Music Producer SHOCKED by Left 4 Dead Soundtrack 

L4D has such an amazing soundtrack that you wouldn't expect from a zombie first person shooter, you really get the sense of sadness and despair of a world that is pretty much already over with 4 "carriers" just trying to survive.

Genre: Horror Survival Community: *WHO IS COOKING TONIGHT*

⚠️ Here they come

0:22 - The main menu theme. 3:53 - Plays when the Tank (boss enemy that randomly spawns) starts chasing you. 6:40 - Plays when a Tank spawns in the final run to the rescue vehicle. 9:20 - Plays when at least one survivor makes it to the rescue vehicle and the credits (game stats) roll. 14:16 - Plays when at least one survivor makes it to the saferoom (the transition between chapters in a campaign). In game, these soundtracks don't transition abruptly like in the video. 15:41 - Plays when the Witch (another boss enemy that randomly spawns) spawns but is currently just crying in place, minding her own business. 16:16 - Plays when she chases a survivor that startles her by getting too close, shining the flashlight on her or hurting her. 17:57 - Plays when the witch is on fire, she will chase the survivor that set her on fire regardless of who startled her.

8:24 I love how he casually whips up a tank theme, that perfectly synergizes with swamp fever's campaign theme.

9:40 The reason the track becomes "electro rock" as you described is because this particular music plays when you reach an ending safe house and statistics flash up on screen. The "digital" twist to the music is designed to engage the analytical part of your brain in order to make you pay attention to the mathematical feedback the game is giving you so you know what you did well or what you struggled with, allowing you to take this information into account as you play the next round. The same thing happens at 14:16.

The Witch has 3 parts to her theme; The Approach 15:41 For when you're approaching the Witch and she hasn't been startled yet. The Attack 16:16 (2nd Part) The Witch has been startled and is now angry and wants, whoever startled her, Dead! Burning of the Witch 17:57 (Final Part) She's now on fire, screaming in agony but still angry, and wants whoever burned her, Dead!

"tank" really should be listened to ingame, the tank noises fit in so well with the song i consider it being part of it

3:53 "oh shit, throwing Molotov"

I'm still blown away by the Witch's theme. Everything about it just screams "danger", like they tried to evoke the feeling of walking by a bush and hearing a rattlesnake's rattle... all without ever actually using the sound of a rattle. Really impressive.

I remember getting left 4 dead for Christmas 2008 while I was staying with my mom in the hospital going through cancer and I was able to bring my Xbox 360 and play with her while i was staying and I shall hold that memory forever! Super special soundtrack and game to me ❤️

as a left 4 dead veteran player, i can’t wait for PART 2 man. keep up the good work❤

To give context: The first is the main theme, which plays on the main menu. A gentle way to set the mood for the rest of the game. The second is the theme of the strongest infected in the game. The Tank demands a lot of attention when it arrives, and so instead of getting a brief sting in the ambience like most infected, it gets its own grandiose theme as long as it bears down on you like a roided gorilla. The Monsters Within is the music that plays at the end of a mission. The subtle section plays during the credits after a whole campaign, and that last sting is what plays after the individual missions in that campaign. And finally… Witch! is exactly what you said it was. It’s a song meant to get you on edge. Witches are the only other infected that would be considered a boss and for good reason. That first part with the atmospheric vibe plays when you’re near one, usually accompanied by its distressed crying. If you get too close, or antagonize it in any way, it runs after the one who disturbed it and mauls them until it or its victim is dead, which is what that second section is played during. The third section plays only when you are the one being mauled by it. Edit: I was wrong about the third part of the witch’s theme. It plays when she’s been set ablaze, though I’m unsure why.

4:56 It's very fitting for the game itself because The "Tank" is a very extreme example of how severely the Green Flu can mutate a person, so much so that the result is a Hulk Zombie resembling a mixture of a Man and a Silverback Gorilla. The doom and gloom vibe highlights how severe the infection is and the extremities of it's mutations.

The RU-vid algorithm is very odd... I was randomly served this video while I was looking up 'Amazon Fallout reaction'. Either way, I'm happy to have seen this one video and become a new sub.

I never noticed the radio in the menu theme, makes it seem like there are other survivors trying contact someone(s) else but they just aren't getting anywhere.

Fun fact that I don't see poeple mention. This soundtrack was done by the same composer as Team Fortress 2. He has some pretty impressive range, especially when you see his work for Portal 2 and Half-Life Alyx. Oh yeah, his name is Mike Morasky.

As someone who has played Left 4 Dead since I was about 10 years old in 2008, this is absolutely incredible. Unlike other react channels you clearly know what you're talking about and go into depth about the music. Would've loved to see you analyse the different horde themes from L4D2, as they change depending on the map you're on and always fit them extremely well.

God! the violin parts you do are SO GOOD!!! I watch the video just for your takes on all these soundtracks!!

Left 4 dead 1 music: Fear and Uncertainty Left 4 Dead 2 music: YEAH ROCK ON!!!

You nailed it on the monsters within saying that it “Hinted a bit of hope but it’s buried under uncertainty” That song plays at the end of each campaign in the first game, but each campaign are all just parts of the same journey of the survivors, so you have your victory, but there’s still a long road ahead

3:41 chills went up my spine

What makes left for dead unique is that they use music to tell whats coming at you, Tank! is the best example. There are also short music ques unique for each special infected, it tells you what lurking and it describes them well

5:17 It gives the "Run or Shoot? Run or shoot?!" "Both." kinda vibe.

0:23 the L4D main menu reminds me of that one guy that commented on this theme capturing the story about a mother singing this to her baby in a stroller, She was at the evacuation center as one of the guards took a notice upon hearing her humming, Saying how much her humming calms her baby before making it going to sleep. but soon after realizing that the mother is infected, the guards had no other options but telling her to leave. However the mother requested the guard to give her a radio before she go, locking herself in a nearby building in order to make sure nothing happens to them. Knowing she would soon be turned into one of them, the mother uses the radio. Giving her one last time to sing for her baby. As the guard activates the radio, with the baby slowly fall asleep... The mother then was already turned after giving her last lullaby. Which can be heard after the radio was cut off near the end of the song

9:21 No one is introduced here the survivors/survivor has escaped

Is no one going to mention this man’s breakdown? His depiction,skill,attention of small details,passion and expression. Good job man first time seeing you on RU-vid. Great video man love left for dead.❤ New sub

9:12 he has the aperture science shirt and thinks we wouldnt notice

The witch is really quick and i just noticed that this moment right here 16:15 sorta sounds like bare feet sprinting towards one, and then the theme proceeds to ramp up right after. I imagine it's the witch sprinting towards one and then upon noticing you just feel pure terror.

GODDAMMIT! That Witch soundtrack at the start immediately put me on high alert. I can't help it!

I really loved your reaction to the Tank and Witch tracks! I also really loved your addition to the main theme with your violin and learned a lot of new things. This was amazing

The first theme itself encapsulates the feeling of hopelessness, despair and death, the lullaby could probably be someone about to turn into an infected singing her last notes and it really fits with the Left 4 Dead aesthetic since the world there is basically gone, devoid of any living human beings and the song is there to tell us "there's no hope, were all gone" or you could say the song tells you that you're left...for dead

18:28 fingernails scratching on a blackboard and at the same time scratching your rib cage. Very fitting.

18:28 fingernails scratching on a blackboard is spot on given the witch's design/way of attacking

Having the experience of playing Left 4 Dead helps enhabce the nostalgia for this music. Hearing the Tank's theme, knowing he is closing in, fight or flight kicking in, the screen beginning to shake as his growls gets louder, perfection. I'm always kind of blown away by people who have a musical mind so it was cool to see and hear your outside perspective.

the fact that it is made like more than a decade ago but still hit this different is 🔥

The first part of the witch theme plays when witch is nearby, the second plays when she is startled and going into chase, and the third is when she is burning.

17:57 BURN THE WITCH! That plays when a witch is set on fire :)

Wait until he finds out about Metalized Tank Theme

Man, love your form of reaction content because it's not like others, you actually have genuine insights and play yourself! Glad I subbed a while ago, these are always great videos.

Would highly recommend "Left For Death", "Clinging to Hell", And "Skin On Our Teeth"

Congratulations on the video was a lot of fun, it's my first time on the channel, whenever I see a theme related to left 4 dead I'm here to see it, it's my favorite game for over 15 years.

just stumbled across your content and ive got to say its super refreshing to find someone charismatic and educational to watch. im enjoying your knowledge of music my guy

4:48 when you shit you pants because no molly to throw at the tank loool

12:00 its so cool u talk about sense of hope because this is the song for when u finish a chapter its like u just know what the music is tellin u its acc sick af

your violin improvs are so good

hearing that tank music while being chased with the tank will give you way moore insight. and hearing that witch music 100% put every player at discomfort and anxiousness in game.

14:16 I love this

Left 4 Dead genuinely has one of the most underrated soundtracks of all time. Glad to see you react to and analyze this gem of a soundtrack.

10:53 this plays when its showing how much zombies you have killed after you completed the campaign

I love how the intro of the first music of l4d sounded like it's the end and how sad you couldn't make it out and you just sacrificed and get devoured by the zombies it's sounds so sad at the same time so calming for my opinion

there was a part in L4D2 "The Sacrifice" where the starting music LITERALLY tells us that someone is about to die by listening how the music played as "Eerie" into "CHAOS" within that part kinda tells that something wrong is definitely going to happen, and it did. Left 4 Dead 2 - The Sacrifice Intro Music look it up and it hits at 1:13 of the video.

9:38 Ah yes, the sound of sweet old victory

i've been playing left 4 dead for about 7 years, and i've always thought the music was cool, but breaking it down like this has given me new appreciation for what it brings to the table.

Both the soundtrack and ambience of Left 4 Dead are shit hot! Also, it's not just the instruments that all encompass, 2:09 those very subtle ominous radio interference and broken transmission sounds near the end. Considering what the campaigns are like, where you battle your way through each chapter, and right at the end, you radio for help. Just imagine if you got all that way and then tried to call for help, but the signal was just dead, or no one responded... Creepy AF! 😯😳🥶

Both games are supposed to be somewhat based off of classic horror movies so it makes sense that they would have a lot of classic horror music tropes as well.

18:47 you were entirely correct with that. the Witch is a boss enemy you can encounter sometimes, it's a crying woman that sits or wanders areas of the game. her crying is very loud (along with the first part of the song WITCH! playing as you get closer), and you have to avoid her by not looking at her, getting too close, and avoid shining your flashlight on her. if a survivor doesn't stop these or shoots at her, she becomes enraged and starts chasing the survivor. she downs the survivor instantly and will constantly rip the survivor apart until the others kill her. the second part of the song with the drums plays while she's enraged

One thing that I always thought was really cool was that in Left 4 Dead 2, the main themes instrument's would change depending on which menu background was playing! Like you would have some creepy carnival music for the Dark Carnival level or some really unsettling back country music for the Swamp Fever level. It was a great detail!

3:12 I wasn't expecting you to whip out your violin and actually play a bit of the song, it sounds hauntingly beautiful! I can only imagine what a full cover of some of these darker tone songs would be like??

Honestly, nice job accompanying the melodies with your violin. Good job.

This is the first video of yours I've found, thank you YT algorithm! It's incredible how much these songs immediately send me back into the game and my memories of playing with my brother, even though I haven't touched L4D in years! Glad to see you enjoy them all 🙂

Wow, I dont think I've seen anyone mention L4D's amazing soundtracks in ages.

Incredibly fascinating to listen to you describe the emotions the music evokes, and then basicaly decsribe the exact events the music is for on a 1-1 basis. Definitely earned my sub 👍🏻

At 0:53, closing the eyes (like I did)you know it’s good when it sends tingles and it feels relaxing, but yet, so good.

Left 4 Dead 2 have some amazing different music too, they made the same music in different instruments for each enemy type, just amazing! Should do part 2

More recommendations for Left 4 Dead: -Horde theme -Skin on our Teeth Oh and Left 4 Dead 2: -Chocolate Helicopter -Skin on our Teeth (L4D2 version) -The Monsters Within (L4D2 version) -Metalised Tank theme

14:59 was my favorite for sure, you played that so clean and gave me goosebumps of how good it was!!!

Your outro cover to "Witch" really gave me flashbacks to the title music to a game called "Styx: Shards of Darkness" This has been the only game to make me listen to it a full time through every time i load the game since Skyrim back in 2011

I did not expect you to start playing at 3:12 !!! My jaw dropped because it works so well! :O

From 1:55, focus on the piano then the voices. You can hear the similarity with the ost "Robots" from the MvM trailer of TF2. The moment were the mercs are preparing for a fight as they come near to the source of the robots

3:32 what instrument is this? Not a violin right? If it is this is easily the coolest violin I’ve ever seen.

9:20 "Survivor has escape" "In memory of bill"

Wow! absolute wow! I've been playing this game for years but never heard these soundtracks the way you did. This is the first time I'm listening to your channel, and I don't think it will be the last. I'm learning a lot from you in this video, thanks and stay awesome.

15:41 im remembering traumatic experiences with this one

Something to remember about the L4D ost, while making i believe they had a phycologist in the team during the making process. the reason being they wanted the player to feel the same feelings the character would through the music invoking certain emotions. The Horde music makes you FEEL surrounded and claustrophobic, the witch music makes you feel very sudden shock and terror. The whole thing is wonderful

The first start of the Witch is the ambience that plays when you encounter a witch, then the second part is when she’s chasing you because you disturbed her then 3rd part is when she’s burning and it because more chaotic and I guess more frightening, she’s still chasing you despite trying to put out the fire on herself

3:49 you told the big guy he was stupid💀☠️

11:55 *"We're safe... for now."*

This was so much fun to watch. I always knew that the L4D soundtrack was on another level but hearing somebody who knows what they're talking about actually articulate what's so special about it is super rad. Thanks for this!

absolutely loved when you played along at the end of each song. definitely a cool channel and what skill!

Most of the tracks have multiple stems and intro points for the songs to adapt to the gameplay dynamically. The witch song for example, the first third keeps going as long as the witch is passive and roams nreat the player. The second third starts when the witch is in its aggressive phase and hunts players. The final third plays when/if the witch catches fire and is no longer directly capable of attacking the players

I'm not even playing L4D/2 but man hearing Tank's Theme on 5:53 gave me a bit of PTSD 😬

The soundtrack really sounds like what you would expect from a horror movie score, iirc in the developer commentary for the games the people in charge of the creative direction for them wanted to go for a "horror movie" vibe with L4D, hence the posters (loading screens) for each and every map looking like movie posters etc, very nice video.

You can tell this man is very experienced and in tune with his music. The way he describes the different tones is perfection.

6:40 I got pstd, everytime i hear that sound i look for a gasoline or molotov

THESE SOUNDTRACKS ARE PURE PIECE OF ART

17:10 About that - The witch is a type of zombie in the game that often can be completely avoided. The first part of the sound plays as an ambient as soon as you're in her radius. She sits on the ground and cries. As you disturb her she becomes scared and if you disturb her long enough she stands up going after you which is where the music then starts picking up!

The music also plays a huge part in the gameplay itself. The music accentuates the emotions of the moment, and the stingers warn you what's about to happen. It's one game where I never turn off the music, or listen to something else. Also, the three distinct Witch parts? Simplified, explained as such: 1: Do Not Disturb The Witch 2: Witch Is Angry! 3: Burn The Witch!

9:27 The outro's intro. xd

2:00 that look 🤣

As someone who plays this game now with the music muted and my own in place of it, it definitely gives off a much different vibe to my personal playlist! i should probably play it again without my music sometime

0:40 I love that the singing in this track uses a lot of nasal/semi-nasal phonemes, it gives it that calm, lonely vibe, like someone humming to themself with noone around

L4D is our childhood😊

17:00 If my memory serves me right, that part goes higher when you disturb Witch and she starts chasing you. She will chase the one who disturbed her, and will not stop until either she dies, or that person dies. BTW, Witch can one-shot players in hard difficulty. I noticed you didn't like that silent part after electro guitar part, and that is totally understandable, the reason why it is like that is because it comes after you reach the end of the level and after energetic part comes silent part, meaning it ended, and if you stay too long on that screen, then again guitar part start (the one that came right at the end of the music). BTW, I want you to check these OSTs: 1. Warlords Battlecry III - There are only 7-8 OSTs here, but make sure to check out main theme. Probably, many people don't even remember this game, because despite it having such great potential, its company went bankrupt. 2. 102 Dalmatians: Puppies to the Rescue (PS1) - Always everything in this game is my fav, but if I have to name some, then here: Medieval Castle, Factory, Mansion, Checkers, I would say check Carnival, too, but it is just circus version of Danse Macabre, also there is Toy Store, and Museum.

I love that you hit the nail on the head with the emotion you feel with each of the monsters! Goes to show how amazing the soundtrack is and how amazing of a music producer you are!

“This is probably one of those types of enemies- maybe like a witch” wow I mean yep

If you liked the L4D1 OST, please check out L4D2! It has a different tone with the same spirit, and definitely has some bangers like Skin On Our Teeth and Left For Death. All the Menu Music for the different campaigns would be awesome too, as they’re the same melody played on different instruments for different setting! Also I love your violin improvs, good stuff!

The best zombie survival game in the gaming world ever

The end of the witch part reminds me of the Wizard of Oz (the "old" one) tornado scene as well, almost sounds like a door or blind being constantly rattled by violent wind. Also if you saw or encountered the witch in L4D you would totally understand the "battle music" (this is the part you're trying to run and get away from) then it ends in the wailing as though you've either gotten away, but she's lingering somewhere or she's got you and lingering.

Scariest part of tanks or witches is accidentally running right in front of them’ your brain goes either back up or OH NO either getting away or getting killed instantly or downed as either boss infecteds either run away either to another location or at your team, with tanks they will hulk smash you to death then they chase your team