Understanding the Music of Half-Life 

I will make a video on Black Mesa

Finally another person that cant shut up about Half Life just like me.

24:02 "But you press onward." *backwards longjumping at mach 4*

Vague Voices: As you arrive late for work, something doesn't feel right.... Klaxon Beat: *look at cool suit*

I feel like it's important to note that a lot of the most iconic sounds that Kelly used were directly lifted from a bunch of sample packs. Not to say that selecting the appropriate samples to make something isn't a skill in itself, there's a reason why the Half-Life Soundtracks are some of my absolute favorites. I just found it funny how you pointed at some of them as if Kelly made them himself lol. He of course broke away from the in most of HL2 and the episodes. Episodes 1 and 2 are godly in that regard.

Finally, these osts are getting the love they deserve😌

The Half-Life score makes me so nostalgic, it has such a weird but interesting vibe to it. Very alien, mysterious, ominous, existential, otherworldly. Hard to describe with our limited vocabulary.

The music makes me go *recover health*

Me: about to go to sleep Liam: "I am going to stop you right there."

26:28 The echoes of the howling wind when I crossed the scaffoldings beneath the Highway 17 bridge, and then that harrowing music starts playing.... That sound has been itched into my soul.

Triage at Dawn lovers unite!!

Half life music has a special feeling since its the right music in the right time, the music around atmospheric areas fits amazingly.

P L E A S E DO PORTAL AND PORTAL 2. I think those games have the BEST soundtrack designs.

still beyond pissed alyx wasnt even nominated for goty 2020

26:30 You're so right on Lab Practicum. It can't be explained though. I've been fascinated by it since 2004 and listen to it at least a couple of times a week. I feel like even trying to describe the "alien" or weird depersonalization experience in words does it great injustice. I've always wondered whether others experienced similarly deep, indescribable feelings in that moment. It's a beautiful yet horrifying piece of ambient that feels like it's revealing something deeper about the nature of consciousness and reality itself.

14:13 When you try to abuse the physics engine and the game abuses you back

Triage at dawn is the theme of my teenage years. I struggled a lot in school and half life 2 (and the orange box) was an escape from life. It is a song that I that reminded me there was a safe haven for me when I was down

Extremely well produced documentary video! It actually got me into that Half Life mood and here I am now, sitting in my room, wanting to replay Half Life for the 86th time.

I like to think the HEV suit has these songs built into it, and the AI system just plays them at appropriate times. Great vid btw. :)

I was excited to hear you discuss ambient sounds, as the incredible and subtle ambience of HL 1 and 2 are not recognized enough.

11:46 "my final message. change the world. goodbye"

No piece of media has made me cry, all over the years of my life i have enjoyed and digested media to no end, giving them meaning, after the ending of Half-Life 2 i was in total shock, i was just a 13 year old kid playing it on the orange box, Triage at dawn became my very first favorite videogame song, it gave me hope through some tough years. After all this years, after watching a complete playthrough of Alyx (because i don't have vr), and the credits theme started, i was feeling sad, my eyes began to tear up a little, then when the song finished and the Hazard suit spoke, i was full on crying. I still don't really understand, the credits song and the subsequent theme keep making me cry, i still have to pinpoint why though. Could it be because this song, just like Triage at Dawn did, gives me hope? Is it because even after all these years, i'm still immersed in the story just like when i was a little teen? No matter what it may be, the point of this is that the song is just amazing.

Hello Liam. I can't thank you enough for posting this video. I just broke up with my girlfriend because of reasons and seeing a 46 minute video about my favourite game franchise from my favourite RU-vid channel cheered me up alot. Thank you

The first game's Songs, had sounds that 'ECHO'd. It sounded like you were actually in a huge facility, with dark deep hallways. Water drops. Sounds of pipes. GIANT concrete tunnels. Science experiments. Industrial sounds. Etc.

For me Nuclear mission Jam is one of the best soundtracks in all gaming

"It is a unique atmospheric blend of beauty, and death." This is one of my favourite quotes from this video essay (even though i've only watched up to this quote so far - this is just such a cool quote that I felt the need to comment on it). The music (and sometimes lack thereof) in Half-Life really adds a unique atmosphere, and this video essay seems very well thought out and touches on the important points of it! This is quickly becoming a favourite video essay of mine, lovely work :)

Just a doc on sound design for free. No biggie. Underrated channel

Someone so accuratly described my thoughts about the onetime living areas of Highway 17 and their inhabitants. Also I was expeting a couple of words about the radio_1 track, the most anxious audio file for me in HL2. But the great video anyway!

He protec, He attac, But most importantly, When the world needed him. . . He came back

Im definitely going to be upset if you don't talk about LG Orbifold. EDIT: I'm not upset

Particle Ghost is no doubt one of the best video game tracks ever made. It perfectly nails creating an unsettling atmosphere right after Ravenholm. It’s like it’s saying to you, “You’ve just got out of Ravenholm, but did you really think things would be better outside of it?”. Absolutely masterful work by Kelly Bailey

I remember playing Half Life the first time in Russia when i visited my grandparents during my summervacation in 1999, who had bought their first computer! I sat and played non-stop!

I love these osts, always makes me happy and nostalgic when i hear tracks like Triage at dawn.

The Half-Life 1 OST actually makes me shiver. Not kidding. Especially "Nuclear Mission Jam"

I've always loved this soundtrack, its energetic, ambient, and fits the theme of these games so well. Its nice to see someone shedding more light on Kelley Baileys work.

I would just like to point out that Black Mesa has amazing music, especially Xen.

Half-Life 2 is one of my all time favorite games, Valve has truly made a a timeless classic, the story is so deep, even after all these years still new things to be found, hidden details that add to the lore, the world building is on another level, being immersed in the world, it truly feels like you are in it, The G-Man such a deep, mysterious character, we don’t know who how is, his motives, the fight against the Combine, the gameplay is top notch, the use of the Gravity Gun, environmental physics, just a masterpiece game, Valve are among the best developers in the industry, really hope they make a part 3 some day 👏👏👏 The soundtrack is amazing 🎶🎧

20:27, ahhh yes. No Strider is a match for the power of the Backhopping Glitch.

Half Life Alyx, one of the most immersive games ever, thanks to its sound design, plus its VR GOTY AUDIO DESIGN AWARD GOES TO TLOU2

Half Life 2 was the first game i ever pirated myself, that was roughly 8 years ago by now, i was 14 at the time and the only video games i had played until then besides educational and cereal box games were the Age of Empires and Age of Mythology games so in a sense the Half Life franchise was the second game franchise I've ever experienced I actually first found out about it through a youtuber (called Gronkh) playing Black Mesa back in 2012, i wasn't very smart back then so when he said it was a remake for Half Life 1 i thought i could easily jump into Half Life 2 after watching his playthrough, suffice to say i didn't understand jack shit However it was very fun to play and I've since then of course gotten a steam account, bought all the Half Life and Portal games (besides Alyx) and played through them a bunch of times, especially Black Mesa and of course Half Life 2

26:32 my favorite moment in half life 2 .the atmosphere there is just amazing

Literally like 3 days ago I was playing through episode 1 and I noticed that the game adds perfectly crafted music at the perfect time. (Black mesa by the crowbar collective also does this very well)

As someone who just finished hl2, this video just summarized on how I felt when playing the game

The Half-Life videos to come out of your channel have been fantastic, it's been great to see your content alongside a lot of great Half-Life series retrospective work that's surfaced in the past few years.

Episode 2’s final track is one that can make me cry in a scene where I likely wouldn’t have otherwise. The credits aren’t accompanied by something nice and catchy, it instead makes things feel more empty than if there wasn’t music at all. It reminds me that although the portal is closed, the Combine is not yet defeated. It’s like the victory track after the HL2’s lighthouse battle, except on a much larger scale. But above all else, it accentuates the sadness of Eli’s death by allowing the player to reflect on everything that just happened in a way that couldn’t be done by any other moment in the series. The game is over, the only thing you see is the seemingly endless credits that still feel too short, just because you are completely alone with your thoughts, reflecting on these events even as the screen reverts to the main menu.

I can't believe you had nothing to say about the final battle in episode 2. The music for that scene was incredible!

In eighth grade I did a project on Kelly Bailey & Half-Life's audio for my music class. It's safe to say this video is much better than my awkward presentation where I poorly tried to convince my peers that ambience was important. Very well done, Liam.

I've been looking for a video like this for YEARS! Not knowing much about music made it hard for me understand every nooks and cranny about it and finally a video like this is out and it makes me understand everything GREATLY, I love these analysis/documentary type videos about everything behind video games and can definitely help me with how I want my games to be like as some sort of inspiration!

I need friends like this so I can talk about half-life games all day. Lol. I've been trying to beat the original game on hard without dying. I get so excited every time I make it to the lambda complex but my girlfriend doesn't even care: ( Just made it to the end of interloper. God this game is hard AF.

The Half Life series is hands down my favorite series of all time. The way the music and ambiance (especially in Alyx) immerse you in the world is unparalleled

Such an amazing work,well done.

The OSTs are a good listen for me at work. Even though I’ve not played HL or HL2 for many years - music still invokes feelings in me, that I thought I’ve already forgotten. Thank you for the video! Great review of a great series!

8:48 ah so that's where their logo theme comes from. It is pretty nostalgiac for me from playing Portal on the 360 years ago. I also recently played HL2 and the sandbox puzzles where really creative and cool.

Kinda wish you reviewed Joel Nielsen’s music for Black Mesa, otherwise great video!

This was a great watch, wonderful work!

This is such a well made video, the level of detail is just amazing

24:01 Instead of “press onward” you should have said “but you initiate an accelerated back hop onward”. XD

I absolutely adore this music series. By far the best I've seen on youtube.

Amazing video. Soundtrack is astonishing and I remember it even after many years of not playing it

another banger video, great work liam

Most of this soundtrack was my childhood, amazing how the music can change the entire mood, so suttle and so strong to the entire storyline

That guitar riff in half life is so iconic, love it when games ost really build up an identity for the game

wonderful video as always, liam!

I'll never forget the final battle at White Forest in Ep. 2. When the final wave of striders came and I began to despair, thinking I'd have to reload due to not having enough ammo nor supplies left to fight the hunters, the guy at the radio gives us some words of motivation as the epic guitar kicks in. With all the hype in the world I drive towards one of the striders, but as soon as I see the hunters I'm like "damn it, but I got no ammo", then as the hype music continued, it clicked "I got no ammo, but I got the car!". I begin to run over the hunters and shoot down the striders, and booooy, was that fun! I loved how the music boosted my morale and gave me one of my best experiences with gaming. Amazing vid, Liam~

Patrolling the Mojave almost makes you wish for a nuclear winter

wow i was literally just in the process of rewatching the hl retrospective lol

awesome video which takes you on an insane deep dive with a ton of information that makes you appreciate the games genius design even more! You just got a new subscriber!

I was hoping for a video like this

I need a vid talking about the music theory and the sound design behind HL2's music

The bridge music has also always made me reflect about the bigger picture of Half-Life, and it's to me synonymous with my own experience with HL2. Music is something that will always be incredibly subjective, but when multiple people relate to it in a very similar way, you know there's some genius intent behind it.

i have been waiting for this

This was an amazing video, I think I'm gonna go download and finally play them all, thank you

i wish black mesa was covered because HOLY CRAB THAT SOUNDTRACK IS AMAZING

FINALLY someone talking about the music in HLA, it was one of the best parts of the game IMO and really stood out from the rest of the series for me

Amazing video. Love to see someone giving Half-Life's soundtrack the attention, love and deep analysis it deserves. One fun thing I've noticed is tha in CP Violation, the drums sound like a train speeding by, reminiscent of the various locomotives you find towards the start of the chapter.

Amazing vídeo. Just i hace no other words for what i've seen. Incredible work.

I'm a little over halfway through, and this is a very good birthday gift

Hunting Party in EP2 is also great, the electric guitar solos+synths sound a bit like the Hunters you're fighting (at least in my opinion)

I just love the UNTZ UNTZ UNTZ UNTZ of the Half-Life 1 credits tune. It's so 90's it hurts and I love it.

I'm really glad someone notices and appreciates the nuances within the half-life series as much as I do. My favorite games, thank you!

Fantastic video. Although, I was kinda hoping you would also talk about Black Mesa's soundtrack & how it compares & contrasts with the original Half-life, as well as your thoughts on the soundtrack itself.

Thank you!! I've been searching for tge song lab practicum without knowing it's name. Was just so in the mood to listen to it and there you not only have it in your video, you gave the name for it. Wish I could have given more than 1 like.

i love these kinds of videos because i find even more appreciation for things i love by realizing why i love them

This game is perfect from start to finish..Theres only a coouple more like it.

Portal 2 have the most unique soundtrack ever. You should make a video about it too

This video was phenomenal! Subbed

I love your musical deep dives, but its 1 AM in the morning in the UK and I'm only 25 minutes in :) Thanks for doing these, back tomorrow to finish :)

I'm disappointed that you didn't mention opposing force

The musics made the game that was already perfect, a master piece. Half Life is unique and I doubt that anything will be able to ever recreate the feeling of playing Half Life 2 for the first time.

By far one of the greatest videos on Half-Life I have seen. Subscribed.

Great work! Thank you !

i know this is about Bailey's work specifically, but i think that not mentioning the official expansions or black mesa was wrong

The portal games also have a truly amazing soundtrack. Portal 1's ambient soundtrack really embodies the strange loneliness you feel in the tests, while portal 2 is much more upbeat and complicated to match the more upbeat atmosphere.

yay i was waiting for someone to do this

Did I just spend 46 and a half minutes watching a video about the music of the half-life games? Life well spent! This was amazing, truly a great work and made me really appreciate the work that went into getting the right feel for the games by using, or not using, music. It made me realise just how much effect the music had on me as I experienced the stories of Half-life. Well done!

Half-life music in 2021: Mmm yes an exceptional soundtrack that isn't afraid of experimenting with unordinary instrumentals and themes. Half-life music in 2022: One thing I don't know why It doesn't even matter how hard you try Keep that in mind, I designed this rhyme To explain in due time All I know Time is a valuable thing Watch it fly by as the pendulum swings Watch it count down to the end of the day The clock ticks life away It's so unreal Didn't look out below Watch the time go right out the window Tryin' to hold on, did-didn't even know I wasted it all just to watch you go I kept everything inside and even though I tried It all fell apart What it meant to me will eventually Be a memory of a time when I tried so hard I tried so hard and got so far But in the end it doesn't even matter I had to fall to lose it all But in the end it doesn't even matter One thing, I don't know why It doesn't even matter how hard you try Keep that in mind, I designed this rhyme To remind myself how I tried so hard In spite of the way you were mockin' me Acting like I was part of your property Remembering all the times you fought with me I'm surprised it got so far Things aren't the way they were before You wouldn't even recognize me anymore Not that you knew me back then But it all comes back to me in the end You kept everything inside and even though I tried It all fell apart What it meant to me will eventually Be a memory of a time when I tried so hard I tried so hard and got so far But in the end it doesn't even matter I had to fall to lose it all But in the end it doesn't even matter I've put my trust in you Pushed as far as I can go For all this There's only one thing you should know I've put my trust in you Pushed as far as I can go For all this There's only one thing you should know I tried so hard and got so far But in the end it doesn't even matter I had to fall to lose it all But in the end it doesn't even matter

what the h, I just started playing hl2 for the first time in 10ish years and you release this... get out of my head

I don't know how you don't have more subscribers or more views on this video, this was a masterpiece. I watched every second of it, which isn't something I always do with long videos like this. Keep up the good work, this video was amazing

Great vid, homie! A really nice trip down memory lane.

Make more of these music theme vids. And not just games, but anime and movies too. It's a niche topic that's barely touched