Breakfast Topic: Best Northrend zone music
by Daniel Whitcomb 
Nov 22nd 2008 at 8:00AM
So how many of you have been playing Wrath of the Lich King with the in-game music on? I will tell you right now, if you haven't, you are missing a whole lot. The music, instead of being a low background murmur, really comes to the forefront with bold instrumentals that speak to the scenery of the zone they're in and don't hide. It feels like the composers are using more and bigger instruments too. I don't think I've heard a piano used in WoW until Wrath, at least not to the effectiveness it's used in the Dragonblight music, while the Mountains of Thunder music is by turns mysterious, heart-rending, and majestic. Overall, while I have loved snatches and pieces of music from past WoW efforts, I can say without reservation that this complete Wrath of the Lich King soundtrack is a cut above what has come before, and enjoyable, well-crafted music in its right.
My personal favorite is probably the Howling Fjord music, if only for one reason: Uilleann Pipes. I'm a sucker for them, and the music of the Howling Fjord uses them to incredible effectiveness. The stirring notes set the mood for the soaring vistas and majestics forests of the zone, as well as the struggle with the native Vykrul. Grizzly Hills comes in a close second in part because it has those same pipes being used to similar effect. What about you? Have you been listening to the new music? If so, what's your favorite music so far?
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Blizzard, Breakfast topics, Wrath of the Lich King
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
kyosei Nov 22nd 2008 8:07AM
My favorites, that I've heard so far anyways, are pretty much the same mentioned above. I was totally floored by the music in Grizzly Hills. Another favorite piece of mine is the Ebon Hold/Death Knight starting zone music. Hearing riffs of the intro cinematic there is great.
TheXux Nov 22nd 2008 8:45AM
My favorite, by far, would be the music for the Storm Peaks, just so calming and epic.
Zaniac Nov 23rd 2008 1:02AM
Absolutely, hands down, the music in Ebon Hold - the Death Knight starting zone fortress/city.
PimpyMicPimp Nov 22nd 2008 8:10AM
Dalaran with Grizzly Hills a close second. Howling Fjord is awesome too, but I prefer the track on the soundtrack over what we get in game by a wide margin.
CE purchase was all made worth it by the Soundtrack. I love it.
Heilig Nov 22nd 2008 1:40PM
Yes. Dalaran, Dalaran, Dalaran. Getting ready to hop off th ledge from the airport right as the chorus comes to a climax is epic.
Minnow Nov 22nd 2008 8:12AM
"My personal favorite is probably the Howling Fjord music, if only for one reason: Uilleann Pipes."
Same... :D
But the music at the Emerald Dragonshrine in Dragonblight is one of my favorites too.
Flint Nov 22nd 2008 8:13AM
I have no idea what it is called or what the proper tune is but as I was questing in the Red Dragonflight area in Dragonblight, this really beautiful, melodic and ethereal song came on for a few minutes before disappearing again. Haven't heard it since. I'd say that.
I also love the Howling Fjord and Grizzly Hills songs.
donz Nov 22nd 2008 8:34AM
going to have to agree with flint here. im a fan of dalaran, grizzly hills, nexus, and pretty much all the troll pieces thus far, but the ruby/emerald dragonshrine really struck me the most, bolstered greatly by the timing of when it first kicked in.
*minor spoiler*
i was doing the quest where you kill the banshee of the former keeper of the Ruby Dragonshrine, and after you kill it, her spirit walks in and starts reflecting on her life, death, and why you pretty much have to save the game. i doubt it was intentional, but the main portion of the music there decided to kick in at that moment, lending incredible emotional/dramatic death to the scene.
it was as though i had just stepped out of WoW into a pivotal scene from a final fantasy game.
and when the music can be compared to Nobuo Uematsu, you know you done something right
donz Nov 22nd 2008 8:35AM
er, save the world. not the game.
this site needs to invest in an edit button
donz Nov 22nd 2008 8:35AM
and emotional depth, not death. god i fail at english this morning
Keebster Nov 22nd 2008 8:22AM
Same Howling Fjord & Grizzly Hills
Sæmson Nov 22nd 2008 8:17AM
I really like the Howling Fjord as well...it reminds me of Braveheart =)
Aubrecia Nov 22nd 2008 8:23AM
Of the stuff I've heard, I have to agree that Fjord's is the best. Whenever I go back into the zone to head to UC/SMC, I end up with a big smile on my face because I just love the music so much. I'm only in Dragonblight right now, but I don't even remember what Borean Tundra's music sounded like, which is a bad sign. If it's so utterly forgettable that I don't even remember whether I liked or disliked it, then it's probably not going to be very high on the final list once I've gotten through all the zones.
Lovecrafter Nov 22nd 2008 8:32AM
I listen to the soundtrack constantly! I do leave out the intro song that plays when you log into WotLK. I love track number 18!
Vorgaak Nov 22nd 2008 12:40PM
I find myself porting to Dalaran and exploring the city only because I love the music so much.
Still only explored about half the continent, so I can't say anything about that.
Hoxnr Nov 22nd 2008 8:33AM
I really enjoyed the drumming section of The Nexus music. Something about that really matches the atmosphere of the instance.
Thomas Jespersen Nov 22nd 2008 9:03AM
Howling Fjord and Dragonblight. Dragonblight is probably number one, also happens to be my favorite zone so far.
David Nov 22nd 2008 8:41AM
Grizzly Hills. In part because I went in there for the first time and my girlfriend, who doesn't play WoW but was sitting in the room with me, perked up and said: "hey, that music is pretty good." Good job Blizz.
Kenzi Nov 22nd 2008 8:44AM
I couldn't agree with you more Daniel!
http://deathknight.info/2008/10/howling-fjord-music/
theholyevil Nov 22nd 2008 8:48AM
some of the beginning zones had some great music so it's hard for me to pick. i would say grizzly hills, just that tone make you almost feel like your in canada or something.