@@lightlytoastedrye I know. I would probably be a bigger fan if they released more updates and maybe even an official trailer or something. But still, they're doing something no one else is doing right, and they're going above and beyond everyone's expectations. I will be behind them the whole way.

[@twoouttaten]

I remember hearing the original theme for Black Mesa when I was a kid, used to think it was the 'saddest song in the world'. Now to hear that same leitmotif all these years later blazed out the way you've done it is just the absolute pinnacle of music within gaming. Exceptional usage of lietmotifs spanning well over a decade, and its usage in the game turns the elevator segment from a great experience to one of THE great experiences. Your work on this game gave it that life and character that truly sets it apart from the original, and elevates it to a must-play title. The Black Mesa soundtrack has AAA quality behind it, and is honestly much, MUCH more than soundtracks attached to some of the biggest releases. You can tell just how much heart you have put into this entire project, and it shines through brilliantly in this final segment.

[@JoelNielsenMusic]

Thank you so much!

[@DuyAnNguyenAnboi]

Black Mesa wouldn't be Black Mesa without Joel Nielsen's amazing soundtracks , nice job Joel

[@saschahofmann2421]

I can't but help read that with out the hugh neutron voice.

[@cacaroto4566]

this song tells you: "keep fighting !! standing up, there is only a little more left !! don't give up, this is the end of the road !!" seldom a song or soundtrack makes you feel like a hero in every step you take, with every enemy you face, with every shot you make ... this remake is simply a gem in every way

[@brandonsantisteban9626]

2:17 imagining the notes: Oh the main theme notes draws the black mesa logo. AMAZING DETAIL 🎵----- | \🎵-- 🎵------- \🎵---

[@TheEmeraldSword04]

... That is beyond cool.

[@vrabo3026]

Holy fuck, I never freaking noticed that.

[@philipmead7046]

you should get a girlfriend dude...

[@brandonsantisteban9626]

@@philipmead7046 girls don't choose the nice guys, and I'm nice guy.

[@Gordon_Freeman_PhD]

@@brandonsantisteban9626 A "nice guy"

[@xshullaw]

Joel Nielsen is an angel of music.

[@funkeystudiostv]

I’m so happy you posted this because I need to tell you personally that this is a fucking masterpiece in every way. Well. Done.

[@JoelNielsenMusic]

Thank you so much!

[@BlacklistBH]

yall tripping off something bruh listen to some lil baby

[@aneurysm.865]

@@BlacklistBH Ew

[@Aluminum.K]

@@BlacklistBH His music sounds like the whining of an _actual_ little baby, I'll stick to my cinematic trailer music, thanks.

[@BiddaMeanwater]

@@BlacklistBH no

[@atoaster9940]

Alyx: "Russ What's the deal with the crowbar?" Russell: "Oh you mean Gordon Freeman's Crowbar?" Alyx: "Yeah." Russell: "Oh Alyx, he fought his way out of black mesa with nothing BUT that crowbar!" Alyx: "No way." Russell: "It's true, well it's true what they say. you know nobody knows for sure." Alyx: "Well when i get him out let's give him a gun."

[@Zeppelee]

I loved that little conversation tidbit. I can only hope that Russell returns in 3, so that he can fanboy over Gordon with the rest of us.

[@electrowizard3209]

Zeppelee Hell yea

[@Toaster_Toastr]

Ironically, all Gordon is given at the start of Half-Life 2 is his crowbar. He gets the guns himself (excluding the Gravity Gun, Shotgun, and RPG given to him later)

[@izu1525]

Meanwhile, Gordon at Xen with his definetly not overpowered Gluon gun: VROOOOOOOM

[@Zeppelee]

@@izu1525 I'm more of a Tau cannon enthusiast, but I definitely did allow the Gluon to tear shit up in Interloper.

[@B30167]

This dropped hotter than a certain shooter that released in '98

[@yukich6957]

Blood?

[@B30167]

@@yukich6957 Released in '97

[@yukich6957]

Blood2 then? xD Well there's a lot of shooters that were released in '98 Turok 2 Delta force SIN (bleargh) Quake 2 Rainbow six Etc etc

[@eyes5204]

it is half life 1

[@tonic.]

@@eyes5204 it can't be half life 1, totally.

[@cyb3r_cayde946]

when this started playing, I realized how _terrifying_ and unstoppable Gordon is

[@AstroHusky112]

Not only is this the song that marks the climax of Interloper, it's also the song that makes the player's ears climax.

[@fuffilicious]

This is, by far, the most epic song I've ever heard in any OST. This song truly represents Gordon's rise into becoming the One Free Man. The way you mixed the main theme melody into the music was absolutely breathtaking.

[@aggnesswang-spzabt5023]

Inbound: The beginning of the end. On a rail: Nothing but loneliness Questionable Ethics/Surface Tension: Black Mesa's last hope Ascension: The man that became the liberator

[@xXFlameHaze92Xx]

the man who becames the FREE MAN!!!!!!

[@tripleb5197]

Nihilist: The man who killed a god, then sold his soul to the devil

[@1MonoComplex]

Goosebumps

[@walterbeech501]

He is the one freeman

[@ThatJuangamer]

Disabling those alien controllers are annoying, however with this intense music, gives me hope.

[@AndersonMallony-EricCF]

Could also be an awesome ending credits song. 0:01 - " Subject: Freeman - Status: Hired " 0:08 - " H λ L F - L I F E "

[@reginald1th]

but then we wouldn't have the "limitless potential" we agreed to have

[@TheDeagle1001]

2:17 This part is a good reflection of what's happening: "After everything i've been through, you can't stop me. I will get to Nihilanth and FINISH all of this. No matter the cost." Amazing job.

[@anonymousgiraff5536]

An other worldy experience for an other worldy game. Black Mesa may not have been made by Valve but it encapsulates what the company was built off. A group of modders and video game players coming together to make something that changed the industry. Thank you for this, for your wonderful music. I wouldn't have asked for anyone else. In the words of the G-Man on your talent, "I think you've....earned it."

[@natb8800]

Elevator ride was epic scene man and I almost cried when this music played !

[@xXFlameHaze92Xx]

That makes up for the horrible Interloper level design.

[@natb8800]

Carlos38841 it wasn’t that horrible , just probably needs difficulty changes or balance thing

[@xXFlameHaze92Xx]

@@natb8800 no, its horrible level design

[@Kdoggie96]

@@xXFlameHaze92Xx Counterpoint, the design itself is fine, but pacing needs serious work. You start out in an action-y section where you are first entering the factory/running from gargantuars, then you are doing a puzzle section where you try to fill up pistons with fluid, then you are doing a platforming section with conveyor belts, then the next minute you are solving a puzzle while being attacked by controllers who can easily kill you in one to two hits, before you even have a chance to really solve the puzzle. Then immediately after the puzzle section is a giant action section with puzzles (the elevator and the switches you need to hit), and then you are at the top. The design is fine, I would even say it has potential to be fun once they fix the difficulty and balance everything, it just is a lot for one level. It could easily have been two or three different levels.

[@lukas753331]

@@Kdoggie96 I really didn´t have any problems with the level design. Its imo one of the best level designs I have seen in a long time. And some of those puzzles are just great. Pacing is maybe little bit off, but nothing major. Xen is just amazing.

[@metatrontf]

Thank you for helping make Black Mesa what it is. I've been in love with this project, this labor of love since my high school days and I never stopped thinking about this game, not once. Have played it so many times, and recently began another replay, hence why I find myself on your channel once more (as I have so many times throughout the years). The build-up to 2:17 is remarkable. This section of Interloper truly is the climax of everything that's built up throughout the game. I've loved Half-Life since I was a little kid, but Black Mesa gave me a whole new perspective of the game back in 2014. No words I provide can praise Crowbar Collective enough. Just thank you for your amazing music, truly! And of course, thanks to your lovely wife for doing justice to Xen's ethereal atmosphere with her voice!

[@JoelNielsenMusic]

It's tough for me to express what it means to me to hear that fans of the game have been impacted by the experience throughout their life. Both Kala and I are very humbled by the community's embrace of what we created and the direction we went. Thank you so much for sharing this!

[@timebomb42]

I totally feel everything you said. I was never able too play the original half life....so too play this masterful game was an experience unlike any other.

[@johnmarston3039]

I think this is one of the best things that I have seen and heard in my short life span (15 years). I just don't have the words to say how I feel when I hear it. I probably can't even imagine how much effort, how much soul was invested in this project, because it is older than me ... I played Half Life 2 for the first time when I was still 4 years old and passed at 6 years old, in Half life 1 I played and passed at 10 years old. And now, after 5 years, I see Black Mesa ... And I bought it on Steam and passed in one day ... After passing I was all in tears ... As I said, I probably cannot describe the emotions that I received. But I want to say, to all of you guys, to all those who took part and developed this work of art, thank you if you are reading this. Although this is probably just an empty word that does not mean anything. But I simply cannot remain silent, although I have nothing to say, because it is impossible for me to describe what you gave me. P.S. God protects you. It was Belarus.

[@MaxiLol]

2:02 I can hear Internal Conflict 1:09 here I can hear Transcendent 2:17 Here I can hear Black Mesa's menu music

[@deathrow5261]

Joel.............. you are just spoiling us brother

[@AgentMS]

The name of this track is genius. It's referring not only to the literal ascension on the elevator, but also the ascension of Freeman into godhood in the minds of the vortigaunts. This insane man has blown up a countless number of their slavers. How could the vorts not believe Gordon Freeman to be their savior after the elevator? I sure hope that naming is intentional, otherwise I've way overthought this 😅

[@JoelNielsenMusic]

You are absolutely correct. Every track title has multiple meanings from the literal to the figurative. I spent a good amount of time naming each. :)

[@taterwaffles9613]

Thank you Joel, very cool!

[@Maddock_]

Bonus points if you don't kill a single Vortigaunt in the Border World

[@PuppetierMaster]

@@Maddock_ that's an achievement actually.

[@baconsandwich1887]

@@PuppetierMaster Yep, managed to get it on my first try. I was terrified that I had killed one at one point because they got scared of me, but i must've just unloaded like a point or two of Gluon Gun ammo on one while trying to kill the controllers. It felt so good to actually live up to the godhood they bestow upon you in HL2, instead of just killing them mindlessly like you did for most of HL1 Xen.

[@ashtonsoulfire]

Dr. Breen : Tell me, Dr. Freeman, if you can: you have destroyed so much. What is it, exactly, that you have created? Can you name even one thing? Freeman: ...Hope

[@ralphrestubog5519]

If Freeman just spoke one word ever by the end of all Half-Life, I really hope it's this.

[@ИльяИльин-ж7у]

Dr. Breen: I thought not.

[@kiska2706]

that's so deep

[@seantaggart7382]

Me: Even if the world Comes to an end in the sequel Thats what we all fight for right? *HOPE*

[@SlavKar]

Gordon: I created the opportunity to free the Vortigaunt race from slavery, and you, Brin, on the contrary, plunged humanity into slavery under the rule of the Combine.

[@coverwatch]

That elevator ride wouldn't have had the same context without this music. A thousand blessing upon you brother for letting us enjoy this work of art.

[@ucanadamsabref-8616]

2:25 is the part where you decide if it's a good song or a masterpiece and it is definitely a masterpiece

[@hatti...]

Nothing beats Half-Life's community in ambition. Nothin'.

[@tiberiuskirk2593]

This is the moment Gordon Freeman transforms from mild-mannered physicist to the "The One Free Man, Opener of the Way."

[@DanieL3101arg]

2:16 I've come for this part, and I'll stay for this part.... IT'S SOOOOOO GOOOOOD

[@smagmata5]

I'll never get tired of listening to this soundtrack. So glad we got a piece of art like this in my lifetime.

[@silentsnake7125]

During gameplay, when 2:19 played I had 19HP left and had just found what I call a "fountain of life", which restores your HP. I almost cried.

[@PRIMUSxPRIME]

If you don't feel like a "Silent Messiah" who's liberating Worlds when listening this Masterpiece... Something is not right with you

[@guilhermevale5826]

Sure

[@Yobyman]

Truly insane how this game became so much more than a mod, this is one of the few games where I had a focused frown during the finale, It was like all of Gordon Freeman's anger and determination shined through me, I let out and audible "hell yeah" when I destroyed the controller's shield generators and I got truly angry when the controllers tried to pull the platform down. I felt truly connected with the main character. I was truly immersed, mostly caused by the music, I'm a sucker for games with really epic tracks if you can't tell hehe.

[@sniperjelly9537]

"Were you in weapon research too? I built the Gluon gun, but I can't bring myself to use it on another living creature. It doesn't appear that you have any trouble killing things. You can take her with you. But please, promise me you'll put her to good use." RIP lambda team. they're probably all dead after they nuke the place.

[@mahendrakrisnamurti9599]

of course not. They if not all, most of them got to escape from Lambda Complex.Maybe in Half Life 2, we only see Kleiner, Vance and Magnusson. But I believe to form a resistance and the rocket in HL2 Episode 2, it requires many scientists and some guards (Barney survived too and I believe more guards managed to survive as well) with knowledge from Black Mesa Research Facility. I believe it is collective minds of the old scientists and others from Black Mesa that formed all that. Most of the professions including scientists have no use in Combine world.

[@App1elele]

I don't know why but this exact track hits me right in my soul. I can't explain this feeling, like i never heard a more pure music in my life. God what a magnificent soundtrack Black Mesa has. First time ever i am listening to a *composed* game soundtrack on a repeat. You are a genius, Joel.

[@SgtP4in]

The electric tingle I got in my spine during this part is a feeling I rarely experience in all but the best games. Crowbar Collective blew it out of the park. Riding up the lift, holding the trigger down on the gluon gun, and blasting away waves of controllers is a memory that isn't gonna go away any time soon.

[@Greybackx]

This track elevated every god damn part of my mind, body and soul whilst going up that elevator sequence. As far as video game soundtracks go, this is some severely underrated AAA content. Outstanding stuff, Joel.

[@SomeDemoMain]

Bought this game this year on April 26th for my 15th birthday. I was left in awe at the climactic parts of "Unforeseen Consequences", "We've Got Hostiles", "On A Rail", "Surface Tension", "Forget About Freeman," all the coolest chapters. I even screamed "I WON'T LET YOU" at the Alien Grunts beating the Vortigaunts. But here, I wasn't left speechless. I laughed. I started off with a simple chuckle, devolving into manic laughter as I made my ascent, screaming _"DO YOU HEAR ME, NIHILANTH?! I'LL OBLITERATE YOOOOUUUU!"_ on my way up. No other game besides HL2 and its episodes has _ever_ made me feel like that. I swear to God, I had an out-of-body experience playing this level. The Half-Life series is the Sistine Chapel of gaming.

[@sneedseedandfeed]

Joel, you absolutely blew it out of the water with the Xen soundtrack. The whole thing is amazing from start to finish and this track the best part of a very strong OST. I love the way the various themes that begin with "transcendent" build in intensity until they reach the peak on this track. This one, along with the Gonarch's theme are really phenomenal and accent the game play as effectively (imo) as the Doom 2016 ost. This is really outstanding and probably my favorite part of the black mesa experience.

[@Nari_Page421]

I remember the day when I first time played Half Life, when I was a kid, it wasn't my computer and I understood nothing. I thought that it's just a shoot-kill game and the strange guy whom we can see all game in different places is the main antagonist. Time went, I grew up, part of my life was on the street, but every dark tonnel have an end and I had my own apartments, my own computer and new worlds was opened for me again. That was the time when I played Half Life 2 and all of episodes. And now I'm 30 years old and I'm playing in Black Mesa. I know a lot of things about this world, I can understand what's happening, but I still don't know the word which I can describe my feelings after I heard that music and saw Xen. I can say only "thank you".

[@НикитаБыкадоров-у8л]

Game moments with this music: A lot of controllers throwing at you the grunts and you with infinite gluon\tau, running on the factory lines. This is so good.

[@halowarrior1000]

I'm not really the type of guy to listen to soundtracks, but I won't lie. This is up there with BFG division in the list of game tracks I've repeated several times. I wish that orchestral bit lasted slightly longer because that horn melody is so fucking juicy. Seriously well done.

[@noelzedum]

Late response but this track, along with The Only Thing They Fear Is You, RE4 Serenity, BFG Division, CP Violation are my personal all time favorites

[@ThePhotoshopGuy]

This theme. Along with the part where it literally starts playing the Black Mesa Main Theme is by far the greatest soundtrack that has ever come out of this game.

[@timebomb42]

How is it that a game made by a bunch of friends has a better soundtrack than all AAA games these days?? This soundtrack is the pinnacle of fighting music, you know you cannot be stopped, it's just a matter of when you were sent up the elevator not if.

[@kyriusrunner628]

One of, if not THE favourite part of the game for me. You're ascending while blasting away everything to epic music. You can just FEEL that this is leading to the final showdown. And the music is a huge part of what makes this epic. Well done!

[@Keaten88]

2:17 is where i got chills

[@richardsemerad2864]

2:17 - I'm in tears, thank you again.

[@richardsemerad2864]

Thanks for a heart :)

[@Weddlz-]

I loved the part where Gordon Freeman said "It's gordin' time." and then gorded all over the place with his gordin' gun.

[@yasinzeydulusoy]

This song alone was able to give me enough motivation to accomplish what I thought was impossible, once.. Thank you Joel Nielsen for endowing this masterpiece upon my timeline.

[@Rogal11]

Black Mesa was the best thing that could happen to Half-Life series, and your music is the best thing that could happen to Black Mesa

[@charmyzard]

So, at this pace, Half-Life 1 with launch AGAIN before a Half-Life 3? What a world! Great work as always Joel! I'm sure all this time working on such a massive, somewhat game-changing update for something as massive as Black Mesa will be worth it.

[@SomeKindaSpy]

Half-Life 2: Episode 3 will be made by the fans. Half-Life 3 will never be made.

[@Smokecall]

They're doing such a killer job at giving the original title new life that Half Life 2: Episode 3 might actually be better off in this team's hands. But considering what they have put out by their and passion own pace, they deserve to follow what their creative direction pointing towards.

[@kawa69]

Smokecall yeah they’re gonna be developing their own games now, they won’t be remaking/creating games based on other franchises, and I like it that way, we already got passionate fans at Project Borealis, Boreal Alyph and some other team projects trying to bring HL2 Ep3 to life and the fact that fans are finishing the franchise off for valve is both funny and sad lol (Not that the remakes and fan projects are funny and sad I just mean the fact that valve relies on their fans lol)

[@kaestruukaestru9798]

@@SomeKindaSpy project borealis

[@valoch3187]

Project Lambda is a thing, so it may launch TWICE!

[@lucah1824]

The fact that this uses motifs from Critical Mass and Resonance Cascade is magnificent. Absolutely the best combo for this particular part of the game when the player approaches the Nihilanth. Joel, you are a musical genius

[@Jed_Rowahnn]

While this track is undoubtedly absolutely amazing, I think the real magic is the way it's used in game. Slowly building, layer upon layer, as you rise up that elevator. Controllers teleporting in at every section. Until you come to an open area with shielded enemies and you're forced to go on the offensive... And the orchestra kicks into overdrive, your heartbeat skyrockets, and you really feel like the one thing standing between humanity and annihilation. Perfection

[@aplimsollpunk2738]

4 fps, here I come! This song is fricken awesome nonetheless!

[@jeezed2950]

Don't worry, it's fixed now

[@SellingSouls]

@@jeezed2950 Not really. But i got 10fps, so is better than Alex's. lol

[@rinnegansr5980]

what rig gets 4 fps in 2020?

[@RealPeopleShorts]

@@rinnegansr5980 literally anything from alienware and anything below 300 dollars

[@rinnegansr5980]

@@RealPeopleShorts don't buy OEMs

[@karolyte558]

2:17 BEST PART! This is the best soundtrack i ever seen!

[@deadruins]

man this music is TOO GOOD for background music for work. Is this masterpiece of art?

[@VentXekart]

That callback to the Black Mesa theme song was godlike when I heard this in-game for the first time.

[@old_account4630]

2:14 this is what I felt when Valve announced Half-Life: Alyx.

[@arathertallglassofwater1864]

oh okay

[@bipolit]

This has everything The beginning has the sound of stars falling like your elevating elevator ride The rumbling of the danger ahead The gentle singing of hope The ticking to show Time which is of the essence The tranquil to show the grace of the fight with the controllers and beauty of xen The trumpets to show how grand and important your goal is And lastly the piano at the end to show the aftermath of this quest

[@felixc.3444]

The climax of the song shivers my spine because it’s so godly

[@TarsonTalon]

Gordan Freeman. If what they say is true...if what doesn't kill you, will make you stronger...then he who endures endless trails, and survives...has...at the very least... *Limitless Potential.*

[@MetalArrow]

The intense fight with the controllers and their shield's energy source, with this extraordinarily astonishing track, made Gordon feel like a something bigger. Like an actual prophet.. And yeah, I got emotional too.

[@jackmintz1695]

A lone vortigaunt looks above to see the stranger rising to his masters lair, he pitys the fool, for the controllers will surely kill him. But no, the stranger lives. His drive refuses to die, the stranger is unbound by the chains of oppression that bind his own mind. He is the one Free Man.

[@OzzyBravoVO]

This song is a pure masterpiece. Thank you, Joel, for this gift. Thank you.

[@txcrix9236]

This song is just amazing. It fits the elevator scene perfectly. My bf isn't a gamer but when I gave him the headset so he could listen as I entered the cavernous elevator area he was stunned. He said it was like watching a movie. This music definitely falls into the trailer music/movie music field. It's epic. Not gonna lie, I'm a big TSFH fan. :) They say music makes the movie. The same holds true in games. Especially in story driven games like Half Life. It's really fascinating how much music has changed in the last 40+ years. As computer technology advanced so did the music used in games. My earliest memories are of the cheesy 8-bit music on my dad's Commadore 64. Here we are today with very high quality stereo music and whatnot. Music makes the game! A big thank you for your submissions to Black Mesa.

[@tadeasburger8191]

There was this moment when I played this first. The Controllers kept coming and I kept barely escaping them and dispatching them. The music was blasting and swelling and I suddenly realized how awesome it all is, realized where I the elevator is headed and how much fun I am having trying to get there - and then it dawned on me: holy shit, this is it. This is the reason why Freeman was such a legend among Vorts in Half Life 2. The developers of this game really managed to convey the gravity of your quest in Half Life one. Its perfect.

[@MrJustinUSCM]

I finally got around to finishing Xen this last week, good god man, you did an excellent job, I can't describe the amazing feeling I felt blasting controllers out of the air with the Gluon gun, all while this track peaked in the background. Hearing the Black Mesa theme notes gave me chills knowing that this was finally it. Bravo man, bravo.

[@saiyangodbroly26]

Your music elevated this game to heights that are hard to reach. This track and moment in particular will stay with me for a very long time. Thank you for this.

[@g11operator]

Came back to this masterpiece today, it still sounds epic after all this time

[@OzzyBravoVO]

I can't stop listening to this. Keep coming back for more. Pure masterpiece, as i said before. Just thank you, Joel. Thank you.

[@crunz91]

So unbelievably epic, brings a tear to the eye.

[@v_hramov]

Joel Nielsen, damn man, THANK YOU FOR THIS AND ALL BLACK MESA OST, YOU ARE A GREAT COMPOSITOR!

[@rareepicllama453]

WARNING: Do NOT listen to this with headphones unless you can handle extreme levels of... AWESOME

[@TheExperienceYT]

And ear damage at higher volumes.

[@rareepicllama453]

That too

[@michaelandreipalon359]

Apologies, but I must press on with them.

[@BlacklistBH]

wack

[@buzzheadguy7139]

Not gonna lie, this has to be the BEST video game soundtrack I’ve ever heard. It gives me hope. Amazing work my dude!

[@johnnyboy5354]

Literally the best piece of video game music I have heard. Overcoming all that Xen has to offer while listening to this made me feel like I was truly saving the world.

[@cheezemonkeyeater]

Something in the bit around 2:15. Such a strange mix of emotions this bit evokes. Desperate, hopeful, but also kind of melancholy.

[@marktheguardians3671]

Game is the legend. Soundtrack is the best. Remake is the masterpiece.

[@MCBGamer]

I played through all of Xen today for the first time. Your soundtrack and the team at Crowbar Collective who worked so hard to bring this remake to us deserve so much praise. The moment I heard this in game I knew I was gonna need to come here and congratulate you on your ability to make truly enchanting music. I honestly felt like I was playing Doom again while I was on this Elevator and your music is the reason.

[@morphman8095]

2:02 this is one of those tracks that make me involuntarily smile from how good it is. Amazing work!

[@Hux2001]

Está canción es demasiado épica, podés sentir a los Controllers intentando detenerte de llegar a su líder, te tienen miedo y tratan de detenerte a cualquier costo, saben que son la última línea de defensa y eso los aterra.

[@leonardoromero3859]

Si wn

[@billoverbeck3784]

Y todo eso mientras los vortigaunts ven como Gordon ASCIENDE y los controladores van cayendo uno por uno fracasando rotundamente en parar a un objeto que viaja a la velocidad de la luz, creo que incluso los mismos vortigaunts expandieron la anécdota entre los humanos, sabían que el día que volveria los combines ya tendrían confirmada su derrota, todo esto da a pensar como una figura carismática es capaz de alentar los deseos de millones de personas, la diferencia entre el primer y segundo juego dejan verlo, donde todos llegan al punto de entregar sus vidas con el bien de que cumpla su objetivo.

[@LightRaven96]

After playing through this I have to say the last 45 seconds of this track makes it sound like your fighting for your life against the forces of hell and well you quite literally are but I can also see this track being used for something like trying to fly a ship away from a black hole while its gravity slowly rips away at your already broken ship and you just barely get away

[@Definitely_the_best]

The music is not just only "good" , when composition makes goosebumps - it's something more .

[@jakubhorsky1948]

This track perfectly represent xen as a whole it's completely out of this world

[@hasanctak2596]

These soundtracks are the best motivational soundtracks i've ever heard.I really appriciate for everything i felt.My spirit ascended to the Limitless Potential cause of you.Some of them gonna say 'Don't get emotional.It's just a game.'They will never know it's a masterpiece.I'm so sad the new generation will never know what's they're missing.Thank you for everything good sir.Thank you all!