Comment on the Soundtrack (by Joel Nielsen)

Black Mesa Archive The Cafeteria
#41

Fucking awesome work Joel, I love it. I really hear so many elements of some of my favorite games in your songs, HL, Doom, Unreal, C&C, etc.

It’s way better then a lot of actual AAA game soundtracks, and I am not just saying that.

lol, Katana, I heard the beginning of Questionable Ethics 1 earlier today and turned it off because It sounded like one of those songs I would just love, and at the time I thought I’d rather hear it in game first :stuck_out_tongue:

Also, I’m glad you did a remix of office complex and the theme. I always felt the original ones sounded like they wouldn’t fit with the overall theme of HL/BM. And I love how Power Up sounds. It really sounds like it belongs in a HL game in a creepy part.

#42

I’m enjoying the soundtrack. If I had to critique it at all, I think I’m with SURPLUS_NiNjA above - a couple of the tracks feel like they lean Rock when I might appreciate them more if they leaned a little more Electro. That’s just personal taste and not a knock on the superb work.

It’s already accomplished it’s goal: it’s got me listening repeatedly, it’s put me in the right mood, and it’s got me itching to play :slight_smile:

Joel, great work. Unfortunately I’ll have to wait a few days to send some money your way as I’m pitifully broke at the moment, lol.

#43

I know this is probably coincidence, but I swear to god at 0:52 in the updated trailer song, surface tension 3, I feel like I hear the beginning note of Nuclear Mission Jam in the background very subtly.

I could just be imagining that though.

#44

I won’t listen to it until I’ve played the mod. Don’t want to spoil awesome moments.

#45

I agree completely with this part, i’ve been loving the soundtrack ever since i managed to get my hands on it, and like for some others, my personal favorite is “Forget about Freeman”, which is just an awesome one.

Nice job!

#46

Agreed. I prefer to be immersed in the game when I enjoy the soundtrack for the first time.

#47

Ditto, although I couldn’t resist hearing a few songs. I’ve now vowed to hear it as I play.

#48

It has that feel from most classics shooters from end of the 90s. Sounds like a mix of goldeneye, unreal tournament and half life tracks, while still being up with todays quality. I wish more tripple A game still went for this kind of tracks.

#49

I am really satisfied with the overall “feel” of the soundtrack. It quite does sound like something from the 90s.

I feel like too many games these days for music, either go for orchestral to make it sound like a “movie”, or if they do go for stuff closer sounding to the 90s it is many times heavy metal.

This sounds like a game soundtrack, as it should, while at the same time still being something I can listen to on its own.

#50

shut up

#51

The Fusion of ‘Bourne’ and ‘bond’ in the First Credits song is spectacular and Immensely rewarding to listen to.

Despite not playing the Mod yet, It has that Perfect element of ‘completion’ to it you only get from finishing the game.

Your Decisions and choices that went into the composition of the OST are Beyond Professional.

#52

I suppose you are right, the later stuff from Valve is more rock but still I think this soundtrack leans more towards rock than most of the Valve soundtracks do. This isn’t a criticism by the way its just an observation.

#53

(tha)Dude, are you even serious? This sounds way, way more like Valve music than Crapematic Mod. Hell, it sounds more like Valve music than anything. It would fit perfectly well into an official Valve game.

#54

Joel, you’ve been my hero ever since The Big Throwback originally made its way around the forums years ago. Perhaps before. This soundtrack has done nothing to change this.

You’ve done amazing work, sir.

#55

Its all good now :slight_smile: I redownloaded later wen there was less server load, the problem was just caused by the download stopping due to the server overload. And I have to say that the soundtrack sounds wondefully modern yet it keeps the feeling of the original game’s OST. Very well done Joel.

#56

It’s a shame Kelly Bailey no longer works at Valve.

#57

Just wanted to say one thing, I’m gonna wait so I can listen to the music in-game.

I didn’t wait all these years to spoil it by pre-listening to the music. Gotta admit, I did download it… just to make sure it’s real, then proceeded to have a blank stare at the home page for about 2 minutes watching the clock go down, it’s no wonder, my brain just wasn’t wired to comprehend a black mesa release.

Congraturations to the entire dev team, past and current. You people, have achieved what so many wanted but were too lazy to accomplish. And have set an example for all modders, and aspiring game designers to follow.

#58

All my that. I haven’t even downloaded it yet because I know the temptation would be far too great for me to just load it up in the player.

#59

Fantastic work with the soundtrack. Is there any way we can get it in FLAC?

#60

I’m getting massive goose bumps listening to the soundtrack.
Sooooooooo gooood.
Just amazing work.
Now I need to throw money at him, or I won’t feel good about myself.

Founded in 2004, Leakfree.org became one of the first online communities dedicated to Valve’s Source engine development. It is more famously known for the formation of Black Mesa: Source under the 'Leakfree Modification Team' handle in September 2004.