While most of the musical tracks for id Software's Doom were blatant rip-offs of late-80s and early 90s metal, it's hard to argue that (at least at the time) it didn't kick a whole bunch of ass. There's really nothing like ripping apart a cacodemon with a chainsaw to the soothing sounds of a MIDI knock-off of Slayer's "South of Heaven," brought to life by an ever capable Sound Blaster 16.
Fortunately for us, videogame music has matured dramtically in the 14 years since Doom's original release. Still, a little history has never hurt anyone, and I was pleased to hear that Doom designer John Romero recently unearthed some classic gems -- MIDI tunes created for Doom that just didn't quite make the cut.
Romero is quick to point out that most of the music wasn't used because it simply wasn't good enough ... and I'm not going to argue that. Still, when some of the tunes are slightly tweaked versions of Pantera and Soundgarden songs (un41.mid and un31.mid are clearly "Walk" and "Rusty Cage," respectively), saying the music wasn't good enough is a direct insult to middle-aged, flannel shirt wearing metal heads worldwide.
Listen closely to the collection of tracks (if you can stomach them) and you'll hear songs that are not quite by Alice In Chains, AC/DC, and others. Anyone want to start a pit?
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21 comments + 95764 views
adding them to my gaming music radio stream :) thank nick my listeners will love this...
Awesome post bro!
un08, un28, un37, un46, and un49 weren't unused in the game, were they? o_O I distinctly remember those from the game, unless I'm just losing my mind. If those were unused, then they did use ones that so similar that I wouldn't be able to tell the difference.
Well, anyway, the pinnacle of Doom music, for me at least, was "Demons on the Prey". None of those came close to touching it.
"that were so similar"
god 51 is so clearly walk its sickening
Not even unused Doom music...
Glad you guys liked these -- I was listening to them last night and it was driving my wife nuts.
The opening was annoyingly perfect.
This songs rock hard!!!
They could use them for Excite Truck 2.
@Im Ok
If I'm not mistaken, those were not used in the original Doom, or Doom2, but were used in TNT and Plutonia.
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