As the creators of Minecraft continue to expand deeper into the realms of mythology, composer Gareth Coker continues to add to his repertoire of exotic instruments and music of heroic times. His two recent soundtracks, for Norse and Egyptian Mythologies, gave him the opportunity to work with some incredible world instrumentalists. As he told me, it was the stories of the gods that provided much of the inspiration for his music.
Gareth was thrilled to have a chance to work once again with wind virtuoso Kristin Naigus, as well as work with other musicians who play some of the iconic instruments assosciated with other cultures, including Rachel Nesvig, who specializes in Norway's Hardanger Fiddle.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbcLV-DDdT0">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbcLV-DDdT0
Working with the team at 4J Studios was a great experience because they provided plenty of builds of each expansion as well as some musical ideas. For Egyptian Mythology, Gareth says they suggested even going a little campy, à la The Mummy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yWz1aKXm1k">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yWz1aKXm1k
Gareth says the biggest suprise working on these two Mythology expansions was how dark the studio wanted to go with the music. This gave him lots of freedom to explore the epic power of the gods in each mythology. The soundtracks for both Mythologies are available through iTunes.
Gareth's music from Ori and the Blind Forest will be performed in concert at the Game Music Festival in Wroclow, Poland, on October 26 and 27, along with music from World of Warcraft, Diablo and many other games. He says he's hoping that after this successful performance, there will be plans to present the concert in the U.S.
Episode tracklist
All tracks by Gareth Coker
Minecraft Norse Mythology: Alfheim
Minecraft Egyptian Mythology: Alexandria
Minecraft Norse Mythology: Asgard
Minecraft Egyptian Mythology: The Great Pyramids; Heliolopolis; Renenutet & Mashkenet
Minecraft Norse Mythology: Folkvangr (feat. Rachel Nesvig, Hardanger fiddle); Valhalla; Jotrunheim
Minecraft Egyptian Mythology: Journey Through the Duat
Minecraft Norse Mythology: Hel
Minecraft Egytpian Mythology: Osiris; Abu Simbel (feat. Kristing Naigus, English horn)
Minecraft Norse Mythology: Midgard
Minecraft Egyptian Mythology: Hibis
Minecraft Norse Mythology: Einherjar
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Thanks to Dick Roberts for production assisstance and
Greg O'Connor-Read, Top Dollar PR