Battle Bards

In this episode of Battle Bards, the hosts face their greatest threat yet: fire!  Yes, this show was disrupted by a genuine fire emergency, but happily everyone came out of it unscathed.  In other news, the bards tackle the second part of a series focusing on listener suggestions.  Good music and great discussion abounds in this show, so don't miss out! Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle...

As Battle Bards hits its 30th podcast, the crew turns the show over to... you, the listener!  With this episode, we kick off the first of two shows where each pick is made by fans.  What will they pick and what do both they and we have to say about thse tracks?  Find out! Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle Bards on Stitcher Follow Battle Bards on Player. FM Episode 30 show notes Intro (fe...

When you think of MMO music, it's rare to put a voice to the tunes.  But more often than you'd think, these tracks have amazing vocals that lend an important layer to the proceedings.  In this episode, the bards focus on their favorite MMO songs -- and even break out in a ditty or two themselves! Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle Bards on Stitcher Follow Battle Bards on Player. FM Episod...

The intriguing and diverse Runes of Magic soundtrack is next on the warpath for the conquering Battle Bards!  Opinions are all across the board as the insults and disagreements fly fast and furious, but in the end all is forgiven, hugs are meted out, and the crew agrees on at least a couple of excellent tracks worthy of your time. Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle Bards on Stitcher Follo...

Regressing to childhood is no difficult task for the playful bards!  In this episode, Syl, Steff, and Syp examine choice selections from kid MMOs to see if the music is just as good to adult ears as it is to the wee 'uns.  Warning: If you're allergic to bright, happy, and cheerful tunes, this show will probably make you die. Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle Bards on Stitcher Follow Batt...

It’s time for one of the most eclectic MMO soundtracks of all time: Granado Espada!  The Battle Bards wade through a wide variety of genres and deal with frayed nerves by getting all sorts of snippy with each other.  Will the music drive them apart?  Find out in this week's show! Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle Bards on Stitcher Follow Battle Bards on Player. FM Episode 26 show notes I...

It's always a holiday somewhere, especially in MMOs, so don't blink twice if you happen to hear the Battle Bards talking about Christmas, Halloween, and Arbor Day on this week's episode!  After all, special occasions necessitate special music, and holiday themes can be quite memorable indeed. Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle Bards on Stitcher Follow Battle Bards on Player. FM Episode 25...

We couldn't stay away from Azeroth for long, and so the Bards have journeyed back to World of Warcraft for a second show dedicated to exploring our favorites from the soundtrack. This episode is also notable in that it's Battle Bards' first anniversary -- an entire year of bringing you MMO music commentary and opinions!  Stay tuned toward the end of the show to hear us share our favorite memories...

When the bards aren't playing their tunes (or at least listening to them), they're facing down the fiercest, biggest bad guys in all of MMOs.  It's at this point of conflict that they raise a finger and say to the Undead Lord of Hell, "Oh hey, is this song included on the official soundtrack?" That's right, it's an entire episode devoted to "epic" boss battles!  How epic is up to each of the hosts...

A long time ago the Battle Bards gave their frank analysis of the immense Guild Wars 2 soundtrack .  While that podcast won several awards and is now being used as standard class curriculum in all primary schools, the original Guild Wars has remained untouched... until now.  Join the crew as they travel back to 2005 to see how the original OST stacks up against its sequel! Follow Battle Bards on i...

What MMO music truly moves us?  That's the wide-open question that Steff asked the Battle Bards crew to tackle for today's show.  While there's a variety of answers and perspectives on this, what you'll find is a ton of excellent music and heart-felt discussion! Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle Bards on Stitcher Episode 21 show notes Introduction (including "Flicker of Light" from Drago...

For the momentous occasion of our 20th episode, we Battle Bards have chosen to examine the epic music of... Flyff?  Seriously?  OK, who thought this was a good idea?  No, no, we'll go ahead and do the show, we're professionals.  But Flyff? Yes.  Flyff.  More Flyff than you can handle! Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle Bards on Stitcher Episode 20 show notes Introduction (including “Title...

The Battle Bards are welcoming 2014 with a heaping dose of DEATH!  Dead MMOs, that is.  Sit right back as we take you on a musical journey through sunsetted games.  Even though you can no longer play them, their ghosts live on through song! Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle Bards on Stitcher Episode 19 show notes Introduction (including "Karakorum" from Auto Assault and "World Map 2" fro...

For their final podcast (of the year), the Battle Bards are singing the saga of heroes.  If that's too vague, we'll just be up-front.  It's Vanguard.  We're talking Vanguard's OST.  It was a difficult soundtrack to review because it contained a paradox.  What is that paradox?  Listen, we're not going to spoil everything here -- just listen to the show! Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle B...

This week on Battle Bards, Steff, Syl, and Syp recall their first steps into MMOs -- and the music that would be forever linked to those events.  Yup, it's starter zone week on the show, so break out a big canister of nostalgia and join us! Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle Bards on Stitcher Episode 17 show notes Introduction (including "Silverwood Forest" from RIFT and "Autumn in Ascalo...

Fresh off their Lunatic Lutes World Tour, the bards have decided to do one encore presentation (until the next show, that is).  The topic du jour?  It's Aion, baby!  Your ears will thank us when this hour is over and you've experienced the exciting, lovely music that's contained herein. Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle Bards on Stitcher Episode 16 show notes Introduction (including "The...

Can music make a battle-hardened bard cry?  That's what we're going to put to the test on today's episode.  Syl came up with the theme of "tearjerkers," and it's up to a bewildered Syp and a stoic Steff to figure out what will fit the bill.  It's a surprisingly lively hour of music and discussion across a wide range of MMOs.  Check it out! Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle Bards on Stitc...

Sometimes the Battle Bards have to give attention to the "little MMOs" out there.  Maybe you've never heard of World of Warcraft, but you probably have played Warcraft: Orcs & Humans back in the day.  Well, this is the MMO that's set in the same universe, and believe it or not, it's got some great tunes.  Let's give it a listen, why not? Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle Bards on Stitche...

What does adventure mean to you?  Everyone has their own definition, and the Battle Bards are bringing that question to the MMO music scene.  In this episode, each of the three co-hosts submit their own favorite "spirit of adventure" tracks for group discussion.  It's a big world out there and we need the very best soundtrack if we're going the journey through all of it! Follow Battle Bards on iTu...

Embark on a journey with us overseas, as the Battle Bards sail to the lands of Lineage 2.  It's a plus-sized soundtrack with surprisingly good music, and we're all about bringing you the best of the best.  Except for the one track that Syl held back for show 13 because she wanted to spite Syp.  Not that Syp is bitter.  It's a musical journey of cymbals, sunsets, and unicorn dreams.  But what else...

Everyone knows that the Battle Bards are a little odd.  That's a fact.  So it shouldn't come as a shock to discover that they're also into MMO music that's a little... off the beaten path.  Today's episode is all about the strange and unusual themes that don't quite fit in elsewhere -- but they're in good company together! Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle Bards on Stitcher Episode 11 sh...

What pleases the Battle Bards ? To crush their enemies, to see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of their husbands.  Also, good music, which is why the bards are diving into the Age of Conan soundtrack this week!  There are divided opinions on this incredibly popular score -- listen and see where you fall! Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle Bards on Stitcher Episode 10...

This week on Battle Bards , the bards kick it old-school in their taverns of choice, checking out the sweet music and fine wine that pours forth from these iconic locations.  You can almost hear the crackling of the fire as these virtual poets strum their lutes... or can you? Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle Bards on Stitcher Episode 9 show notes Introduction to tavern tunes (including...

This week on Battle Bards , Syl, Steff, and Syp sail off to Norrath for a good dose of EverQuest 2.  It's a truly massive soundtrack with plenty of stellar pieces to plunder, although it does sound suspiciously more like a movie score than something in an MMO.  Intentional or not?  Listen and decide for yourself! Follow Battle Bards on iTunes Follow Battle Bards on Stitcher Episode 8 show notes In...

This week on Battle Bards , we finally get away from singling out one MMO to doing another theme show: city tunes!  What tales do these virtual metropolises have to tell through music?  The bards are kicking up their feet in their home towns and telling their favorite memories that these songs evoke! (Apologies on the sound quality in spots -- we had a devil of a time recording this due to several...