God of War: Ragnarök – Vinyl OST Composed by Bear McCreary " pairs well with a horn of mead" 🐻 @bearmccreary #Vinyl #VGM #VideoGameVinyl

The much-loved God of War franchise has been rolling on, powered by a war-like bloodlust since 2005 on the PS2, and has been known for its award-winning, rousing scores, which – since 2018 -have been handled by American composer Bear McCreary – who also plays the role of Raeb in-game. This triple-vinyl release features 28 tracks, including a final song that features Irish songwriter HOZIER. Faroese songwriter Eivør also features on a handful of songs throughout the record, mainly appearing on the first disc.

A simple cover that is rich with blues and whites / creams representing the freezing climate that permeates the game itself, the cover features two hands clasped in an embrace as the image of a simple shack, alone on a wooded mountain ensconced within the silhouette. Opening up the triple-gatefold shows rich, frame-worthy imagery of illustrations depicting Kratos and his son in two full-size images, and one of Atreus tending to a wounded Fenrir.

The records are pressed on a deep blue, marbled vinyl and each stored in thick black sleeves -I also have to note the quality of the sleeves and cover, this really does feel robustly presented, and well-glued (I’ve had issues with triple vinyl gatefolds coming undone when stored / opened etc. and that hasn’t been the case here).

Also stored inside the gatefold are two gloriously illustrated art cards that are full-sized and represent a couple of moments from the game, there is also a card included – again, full-sized – that lists not only the credits of those involved, locations that the score was recorded at etc. but also two sections comprising of notes from both the game director (Eric Williams) and the composer (Bear McCreary), and these are absolute goldmines of information that add context to the game, narrative movements and overall composure of the game relating to decisions made by McCreary, and reading through McCreary’s notes as you listen through the soundtrack adds layers and enriches the listening experience, a very nice touch that is hugely appreciated! 

SUMMARY

This is an extremely well-presented and packaged OST of the God of War: Ragnarök soundtrack that plays out as an incredibly evocative and immersive listening experience, pairs well with a horn of mead.

From the website:

The award-winning soundtrack to God of War Ragnarök is now available in a premium vinyl release format. Each product comes packaged in a trifold jacket with interior displays of original concept art from game, three (3) 150g weight discs pressed on coloured “Blue Smoke” vinyl, two (2) heavyweight cardstock lithographs displaying additional game concept art, and an insert with a note from Game Director, Eric Williams, and Soundtrack Composer, Bear McCreary.

The album features score music written by McCreary for the video game, which debuted on PlayStation®5 and PlayStation®4 consoles. Also included within the 28-track collection is an original vocal track from McCreary and multiplatinum-selling singer-songwriter HOZIER entitled “Blood Upon the Snow”.

TRACKLISTING

Disc 1 Side A

God of War: Ragnarök – featuring Eivør

A Son's Path

The Hand of Odin

Giantess of Ironwood

Huldra Brothers

Disc 1 Side B

Holding On – featuring Eivør

Svartalfheim – featuring Eivør

Pull of the Light – featuring Eivør

Alfheim

Jotunheim

Disc 2 Side A

Grýla

Whispered Souls

Vanaheim

The Hidden Beast

Disc 2 Side B

To Forgive or to Kill

Asgard

Muspelheim and Niflheim

Midgard

The Mermaid

Disc 3 Side A

Remembering Faye – featuring Eivør

Return to Helheim

The Hammer of Thor

The Mask

Ragnarök

Disc 3 Side B

The All-Father

Raeb's Lament

Letting Go

Blood Upon the Snow – Hozier & Bear McCreary

LINK 🔗

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