Sumthing Else Music Works is releasing Halo 2: Original Soundtrack Volume Two.
The highly anticipated Volume Two soundtrack will be released on April 25th to US retail outlets through Nile Rodgers' Sumthing Else Music Works label http://www.sumthing.com, the industry leader for licensing and distributing video game soundtracks.
The Halo 2: Original Soundtrack Volume Two CD features nearly 70 minutes of award-winning compositions by Bungie Studios' Audio Director Martin O'Donnell and his writing partner Michael Salvatori, the composers behind the best-selling Halo® 2: Original Soundtrack Volume One and Halo®: Combat Evolved Original Soundtrack. The signature guitar sounds of revered rock guitarist Steve Vai also make an appearance, courtesy of Epic Records, and the album is produced by veteran music producer and Sumthing Else label founder Nile Rodgers.
Commenting on the back-story to the Volume Two soundtrack release, Martin O'Donnell said, "In the summer of 2004 Nile Rodgers and I decided that it would be a good idea to present the music of Halo 2 in two separate volumes. The first volume would contain all the music that was finished and mixed plus some 'inspired by' music from groups whose music was being used in the game."
Since the first Halo 2 soundtrack was assembled before the game actually shipped, it was always envisaged that the second volume would contain the rest of the game's music, some of which Martin O'Donnell was still composing and producing, and would be rearranged for maximum listening pleasure.
"The music in Halo 2 will play back a little differently each time someone plays the game," explains O'Donnell, "But on the soundtrack I have the opportunity to arrange the music in an album format. For Halo 2 Volume Two I decided to use a 'suite' structure that also corresponds to the chapters within the game. In a sense by listening to this soundtrack you will hear the musical representation on the story of Halo 2. Enjoy!"
