Atrium Carceri - The Old City - OST

Many, and I do mean many, take the background scores in their favorite movies, television series, and video game series for granted. What would a movie be without the adrenaline pumping music that decors an action sequence? Or a television series without that completely catchy, yet not completely annoying theme song? And what is a video game without an absolutely compelling soundtrack that can completely suck one into the experience they're about to receive? In a sense, a lot would be left lifeless, with more to be asked for. Music is the unsung hero of a lot of varying moments; from heartbreaking and unexpected character to deaths, to more joyous wedding occasions, or simply the admirable unification of a legion of allies under one banner. Music is there for it all. And, Simon Heath, owner of Cryo Chamber and music producer (under a few different names) has answered the calling to write and produce the soundtrack to a video game.

Under one of his long used monikers, Atrium Carceri, Heath has lent his hand to work with Postmod Softworks, a video game production company. He has used his talents to write and produce the official soundtrack for their game, The Old City: Leviathan. Now, I am not one who has ever played The Old City personally, but here is an excerpt about the game from their page on Steam:

"The Old City: Leviathan is an experiment in first person exploration that focuses entirely on story. All that exists is you and the world. Set in a decaying city from a civilization long past, The Old City: Leviathan puts the player in the shoes of a sewer dwelling isolationist."

In any case, this seems like the perfect game for Heath to write music for, as he has dwindled on similar subjects of past and forgotten civilzations explored by a lone wanderer under the Sabled Sun name. And, from what I've experienced, there is not a doubt in my mind that he hasn't cranked out a fantastic dark ambient album for this game.

Whether it was the slow moving sounds and gorgeous vocal work found within the Intro / Menu music, the dark and doomed innocence that played out in Childhood I and Childhood II, or even the exploratory but gloomy piano work that was found within Dark End, there isn't a single song that plays out of place within this fifteen track album.

I think what's best about this soundtrack, though, is the fact that it actually got me interested in the source material from which it was featured on. I have never heard of The Old City: Leviathan, but given the description I read of the game, and - even more importantly - the swaying and spellbinding effect that Heath has procured with this album has made me want to go out and play this game, just so I can experience both the lovely music and (hopefully) captivating video game.

And, even if you're not a gamer, at least you can still go and listen to the music here, presented in full form. Fifteen tracks spanning a little over an hour is presented within The Old City's official soundtrack, and every minute is engaging and moving. I implore you to discover it for yourself. Mar 02 2015