Memorable Music in Gaming #57 ~ Chalgyr's Game Room

This week we’re all about the unsettling side of the soundtrack. These 5 are a masterclass in using a cacophony of sounds to create a vibe that at once screams “You’re not welcome here. Turn back before it’s too late!”

Megaman X7 | PS2 | Soul Asylum

Look at the name. It’s called Soul Asylum. Is it any surprise it sounds the way it does?

I’m not familiar with the lore of Mega Man, so I’m not sure how well this fits with the philosophy of the X series. Its repetitive tones, however, are effective in setting an unnerving vibe.

Mega Man X7 OST, T14: Soul Asylum - Crimson Palace Stage 2

Half Life 2 | PC | Radio

To me the Seven Hour War is perhaps this series’ scariest narrative. Think about it: the entirety of Earth and its denizens under the absolute control of the Combine in one average school day.

If the Combine Theme is successful in conjuring up images of the alien army winning the battlefield; then Radio is all about the post-apocalyptic aftermath of their brutal success.

The distorted scream alone is enough to give one proper nightmares.

Half life 2 - Radio scary extended

Silent Hill 3 | PS2 | Prayer

Don’t act surprised, you knew Mr. Yamaoka would be on the list when you read the intro.

Throat singing is never not cool. This style of singing just fits the atmosphere of Silent Hill. It sounds motivated and driven, like there’s a ritualistic purpose to all this.

I also urge you to listen to Nature Ganganbaigal’s segment in the heavy metal choir from Doom Eternal.

Silent Hill 3 OST - Prayer

Earthbound | SNES | Giygas

Giygas terrifies me—not just as an antagonist, but because of what it represents. It's an abstract, unknowable force. The boss fight isn't against a character; it's against the entire screen.

If I were a sentient audio format, this is the last theme I'd want to encounter in a dark alley.

Earthbound / Mother 2 Soundtrack: Final Battle (Giygas)

Control | PC | Metamorphosis

Control’s soundtrack is one of the best out there. The entire thing is hollow and stark, very much like the Brutalist architecture so prevalent in the game.

I find it cool that Martin Stig Andersen - one half of the composer duo - is allowed to live out his signature audio design that he perfected in Limbo and Inside.

Metamorphosis - Control Original Soundtrack

Article by: Hamza