Head to the Dark Place with the Old Gods of Asgard
Fans of Remedy’s games, especially Alan Wake 1 & 2 and Control, will tell you that one of the coolest continuing narrative threads is the importance of music, music from a very specific band. That band is The Old Gods of Asgard, a fictional group brought to life by the real-world band Poets of the Fall. Their music has scored some of the coolest set pieces in gaming history, from the epic stage battle in Alan Wake 1 to the Ashtray Maze in Control to the… well I won’t spoil their Alan Wake 2 appearance, let’s just say it is mind-blowing. The music has been so good, it has been criminal that we haven’t been able to get our hands on the music for listening to at our own pleasure. That is, until now.
Thanks to a new “Greatest Hits” collection entitled Rebirth, fans can get their hands on the complete works of the Old Gods of Asgard. All their songs from both Alan Wake games and Control are included in a few different flavours of music media. There is a range of sexy vinyl editions (including the very cool gold vinyl that I pre-ordered) and a CD version so if you are a physical media person you are covered. Along with the album itself, their website also has something every self-respecting band needs and that is merch. T-shirts, mugs, patches and hoodies are all available for the hardest of hardcore Old Gods fan.
The description from the website is just pitch perfect so I am going to include the whole thing here:
Crafted over years that can only be described as a melodic odyssey, this album encapsulates the band’s decades-spanning virtuosity and unbridled creativity.
In this magnum opus, the Old Gods have woven a tapestry of sound that is nothing short of breathtaking. It unleashes a barrage of rock ‘n’ roll anthems that could grind rocks to dust and pulverize hotel rooms. The thunderous drumbeats and scorching guitar riffs ignite a fire within, and the vocals soar to celestial heights, invoking a sense of euphoria that can only be described as transcendental. Yet, the band is not content with mere fist shaking and knuckle rattling.
Glorious ballads, tender as a lover’s whisper, caress the soul with their haunting melodies and heartfelt lyrics. These songs are like shimmering jewels in a musical crown, each note carrying the weight of a thousand emotions.
This album is not just music; it’s a celestial voyage, a sonic masterpiece meticulously sculpted by the hands of musical titans. Rebirth – Greatest Hits, is a testament to the enduring power of artistry and the indomitable spirit of the Old Gods of Asgard, leaving us spellbound in its radiant glow.
The website also includes a special note from none other than Remedy’s Creative Director Sam Lake himself:
“This album is a culmination of a long and wonderous journey of artistic collaboration between friends. A fever dream come true. The songs play a key role in the games Alan Wake, Alan Wake’s American Nightmare, Control and Alan Wake 2, deepening the lore or setting up a memorable scene. We hope you will love the music as much as we have loved creating both the band and the songs.”
So Old Gods and Remedy fans, what are you waiting for? The Album will be available on the 8th of December, with pre-orders open now and shipping to Australia available. Simply head here to buy. Hopefully for those without a chronic need to collect vinyl, the album will be released on streaming services on the same day. In the meantime make sure you check out my Alan Wake 2 review because frankly I can’t sing the game’s praises enough.
