History AwesomeMusic / GodOfWar

** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vmjzPSLbCg God of War III Overture]], a powerful and foreboding medley of various themes from the main trilogy. The transitions from Rage of Sparta, to The End Begins, to The Vengeful Spartan, and then back to Rage of Sparta are ''flawless''. It also helps that this song plays over a visually-stunning animated intro that recaps the evens of ''God of War'' and ''God of War II''.

* The main theme, "[[https://youtu.be/V5Ar0dKnl6Y God of War Ragnarök]]," returns back with that familiar heavy feeling akin to the weight of Fimbulwinter and a bound fate, yet it blends in part of "Memories of Mother", suggesting a bit at Faye's ties with her family, and the march towards the [[{{Gotterdammerung}} inevitability of Ragnarok]].

* “[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9o-D0FgXvg Ragnarök]]”, a somber yet epic piece that plays both as the background music for the titular final battle, and during the climax of the scene with the Norns.

* [[https://youtu.be/pIeOXBedKIQ Minotaur Boss Battle]] is arguably the most aggressive boss music in the first game.

* [[https://youtu.be/U6_BJcHn3T0 God of War: Blood and Metal]], a heavy metal soundtrack EP/homage inspired by the series that was released as a digital download for ''III''. Featuring six different bands from Roadrunner Records (seven counting the Ultimate Edition), it's a half hour of awesome, adrenaline-pumping heavy metal that perfectly fits the series' brutal nature. Special mentions include "My Obsession" by Killswitch Engage, which balances a crushing intensity with a surprisingly melodic side and lyrics that perfectly fit Kratos' tragic background, and the instrumental "Raw Dog" by Dream Theater, a heavy yet atmospheric track with a hard hitting mixture of keyboards, guitars and drums.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnV-JnU0hCU Phoenix Rising]] is fittingly a powerful, yet beautiful track that plays during Kratos' flight to the Temple of the Fates. The first three-fourths of the song perfectly capture the otherworldly beauty of a phoenix, while at the same time, conveying the intensity of its flight towards the temple. Then, a snippet from Zeus' Wrath Divine kicks in, and the song almost begins to sound ''desperate'', as if it suddenly remembered that the future of Greece is at stake and Kratos is about to take on all-powerful Sisters of Fate.

* "[[https://youtu.be/-32-6FqGW2E Blood Upon the Snow]]," as sung by Music/{{Hozier}} that plays during the actual ending credits, is almost a musical telling of not just what Kratos (the "bear") and Atreus (the "wolf") went through [[https://youtu.be/gaHGjdPidnQ both physically and emotionally]] throughout ''Ragnarok'', but also their companions as well during Fimbulwinter. The inclusion of the main theme's leitmotif towards the climax of the song adds a sense of the burdens Kratos and company had gone through.

* [[VideoGame/GodOfWarI The first game]] has [[https://youtu.be/OPRftE8qtVA Zeus' Wrath Divine]], which plays a couple times during the game but is best known for being the epic, emotional track when Kratos is defending his family. The song is so good, it gets a remade version in ''God of War 3'' entitled [[https://youtu.be/4I2A2Jx1h-0?si=jkFlu9kLBm0G0c15 Brothers of Blood]] which plays during the fight against Zeus.

* [[VideoGame/GodOfWarI The first game]] has [[https://youtu.be/OPRftE8qtVA Zeus' Wrath Divine]], which plays a couple times during the game but is best known for being the epic, emotional track when Kratos is defending his family. The song is so good, it gets a remade version in ''God of War 3'' entitled [[https://youtu.be/xzRYCz3CV2o Brothers of Blood]] which plays during the fight against Zeus.

* ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHjBGDU8yJE Master Thyself]]'' from the Valhalla expansion brings back the classic God of War theme with (appropriately) a vengeance when Kratos reaches his recollection of Greece.

* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9V8sDa04Mc&list=RDhKTnfmVr92I&index=14&ab_channel=BearMcCreary-Topic Ashes]]", which is widely considered by many video game fans as one of most ''emotional and impactful'' music score to be ever created, mainly due to how it was use for Faye's funeral, something that hurts both Kratos and Atreus. [[spoiler: this song would later make its return during the final moments between Kratos and Faye in ''God of War Ragnarok'']].

* “[[https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=B9o-D0FgXvg&list=OLAK5uy_mS65gHRIi1wtz7uQ_8jV-TLgMrSJZ6BxA&index=24&pp=8AUB Ragnarök]]”, a somber yet epic piece that plays both as the background music for the titular final battle, and during the climax of the scene with the Norns.

* [[https://youtu.be/m1s2u8MOFmY Battle in the Bog]] is genuinely evil, demonic, and downright ''frightening'' to hear. Imagining TheBerserker slaughtering anyone who gets in his way like a psychopathic murderer while '''[[ScreamingWarrior screaming like a rampaging beast]]'''! It also helps that its [[OminousLatinChanting Ominous Greek Chanting]] matches the atmosphere of the song.

* [[VideoGame/GodOfWarI The first game]] has [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPRftE8qtVA Zeus' Wrath Divine]], which plays a couple times during the game but is best known for being the epic, emotional track when Kratos is defending his family. The song is so good, it gets a remade version in ''God of War 3'' entitled [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzRYCz3CV2o Brothers of Blood]] which plays during the fight against Zeus.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIeOXBedKIQ Minotaur Boss Battle]] is arguably the most aggressive boss music in the first game.
%%* ''II''[='=]s soundtrack contains [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EytSP67tg_0 The End Begins]] and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L09rqYVFxTk Isle of Creation]].

** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKGfiTF5BNQ Poseidon's Wrath]] plays during Poseidon's boss battle, and any time a god dies and delivers a catastrophic apocalypse to the world.
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxGnDLEIdHs Rage of Sparta]], [[ThemeMusicPowerup a portent of doom]] for whatever unlucky Olympian happens to be at Kratos's mercy.
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TJN2KKx33Q Ghost Zeus's theme]] is amazing in that it incorporates both the themes from ''God of War'' and ''God of War II'' as Kratos finishes off Fear!Zeus and then finishing him off with a beatdown almost unheard of in God of War up to that point.
%%**[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOpExGA_spI Tides of Chaos]], [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZ4kZvSFLzw Labor of Destruction]], and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnCpOksKUKU End of Vengeance]].%%
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3PmLXZWFxA Isle of Creation]] is downright ''beautiful''. It starts off epic enough, even adding a snippet of what would soon become Zeus' boss theme in ''III''. And then, two minutes in, it becomes absolutely '''amazing'''. It's a perfectly fitting song for a final confrontation against {{God}} himself.
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAcvo8Mn-KY The End Begins]]" is a booming orchestral theme for Kratos's march on Olympus, complete with ominous Greek chanting that has a lot of relevance to the [[DeathOfTheOldGods main themes]] [[UnstoppableRage of the the series.]]

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1s2u8MOFmY Battle in the Bog]] is genuinely evil, demonic, and downright ''frightening'' to hear. Imagining TheBerserker slaughtering anyone who gets in his way like a psychopathic murderer while '''[[ScreamingWarrior screaming like a rampaging beast]]'''! It also helps that its [[OminousLatinChanting Ominous Greek Chanting]] matches the atmosphere of the song.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6_BJcHn3T0 God of War: Blood and Metal]], a heavy metal soundtrack EP/homage inspired by the series that was released as a digital download for ''III''. Featuring six different bands from Roadrunner Records (seven counting the Ultimate Edition), it's a half hour of awesome, adrenaline-pumping heavy metal that perfectly fits the series' brutal nature. Special mentions include "My Obsession" by Killswitch Engage, which balances a crushing intensity with a surprisingly melodic side and lyrics that perfectly fit Kratos' tragic background, and the instrumental "Raw Dog" by Dream Theater, a heavy yet atmospheric track with a hard hitting mixture of keyboards, guitars and drums.

* The main theme accompanying the beginning of Sony's [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g135oVqDR-Q 2016 E3 press conference]]. With a full orchestra (conducted by composer Music/BearMcCreary) and [[OminousLatinChanting Ominous Nordic Chanting]], it sets the tone not just for the ''VideoGame/GodOfWarPS4'' demo that it introduced, but for the entire press conference.
* The main theme proper, "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpyVfd8TyoI God of War]]," sets much of the mood for the game. The song is describing that of Kratos, an exiled demigod from his lands, now having to be a single-parent of raising his young son Atreus after the death of his second wife Faye. The [[https://bearmccreary.com/god-of-war/ translated lyrics]] also describes Kratos' worries of being a better albeit stern father, his own self-hatred towards his divine parentage and history, and believing that he's not likely of ever having a happy ending.
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnDAFUNZYUU Lullaby of the Giants]]", with its choir of [[OminousLatinChanting Ominous Nordic Chanting]] and use of bells, fits the Norse atmosphere of ''VideoGame/GodOfWarPS4'' to a 'T'.
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fD12ncnQ-RY Memories of Mother]]" sounds like a lullaby Faye would've sang to Atreus before her passing, that of a soothing and gentle love, but it also includes the melancholy that father and son feels missing her throughout their journey.
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-xyaSVSVXE Magni and Modi]]", as the title suggests, plays when Kratos, Atreus, and Mimir face off the sons of Thor. It starts off slow, but quickly becomes upbeat and dramatic, much like the fight itself.
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rd_xnW7dLzU The Dragon]]" plays when the encounter with Hræzlyr at the mountain, and later against the encounters with Fafnir, Reginn, and Otir. Translating the lyrics actually reveal that the burly chanting is ''describing'' the fight as it happens!
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hyk0QOLQ3fA Deliverance]]" plays after Baldur kidnaps Atreus and Kratos pursues him ''on the back of the dragon''. A little over two minutes in, after Baldur ditches the dragon and tries to escape through Tyr's temple, it really kicks off with the beat quickening as Kratos races down Tyr's bridge to stop Baldur.
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPGBJ7CJbIo Valkyries]]", as the name suggests, plays when you fight the valkyrie bosses. It starts off rather melodic and peaceful, but it soons picks up as you begin the fight and provides a truly epic orchestral theme.

* The main theme, "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5Ar0dKnl6Y God of War Ragnarök]]," returns back with that familiar heavy feeling akin to the weight of Fimbulwinter and a bound fate, yet it blends in part of "Memories of Mother", suggesting a bit at Faye's ties with her family, and the march towards the [[{{Gotterdammerung}} inevitability of Ragnarok]].
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tie42uUo2dY The Hammer of Thor]]" plays during Kratos's first fight with Thor. It bears some similarities to his sons' theme back in the previous game, but with a much more simple, yet intimidating beat that fits for the God of Thunder himself.
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXwUy2uoI_M Raeb's Lament]]" plays during Brokk's funeral sequence post-game, a much sadder version of "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chXcwX_q3rg Huldra Brothers]]" that shows the separation of Brokk and Sindri, of how broken Sindri has become due to Brokk [[DeaderThanDead truly dying]].
* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-32-6FqGW2E Blood Upon the Snow]]," as sung by Music/{{Hozier}} that plays during the actual ending credits, is almost a musical telling of not just what Kratos (the "bear") and Atreus (the "wolf") went through [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaHGjdPidnQ both physically and emotionally]] throughout ''Ragnarok'', but also their companions as well during Fimbulwinter. The inclusion of the main theme's leitmotif towards the climax of the song adds a sense of the burdens Kratos and company had gone through.

!!VideoGame/GodOfWarPS4

!!VideoGame/GodOfWarRagnarok

* The main theme accompanying the beginning of Sony's [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g135oVqDR-Q 2016 E3 press conference]]. With a full orchestra (conducted by composer Music/BearMcCreary) and OminousLatinChanting (technically "Ominous Icelandic Chanting"), it sets the tone not just for the ''VideoGame/GodOfWarPS4'' demo that it introduced, but for the entire press conference.

* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-32-6FqGW2E Blood Upon the Snow]]," as sung by Music/{{Hozier}} that plays during the actual ending credits, is almost a musical telling of not just what Kratos (the "bear") went through [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaHGjdPidnQ both physically and emotionally]] throughout ''Ragnarok'', but also his companions as well during Fimbulwinter. The inclusion of the 2018 main theme's leitmotif towards the climax of the song adds a sense of the burdens Kratos and company had gone through.

* "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-32-6FqGW2E Blood Upon the Snow]]," as sung by Music/{{Hozier}} that plays during the actual ending credits, is almost a musical telling of what not just Kratos (the "bear") went through [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaHGjdPidnQ both physically and emotionally]] throughout ''Ragnarok'', but also his companions as well during Fimbulwinter. The inclusion of the 2018 main theme towards the climax of the song adds a sense of the burdens Kratos and company had gone through.