Hello,
It’s been two weeks since the release of the demo and we hope you’re enjoying it.
If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to let us know in the comments or on Discord here.
This week we’d like to talk about music in “Undead West”.
Undead West’s music is created by VoltzSupreme, a musician with a real talent for creating authentic feeling and energetic ‘spaghetti western’ tracks. Voltz Supreme is a versatile Australian audio storyteller who thrives on producing unique and experimental works. Whether through music composition or other forms of narrative, his passion for crafting immersive atmospheres and engaging stories remains a unifying theme across all his creations.
The music in “Undead West” itself has all the feel of old wild west movies with banjo twangs and high trumpet notes but sometimes it’s combined with some really heavy electric guitar riffs to emphasize the power of the bosses at the end of the level.
As well as each boss having their own theme, and each level having a distinct tone that represents the different visuals of the environment - for instance, the Graveyard ost inserting the use of the organ across the level - the way Undead West’s ost is implemented is also unique, being specifically designed not as lengthy tracks, but short loops that lead into one another as the player progresses through the rooms of the stage.
As a very fast-paced game, we’ve made it this way so that we can increase the adrenaline, the atmosphere generated by the music alongside the player’s progress, starting out slower and quieter, each room’s own loop adding something new to the music until it accrues all together for the big finale of the boss fight.
Here’s what Voltz tells about creating music for “Undead West”.
💀 Dynamic Music
As a big proponent of dynamic music in video games, I’m always looking to implement music and sound in ways that best serve a game’s story and gameplay experience. For Undead West, a game centred around progression—both in terms of the player's journey through the game and their personal growth in perseverance and skill—it was crucial for the music to reflect and enhance this theme.
We settled on a simple but effective method of dynamic music in which the music was composed and produced as unique loops for each room. As the player moves to the next room, the music shifts to the next loop. Instead of looping the same song throughout the entire level, this approach allows the music to evolve alongside the player's progress, highlighting the journey from the start of the level to its completion. It also gave us the flexibility to highlight unique events in specific rooms and build intensity and suspense at particular points, all while seamlessly transitioning from one part of the composition to the next.
While this is a simple and effective approach, there are some minor challenges on the compositional side. For example, a well-crafted composition typically uses the end of one section to smoothly transition into the next. For Undead West, the loops needed to be able to transition not only into the next loop but also back to the start of the current loop. This was particularly challenging when working with chord progressions and sections that required dramatic shifts in mood.
💀 Musical Themes & Inspirations
The musical themes for Undead West drew heavily from the western genre, particularly old spaghetti western soundtracks, with a subtle touch of gothic influence to represent the theme of death and the macabre atmosphere. These themes are consistent throughout the game, with each level receiving individual musical treatment based on its location. Some instrumentation examples include using a church organ for the graveyard, industrial percussion for the mines, Indigenous instruments for the outskirts, and chugging violin rhythms (performed by Shauno Isomura) for the train. Then there are the bosses and minibosses, each with their own unique characteristics that influence the music.
Specific influential composers were the classic Italian Spaghetti Western film composers such as Ennio Morricone (whom I had the pleasure of seeing in concert), Luis Bacalov, Alessandro Alessandroni and others. I’ve been soaking up the soundtracks of Ennio Morricone since I was a child and there’s a lot to learn from his unique blend of classical and avant garde. However, Undead West doesn't sound like a traditional spaghetti western film soundtrack. While those influences provide a strong foundation, a rogue-lite pixel art game ultimately requires a fresh approach. We've worked to deliver not only a new and exciting take on the classic video game genre, but hopefully a uniquely original soundtrack that complements it.
💀 Double Feature
If you’re enjoying the spooky western tunes in Undead West, you’ll love the folk-inspired soundtrack of Janosik 2. The music blends traditional Eastern European instruments like fiddles and flutes with a modern touch, creating a unique atmosphere for your adventure in the Highlands. It’s the perfect backdrop for exploring the game's world, adding to the fairy tale feel while keeping you immersed in the story.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1640400/Janosik_2/
💀 UNTIL NEXT TIME!
That's all for today. Thanks for reading, and see you next time.
-koschei, lead developer and artist
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https://store.steampowered.com/app/2527880/Undead_West/
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