Maybe a little OT.....Session "opening theme"

[B.T.]

I don't work with much music. One of my players is a musician himself - he tends to listen to the music, not to the GM.

A nice openig track is good. It helps, to settle the mood. But during play, I would use music sparingly. And if you use it as background, you should chose slow and more instrumental tracks. If the tracks have to much rhythm - lots of drumbeats - this can distract the attention. Soundtracks are ideally suited.

On the other hand: Some of the "louder" tracks, thrown in on occasions, might do it, from tome to time:
Iron Maiden - The Trooper
Motörhead - Overkill (An edit, song's too long)
System of a Down has same real loud ones, that could be played as an opener to a scene.

There is an album of Apocalyptica with cover songs from Metallica ("Apocalyptica plays Metallica"?). Some were really scary.

Pomp and Circumstance might work, too. (You know, when the job is done and the players can feel like real heroes)

I once played with a guy, who must have had literally hundreds of soundtracks. He used several tracks as musical themes for certain NPCs. This was fun - every player instantly knew, what was happening.

[Legbreaker]

Given the game's set in the second half of the 90's, perhaps leave the 1960's and 70's sound tracks alone and go with more contemporary music and bands?

[stg58fal]

Originally Posted by Legbreaker

Given the game's set in the second half of the 90's, perhaps leave the 1960's and 70's sound tracks alone and go with more contemporary music and bands?

2012, actually, since we'll be playing T:2013, but your point remains valid, and that's why I said that even though "Gimme Shelter" would be great, it's probably not appropriate.

I'm looking up the suggestions that have been made thus far on YouTube.

[Legbreaker]

Originally Posted by stg58fal

2012, actually, since we'll be playing T:2013, but your point remains valid, and that's why I said that even though "Gimme Shelter" would be great, it's probably not appropriate.

Ah, good point. Makes selecting music even easier for you though - don't have to think back a decade and a half!

[Rainbow Six]

Can't believe I forgot about "99 Red Balloons" by Nena yesterday. Even better in the original German version, "99 Luftballoons".

[dude_uk]

For that the late Cold War feeling:

Two Tribes Frankie goes to Hollywood

Everybody wants to rule the world Tears for Fears

Russians Sting

Land of Confusion Genesis

When the Wind Blows David Bowie

When the Children cry White Lion

[Tombot]

I like this one for the start, cause it oozes the beginning of a coming dark age:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LS7k3...ure=plpp_video

And this one for the end of the session ("rolling the credits" like: "tonights beer was provided by.."):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0q1g...ure=plpp_video

Btw: "Gimme shelter" from 1969 is now added to my list of T2k-"Soundtrack"-Music - fits well into the broad spectrum of music for the overall theme... nice choice!

[copeab]

Originally Posted by B.T.

There is an album of Apocalyptica with cover songs from Metallica ("Apocalyptica plays Metallica"?). Some were really scary.

Four Cellos Play Metallica

I found their cover of "Hall Of The Mountain King" kinda scary

Their more recent instrumentals, with drums and distortion effects, also work well as background music.

[copeab]

I always thought "Re-Jigue" by Alan Parsons was a good theme song waiting for a series. "Lucifer" by the Alan Parsons Project is also a good choice.

[stg58fal]

Originally Posted by B.T.

A nice openig track is good. It helps, to settle the mood.

That's the idea. JUST an opening theme. Like how "Paint It Black" was used as the opening theme for the TV series "Tour of Duty". Other than that, I prefer for music to stay OFF during a game session, to help reduce distractions.

Thank you all for the suggestions. I'll check them out. I may also change the opening every so often, for the sake of variety and so people don't get too burned out on one song.

I also like, and may use, the Five Finger Death Punch version of "Bad Company". Funny, cuz that's the ONLY song I've heard them do that I can actually stand.

[Raellus]

I started a thread on war-related pop music a few years back but I can't find it in the archive. A lot of folks pitched in and it was pretty exhaustive. Here's a more recent thread about mood music for T2K-

http://forum.juhlin.com/showthread.p...ighlight=music

I'll keep hunting for the other one.

[stg58fal]

Originally Posted by Raellus

I started a thread on war-related pop music a few years back but I can't find it in the archive. A lot of folks pitched in and it was pretty exhaustive. Here's a more recent thread about mood music for T2K-

http://forum.juhlin.com/showthread.p...ighlight=music

I'll keep hunting for the other one.

Thanks. Checking the thread right now.