ALBUM REVIEW: DOOM (Original Game Soundtrack) – Mick Gordon

Back in 2016, ID Software rebooted the infamous DOOM video game franchise. It proved to be wildly successful, maintaining many of the same mechanics and original features of the 1993 game, whilst the graphics were obviously a vast improvement. The game revolves around a security guard on a space station which gets overrun by the creatures of hell, as the company he works for has found a way of harvesting power from the realm of Hell. The gameplay focuses on intense, bloody gunplay, fighting all manner of hellish monsters. Thus, ID Software knew that they really had to push the boat out to curate a soundtrack not only matching for this, but good enough to enhance the pace of the game and intensify the already visually intensive violence.

They called in Mick Gordon, known for his obsession with progressive metal, and his work on many games since 2006, including the 2014 reboot of the Wolfenstein games. He crafted a soundtrack spanning thirty-one tracks, two hours and eight minutes, of pummelling and aggressive instrumental metal focused around samples from the game, ‘djent-style’ guitars and fast drums. For 2018, this iconic soundtrack is being released by Laced Records in physical format, in anticipation of the upcoming sequel to Doom, Doom: Eternal.

The release is structured in three parts, each introduced with a ‘testament’ track – demonic vocal interludes telling the story of the ‘doomslayer’ – the playable character in the game. For a game as metal as Doom, frankly, Mick Gordon could not have been more successful with his writing. The tracks come through frantic and punchy, hammering the player with frenetic riffs as they massacre the hordes. Several tracks also bring in a low, ominous synth element which enhance tension and anxiety in moments before fights in the game, where players might be exploring the sickening surroundings of Hell.

Highlights on the record come early on, generally, with the most recognisable parts of the soundtrack – Rust, Dust and Guts and BFG Division in the first half of the soundtrack. From the sound of several of the first tracks, you might expect the soundtrack to be two hours of constant riffs and drums, however, Gordon keeps it exciting and fresh throughout. Chainsaw samples from the original game, demonic voices, screams, explosions and synth give each track an individual personality, and which no doubt helped to individualise each level of the game as well. In an industry saturated with homogenous, boring and unoriginal game soundtracks, Gordon‘s artistry and originality certainly is a breath of fresh air, and undoubtedly makes the Doom soundtrack listenable as a separate release in its own right. This has been recognised by many, with notable names involving themselves with Gordon and the marketing of the game – at the Game Awards for the release of the game, he performed two tracks live with drummer Matt Halpern of PERIPHERY fame, which contributed to the idea of Doom having an almost ‘djent’ soundtrack.

To summarise, however, whether you’re a fan of instrumental metal, or the Doom game, this particular release of the soundtrack has polished up very nicely, and would make a novel addition to anyone’s collection, provided they share the relevant interests.

Rating: 8/10

DOOM (Original Game Soundtrack) is out now on CD and vinyl via Laced Records.