Halo's Music And Why We Love It (Part Two) | Video Essay

[@TheMartyODonnell]

Sometimes I wonder if people pay close attention - then I see something like this and it makes me happy. Also, on ODST we used electric guitar with volume pedal and a creepy soprano vocal sample (we called "That Woman") played using portamento.

[@LaperLarden]

Thanks for watching Marty! I thought it might have been a vocalist mixed in there as well. It's a really unearthly but beautiful sound. I don't suppose you ever got round to experimenting with muted trumpet on some of ODST's tracks? 🤔

[@AJASH2005]

Good to see marty's exuberance came back😁

[@TheMartyODonnell]

@@LaperLarden back in my Chicago days I recorded a bunch with this amazing musician kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGaqdnd8mqtqbLs&feature=shares Perhaps someday revisit ODST.

[@AbhishekSinghSambyal]

What you made is transcendental and cannot be reproduced again. Thank you for this music.

[@riseup3150]

[@GatoConBotas403]

Marty O’donnel is the mozart of video game soundtracks I really hope that in several hundred years, when people look back on art in the past, that they recognize the genius of Marty O’donnel

[@bruhmoment-do2nu]

God, those last 60 seconds gave me chills

[@hunterh1175]

SIR YES SIR

[@ATG3192]

SAAAAAME!!!

[@jettfastballs]

AM I *RIGHT,* MARINES?!

[@sierra_112]

Damn right I am

[@bebospartan1173]

What was playing there? I’d love to hear it on its own

[@chipsdubbo9750]

"What did you feel when hearing that?" Took me right back to part one. Damn. I'm nostalgic for a video that came out a year ago.

[@LaperLarden]

I couldn't resist the temptation to not start it the same way as the last one.

[@DeathTempler]

Halo's music is one of the few things that still helps me feel.

[@AlyxGMusic]

I’m still very much new to actually working on music, but from what I do know, hearing you point out things like assigning motifs, mixing real and artificial/synthetic instruments to fill out a mix, and in video games, recognizing that players WILL associate memories with particular musical flourishes makes me so happy. The best video game music in my opinion-whatever little weight that carries-comes from focused intent, permission to create WITH and not FOR a team, and maybe a few happy accidents & decisions out of scarcities along the way. ALSO: I LOVE YOUR PANNING CINEMATIC SHOTS-THEY DON’T GET NEARLY ENOUGH APPRECIATION ❤️‍🔥

[@LaperLarden]

Thanks so much, Alyx! Messing around in theatre for videos getting cool shots is one of my favourite things to do now. So I'm glad someone appreciates it!

[@dannyoflyria]

LOVED THE ENDING OUTRO BRO, STRAIGHT GOOSEBUMPS WHEN SGT. JOHNSON SPOKE!

[@masterchief6460]

This deserves more views than I have confirmed kills. Which is a lot.

[@eliavita]

It's 4000 views, I'd say you master chief, have killed at least 10 thousand covenant

[@KaptainKarizzma]

The use of choir was always one of my favorite parts of halo's music! It was nice to see you touch on all the tracks that use them so beautifully

[@Nichrysalis]

I'd love to see an analysis of Tom Salta's contributions to the Halo music legacy. Unfortunately everything he composed for the games was in spartan strike and spartan assault. But I always tell other Halo fans to look up those OST's because they are criminally under listened to. Finishing the Fight is an amazing track that blends Halo 2 and Reach motifs beautifully.

[@LaperLarden]

Thinking of making a separate video for spin-off games like Wars and the Spartan Mobile games. Because they do deserve it. The first Halo Wars especially has a fire soundtrack.

[@ATG3192]

First off, as someone who went to college for music (majored specifically in music technology and also did some audio engineering studies while playing in my college's swing bands), music is arguably one of the most crucial elements for me to enjoy a piece of media (it's why I always prefer the medium of anime over manga). Halo, to this day, is quite possibly the first game I can think of where I would say that music is arguably one of the most crucial elements to the overall gameplay experience (the only real contender in my book being the Ace Combat franchise), and this video did an amazing job highlighting why I absolutely adore the music of Halo and why it helps Halo be arguably my favorite game franchise of all time. Second off, idk what drugs you ingested, how much caffeine you drank, or if you awakened your mind's eye, but that ending sequence was 😙👌❤️ and got me so damn hyped to play some Halo! 😆 Great video, man! Can't wait for the next one!

[@LaperLarden]

Thanks for watching! I just had some good music to work off with the ending montage. It's easy to edit in-time to a great track like that!

[@weewoahhh]

^ and as for the drug part, the music process involved a lot of cocaine & 5 hour energy.

[@ryanparker4996]

Fuck Yeah Ace Combats soundtracks are FIRE

[@thegodsiegeneeds1917]

Dude that ending has me in tears

[@CrAz1m0nk3ii117]

This deserves way more views. Encapsulates everything about Halo’s music so perfectly.

[@haloailens8557]

Just want to say I love your KZbin channel love watching your videos cannot wait to see more and thinking about Halo music and people who helped create it it's nostalgic is awesome and it's glorious I love all the Halo music it's amazing it's wonderful can't get enough of it big fan of Halo very long time and never will stop loving it

[@Kweegan]

When Laper Larden clearly explains in words what we hear and feel, but can’t describe when hearing the music of Halo -> chills, elucidation, catharsis. Bravo!!!

[@TeacherDrift]

Part 2 finally dropped. I hope life is treating you well, my man. I love your content and I really appreciate your contributions to the discussions and the community.

[@mikewazowski629]

Everything, even down to the chapter titles like the og Halo games, was just perfect. Loved every second of this. But uh... Part 3 when?

[@LaperLarden]

Bruh. I just finished part 2 😅

[@-IV666-]

Halo has the best music in videogames ever. Halo theme just gives you chills every time.

[@nicholasshealy9040]

You’re a certified musical genius as far as I’m concerned, you just point out these little callbacks in the music that I could never do if I tried. Like, I never knew Exodus from Reach gave a short musical callback to In Amber Clad from H2. But speaking of music . . . 20 Years of Music (Epic Piano Orchestral Cover) on Spotify when? (Yes, I’ve been saving that question for another music themed video.)

[@hunterh1175]

Bro just left a like and didn't answer the question lmao

[@nicholasshealy9040]

@@hunterh1175 *EMOTIONAL DAMAGE*

[@jamiecarpenter6452]

Amazing work as always. That ending montage has gotta be one of your best.

[@LaperLarden]

Glad you think so!

[@isd_chimaera8335]

Another stupendous video on Halo’s music. I like the callback to the first video by starting it the same way, just with Deference for Darkness. And then you tie both videos together by reminding us how Halo’s music makes us feel, just like Marty did with from the Vault. Perfect parallels right there. Speaking of endings, the montage of halo moments with Mjolnir mix blasting just gave me chills. An absolutely perfect duo of videos on this topic, well worth the wait for this one. Thanks Laper! And your commentary on Judgment was spot on, the contrast makes it easily my favorite battle track in Infinite. And comparing the Endless track to the flood and the classic monk chant was perfect. Fantastic work

[@ModernWarfareSlideCancel]

YES YES YES YES YES YES! THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR!

[@Reclaimer-ok2os]

A fantastic analysis of Halo's music, Laper Larden! I appreciate the amount of research you conducted for the video. You informed me of things I had never thought about such as the combination of organic and synth choirs in Marty's music for the Forerunner Installations and the buildup of the Flood's theme into an amalgamation of drums, strings, and voices. The use of a muted trumpet for Halo 3: ODST would have been an interesting alternative. The modified instrument gave Deference for Darkness a kind of sharpness to it if that makes any sense. You made a great cover of the Mjolnir Mix! Electric guitars in Halo music always get the blood pumping. Memories and feelings are a significant part of Halo music for me. I used to only listen to Halo's combat/intense music as a kid and imagine different scenarios in the series, but I have listened to the more ambient/relaxing tracks as I have studied for my classes. I have a stronger appreciation for all of Halo's music, and certain songs like Unforgotten, Choose Wisely, and Roll Call evoke strong feelings of peace, wonder, and nostalgia.

[@LaperLarden]

Thanks for watching Reclaimer! Glad I pointed some stuff out and made you think about the music in a different way. I have to admit I'm not talented enough to make a cover that good. That was a friend of mine, Leo. It should be linked in the description, if you want to give it a listen! He's got some other great Halo tracks on his channel too.

[@Reclaimer-ok2os]

@@LaperLarden Gotcha. I'll definitely check Leo's channel out!

[@caramelldansen2204]

That ending :')

[@riseup3150]

I personally liked the theory that ancient humanity and the forunners are a divergent species

[@ShreddedNerd]

Excellent editing as always. I feel that ODST borrowed from composers of the romanticism era to some degree.

[@LaperLarden]

Thank you! It's funny because there's definitely elements of romantic-era classical music used in some of the films that David Raksin scored (Marty's teacher from USC). There's a musical lineage, I guess you could say.

[@TwiceTheBitsGames]

Took me a while but I finally got round to watching this. Its another banger. Youve really enlightened me on so many aspects of the musical scores for these games over the last couple of videos. Loved the Johnson speech and editing at the end too!

[@FreddyKruger112]

3:46 gives me goosebumps every time, love it!

[@HerrDerpington]

31:30 - Frank Klepacki is the only other composer that makes me feel things. Marching sounds instantly makes me shoot back into my 10 year old self playing C&C.

[@BrockWittmayer]

Bro I have been watching your videos non stop all day today, especially the ones on the retrospective. I cannot stop crying. I was never a super fan of Halo, far from a big fan. But man.... You made me rethink my memories when I played 3, ODST, and Reach with my friends. My best friend in life, and my friends from Xbox Live that I will never meet or hear from again. These videos you do are amazing and have been making me cry the whole time while I've been listening. Thank you for these amazing videos. They are amazing and I only hope for you to continue doing what you love, cause what you are doing is awesome.

[@LaperLarden]

That means the world to me to hear someone say that. Thanks for watching Brock!

[@Sami-Moon]

so many chills just going through some of the tracks. The muted trumpet sounded awesome btw

[@Nailfut]

Halo's music has all sorts of tracks for everyone to enjoy. Add to that the power of emotional equity, understanding when to sprinkle some old motifs to enhance newer experiences. What's great about it is that it's still different from the canonical use of a leitmotif. Halo's tracks describe the mood over a single character (or multiple ones). That's why it makes us F E E L, because we recall previous generic experiences from older titles. I, for example, really appreciate how Chief inspires hope in all of us. So those tracks that really touch me usually are related to this aspect, be it "Epilogue" from Halo 2 or "What makes us human" from Infinite. Everything else, childhood memories, split-screen campaign sessions, weird custom games with strangers, they all follow this main staple: Chief inspires hope and it reflects over every other aspect of the franchise, sharing moments with friends and more.

[@tankdempsey6648]

SIR, YES SIR!

[@Twismyer]

Very, very well said. I will always remember Halo and it's music fondly. Thanks for the analysis, seeing people turn it over to show off why it's so good is like finding new ways to appreciate it over and over again.

[@jonathandear4914]

Gareth's done this before with clashing melodies representing a clash of forces, in the final boss fight for the 2nd Ori game, was fantastic there too.

[@Nichrysalis]

Was literally going to leave the same comment. Gareth seems to have a knack for that with a good track record (pun intended).

[@PackHunter117]

*Halo Wars 1s OST is underrated as hell and fucking goated. Change my mind.*

[@hunterh1175]

No way I was literally rewatching the first one yesterday! Your videos are awesome, thanks a lot.

[@mugin2]

one of the best halo analysis/retrospective videos I've ever seen, and that says a lot there's a ton of them

[@weewoahhh]

Great video as always Laper, & I can finally rest, for the ring has been rocked.

[@LaperLarden]

Track so fire it blew up Alpha Halo 🔥

[@tepes22b]

When you are talking about the "pedal steel" guitar in ODST, I'm thinking it's an E-bow. It vibrates the guitar string without touching it, giving it a violin-like quality.

[@Rokiriko]

What youtube needs is more essays about Halo Music(Marty bait). There is just not enough of them.

[@si_mon_ki2828]

We have to thank Marty for the identity that Halo's music has, and although infinite has that essence, it also has pieces with a lot of its own identity, like that of The Endless, a great example, thanks for sharing it. Wow infinite is really beautiful.

[@Wernissage]

Somehow, you make me love Halo even more with your videos. I knew I loved Halo’s music, but I mean godDAMN I LOVE HALO’S MUSIC Also, muted trumpet goes HARD. Marty wouldn’t dare release ODST’s soundtrack with muted trumpets, he’s WAY scared!

[@SilverViper1000]

You nailed it. I can just agree.

[@LaperLarden]

Glad you enjoyed it, my friend! I don't know if they ever got round to actually recording the muted trumpet tracks, but I'd love to hear someone take a crack at reimagining ODST's music with it. *We got any trumpet players in the audience?!*

[@blackdog6969]

"Plin.. Plin.... Plon.. Plon....." And with that, I could feel the rain

[@renimusmaximus]

A great example of clashing music in my experience is XCOM: Chimera Squad. Your base in that game has a theme that grows the stronger your team gets. And while you engage the factions and eventually raid and besiege their base, the OST will clash the base theme of your squad with the music you have heard during the rest of the battles against the faction you face currently. A great example is the song Take Down the Progeny where the eerie music of the mind controlling enemy, shown via synths and electric sounding music, versus the trumpets and percussion of XCOM's theme. Back and forth, competing for air time, until eventually, XCOM's music carries the day...if you play well of course. It's worth checking out.

[@ChairmanKam]

24:57 LOL I know the feel. For the longest time I thought it was "President Evil". I blame to old 90s logos.

[@xiphoidreporter9036]

I remember when I played Halo Infinite and got to the main menu screen… I cried when I heard the main theme..

[@Beez_Churger]

My guess on the instrument mentioned at 23:32 is a standard electric guitar with some drive and reverb, but whoever’s playing is using a volume pedal to give a sliding/swelling feeling to the notes! Really appreciate these vids as a fellow musician who loves halo :)

[@Beez_Churger]

This and probably a whammy bar or bends^

[@pronoblewolf]

Halo's music covers almost every basis there's happy joyful hopeful despair and wonder amazement confusion terrifying and humanity

[@Kotor13e]

Halo music is my favorite out there they just have a calming feeling to me.

[@MatiasFeliciano1]

I've been waiting for this

[@LaperLarden]

Ohh, I know what the subscribers like.

[@eddiehughes4060]

Getting me all teary eyed

[@canonest]

Why we love it? Because we love it.

[@spiritfox6066]

Halo 3 and ODST are my favorite Halo soundtracks.

[@GreaseGrab]

Another Laper Larden banger. As always.

[@nightlydata2181]

Ur last speech there made Halo sound like the sonic franchise which is funny to me for too many reasons personally especially as a fan of both

[@HiIeric117]

The whole retcon of “humans are forerunners” has been discussed extensively in the community, and it’s largely agreed now that the majority of the retconning happened in Halo 3, via the terminals in that game. 343 just went along with it.

[@dsdy1205]

There's some leeway in that interpretation, considering the terminals and the Reclaimer saga's lore are both the products of Frank O Connor

[@sinisterisrandom8537]

Theres probably one person out there who says All halo music is generic them then that's intentionally trying to have all of us unanimously rip the individual to shreds as if it is lettuce. But man the outro is a banger infact the whole dang on video is.

[@matthewheistand2340]

Avery Johnson’s speech got me fist pumping the air 🤣🤣

[@nickjuarez4062]

Across all of of Bungie’s Halo games I always felt that despite the different themes at play the music always carried an unmistakable quality that represented the feel of Halo. When I first heard ODST’s music, I didn’t think it was a different tone from the other games. I thought it felt more Halo-esque than ever. Same with Reach. Marty’s music for Halo just has a certain quality, character and tendency about it. Almost the same way as Christmas music. It all just sounds like the universe of Halo, it’s all cohesive to me.

[@LaperLarden]

Great way of putting it!

[@CreeperJaYY]

Wait til Marty sees this! Great video, keep up the good work!

[@DemoChyme]

I love when i find hidden gems on KZbin, i now join cult following

[@harrybee5924]

The king returns!

[@Determ1nat1on]

1) I've been waiting for this video for so long. It absolutely did not disappoint!! 2) Your trumpet solo went way harder than it should. Goddamnit now I want trumpet covers over various Halo OSTs. 3) I always watch KZbin at 2x speed except when it's cinematics or Halo or Undertale OST. Only then do I slow down to normal playback speed again. That's saying something. PS - Forerunners =/= Humans >>> Forerunners = Humans Don't attack me

[@LaperLarden]

Thank you! The thought has crossed my mind to do some more ODST track recreations with muted trumpet. I just need to find a good trumpet player!

[@Dargor1264]

Even Tom Salta's music from Halo Spartan Assault and Strike as well as The Fall of Reach sound very Haloe an great! I also personally love Stephen Rippy's take on Halo music on Halo Wars! By The prophets, those songs are great! I feel those interpretations of The Halo Music are The Best alongside with Infinite's excluding the originals from Marty's and Michael's which are god tier. I tend to include all music from The Halo Series in my videos and all seem to blend pretty well with each other. Awesome video Laper Larden! 🎶💚

[@eliavita]

Halo wars soundtrack is some of the most halo music i have ever listened, i do not dislike halo 4 and 5 soundtracks but halo wars while beeing from another developer really understood what it meant to be halo

[@SuperGoose42]

Ngl that smoky trumpet is kinda sexy

[@AbhishekSinghSambyal]

Thank you for this video.

[@DiabeticJohn]

Love your content, my guy.

[@pumpshotgun8992]

I can't believed I been 3 days late to the video.

[@infiniteblocks6176]

Flood Music is what makes the flood scarier

[@sonofagunn6686]

Why did I only just find this?!

[@SilverViper1000]

Noice. Another video of lederlappen about the sounds of halo. Love it. Even before I watched it!

[@SpaciousSneeze]

always a great day when Swedish Batman uploads, lessgoo

[@scouttrooper2871]

Hmm. Did you know that the Delta Halo theme was in Leonidas too?

[@PolymurExcel]

Well...there is one game that comes close to it 31:30, I'd say Modern Warfare 2. It's not as old as Halo, but it could definitely bring up similar feelings with the opening note of its theme. Side note, I don't think Halo Wars, particularly the first game gets enough credit with its soundtrack. I know it's not a mainline Halo game, but Stephen Rippy, at least I think, definitely did an amazing job recreating the sound of the original Halo games while also adding something new.

[@LaperLarden]

Definitely! Stephen Rippy did a great job with Halo Wars. I'd love to talk about the game's music at some point in the future.

[@frightno928]

OMG A PART 2

[@vaniellys]

And now I'm waiting for the traditional Marty's comment under a Halo video.

[@bebospartan1173]

Yo can we get that little mash up of music at the end of the vid on its own thought it sounded good would like to listen to it

[@LaperLarden]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZO0kJx7graMhZI Can listen to it here!

[@bebospartan1173]

Thanks so much

[@sscrono]

Great video ❤

[@jokroast6912]

I told people that ODST themes sounded like blues and got conked over the head with a water thermos

[@Destroyer_V0]

Muted trumpet works far better than I thought it would. Still prefer the sax though.

[@LaperLarden]

It's an interesting what-if. But yeah, I definitely prefer the saxophone!

[@ChairmanKam]

26:40 I like it, very Blade Runner. But Marty was right. Woodwinds sound more "human" for lack of a better term, than brass.

[@switchboy2320]

fun fact: Gareth Coker composed the ori games

[@markaword1561]

Ohhh i know what the halo fans like! -laper larden

[@777amj]

I just discovered this channel today. I've been binge watching for the past couple hours. Your videos on the music of Halo really hits home for me. Music has an immensely profound impact on literally everything, and I really appreciate how in depth you go. I have to say, overall Infinites music was disappointing. It has it's moments, but for the most part, it just didn't pay off for me. I've loved every Halo soundtrack (yes including Guardians) but Infinites just didn't click with me. The fact that Set a Fire in Your Heart DIDN'T make it into the actual game is criminal. I could go on and on about the Halo music. So I'll just stop here and end by saying great video.

[@LaperLarden]

I'm glad that you enjoyed it! Halo's music has a special place in a lot of people's hearts. It's always great to hear people's perspectives and why they love it. Hope you enjoy some of the other content on the channel as well!

[@loganfaught8091]

Played against you in BTB today, was a good game except for the part we're my team lost ahahahah

[@LaperLarden]

GGs Logan! What map was it on?

[@armstronggaming8566]

No big chungus comment from me tonight, because music theory is not my speciality. All I gotta say is: 31:27 Minecraft. You practically gave that one to me on a silver platter Edit: Sub-human am I? Yeah, seems about right. Edit 2: My personal favourite piece is _Perchance to Dream._ easily the most memorable soundtrack in all of halo for me. Second is the halo 5 menu theme just because the memories of coming home from high school and just being able to sit down and hear that theme before I relax with big team super fiesta and getting angry at my teammates who cannot for the life of them shoot down the Hannibal wasp that is spawn camping them Edit 3: I guess this comment didn't quite turn into big chungus, but it's still fairly sizable

[@LaperLarden]

You're the exception to the rule, my friend. You can be allowed to not like Halo 3 😂 Perchance to Dream was one I was thinking of talking about in this video too! Didn't quite make the cut though. I love how it's brought back in Halo 3 but changed to have a different melody during Crows Nest. Never thought I'd be nostalgic for killing little aliens in their sleep, but the track makes me feel that.

[@GatoConBotas403]

I love how, in that final section, every game got something… except Halo 5 😂

[@LaperLarden]

Look... I don't *hate* Halo 5. I just refuse to acknowledge it's existence.

[@GatoConBotas403]

@@LaperLarden based Like shrek the third Just don’t remember it exists Its how to live life

[@ModernWarfareSlideCancel]

@@GatoConBotas403 So long as everyone can agree that Shrek 2 is the best.

[@GatoConBotas403]

@@ModernWarfareSlideCancel um…. I actually like Puss in Boots 2 more….

[@rahulkushwaha7896]

Also Noruto anime music :)

[@ChairmanKam]

3:30 Based rant is based. I approve.

[@stopper0203]

I can play this entire song on piano 0:00

[@ren_true]

oh great, my fav soundtrack is from Halo 2

[@andrewjazdzyk1215]

Ha ha ha to be fair they recently retconned the retcon and ensured that forerunners and humans have a common ancestor. **which is probably more accurate considering evolutionary mechanisms**

[@Long_Fang]

Halo odst is one of my top 4 tracks can't decide between halo 2 halo 3 halo odst and reach love them all infinites is alright but feel like it didn't go anywhere near as hard as the rest

[@SilverViper1000]

Infinite to me feels like the old music but not as intense as before. It feels almost like home, but just almost.

[@LaperLarden]

It's a good soundtrack but you're right. It's a little less, driven (?) and motivated than the original trilogy's music.

[@Long_Fang]

@LaperLarden yeah exactly its hard to describe but you get it glad it's not just me

[@jokroast6912]

real Halo CE gameplay real

[@PackHunter117]

In my opinion Forerunners being a different race that made massive mistakes and tried to atone for their sins and gave the mantle to humanity is way better than the old Bungie clique that many at Bungie didn’t even agree on.

[@Revkor]

I miss Johnson

[@switchboy2320]

While I don't like ODST I love it's music

[@alexander5629]

humans being ancient humans and getting massacred by forerunners is better, just goes to show that no matter how advanced anyone is they'll still make mistakes and now the present humans have to deal with both the forerunners problems and ancient human problems

[@abyssal-labs]

Lol yes Jackie snipers in halo 2 they were the true end game they see way over tuned on legendary