Guitars from the depths

The Dungeon Keeper-series is one of those game franchises that worked exceptionally well back in the day and would have so much potential today if only it were properly rebooted. After all, who hasn't dreamed of having their own little realm, tormenting their minions, and owning a domain of terror? The fact that Peter Molyneux's god simulation was devilishly entertaining and Dungeon Keeper along with its successor, Dungeon Keeper 2 , are considered two very good games is well-known among gamers.

It's all the more unfortunate that Electronic Arts effectively dealt a fatal blow to the series in 2013 with the mobile spin-off, and comparable titles have never quite reached the caliber of the classics. All that remains are the fond memories and a touch of nostalgia. However, I lack the latter for the first part since I've only played the sequel. Perhaps that's why I can't really recommend the soundtrack of the original Dungeon Keeper.

The score

The soundtrack is composed by Russell Shaw, who created the truly fantastic score for the Fable-series. However, in the dark demon lord dungeon game, we unfortunately don't get to hear much of Shaw's melodic talents. Instead, we are presented with ambient music over large parts, resembling a best-of compilation of stalactite cave meets haunted house. In Down DeepRussell Shaw2 the music descends acoustically with elongated, plaintive vocals, reminiscent at times of the background tracks of the underwater shooter Aquanox 2 . Similar sentiments apply to the, in my opinion, weakest track, Mystical TunnelsRussell Shaw1, which with its 'mumbling' is perfect for the next stroll through Chernobyl but doesn't receive any love from me otherwise.

Soft FluteRussell Shaw2 sticht dagegen etwas aus der Gruselatmosphäre heraus und schlägt mit der namensgebenden, einsamen Flöte ruhigere Töne an, die, begleitet von einfachen Piano-Chords, einen trügerischen Frieden vermuten lässt und so gar nicht zum ansonsten so düsteren und ernsthaftem Score passen will. Dem gegenüber steht der hörenswertere Teil des Soundtracks, der weniger nach Russell Shaw und viel mehr nach Frank Klepacki und dessen Werke für die Command & Conquer-series: Dungeon Keeper goes rock! In It’s Construction TimeRussell Shaw3 and Ghostly WaterwaysRussell Shaw2 gibt ein beständiger Beat den Takt vor, der begleitet von allerlei Soundeffekten eine Kakophonie ergeben, die zwar nicht mitreißt, aber auch nicht langweilt. Hier kommt auch zum ersten Mal der ‚Sirenensound‘ zum Einsatz, der auch im Nachfolger erklingt und für mir untrennbar mit der Serie verbunden ist.

Above this chaos of disjointed yet somehow fitting music hovers the main theme, The Horned ReaperRussell Shaw4, introduced by Gregorian chants and evolving into a headbanger track with cult status with the incorporation of the electric guitar. Unlike Command & Conquer , however, it unfortunately lacks enough melodic richness to truly become a catchy tune, and to compete with Doom , it's noticeably too tame. Nevertheless, it serves as the jewel of the soundtrack and soothes the overall somewhat disillusioning impression.