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[xanaum]

Not sure if a thread like this already exists, but after listening to To The Wilder made for Death Stranding 2, it reminded me how much I love when artists actually compose or record new songs dedicated to a game. As someone who loves both gaming and music, this kind of collaboration feels magical and honestly, I wish it happened more often.

Just to be clear:

I'm not talking about previously released songs that developers license for the soundtrack (like GTA, FIFA, PES, Tony Hawk, etc.). I mean original music created specifically for the game, inspired by it, written for it, or tied to its story.

I'll start with a few examples, and I hope you guys bring more.


God of War – Blood & Metal (2010)

In 2010, the God of War franchise released a digital album called God of War: Blood & Metal — seven tracks composed by heavy metal bands like Dream Theater, Trivium, Opeth, and Killswitch Engage, all inspired by God of War III.

Dream Theater – "Raw Dog"


Opeth – "The Throat of Winter"



---

Florence + The Machine x Final Fantasy XV (2016)

Florence + The Machine recorded three songs exclusively for Final Fantasy XV.

"Stand By Me" (exclusive cover)


"I Will Be" (original song)



---

Paul McCartney x Destiny (2014)

Paul McCartney composed an original theme for Destiny:

"Hope for the Future"



---

Skrillex + Hikaru Utada x Kingdom Hearts III (2019)

"Face My Fears" was created specifically for Kingdom Hearts III.




---

Grimes x Cyberpunk 2077 (2020)

Grimes voiced Lizzy Wizzy in the game and recorded original tracks.

"Delicate Weapon"



---

Blind Guardian x Sacred 2 (2008)

The German metal band recorded an original song AND appears in an in-game concert with its own quest.




---

Woodkid – "To The Wilder" x Death Stranding 2 (2025)

One of the best game–artist collaborations in recent years.




If anyone has more examples of original music created specifically for games — not licensed tracks, please share them.
These collabs are amazing and I wish the industry would do them more often.

 

[Ar¢tos]

The 7th Guest (1993) - Skeletons In My Closet


(I think it only played in the end credits)

 

[jshackles]

If you consider covers, I recently laughed so much at this cover by Lance Cantstopolis (playing Flambae) of Meredith Brook's Bitch in Dispatch

 

[Punished Miku]

Victor Borba had a big year. Also on Clair Obscur.



ASADI and Xye

 

[March Climber]

Swedish Pop artist Lisa Miskovsky, Mirror's Edge:



Sigur Rós, Prince of Persia 2008:

 

[Witchilich]

 

[Witchilich]

 

[kevboard]

Swedish Pop artist Lisa Miskovsky, Mirror's Edge:

Chvrches did the title song for Catalyst. I'll always like Still Alive more, but still decent:

 

[GudOlRub]

Pretty much any RDR2 or CP2077 song, they're all excellent.
Cyberpunk even had a contest for people to create and put their songs in the game's radio stations if I'm not mistaken.

But I won't go for any of those, for now I'll post this one

 

[Witchilich]

Final Fantasy has some good songs

 

[ViperZombie]

I'm pretty sure Adema - Immortal was the theme song for Mortal Kombat Deadly Alliance.



Also Bring me the Horizon - Ludens from Death Stranding.

 

[falconhoof]

Bowie in The Nomad Soul - He redid some of these songs for his Hours album, but the game's versions are written specifically for it.

 

[HBx2000]

 

[Witchilich]

 

[Lorianus]

Honkai Star Rail Boss Themes go hard and all are with lyrics :




And here is the Album of ingame singer/idol Robin :

 

[p_xavier]

 

[Witchilich]

 

[Witchilich]

Autodub warning for Sakura Wars 3 Opening 3

 

[Witchilich]

 

[Witchilich]

 

[Rockondevil]

Came to say Sacred 2 and gladly the OP did not disappoint.

Brutal Legend is another I can think of (that's an original soundtrack, right?).

 

[falconhoof]

Are all these weeb songs actual music tracks by bands or just produced by the game soundtrack composers?

 

[yamaci17]

 

[DeleteriousObnoxious]

Caught me by surprise that Clap Hanz and Sony decided to use Owl City in a golf game but hey im not complaining.
Probably the only good thing about that specific game though vastly preferred ps2 and ps3 game direction.

 

[Witchilich]

 

[Witchilich]

 

[Witchilich]

 

[Witchilich]

 

[Pejo]

One of the unlikely Final Fantasy Brave Exvius collab songs, but I thought this one was pretty good. Not an original, so maybe slightly off topic, but it was remixed with an orchestra to give it that Final Fantasy feel.


Kuro Games hired out to Obadiah Brown-Beach for this song, which is an award winner in 2025 I believe. He composed a lot of game soundtracks in the west, in games like CoD and PUBG. It gives me old Evanescence vibes, if I'm being honest.


Nikke: Goddess of Victory has an insane OST, in large part due to a Korean artist/composer named Cosmograph. The dude has an absolutely incredible range:

 

[Witchilich]

 

[Witchilich]

 

[Loke]

Herr Faust from Wolfenstein: The New Order by Fredrik Thordendal (of Meshuggah) and Mick Gordon.



Duke Nukem Theme by Megadeth from 1999. Not an original song but a cover of Lee Jackson's Grabbag from Duke Nukem 3D. If I remember correctly it was supposed to be used in Duke Nukem Forever but we all know how that turned out lmao.

 

[Sooner]

Final Fantasy XV opening with Stand By Me, told me right away the series had completely jumped the shark.

 

[xanaum]

Are all these weeb songs actual music tracks by bands or just produced by the game soundtrack composers?

Any original song, any cover (even with non-famous vocalists) or any collab with a music artist, basically any track that only exists because of video games.

For example, the track Down By The River from Baldur's Gate 3, it's a completely original song sung by Vesela Delcheva, who I think was mostly known in her home country's music scene before BG3. Such a beautiful song, and it only exists because of the game.

 

[kevboard]

Crush 40 is also a good example.








I love these because I grew up listening to this Albums:

Spoiler

Oceans of Time was the debut of Johnny Gioeli as the lead singer of Axel Rudi Pell...

and it just so happens that he is also the lead singer of Crush 40, which I found out around 2004 when I first saw the intro video of Sonic Heroes...
I saw that and was like "wtf? I know that voice..."

and what can I say, I love his voice

 

[falconhoof]

Any original song, any cover (even with non-famous vocalists) or any collab with a music artist, basically any track that only exists because of video games.

I was meaning the mass of Japanese anime looking songs that got posted. There was no text with them to explain if they were some famous Japanese band or singer or it was the voice actor from a the game.

Would have been nice to have a bit of context on them.

 

[cartman414]

Chvrches did the title song for Catalyst. I'll always like Still Alive more, but still decent:

That one guy from Chvrches actually guested on one of The Electric Underground's videos to chat about shmup music. Turns out he's a big fan.

 

[A.Romero]

Wow, never heard of blood & metal before. It sounds right up my alley.

Thanks for sharing

 

[Gp1]

Pretty much any RDR2 or CP2077 song, they're all excellent.
Cyberpunk even had a contest for people to create and put their songs in the game's radio stations if I'm not mistaken.

But I won't go for any of those, for now I'll post this one

The entire Airport sequence in Max Payne 3 is such a great closure for the game.

 

[DelireMan7]

Technically not a song (no vocals)but Buckethead composed Jordan for Guitar Hero 2.
Still one of my favorite piece from him.

 

[falconhoof]

Technically not a song (no vocals)but Buckethead composed Jordan for Guitar Hero 2.
Still one of my favorite piece from him.

Heh, I was thinking of Buckethead too for this. The dude makes his guitar sing so that's got to count for something.

Anyway, here's the track he did for John Romero's Sigil DOOM wad.

 

[MastAndo]

 

[balls of snow]

Soon to be played live in TGA.




And the goat

 

[semiconscious]

first one i thought of...

 

[Robb]

 

[KloetenQuetsche]

All Craig Conner stuff in Gta 3.

Holy shit. He made a song with Kate Mc Kinnon in this game.

 

[deriks]

basically all 3D Sonic games and Devil May Cry





And the best to get you pumped while is fun

 

[Touch fuzZy. get BizZay]

 

[Touch fuzZy. get BizZay]

 

[Toots]

Aren't we gonna talk about the goat and Sonic 3 OST ?
Its not a song per say but original music made by Jackson and his crew specifically for the coolest virtual critter.