Tomb Raider Underworld

client: Eidos / Crystal Dynamics

I wrote nearly 3 hours of music for this epic Lara Croft adventure.  From lush world textures, to epic action and ultimately darkness, the score covers a broad range of emotional styles. 


This text will be replaced
Arctic Trailer 1:15 VIDEO
Ship Trailer 1:10 VIDEO
Mediterranean Trailer 1:04 VIDEO
Thailand Trailer 1:05 VIDEO
Lara’s New Bike 1:41 Action/Adventure
Climbing the Temple 1:21 Ambient/World
The Waters of Thailand 1:34 Ambient/World

It was a bit of a departure for me, as the score involves a lot of non-traditional ambience and sound scapes. It was fun to mangle the orchestra and abandon the more traditional approach I’ve taken in the past.  I also play a wide assortment of ethnic flutes on the score.  I use the word “play” loosely, as I was mostly making useful noise. 

Another core element in the score is a choir I recorded with a small group of composers in Salt Lake City, Utah.  Many of the choir members were current or former members of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  The choir was heavily processed to create an ominous, watery sound that fit well within the “underworld”

It was a great opportunity to work on this franchise. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to my friend, Troels Folmann, for introducing me to the team. 

COMMENTS (9)     

Posted by:
Klaus
on 02.25.09
at 9:54 pm

wow. Simply stunning, Colin. Your work isn’t just perfectly appropriate for the story…its downright inspiring in its richness and depth. Very moving. Keep up the great work and by all means, keep us updated with your latest and greatest!
k+

Posted by:
Daniel
on 04.11.09
at 12:16 pm

You did a great job in Tomb Raider Underworld. I hope you make the score for the next chapters of the franchise.

A fan from Spain

Posted by:
Candee Sparks
on 04.24.09
at 2:01 pm

By far, the music you wrote for this game was the best thing about it.  I listen to the soundtrack you did for it almost every single day and it’s just so moving.  Legend and Anniversary were different from Underworld in many different ways but it was your music that really brought this game to life—even for fans who just don’t have the money to afford a next-gen system just yet would comment on how this soundtrack brought the experience to life for them.  Keep up the great work, its truly inspiring!

Posted by:
Luke
on 05.23.09
at 6:37 pm

This score is energetic, relaxing, dark, lush, intense and many more things. In each of the locations in Tomb Raider Underworld, you are presented with many varied pieces of the score and it certainly doesn’t disappoint. You can relax with this score, you can enjoy the intensity and energetic feel of some parts. There’s a very good balance of elements. Colin has gone very far to help blend the music with the gameplay.

I can’t see how this wouldn’t qualify for a motion picture score. It really could work well in a Tomb Raider movie - particularly with pieces such as Amanda’s Ship and the Main Theme.

Posted by:
Carlton Randolph
on 06.21.09
at 7:55 pm

The work done in Tomb   Raider Underworld simply is MAGNIFICENT!!!!  This music brings the adventure to life.  Mr. O’Malley truly has put together what I believe to be a bridge to a new genre of music for everyone to enjoy!

Posted by:
Yori
on 07.10.09
at 3:04 am

I really like your work in TR: Underworld. I think I should thank you for the great atmosphere you added by your music.

But I really want to know the lyrics of the choir. Is there anywhere I could find it? I’m hoping you could help me. Thank you very much.

Posted by:
Jaime Mercant
on 02.01.10
at 10:32 am

Congratulations, Collin. I’m a boy from Spain (sorry if my english is not good enough) I’m an 24 years old artist (painter, sculptor, drawing) and I listen to your music while I am drawing because my imaginations begins to move with your music! I’m a fan of Tomb Raider and I think your addaptation, your vision is so good. Troels and you are the future for this game! Very good the chorus. My favourite song is ‘The way into Xibalba’, is the BEST FOR TOMB RAIDER. Thanks for your music!

Posted by:
Bernie
on 05.16.10
at 6:23 pm

The best OST in Tomb Raider series (for me). Your good friend Troels Folmann is a good composer as we both know smile, but your score was diferente, so ambient an so deep. When I listen to it it helps me to relax, to journey with my imagination and express my emotions that are tied inside of me. I really hope to listen to you again in the next Tomb Raider!!! smile

Greetings from Spain!

Posted by:
Daniel Grazier
on 08.13.10
at 12:56 pm

In my opinion the soundtrack that Colin put together for this game really made the game live. Every part of the music sounds completely natural, even though throughout the whole soundtrack the sounds are completely ethereal. I think the way Colin stepped away from the more traditional way of making music and made a very immersive soundtrack was the best move of his career. Obviously a lot of love went into creating the soundscapes, which really take your imagination to another level. He has really pushed the boundry of what music can do for the senses, the mind, and for escapism. Please continue to use your talents to create these amazing imaginary places(weather for game or film or simply music). Thank you for all your hard work that went into this soundtrack, I listen to it regularly. P.S If Collin and Jeremy Soule collaborated on a fantasy game/film soundtrack it would no doubt be the best soundtrack ever created
Commenting is not available in this weblog entry.