Video games wouldn't be the same without a captivating soundtrack that enhances the character-driven moments and world-building aspects of immersive gaming. Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed series knows this well, having spent eighteen years pioneering a cinematic landscape that resonates with its dedicated players.
For their latest soundtrack, ‘Ukombozi’, Thunderdrum – composed of Alex Cameron Ward, Félix Rebaud-Sauer, and Hugo Brijs – sought a voice and musician to bring the Assassin’s Creed Shadows installment and its central character, Yasuke, to life. British-Tanzanian artist Tiggs Da Author was the perfect fit, resulting in a collection of eight original songs that feature during the game’s transitional moments as well as in open gameplay.
Combining Morricone-inspired guitars, driving East African beats, and traditional Japanese flutes with psych-rock elements, Thunderdrum showcases their mastery in expansive guitar music and scoring, while Tiggs Da Author ventures into new territory with his first release singing in his native Swahili.
To commemorate their collaborative soundtrack launch, Tiggs Da Author and Thunderdrum share their favorite video game soundtracks that inspire a sense of wonder and evoke nostalgia.
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Tiggs Da Author
FIFA 16
Many of the hardest-hitting tracks have made it onto FIFA, particularly in the rap genre. Numerous songs we enjoy today gained popularity through this game, and that's something to appreciate.
Assassin’s Creed: Shadows
The soundtrack is always impressive, but ‘Shadows’ stands out for me because I played a direct role in creating the music for the game. Contributing to the sound of something as iconic as Assassin’s Creed has been a true honor.
GTA V
This one is memorable for obvious reasons. You can choose your own radio station, allowing you to set the mood.
Félix Rebaud-Sauer of Thunderdrum
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time by Koji Kondo
Every track in this soundtrack is unforgettable, with melodies that have lingered in my mind since I first experienced the game. I still find myself whistling the Windmill Hut theme without even realizing it. The game and its music are truly inseparable; it’s a masterpiece.
Disco Elysium by Sea Power
This soundtrack is beautifully melancholic and meditative, reaching deep into parts of your soul you may not have known existed. It brings the city of Revachol to life, evoking a distant, hazy memory that makes its world feel remarkably real.
Alex Cameron Ward of Thunderdrum
GTA – Vice City
This game was my initial encounter with discovering music through a visual medium. The music selections not only enhanced the gaming experience but also opened up a realm of music that I continue to explore today. I hope that the songs we created for Assassin’s Creed Shadows could have a similar impact on a 13-year-old Alex today.
Hugo Brijs of Thunderdrum
Halo by Martin O’Donnell and Michael Salvatori
I appreciate scores that are so ambitious and iconic that they stand out on their own. Halo blended various musical styles, creating something that feels both nostalgically familiar yet strikingly original. The score also serves as a reminder of the power of melody-driven composition in story-focused games, akin to film – this combination often lingers in people's memories.
‘Ukombozi (Original Game Soundtrack)’ is available now.
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Video games would not be the same without an engaging soundtrack that enhances the character-driven moments and the immersive world-building aspects of gaming.