Here is a concept album designed for the Science Fiction cum Horror Investigative game Ashen Stars, in which a future galaxy lies in ruins from vast intragalactic conflict in which the final weapon used caused everyone to simply forget. Thus, the universe lies in fragments and in the fragments horrors from either the war or vastly superior technological (sometimes, trans-dimensional) aliens so-called Class K entities lie in wait for unsuspecting players.
Musically speaking this is a very pleasing album and well suited for game play either for Ashen Stars or any other science fiction horror. For music consists of heavy thematic pieces lasting 3-4 minutes or short bursts that can be used to set up a scene transition of a minute or less. Throughout littered are windpipes, pieces of electronica, and other synthesized elements that give the otherworldliness musical form. The longer pieces are music perfectly suited for gaming as there is few rises and crescendos – the pattern is fairly consistent in creating a dark ambient vibe that need not interfere with players or game masters activities. That said, the music certainly carries with a narrative – sometimes in keeping with what it purports to be about – other times, I could see it being used differently. The pieces are not sequential thus giving the game master to play them in any sequence to give off the right intimidating and creepy inflection.
Next up, there is a bit of dissection of the tracks of this audio download from the liner notes which are rather sparse but adequate to give you insight into the composer’s muses. And, because the composer is also a gamer – he has managed to achieve the right balance between shrewdness of quiet pieces that merely unnerve the listener and action and dramatic segments that convey action and purpose.
The Prologue
Party members must explore some ancient crashed ship, abandoned freighter or deserted settlement. This piece is a heavily temperamental piece that carries with it foreboded sense of death. The composition is the perfect setup or lead-in for any adventure.
Fragments of the Past
Something about this area hints at events of the Mohilar War – the war that left the galaxy in ruin and disjointed. The music leads the listener to feel that some ancient information is hidden here just awaiting discovery. Obscurity and unidentified cues are infused the piece. It is operatic and sweeping in its orchestration.
All We Have Forgotten
A recursive journey into past grandeur as ancient holo-recording springs to life showing images of the time long since vanished that combines with the disconnected present. The disposition created is a consciousness is as if recalling a half-remembered dream of glories gone by but something remains hemorrhaging into the present-day.
Into The Bleed
Party members travel into the frontier area of space known as The Bleed try to and make their way in the universe. It is a wild and savage place where danger and mystery abounds where light and dark collide. Even in the most enlightened and cultured locales peril can spring up players, as that is the nature of the frontier for civilization just but a thin veneer. The music accelerates players but at the same time provides a false sense of security
Class K Entity
Extreme peril as the party members encounters a class K entity. As noted above, class K entities are encounters that are monstrous and can be terminated without prejudice. Thus, the music has gives an impression and sensation of misfortune and demise without launching into desolation, for the players can overcome these entities and emerge stronger to fight even more ghastly and dreadful creatures in the next encounter in the adventure after the current one has paid its Big Credits reward.
Tethers And Snails
Two vital pieces of equipment in any surveillance mission, investigation is a primary theme of Ashen Stars but sometimes requires a little technical help. I found this title to be ill suited to what it purports to be about. Paramount emotional response for hazard and vulnerability in which players are dancing around the edge of abyss – one slight push danger and peril will be the result.
Threon Shadows
A dramatic and on edge gun battle erupts in the planetside or elsewhere where personal combat can reign. The music turns to a chase with tension rising the piece throughout interspersed by disruptor beams fire crackles through the Threon-lit warren of alleyways as party members scramble for cover. Reminiscent of classic movie chases from The Running Man or The Matrix in which there is pursuit without resolution.
The Ashen Stars Theme
This is the main theme of the game, which cleverly incorporates a sense of mystery and heroism abounding. Masterfully, playing between the two themes of the familiar tropes (of say a James Horner, Dennis McCarthy or Fred Steiner, Don Davis and John Debney) mixed in with the original melody. It is light hearted enough that it can be used as either an introduction or conclusion to any gaming session.
Tartarus
Party members once again investigate some ancient crashed ship, abandoned freighter or deserted settlement with nods and cues to the adventure of the same name. Unlike, Alien or Prometheus the music is more scuttle and tranquil giving an illusion of calmness but as it progresses menace and tension build but are spread out throughout the composition thus providing an eerie atmosphere. This piece integrates jumpy and juxtaposing angular themes that just make the listener experience disquieting. It includes both high and low vocals (including drones/whispers) and some low brass effects that seep deep into the subconscious that successfully unnerve and unsettle the active listener.
Finally, Ashen Stars Sting 1, 2, 3 are four to ten second highlights of selected above tracks that can be used as transitions between scenes. Enough to give players an audio cue and rise the level of apprehension amongst the players but not enough to get them immersed, as the adventure landscape changes.
An excellent audio journey through the fragmented but exciting world of Ashen Stars – in all its glory of a heroic and shiny past where the horrors of the present were banished into the abyss; Players get to experience the horror and excitement of this milieu through sound. So, if music and gaming is your thing and you need something that combines horror with science fiction themes without turning to known properties, they should check out All We Have Forgotten - Music for Ashen Stars.
Review Summary