Brotherhood of Duty - The Music of Brothers in Arms & Call of Duty: World at War

The Evolution of Music in the World War II Shooter

Since Michael Giacchino's standard-setting score for the original MEDAL OF HONOR game, the expectations of the scores for all games following have been insanely high. Still, that hasn't stopped developers from eventually looking at other musical approaches.  The BROTHERS IN ARMS games have all sought to draw on those traits that have made the original scores for films like SAVING PRIVATE RYAN and the mini-series, BAND OF BROTHERS, so special.  Taking a more reverent, even more somber approach to a game was a bold move.  Contrarily, the CALL OF DUTY franchise has perhaps been the most experimental since Call of Duty 2 (Graeme Revell). With CALL OF DUTY: WORLD AT WAR, the conventions of the genre have been turned on its head; with unashamed incorporation modern electronic elements.

Tracksounds is proud to bring you an exclusive look at the music from the BROTHERS IN ARMS franchise and CALL OF DUTY: WORLD AT WAR.

Listen to the full soundtracks from the Brothers in Arms games and five select previously unreleased tracks from the Call of Duty: World at War.

You will find exclusive interviews with composers:

SEAN MURRAY

STEPHEN HARWOOD JR

ED LIMA and DUNCAN WATT
 

Full reviews of:

CALL OF DUTY: WORLD AT WAR

BROTHERS IN ARMS: HELL'S HIGHWAY

BROTHERS IN ARMS: EARNED IN BLOOD

BROTHERS IN ARMS: ROAD TO HILL 30

Music from BROTHERS IN ARMS
and CALL OF DUTY: WORLD AT WAR

All Music Used by Permission

Composer Sean Murray
Guerilla Scorefare

After the mega-hit CALL OF DUTY: MODERN WARFARE, developer TREYARCH returns the franchise to World War II in CALL OF DUTY: WORLD AT WAR.  We speak with composer SEAN MURRAY about his genre-bending score, the ideas behind the divergences from the norm and his special connection to both the game's setting and recording in Prague, Czechoslovakia.  Read the Interview

Composers Ed Lima and Duncan Watt
A Fine Time for Fine Men

Tracksounds grabs some time with composers ED LIMA and DUNCAN WATT to discuss their work on BROTHERS IN ARMS: HELL'S HIGHWAY.  The two share some specifics about how they worked together on this project, how this franchise's use of music is different from most other WWII shooters, and what lay in store for BROTHERS IN ARMS. Read the Interview

Composer Stephen Harwood Jr.
Scorefront Profile

Composer Stephen Harwood Jr is best known for his critically acclaimed orchestral score for Brothers In Arms: Road To Hill 30. Specializing in orchestral and modern orchestral-synth hybrid composition for games and film/tv, he is also an accomplished producer, arranger and performer with experience across a variety of styles including jazz and electronic dance music.  Read the Scorefront Profile

Call of Duty: World at War

Composed by Sean Murray
Developer: Treyarch
 

“CALL OF DUTY: WORLD AT WAR, while it may not be the most "authentic" OR "romantic" musical experience for a World War II shooter, it certainly is an effective one.”

Read the Full Review

Brothers in Arms:  Hell's Highway

Composed by Ed Lima and Duncan Watt
Developer: Gearbox
 

“Rather than attempt to reinvent the genre via the music, ED LIMA and DUNCAN WATT have sought to stay true to those traits which have made some of the more successful World War II projects so successful.”

Read the Full Review

Brothers in Arms:  Earned in Blood

Composed by David McGarry
Developer: Gearbox
 

“While DAVID MCGARRY's score for BROTHERS IN ARMS: EARNED IN BLOOD is much more subtle than its predecessor, it does offer an interesting listening experience; however brief.”

Read the Full Review

Brothers In Arms:  The Road to Hill 30

Composed by Stephen Harwood Jr.
Developer: Gearbox
 

“STEPHEN HARWOOD JR.'s reverential score has helped to set the budding franchise apart and has helped to ensure there is room and demand for sequels.”

Read the Full Review

*Special Thanks to : Noah Sarid (Activision), Ed Lima (Gearbox), Duncan Watt (Fastestmanintheworld), Stephen Harwood Jr. (Okiron Music)