Medal of Honor Warfighter to feat. Score by Mike Shinoda and Linkin Park Song

So CALL OF DUTY is not the only franchise looking for a big, pop, name to include in their marketing strategy.  While the next Call of Duty will feature a title song by TRENT REZNOR (and the original score to come from composer Jack Wall), now, the MEDAL OF HONOR franchise is getting into the act.  A-list game-franchises are starting to look (and sound) like the Hollywood movie industry (at least the blockbuster-machine-segment) everyday.   

According EA's official press release, it sounds as though composer Mike Shinoda will be taking the reigns of the Medal of Honor game franchise...at least in terms of their next release, MEDAL OF HONOR: WARFIGHTER.  Not only will Shinoda be writing the game's original score, but the game will also feature a single from Shinoda's group, LINKIN PARK, "Castle of Glass."

Apparently, the likes of Brian Tyler, Sean Murray, and even Hans Zimmer don't pack enough marketing punch for these already-blockbuster-titles.  It looks like the inclusion of "more marketable" names is still on the increase.  It could very well be that Reznor's and Linkin Park's song fit their respective titles like a blood-soaked-gunpowered-tainted-glove.  Time will tell us.

We certainly should expect a decent original score from both Jack Wall and Mike Shinoda, but who's names do you think will be garnering all of the attention and be prominently displayed on the box and the ads for each of these games?

Composers Unite for Signing Celebrating Medal of Honor 8-Disc Soundtrack Collection

COMPOSERS UNITE FOR SIGNING CELEBRATING MEDAL OF HONOR 8-DISC SOUNDTRACK COLLECTION

APRIL 16TH AT DARK DELICACIES IN BURBANK

WHAT: In-store signing of the new Medal of Honor Soundtrack Collection Box-set.

WHO: Medal of Honor composers Ramin Djawadi and Christopher Lennertz

WHEN: Saturday, April 16 from 2-3 PM.

WHERE: Dark Delicacies Books and Collectibles, 3512 W. Magnolia, Burbank CA 91505    

WHY:

    *      To celebrate the release of the Medal of Honor Soundtrack Collection, an eight disc box set showcasing Medal of Honor music by composers Michael Giacchino (UP), Ramin Djawadi (IRONMAN), and Christopher Lennertz (HOP).

    *      Box set includes previously unreleased material from the videogame series, a 40-page booklet with track listings, and introduction by game creator, director Steven Spielberg.

 Additional Information: Also in attendance will be composers Mark Islam (Crossing Over), Cliff Martinez (The Lincoln Lawyer), Stu Phillips (Battlestar Galactica), Scott Glasglow (Low), Ryan Shore (Jack Brooks Monster Slayer), and Jeremy Zuckerman & Ben Wynn (DC Showcase).

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Medal of Honor is one of the most popular video game series. Part of the popularity is due to the videogames' scores. The series completely revolutionized the gaming experience with quality scores performed by full-orchestras and written by composers who would go on to win Oscars and other awards. EA (Electronic Arts) and La-La Land Records have joined forces to release the Medal of Honor Soundtrack Collection, an eight disc box set jam-packed with gamers' favorite Medal of Honor music from the series.

To celebrate the release of limited edition box set, The games' composers Ramin Djawadi and Christopher Lennertz will be at Dark Delicacies in Burbank on Saturday, April 16 at 2 PM. to sign the limited edition Medal of Honor box set. The MOH music was written by Djawadi (IRONMAN), Lennertz (HOP), and Academy Award-winner Michael Giacchino (UP).

In addition to MOH, other composers will also be signing CDs including Mark Isham, Stu Phillips and Cliff Martinez.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Call Dark Delicacies at 1-818-556-6660 or visit http://www.darkdel.com/

Medal of Honor - 8 Disc Limited Edition Soundtrack Collection Coming

If you have loved the music of the MEDAL OF HONOR video game franchise, then this press release is going to make you very, very happy!  Read on...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LA-LA LAND RECORDS IN CONJUNCTION WITH
ELECTRONIC ARTS TO RELEASE 8 DISC LIMITED EDITION
MEDAL OF HONOR SOUNDTRACK COLLECTION

Includes original scores from Michael Giacchino, Christopher Lennertz, and Ramin Djawadi

LOS ANGELES, CA – Electronic Arts (EA) continues to make new strides in video game music with the release of the MEDAL OF HONOR SOUNDTRACK COLLECTION. The limited edition eight disc collection includes original scores from the 14 MEDAL OF HONOR titles, previously unreleased material from the award-winning composers Michael Giacchino, Christopher Lennertz and Ramin Djawadi, a 40-page booklet with complete track information, and an introduction by game creator, Director Steven Spielberg. According to Steve Schnur, Worldwide Executive of Music and Marketing at EA, “the box set representing the 12-year-old franchise is an absolute milestone for video game scores. The millions of MEDAL OF HONOR fans around the world deserve nothing less. We are honored to partner with LA-LA Land Records.” The limited edition box set will be released March 1st.

In choosing an appropriate composer to convey the mood of the first MEDAL OF HONOR, legendary director Steven Spielberg was introduced to and impressed with young unknown composer, Michael Giacchino. “I did what anybody in their right mind would do,” said Spielberg. “I signed him up to score MEDAL OF HONOR—and the rest of Giacchino’s history belongs to him.” Giacchino’s video game score pioneered live orchestral recordings of videogame music.

After four highly successful video game scores, the baton was passed to Christopher Lennertz, who also composed the score for the Quantum of Solace game. Lennertz recorded MOH European Assault and Pacific Assault with the Hollywood Studio Symphony, which has recorded for legendary composers such as John Williams.

Last year the game was reinvented and for the first time in its 12-year history, MEDAL OF HONOR left World War II and entered the modern day warfare in Afghanistan. The most recent disc of the collection demanded an intense score that could bring the game into this brand new era, and Ramin Djawadi was brought on for the challenge. Known for his score for Iron Man and the Prison Break television series, Djawadi’s score matches the intensity of the soldier’s story and Tier 1 experience in 2010’s MEDAL OF HONOR.

The increasing demand of the MEDAL OF HONOR scores by soundtrack aficionados led to EA's musical compendium of the MOH music. The rising popularity of videogame music has created an outcry to the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) to create a GRAMMY category honoring "Best Videogame Score." Currently, the Grammys recognizes video game music as part of the category “Best Score Soundtrack for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media.”


Search Amazon.com for "Medal of Honor soundtrack"

Medal of Honor (Video Game Soundtrack) by Ramin Djawadi - Review

Honor Regained
Review by Marius Masalar

The mighty hammer of elite film score criticism seems perpetually poised over RAMIN DJAWADI’s head, coming down hard on scores like IRON MAN and CLASH OF THE TITANS. This seems unfair. The larger body of laypersons appears far more pleased with the man’s work, and his ability to address them so directly is a measure of skill as a film composer, even if his craft is less cerebral and meticulous than that of others in the industry. His latest work — a first venture into a major video game title — seems to bring the best of his abilities to the table, polished over a long production period. And you know what? It’s worthy of acclaim. Here’s MEDAL OF HONOR.

Read the full review here

SoundCast Interview: Ramin Djawadi (Medal of Honor)

Interview:  Ramin Djawadi
Recorded September 27, 2010
Published September 28, 2010


RAMIN DJAWADI shares about his first foray into the genre of video game music.  He talks about the unique challenges of penning the score for the modern-era-reboot of the famed MEDAL OF HONOR video game franchise.

Episode Highlights

00:30 - Introduction
01:59 - How did you come on to this project?
03:30 - Living up to the Medal of Honor lineage
05:00 - Modern Warfare 2 and Hans Zimmer
06:10 - How is working in video game music different?
08:30 - Twitter Question #1 - Music related to Clash/ Titans?
09:55 - Using vocals in Medal of Honor
14:49 - Twitter Question #2 - Samples VS Live Orchestra?
16:08 - Twitter Question #3 - Adapting to Game scoring
17:17 - Biggest creative challenge?
18:10 - Dealing with franchise pressures
19:09 - Looking forward to more game projects?


Music Clips (Select music clips contained in this podcast)

00:00 - "WFO" (Medal of Honor) by Ramin Djawadi
07:30 - "Hunter Killer"  (Medal of Honor) by Ramin Djawadi
08:32 - "There is a God in You" (Clash of the Titans) by R. Djawadi
10:05 - "Falling Away" (Medal of Honor) by Ramin Djawadi
13:22 - "Heroes Aboard" (Medal of Honor) by Ramin Djawadi
21:27 - "Thirty Seconds Out" (Medal of Honor) by Ramin Djawadi

Download the episode here

Subscribe and more info here

Ramin Djawadi Composes Original Music for Next Medal of Honor (Video Game)

At long last, an official announcement has been made regarding the original score for the next MEDAL OF HONOR video game.  This bit of info has been kept fairly well under-wraps for quite some time (I should know...I've been begging for this for many months...to no avail.)

With the lock-down on this one would think that John Williams was writing the score.  Well, not quite, but after Djawadi's work for IRON MAN and CLASH OF THE TITANS, I have to say that it could prove to be a good choice.  In fact, if you want to get a glimpse of what is to come, Amazon already has clips available.  Listen to them here!



Official Press Release

ELECTRONIC ARTS RECRUITS AWARD WINNING COMPOSER RAMIN DJAWADI TO SCORE MEDAL OF HONOR


Composer Behind Iron Man, Flash Forward and Clash of the Titans
Creates Modern Tier-1 Auditory Experience for Franchise Reboot


Soundtrack available Tuesday September 28th, 2010


REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – September 23, 2010 – Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS) has recruited award-winning composer Ramin Djawadi to create a deep and meaningful audio experience for the modern combat first-person shooter, Medal of Honor™. Known for his recent work on the Iron Man movie, the “Prison Break” television series and the remake of Clash of the Titans, Ramin Djawadi creates a score to match the intense soldier’s story and Tier 1 experience told throughout Medal of Honor, which takes place in the current war in Afghanistan. Medal of Honor score album will be available on iTunes Tuesday, September 28, 2010.


 "The new version of a landmark game always requires a next-level soundtrack," said Steve Schnur, Worldwide Executive of Music and Marketing. "But this 'reinvention' of Medal Of Honor demanded a composer who could create an epic score that brings the game into a whole new era. The intuition and skill that makes Ramin Djawadi one of Hollywood's top young talents in film scoring is exemplified in MoH. This is an incredibly intense score, and we're tremendously proud to have him in the EA family."


For the first time in its 11-year history, Medal of Honor leaves the World War II theatre and enters the modern day setting of war-torn Afghanistan told through the lens of a small band of fictional characters. Medal of Honor introduces players to the Tier 1 Operator, an elite warrior and relatively unknown instrument of the U.S. Military that operates under the National Command Authority, taking on missions no one else can handle. Composer Ramin Djawadi explains “The fact that it is modern day with various locations asked for a completely different approach both stylistically and thematically. The score is very wide spread from emotional orchestral to edgy modern action. Western and ethnic instruments are used to represent the different cultures.”


“Designing a score that defines both the scalpel-like quiet professionals that are the Tier 1 Operators and the bold execution of the sledge hammer big military, has been truly unlike any project I’ve had the opportunity to work on,” said Djawadi. “Between the fast paced action and the precise battle sequences, players will be kept on the edge of their seats the entire game.”


 “Ramin Djawadi has brought an incredible amount of creativity and emotion to his score for Medal of Honor,” said Paul Lackey, audio director for Medal of Honor. “His take on traditional middle eastern music with the incorporation of modern twists including sequences of heavy electric guitar and bass have helped create a unique and engaging composition that will help set the tone for the reboot of Medal of Honor.”


Medal of Honor launches on October 12, 2010 in North America and October 15 in Europe for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system and PC. Follow the game on twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/medalofhonor or become a fan on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/medalofhonor.


About Electronic Arts


Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is a leading global interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the Company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers, wireless devices and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EATM, EA SPORTSTM, EA Mobile TM and POGOTM. In fiscal 2009, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $4.2 billion and had 31 titles that sold more than one million copies. EA's homepage and online game site is www.ea.com. More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.


EA, EA SPORTS, EA Mobile, POGO and Medal of Honor are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries.

Medal of Honor Exclusive Soundtrack in 10th Anniversary Release

As a part of ELECTRONIC ART's special 10TH ANNIVERSARY RELEASE of the PC versions of the MEDAL OF HONOR series, a special, 14-track, soundtrack compilation will be included. The CD will contain previously released music by composer MICHAEL GIACCHINO. This special release will cost around $40 and will also include:

* All five Medal of Honor games released for the PC, including

• Medal of Honor: Allied Assault
• Medal of Honor: Allied Assault -- Spearhead
• Medal of Honor: Allied Assault -- Breakthrough
• Medal of Honor: Pacific Assault
• Medal of Honor Airborne

* Strategy guides covering every mission in Medal of Honor: Allied Assault
* Exclusive in-game weapons
* Documentaries on the use of propaganda and battlefield training in World War II
* Interviews with WWII veterans
* Behind the scenes footage on the making of the Medal of Honor franchise

If you don't already own these games OR do not own any of Giacchino's top-notch work for the series, this might be the perfect time to invest.

Medal of Honor: Airborne by Michael Giacchino

After the success of Infiniti Ward's CALL OF DUTY 2 and 3 for the XBOX 360, the hope and expectations placed on EA's MEDAL OF HONOR: AIRBORNE were high. AIRBORNE would be EA's first WWII shooter release for the a next-gen console and with the increased processing speeds, storage capacity, an even more immersive gaming experience was the expectation of gamers. While there was little worry that composer Michael Giacchino would deliver, it turns out the game itself was not as well received as EA would have hoped - especially from the PC community. For whatever bugs the game might have, it has to be admitted that parachuting into a war zone is quite a different experience than any other WWII shooter has provided until now - thus hopefully providing some virgin territory for the Giacchino to jump into. So we endured a pretty big build-up for the game, then somewhat of a let down, but what of the score?

Read the full review here

Amazon offers MP3 Downloads - No DRM!

I was taken a little by surprise by this announcement, but today, AMAZON.COM joined the world of legal, downloadable music! There are a few good things with what Amazon is doing here. First, NO DRM! Thank God for that. Second, encoding is at 256 kbps and while I wish it were at 320, its a heap better than iTunes (which I have come to loathe) and its paltry 192 kbps. As I have said, 192 kbps might be good enough for your top 40 schrot, but for your jazz or orchestral stuff, that bitrate just does not cut it.

So I hear you asking - "So what about selection?" To that I say, "It's not a bad start." Check out some of the soundtracks you can get below:

MEDAL OF HONOR: AIRBORNE by MICHAEL GIACCHINO for $6.99

MEDAL OF HONOR by MICHAEL GIACCHINO for $6.99

More Medal of Honor by Michael Giacchino

THE SIMPSON'S MOVIE: THE MUSIC by HANS ZIMMER

Hans Zimmer

Jerry Goldsmith

All Soundtracks

Amazon MP3 Store

You also get HIGH QUALITY ARTWORK with each album purchase. To download entire albums you must download and install Amazon's tool, but you can download invidividual tracks - no problem. No doubt the library of titles doesn't approach iTunes, but it's a start and a welcome alternative!