MTW music awards

[Gilrandir]

Here I would like to ask what music is associated with playing MTW (primarily with battles)? For me it is definitely MANOWAR. For one thing it is the lyrics. And when I listen to "Call to arms" from the album "Warriors of the world" I always imagine close-serried lines of Byzantine infantry marching down a hill. Any other associations?

[I of the Storm]

I'm not sure I can follow you here. 1) I'm not familiar with the music you mention there (but then again, I'm getting old, so...) and 2) it probably is too much a matter of taste in the first place.
But anyway, since you ask, I'll throw in my 2 cents: Either I stick with the old, original, unchanged, plain, vanilla MTW music (still one of the best scores of the whole TW series IMHO) or I tune in to some of my vast collection of interpretations of medieval music (I acquired the vice "refined tastes" about that quite some time ago, I'm afraid... ;-) )

If I may take the liberty of offering an example: this is pt. 2/10 of a 2010 performance by Jordi Savall + musicians on the subject of the southern french Cathars/Albigenses, given in Narbonne IIRC - one of the finest examples of Early Music interpretations today (youtube will offer you access to the other nine parts easily, should this please your ears).
Le Royaume Oublié 2/10

But I don't have any specific associations here. If it helps and enhances my experience of immersion, I will listen to it.

[Gilrandir]

The band I'm talking about plays speed metal and its known for scandinavian saga lyrics. But as you pointed out, it is a matter of taste and maybe it is me who is getting old as Manowar was popular in 1988-1996. Actually, I prefer to play MTW mute because I noticed that when I turn the sound on, I always lose (perhaps I'm biased in this, but you form habits and consider violating them an omen, you know). I'm speaking not so much of playing MTW to music but of musical associations the game avokes.

[caravel]

I remember actually raising a tankard of ale to the VI "viking victory" music more than once... no really... you have to wait until the end though when all the vikings cheer before raising your tankard... The VI vikings were a great a "drunk faction" because you couldn't go wrong - just point them at the enemy, click, crank up the game speed to full and watch them saw straight through... you need at least 4 pints of ale though in order to pull it off or you'll get bored fast...

As to other music - never bothered while playing, but that's just me. My "speed metal" days are long over... besides I prefer to take it easy when playing STW/MTW.

[gollum]

My "speed metal" days are long over...

Where there any? Intriguing.

On topic:
Many people like music from smash hit films (Kingdom of Heaven and the like), and many also like the Conan the Barbarian soundtrack from Basil Poleidouris. Poleidouris was a Greek-American (his family had emigrated) and was raised in teh Orthodox church. Much of his music goes back to Orthodox Hymnology and Liturgical music, that he loved since a choir boy. Orthodox liturgy does not have any instruments its all chanting.

Conan the Brabrarian's music is probably its most expressive soundtrack. This was in part due to teh film having very little dialogue - essentially resembling a silent film - which left the music to carry the narration. Its pretty good and definitely goes well with the game particularly in the campaign.

[I of the Storm]

... Actually, I prefer to play MTW mute because I noticed that when I turn the sound on, I always lose (perhaps I'm biased in this, but you form habits and consider violating them an omen, you know)...

You ARE getting old, you know... lol ... That's "Odd Habits" to me...

[Prince Cobra]

Here I would like to ask what music is associated with playing MTW (primarily with battles)? For me it is definitely MANOWAR. For one thing it is the lyrics. And when I listen to "Call to arms" from the album "Warriors of the world" I always imagine close-serried lines of Byzantine infantry marching down a hill. Any other associations?

Actually, I prefer the original soundtrack. The Muslim seem to have a wonderful campaign map music. When playing the Byz, the most suitable theme is probably this



Some people tend to call it the Byzantine Imperial march (probably because of the instruments). There is indeed something common between my favourite MTW theme and the Star Wars one. I find that uneasy.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

P.S. It's strange because I always imagine my Byz infantry, cavalry and archers marching uphill on this song...