When I started playing RPGs some time ago, playing with the right background music seemed unnecessary. The Game Master had to check each time if the song matched the scene – and sometimes he changed his mind at the last moment and turned on something else. This had a negative impact on the smoothness of the game, especially since sometimes you had to change the discs in the player. And in addition, there is a limit to how much can you listen to the soundtracks from Lord of the Rings, Gladiator or Braveheart and other classics. The same repeated songs were boring, and in addition associated with well-known scenes from films, sometimes causing undesirable giggles.
Currently, I can not imagine a decent session without a musical background. Without this, the game seems stiff, and there is silence between the players’ statements which feels strange. Especially when everyone is talking over a pint in the inn or during the turmoil of the battle. Nothing turns up the climate like a heavy song in an abandoned castle or something dynamic to fight.
At this point, the network resources are so big that it is not a problem to find the right songs for many hours of campaign. Specific sounds, selected ambientes are also achievable. Not to mention how appropriate sound players enable meaningful sound management.
And finally, how fruitful it can be to browse and search for cool music for the session. There are moments when a song or a soundtrack perfectly complements the scene. Or even better, when the found piece provides an idea for the next session. Like, for example, Warren Zevon’s Werewolves Of London.
Great material for a session in which a mutant appears, half-man, and half-dog. The whole thing works in the post apocalyptic world (Neuroshima), so it was not really a werewolf, but everyone knew what was going on. From now on, this musical piece will always be associated with certain events by the party that went to some flooded garage <hehe>.
Anyway, here are some examples of the best and most interesting producers, labels, composers or bands whose songs are great for use at the session. It is possible that this will not be a surprise, but maybe you will be able to add something new to the Secret Music Library of the Game Master.
Two Steps From Hell is a record company that produces music mainly for movie trailers and teasers of computer games.
Nox Arcana is a band that creates songs in a climate of horror and dark ambient.
Alan Silvestri is one of the best known composers of film music. There is a lot to choose from.
Hans Zimmer is another well-known composer of music that can be heard, among others, in films and games.
Atrium Carceri is another rather dark ambient music that may come in handy.
Стары Ольса is a folk band playing music from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance period.
Wardruna is a band performing folk and ambient music, based even on the Nordic shamanism.
Rhapsody of Fire, which plays power metal, can also be useful.
Iron Zur is a music composer for movies, TV shows and games.
Basil Poledouris is another composer of music worth mentioning. His music may be less known, so he will not immediately associate with anything specific during the session.
Finally, an option that allows you to listen to a lot of different songs efficiently and in the so called meantime: Radio Rivendell (https://www.radiorivendell.com/), which plays cool music 24 hours a day. It allows you to view recently played songs, their titles and the author.
These are so many of the more interesting music options, from which you can choose music for hours and find what you need. One could mention other great paths and their authors as for Witcher 3, Tomb Raider, Assassin’s Creed and Alien. But I think it is worth choosing lesser-known songs, not to provoke any obvious associations during the game – unless this is the goal.
