# Recommend some ridiculously epic music **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 28, 2009, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-ridiculously-epic-music/497954 "2009-05-28T18:56:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Hail\_Ants](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dc4da7/32.png) [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-ridiculously-epic-music/497954/41 "2009-05-29T04:40:08Z")
I specifically viewed this thread to mention _Requiem for a Tower_. The piece from Requiem for a Dream was not just adapted, it was reworked for a full orchestra and chorus! I’ve seen a lot of YouTube videos where people took very mundane video and set it to this just to show how the piece can make anything seem awesome! Don’t know if they’ve been mentioned yet but I’d include: [ul] [li]_ **Fanfare for the Common Man** _ by Aaron Copland (generally referred to as the theme from the Olympics)[/li][li]_ **Bishop’s Countdown** _ from James Horner’s Aliens soundtrack[/li][li]The choral section of _ **Beethoven’s 9th Symphony** _, the single greatest piece of music in the Western world[/li][li]The last 90 seconds or so of Metallica’s _ **Fade to Black** _[/li] [/ul] ---
**Author:** ![Grumman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-ridiculously-epic-music/497954/42 "2009-05-29T06:03:06Z")
Stan Bush’s _You’ve Got The Touch_? Dragonforce’s _Through the Fire and Flames_? _One Winged Angel_ from Final Fantasy VII? ---
**Author:** ![Uosdwis\_R.Dewoh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Uosdwis\_R.Dewoh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uosdwis_R.Dewoh)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-ridiculously-epic-music/497954/43 "2009-05-29T06:43:36Z")
Nightwish’s [_Ghost love score_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1VnZDQSNao) has become synonymous with epic music on [YTMND](http://epicgeordi.ytmnd.com/). > [@PetW](#): > > Ridiculously epic? Swedish Power Metal is the way to go: > Stratovarius [Infinite](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFYK3rQc8Tk) (song starts ~20 seconds in) Stratovarius is a Finnish band. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-ridiculously-epic-music/497954/44 "2009-05-29T06:55:42Z")
Vangelis’ [_Chariots of Fire_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYJzcUvS_NU) is suitably Epic for all sorts of things involving effort and triumph (especially in slow-mo :D). Pat Benatar’s [_We Belong_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxZInIyOBXk) is also surprisingly Epic for Overcoming Adversity To Achieve The Glory That Is Rightfully Yours (as seen in _Talledega Nights_) The Eagle’s _Journey of The Sorceror_ was used as the theme to the _Hitch-Hiker’s Guide To The Galaxy_ and has an awesome Epic Space-Mystic thing happening (it’s one of my favourite songs, but not on YouTube, I’m afraid). Led Zeppelin’s [_Kashmir_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRpJg1StvFw) is also truly Epic and generally Made Of Awesome, too. [_Knights Of Cydonia_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_sBOsh-vyI) by Muse is in the same category, IMHO. The Utah Saints did the theme from [_Mortal Kombat_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PvSnokAvyw) which is a great Epic Song for fight scenes in which the Hero beats the stuffing out of legions of Gladiators/Ninjas/Red Shirts/Hired Goons/Generic Bad Guys, and I’ve always imagined that [_Hey Boy Hey Girl_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64szVQugrAo) by the Chemical Brothers would be an excellent piece of music for a running Epic Car-Chase And Gun Battle through the streets of somewhere like Moscow or Prague or Marseille. [_Thunder In My Heart_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGVuqOzG-TM) (the Meck remix of the old Leo Sayer hit) is surprisingly Epic, too. If you wanted to end the film on an uplifting (but extremely camp) note, then [_Go West_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNFwQmZvnuw) by The Petshop Boys would be my suggestion. And for a slice of Bollywood (and Bollywood is all about Epic), then [_Husan_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7M5jZL7Q00) by the Bhangra Knights is a surprisingly catchy choice, too. (And you’ve gotta loved the pimped out Hindustan Motors Ambassador in the video, too. :D) The _1812 Overture_ is one of the most Epic Songs Ever (well, the finale is), along with Guns 'n Roses [_November Rain_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bwu7ixmQk0c), and, if you wanted something a bit edgier, try [\*Thunderstuck/I]]([http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvoeeq-BH4w](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvoeeq-BH4w)) by AC/DC. There are some good suggestions in this thread! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-ridiculously-epic-music/497954/45 "2009-05-29T07:45:51Z")
Barber’s Adagio For Strings. ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-ridiculously-epic-music/497954/46 "2009-05-29T07:51:13Z")
> [@Martini\_Enfield](#): > > Led Zeppelin’s [_Kashmir_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRpJg1StvFw) is also truly Epic and generally Made Of Awesome, too. It’s better in the [original philharmonic version.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsD8f-N8gzg&feature=related) 😉 Or, when the 1812 Overture isn’t exciting enough—there’s the [1812 Overkill](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eqWLrxOrog). ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 10:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-ridiculously-epic-music/497954/47 "2009-05-29T10:04:04Z")
How about Apocalyptica? band from Finland. Chellos and a drum, with the occasional guest singer. [Heroes [in german]](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vhq9n8gq4-0) [9th company soundtrack](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxwxX0mjXpA&feature=related) [Soneone mentioned hall of the Mountain King?](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rw0TikGmVz4&feature=related) [Cohkka](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CM103tGyHo8)gets hard cycling in my playlist, probably my favorite of theirs after Hall of the Mountian King, I would love to hear them do Night on Bald Mountain ---
**Author:** ![Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cc9497/32.png) [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-ridiculously-epic-music/497954/48 "2009-05-29T10:40:38Z")
[QUOTE=Martini Enfield] Knights Of Cydonia by Muse is in the same category, IMHO. [/quote] It’s better [live](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8WP7aOD_9Q&feature=channel). ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 10:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-ridiculously-epic-music/497954/49 "2009-05-29T10:47:22Z")
> [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](#): > > It’s better [live](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8WP7aOD_9Q&feature=channel). Nothing (musically) is better live, IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![bathsheba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@bathsheba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bathsheba)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-ridiculously-epic-music/497954/50 "2009-05-29T11:00:44Z")
Adagio of Spartacus and Phrygia by Aram Khachaturian. Doesn’t need a link if I mention Onedin Line but here it is anyway: [Onedin Line](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZLMKkEGFRo) ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-ridiculously-epic-music/497954/51 "2009-05-29T11:34:41Z")
The opening section of “[Battle on the Ice](http://www.clipser.com/watch_video/114813)” from _Alexander Nevsky_ by Prokofiev (the film version) is my personal fave. It’s a very slow build from a soft opening, but by the end of the segment you will want to go out and slaughter barbarian hordes with a battleaxe. Trust me on this. I’m a big fan of [this recording](http://www.amazon.com/Alexander-Nevsky/dp/B0014KA2SU), which I believe is the version used in the clip linked above (sans dialogue, and with better sound quality) - the CD cover really says it all. It’s track 9 and it starts kicking into gear around 2:23. > [@Martini Enfield](#): > > Nothing (musically) is better live, IMHO. Them’s fightin’ words! Where’s me battleaxe?..😃 ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-ridiculously-epic-music/497954/52 "2009-05-29T14:15:45Z")
> [@Martini\_Enfield](#): > > The Utah Saints did the theme from [_Mortal Kombat_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PvSnokAvyw) which is a great Epic Song for fight scenes in which the Hero beats the stuffing out of legions of Gladiators/Ninjas/Red Shirts/Hired Goons/Generic Bad Guys.. Nitpick, but it was The Immortals, not Utah Saints. Other techno/electronica rediculoepica music: [Ready Steady Go - Paul Oakenfold](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPZcPfzKn_U) [Boom (Crystal Method Remix) - P.O.V.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmaSn-JQhQo) [Skylight - Overseer (Blade Trinity soundtrack)](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eXz4bJuxHE) and IMHO, the most ridiculously epic of them all [Navras - Juno Reactor (Matrix soundtrack)](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJ-5tZ2Z0UU&feature=PlayList&p=B9262C88CC346E8C&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=13) I can’t believe no one mentioned. [Take Us Out (Rudy Soundtrack) - Jerry Goldsmith](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kC6gb3xolgY&feature=related) [Duel of the Fates (Phantom Menance soundtrack) - John Williams](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyCigHHwOcE&feature=related) ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-ridiculously-epic-music/497954/53 "2009-05-29T14:22:38Z")
The opening theme (“Call to Arms”) from [Glory](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glory_(movie)). You can listen to a sample [here](http://www.amazon.com/Glory-Original-Motion-Picture-Soundtrack/dp/B000000WH5). ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-ridiculously-epic-music/497954/54 "2009-05-29T14:27:19Z")
Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” ---
**Author:** ![h.sapiens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e0b2c6/32.png) [@h.sapiens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/h.sapiens)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-ridiculously-epic-music/497954/55 "2009-05-29T15:12:37Z")
The score from [Laurence of Arabia](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irPSvEkQl8Q) by Maurice Jarre. The [Parade of the Charioteers](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vXVIas9yEo&feature=related) by Miklos Rozsa from the Ben Hur soundtrack (maybe more bombastic than epic, but still a classic). ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-ridiculously-epic-music/497954/56 "2009-05-29T15:48:39Z")
> [@Jules\_Andre](#): > > I’m a little surprised no one mentioned **Lux Aeterna** by Clint Mansell (I think, following video gives that credit) > > [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKLpJtvzlEI](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKLpJtvzlEI) While we are going with way overused pieces of music in scores and soundtracks. Don’t get me wrong I love this track it’s just in everything. But I will give: Angel - Massive Attack (You’ll recognize it as the theme from House) **msmith537** If you are mentioning Juno Reactor, I think anything off of Bible of Dreams particularly Jardin de Cecile and anything off of Shango particularly Pistolero. And lets give Infected Mushroom a nod with pretty much anything. ---
**Author:** ![Birdmonster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/71e660/32.png) [@Birdmonster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Birdmonster)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-ridiculously-epic-music/497954/57 "2009-05-29T15:52:06Z")
> [@Martini\_Enfield](#): > > Nothing (musically) is better live, IMHO. Blasphemy! ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-ridiculously-epic-music/497954/58 "2009-05-29T15:55:46Z")
> [@Birdmonster](#): > > I’m watching the NBA and was reminded of that John Tesh theme song. I have to say, sometimes, Tesh kills me: > > [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V\_h7Lm7C9Nk](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_h7Lm7C9Nk) Ah, Roundball Rock. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-ridiculously-epic-music/497954/59 "2009-05-29T16:43:27Z")
From the soundtrack of the movie “Dune,” track 2 (Main Title) and track 14 (Big Battle). The former starts in with the “epic” feel right from the get-go, but tHe latter track doesn’t really hit its stride until about 1:36. ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-ridiculously-epic-music/497954/60 "2009-05-29T16:52:32Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > Angel - Massive Attack (You’ll recognize it as the theme from House) A correction: The theme to House is Massive Attack’s “Teardrop.” “Angel” is a different song (same band, tho’), and much spookier. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-ridiculously-epic-music/497954.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-some-ridiculously-epic-music/497954.md?page=4)