While we are on the subject of Horror video games, let’s take a look at Alone in the Dark (2008). The person response for this games soundtrack is the French composer Olivier Deriviere, which you can find more about by clicking his name. While I find the game interesting, the choice of music for his compositional medium is innovating as well beautiful. Yeah, beautiful vocal music in a Horror game. I never thought I see the day, but here I am writing about said event.
Deriviere hired the talent of the female Bulgarian Choir, “Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares”, whom appear in a number of tracks in the game. What makes them so special that they should be granted the privilege of appearing on a Horror game’s soundtrack? Their mysterious, yet soothing harmonious singing. I agree with Lai Kin, whom wrote…
“Some pieces even comprise parallel major seconds. Strangely these major seconds, while dissonant sound most natural. Perhaps these major seconds are to which the term “Le Mystere “ refers” (Lai Kin, 1997)
I’m practically in love with Major/Minor 2nds because of their dissonance and uncertain nature. They always sound like they want to get away from each other, but there are some instances where I find them most beautiful left alone. Maybe I just have a warped mind? Haha, I jest. I’ve left two tracks below from one of their CDs to hear what Lai Kin and I hear in the music.
That’s great and all Marcos, but what about Alone in The Dark? Well, like the mysterious singing these wonderful ladies present, they contribute the mystery to the game. Deriviere did a bang-up job writing the vocal score to compliment his instrumental, which can be heard below with two more examples.
Beautiful, right? It’s amazing to see how far the music of Horror games has progressed and I would love to see this kind of style used for future video games to come, that is if the budget allows the recruiting of an orchestra or Choir.
