God of War Ragnarök (Original Soundtrack) — Bear McCreary

This album is a sonic monolith that captures the weight of fate and the friction of fatherhood.

It opens with a sense of immense scale, utilizing a massive orchestra and a choir that sounds as if it were carved from the very mountains of Midgard. The production is pristine yet carries a rugged, earthy quality, thanks to the prominent use of traditional Nordic instruments like the nyckelharpa and hurdy-gurdy.

These elements provide a grounded, intimate counterpoint to the soaring brass and thunderous percussion that define the album's more aggressive sequences.

Moments Worth Listening For

The moment the main theme's three-note motif is overtaken by a crushing wall of brass and deep-voiced chanting.

The transition from a lonely, scratching nyckelharpa solo into a full, weeping string section in the track 'A Son's Path'.

The explosive, rhythmic percussion breakdown that mimics the frantic pace of a duel between deities.

Where This Album Departs

How does God of War Ragnarök (Original Soundtrack) sound next to the rest of Bear McCreary's catalogue?

This album stays in step with the catalogue across the board — no axis departs enough to be worth its own note. Hover the dots to see where each one sits.

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