Half-Life Series Soundtrack: The sounds that stayed with us

In preparation for the release of Half-Life: Alyx, the brand new built-from-the-ground-up 3D game, Valve have decided put onto Spotify the entire Half-Life series soundtrack - one of the greatest in the history of games.

The entirely original soundtrack by Kelly Bailey (whose face Gordon Freeman was modeled after), mixes industrial techno and rock'n'roll, layered with a dreamy quality is a masterpiece. 

It deliberately inserts itself into the game at opportune moments, you can hear it, it wants you to hear it and it gives you the sense that “shit is about to go down” like no other soundtrack before.

Take even the menu track “Valve Theme (Extended)” 

The track that accompanies every the opening of every Valve. Who doesn’t hear this and think… “here we fucking go?” I don’t think this is just nostalgia, but putting this on gets me hyped for Half-Life, Counter-Strike, Portal and any number of other games.

And that is just the menu music. So to celebrate the release of the Half-Life series soundtrack on Spotify we thought we would take look back at the best tracks and the in-game moments burned them into our minds.

Half-Life 1

Vague Voices 
First heard: Chapter 1: Black Mesa Inbound

The introduction to the Half-Life universe is iconic for all sorts of reasons: the tram ride, the world of Black Mesa revealing itself piece by piece, and that first sighting of the G-Man. That and of course, the eery space sounds of Vague Voices which are overlaid with the diegetic voice of a woman as she guides you through the first day at the facility.

It instantly sets you up for an experience that you know you will not forget.

Adrenaline Horror
First heard: Chapter 5: “We’ve Got Hostiles”

Gordon is frantically trying to get to the surface and make contact with the military who are there to ostensibly save them. 

But that all changes though when he witnesses a soldier shoot an innocent scientist, now Gordon is battling against alien and human forces and these humans have attack helicopters called “Ospreys” and it’s at the first sight of the Osprey that this banger kicks in.

Nuclear Mission Jam
First heard: Questionable Ethics

Gordon finds himself in the secret Advanced Biological Research Lab, where he discovers that scientists have had contact with the aliens of Xen long before the resonance cascade that opened the game had occurred.

You will soon pick up the Tau Cannon and face off against Alien Grunts for the first time with the funky Nuclear Mission Jam, a song that manages to be upbeat and foreboding, taking you deeper into a world that you will soon be leaving for something entirely different. 

Half-Life 2

CP Violation
First Heard in Chapter 3: “Route Kanal”

It’s early in the game and Gordon is slowly gathering information about the world since the events of Half-Life 1, he meets Alyx, learns of the resistance they decide to teleport to Black Mesa East where Alyx’s father Eli Vance is conducting research that could help the cause.

Alyx teleports first but when it’s Gordon’s turn he is attacked by Kleiner’s pet headcrab Lamarr. 

So Gordon must set on foot, in the extensive canal system of City 17 being chased hunted and chased by the Combine all to the frantic CP Violation track.

You're Not Suppose to Be Here
First heard in Chapter 4: Water Hazard

The title is a reference to a line the G-Man said to the player in a cut training level of Half-Life 2 that can be found in the Half-Life 2 leak. You will hear this after you gain control of the mounted gun on the Airboat in the canals of City 17.

Triage at Dawn
First heard in Chapter 6: “We Don’t Go To Ravenholm”

Triage At Dawn represents, on the one hand, the change of atmosphere from the Zombie infested horrors of Ravenholm to the desolate coastal wasteland of Nova Prospekt. The music on the other hand also captures the jeopardy immediately faced by Winston, Alyx and Eli and reminds Gordon of the jeopardy that he, and humanity itself, continue to face.

As Winston lays dying and the Triage at Dawn's melodic spaghetti western vibes start kicking in you know things are about to get real.

Half-Life 2: Episode 1

What Kind Of Hospital Is This
First heard in Chapter 4: Urban Flight

This guitar-fueled rock song kicks into action just as Alyx grabs a shotgun before she and Gordon enter the derelict hospital where the Combine and zombies are battling it out.

It's a song fitting of Alyx and what a truly kick-ass companion she is.

Half-Life 2: Episode 2

Vortal Combat
First heard in Chapter 2: This Vortal Coil

Gordon has made it to the mines where some resistance are held up. Suddenly Antlion's attack and when it looks like they might just overrun the position friendly Vortigaunts arrive and help in the fight while this ethereal energetic number kicks off.