To anyone who loved Tanja Tzarovska voice on Gabriel Yared's rejected score to Troy, may find this track equally inspiring. ![]() Keeping with the theme of Haven, the music is simple with light percussion but really is brought to life with the vocalists, which include Cindy Wall and Violeta Villacorta. The liner notes make mention that "The Predator" took inspiration from styles heard in African cultures and I have to agree. ![]() "The Swamp" continues the more minimalist style of the latter part of Jungle Landing with gentle woodwinds and percussion, not to mention a xylophone. Gentle plucking of a stringed instrument adds an additional dimension to this track as does the Achenar theme from Myst. The track blends with the assorted percussion of drums mixed with the occasional toot of the woodwinds. ![]() It's a well done performance by the Slovak Radio Orchestra. A full ensemble of lightly playing strings, blaring horns, pounding drums, and the capping of a cymbal clasp results in a perfect underscore to a paragliding decent and rough landing into the depths of Haven. Moving to some of the action music, "Jungle Landing" simply rocks. In "Achenar's Prelude", Jack Wall brings back Robyn Miller's Achenar theme for the thirteen second long teaser as we the viewer witness one of the brothers escaping through a linking book. The first part of Darkness was found on the Collector's Edition and was more ambient and disturbing, and thus more effective. Jack Wall even makes connections with the first Myst by reintroducing Sirrus and Achenar's themes from Channelwood. Using a more traditional Myst approach, the orchestra is reduced and more ambience takes precedence. Probably due to track duration issues, the short cue of Sirrus detonating his frequency bomb was omitted and instead the soundtrack picks up right after on the "Darkness" cue. It is music that is calm, soothing, and enhanced by the plucking of a harp and caressing of some chimes. This multilayered track features some of the best combinations of group vocals and, during the latter part, a female soloist takes precedence. "Enter Tomahna" represents one of my favorite cues on the album and marks the first time we step foot into the worlds of Myst IV. It uses simple woodwinds, strings and harp to give the impression of taking flight. Fortunately, the lovely "Yeesha's Joyride" hearkens back to the modest pieces of earlier soundtracks. It's an effective attention-grabbing track. Beginning slow under some light ambience, both the orchestra and the chorus build together before performing at their maximum energy. The opening to Myst III Exile was a powerful combination of chorus and orchestra while the "Main Titles" to Revelation feel as though they are on the opposite side of the same coin. The opening theme for Myst IV might surprise listeners. Only the assurance by Jack Wall and Ron Hayters made the wait bearable. The November release date of the official soundtrack was missed and it was only in May 2005 that it finally made it. Those who purchased the European Collectors Edition for the "soundtrack" extra were probably disappointed to find a DVD containing nine badly ripped MP3s. ![]() Nevertheless, the road to the Myst IV Soundtrack was a bumpy one. The positive response of the score would find Jack Wall being called upon again by producer Genevieve Lord and her team at Ubisoft Montreal who were now in charge of developing Myst IV. Upon its release, Myst III was praised by fans and gamers alike, leaving many agreeing that the musical torch was successfully passed. With an official nod of acceptance by Robyn Miller and the promise of the use of a Symphony Orchestra, Jack Wall would win over many doubting fans when his amazing overture piece was first heard in the Myst III E3 Trailer that mislead many into thinking that the game would also use a real time engine. This of course coming from a time when video game soundtracks were considered lesser class works by peers in the industry, even though Michael Giacchino had received much fame for his orchestral scores to the Medal of Honor franchise. While a well-known composer and conductor now, curious fans seeking background information for Jack had a tough time in doing so, considering that most of his video game credits were omitted from reference sources. A collective "Wha?" came up amongst fans when the "Music By" credit was instead bestowed upon young composer Jack Wall. Rand Miller agreed to come back and spend more time in front of a blue screen and many expected Robyn would return as well for scoring duties. While a different driver was behind the wheel, the new producers promised a seamless transition from Riven to Myst III. By the year 2000, Myst III was well under development by Presto and the rumors of the falling out between the two Miller brothers had been put to rest.
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