Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Creepy Music To Play By

I mentioned my use of the Diablo soundtrack in a recent gaming session report. I find few things creepier than a music box. So coming across this track on Youtube was fortuitous. There may be a creepier music box track out there, but this one has its own unique menace.



And here is a classic music box track, from "For A Few Dollars More." The great thing about music box tracks are that as the music slows down, the tension builds.



And finally, here's a music box track that is probably too familiar ... the Davy Jones / Calypso theme from Pirates of the Caribbean. More wistful than scary, though I think it could be used to amp up the tension by having it be a trap that must be disarmed, otherwise it springs once the music stops.



One idea would be to have a trapped music box where there are three dials, each with the letters A-Z on them. You need to spell the word "BOX" with the dials, and press the stop button before the music ends. Seems simple, but will players figure it out, with the music playing in the background, and the clock ticking down?

13 comments:

The Happy Whisk said...

I like it, but then I love creepy music like this. Glad to see you back again. I've always enjoyed your blog. Thanks for the creepy music box post. --Whisk

Unknown said...

I've actually used thus track in a real game... Pretty much the only time I've used music during a session. Indespebsible for a weird western, though. :)

letsdamage said...

"The Unreleased Themes From Hellraiser", by the band Coil, has some of my favorite music box creepiness.

Trey said...

Goblin's soundtrack to Suspira is a good one.

Aaron E. Steele said...

Trey said...
Goblin's soundtrack to Suspira is a good one.

That's really unsettling, especially the gutteral vocalizations in the first half of the track.

Aaron E. Steele said...

blizack said...
"The Unreleased Themes From Hellraiser", by the band Coil, has some of my favorite music box creepiness.

Do you use it for gaming, and if so, at what times?

Aaron E. Steele said...

Risus Monkey said...
I've actually used thus track in a real game... Pretty much the only time I've used music during a session. Indespebsible for a weird western, though. :)

I wonder if that was the first use of music box music as a dramatic device in a film?

Aaron E. Steele said...

The Happy Whisk said...
I like it, but then I love creepy music like this. Glad to see you back again. I've always enjoyed your blog. Thanks for the creepy music box post. --Whisk

You're welcome! Glad to be back.

I like the idea of music box/creepy tracks to get the players nervous.

The Frothy Friar said...

Try Space Dye Vest by Dream Theater. No exactly a "music box" song, but just as creepy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6O4_C68PmFI

Outstanding prog-metal band btw

(p.s. my word verification is Roxtoxic...I'm totally gonna name a band that!)

RobChandler said...

Wow this is some great stuff. Nothing like some good creepy music when delving into a dungeon. Really sets the mood. Thanks for this. I'm going to have to use it in my own game.

Aaron E. Steele said...

Brian Lujan said...
Try Space Dye Vest by Dream Theater. No exactly a "music box" song, but just as creepy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6O4_C68PmFI


Great song. I also went and read some of the history of Dream Theatre. Pianos are so underused, loved it. In what situations would you use this song during a gaming session?

Aaron E. Steele said...

R.W. Chandler said...
Wow this is some great stuff. Nothing like some good creepy music when delving into a dungeon. Really sets the mood. Thanks for this. I'm going to have to use it in my own game.

I see these as good tracks when there is a time-limit, or if you want to create a spooky, dread-filled mood.

The Frothy Friar said...

>>>In what situations would you use this song during a gaming session?

I have no idea, I've been trying to think of a reason to put it in a game for years now. It almost feels like a background piece for a modern horror/ Call of Cthulhu type of game. Maybe some sort of haunted mansion or something