Home Gaming Anthem has found its composer in Sarah Schachner

Anthem has found its composer in Sarah Schachner

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You know what builds hype for me with an upcoming game? It’s not the look of a game, but rather the sound of what’s to come. In the right hands, music is an incredible piece of marketing for any game, creating a subtle atmosphere that builds up tension and excitement. With me, it works brilliantly if an orchestral score is used because nothing gets my heart pumping faster than some well-placed brass trumpeting out a banging tune.

Music sets a tone, it creates an atmosphere and it lays down a foundation of what to expect from within a game. Think the haunting melancholy of Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, Destiny 2’s superb Mercury melodies from the Curse of Osiris expansion or Skyrim’s signature rise to power with its dragon-slaying shouts captured to the tune of a fist-pumping declaration of war.

There’s a high benchmark right there for any game to follow, but I have a feeling that Anthem is going to rise to the occasion now that Bioware has officially confirmed that Sarah Schachner has joined the team as the composer. Schachner is no stranger to video game soundtracks, having an impressive number of soundtracks on her belt already, with a significant chunk of her work being found in the Assassin’s Creed universe across games such as Black Flag, Unity and Origins.

“Her history of creating compelling scores for film and games make her particularly well-suited to bring Anthem’smusic to life,” Bioware wrote on their blog.

A multi-instrumentalist, Schachner’s evocative time-travelling and intergalactic scores will create the perfect backdrop for rocketing around in a javelin and exploring Anthem’s dangerous world.

So far, I’m really liking what I’m hearing. Here’s a taste of Schachner’s score for Anthem, which feels paradoxically human and alien, but also brave:

Anthem is out next year for PC, Xbox One and PS4. I think I might just be more excited for the official release of the original soundtrack more than the game itself, because this sounds downright magical.

Last Updated: August 23, 2018

16 Comments

  1. “With me, it works brilliantly if an orchestral score is used because nothing gets my heart pumping faster than some well-placed brass trumpeting out a banging tune.”

    But Doom is the exception I’m sure. Those banging tunes got your heart racing faster than a high-voltage shock to the nutsack. Was more fun too, mind.

    Reply

  2. Pariah

    August 23, 2018 at 13:28

    Now, as for that sound clip. Yeah, epic. I want me some of that.

    Reply

  3. Kromas

    August 23, 2018 at 13:29

    I feel someone needs to use John Williams.

    Reply

    • Pariah

      August 23, 2018 at 13:32

      Honestly, I’d rather have the above clip than another variation on the Star wars theme.

      Reply

      • Kromas

        August 23, 2018 at 13:42

        Hahaha cute. You know he has almost all famous music accredited to him from movies. Superman Indiana Jones close encounters of the 3rd kind star wars ET and more. The guy has done more for sountracks in 20 years than any other composer can dream of.

        Reply

        • Pariah

          August 23, 2018 at 13:44

          And games are not movies. Different medium entirely. His work would be fine for a cinematic, but that’s not what we’re here for.

          Reply

          • Kromas

            August 23, 2018 at 15:45

            Many composers do both.

          • Pariah

            August 23, 2018 at 15:47

            Ah so now it’s not just a John Williams fanboy thing? Now it’s “many”?

            I’m all good with Sarah if the rest is like that sound clip in the article. Seriously good shit right there.

          • Kromas

            August 23, 2018 at 15:50

            No I was just saying many composers do both movies and games and even though he has not yet done so he could very easily do it. I am not sure why you hate him though.

        • Kromas

          August 23, 2018 at 13:44

          Also Duel of the Fates was literally the only good thing to come out of Phantom Menace.

          Reply

        • konfab

          August 23, 2018 at 13:48

          Vangelis would like a word with you…

          Reply

          • Kromas

            August 23, 2018 at 13:51

            Sure let them come with their 11 Academy awards and like 40 other awards.

  4. konfab

    August 23, 2018 at 13:43

    Techno-didgeridoos what is not to love…

    Reply

  5. DragonSpirit009

    August 23, 2018 at 15:11

    Damn! Now that’s a good tune.
    The sound by 0:27 almost sound a bit Game of Throne-ish

    Reply

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