Music and the Fictive Dream - Doom(2016/Eternal) Soundtrack

     Doom is a video game franchise that came to light in 1993, first being made for MS-DOS computer systems. The video game series started off from the success of Castle Wolfenstein, which originally was made by Muse Software, then was revived by idSoftware with the remake being Wolfenstein 3D. IdSoftware was created in 1991 by John Carmack and John Romero, as well as Tom Hall and Adrian Carmack. Their first creation, Wolfenstein 3D, is the first true First-Person Shooter video game, and with the release of their second, Doom, popularized the new genre of video game. One of the main inspirations to making the game, was the Alien movies. Which originally was to be a video game tie in, but due to idSoftware wanting more creative freedom, they ditched the idea. How are they to make an interesting video game on their new genre and hardware? Metal and Demons. The idea of demons invading was conceived during one of the member's Dungeons and Dragons campaigns where at the climax, hell began to spill into their characters world. The original video game revolved around a space marine where the world is consumed by the spawns of hell, with fast paced action and shooting that gave a thrilling experience. And with the atmosphere of the world, a good video game soundtrack had to be in place. The type of music, Metal. With the original containing MIDI versions of each song that would play, they used songs from Slayer, Metallica, Pantera, and Judas Priest. But everyone at the time knew those songs, the release of Doom in 2016 had an all-new soundtrack. With one of the requirements being, "no (normal) guitars." Mick Gordon was the composer of the new video game's soundtrack, and the one who reimagined the songs from the original Doom, specifically the first riff you hear when you start: E1M1.

E1M1 was based on a riff from Metallica's No Remorse, fitting because the original game just gave you a shotgun, and no clear objective other than Carnage.

Gordon took that riff and made the notes lower, which sounded more aggressive. But to Mick Gordon, that wasn't low enough. He managed to get his hands on a 9-string guitar and played the same notes again.

Deeper, aggressive and in your face. He sped the notes up, aggressive, claustrophobic, and faster paced. 

The iconic riff from the original game was starting to be reimagined into the new 2016 installment. And the name? At Doom's Gate.

(Turn down your volume just in case) Mick Gordon - 03. At Doom's Gate - YouTube

 The song is short, but with the new technologies available, each song transitions and changes to what's happening while you're playing. The song might be somber, quiet even, relief and rest, then suddenly you're surrounded by hell spawn, immediate burst into hard, fast paced beats to make sure you have to move, lest you be beaten and taken down, just as quick as you were surrounded. When you first hear At Doom's Gate, it starts off slow and quiet, building up louder before you hear the classic riff. The song grows louder still, adding in more beats and instruments. And while listening, you can hear the climax by a quick sudden stop before it bursts back immediately and harder, as if trying to tell you to get ready for what you're about to face in the game. At Doom's Gate doesn't serve much of a different purpose other than mentally getting you ready for what's to come, as well as paying an homage to the original's iconic introduction.

I absolutely love the Doom E1M1 song, it was very prominent in my youth. The original game, although clearly lacking in the graphics department, makes up for an amazing run and gun adventure, with an awesome ending to boot. However, the reboot in 2016 kicks it up a lot in the music department. You don't really pay attention to music in other games, but in Doom? You wouldn't be able to have one without the other. Without the adapting music, it would end up being a generic first-person shooter with fun gameplay. But the music blasting as you slaughter endless amounts of demons, makes you feel like an absolute badass. Unfortunately, the game isn't for everyone, but if you're looking to zone out and destroy a lot of demons for a while, Doom is definitely a go to.

Works Cited

Doom: Behind the Music Part 1 - Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ua-f0ypVbPA.

Doom: Behind the Music Part 2 - Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1g-7-dFXOUU.

“Doom Music.” Doom Wiki, https://doom.fandom.com/wiki/Doom_music.

“E1m1: Hangar (Doom).” Doom Wiki, https://doom.fandom.com/wiki/E1M1:_Hangar_(Doom).

GameAudioAustralia. “Mick Gordon - 03. at Doom's Gate.” YouTube, YouTube, 28 Sept. 2016, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jly9qp40rfw.

“Id Software.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 5 Nov. 2021, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Id_Software.

Jensen, K. Thor. “The Complete History of First-Person Shooters.” PCMAG, PCMag, 11 Oct. 2017, https://www.pcmag.com/news/the-complete-history-of-first-person-shooters.

XboxAhoy. “Retroahoy: Doom.” YouTube, YouTube, 24 Jan. 2016, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6A4-SVUHQYI.