MICHAEL BROSS

You can find a track I posted from the Oddworld Stranger's Wrath soundtrack here:

https://soundcloud.com/michael_bross/shadow-across-the-land

I wrote this for the main menu of the game. What do you think about it? Send me an email here.

I've been working on music for Kings Road, from Rumble Entertainment. It's really been an awesome team to work with!

I recently completed work on Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault, Insomniac's upcoming game published by Sony.

 

I created the score for this game last year. Sony has finally released the soundtrack on iTunes. You can find it here:

itunes.apple.com/us/album/ratchet-clank-all-4-one-original/id532284976 

It's been a busy year for sure. As I mentioned in my previous post, I'm working on the latest Ratchet and Clank game from Insomniac, which will be published by Sony. This release is part of a franchise that has sold 35+ million units. it's my second project with Insomniac.

I also continue my work on Firefall. This is something I've been working on for a while now. If you haven't seen it, here's a clip from last year where I'm interviewed about the soundtrack: Firefall interview.

Also, a project that has been fun to work on is "King's Road" from Rumble Entertainment. Learn more about it here where you can sign up for the beta.

Here's the new Ratchet and Clank title I'm composing for:

www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2012/05/30/insomniac-announces-ratchet-and-clank-full-frontal-assault-for-psn.aspx

I was recently interviewed by the "Designing Sound" site:
 
designingsound.org/2012/05/interview-with-michael-bross/

I don't have all the details yet, but wanted to let you know that a soundtrack release for Ratchet and Clank: All 4 One is planned from Sony. Will post more in the near future when I know more.

I worked on a really exciting project from 2002 - 2005. It was a game called "Oddworld Stranger's Wrath". I was the audio director / composer and was part of the Oddworld Inhabitants team. The game was published by EA, but EA didn't really give it any marketing love. The game received lots of critical acclaim but because of the lack of backing from the publisher, the game didn't sell as well as expected.

At the end of last month (Dec. 2011), though, it finally saw its release on the PS3. This is very pleasing to me because the original team put so much passion and work into it. Congrats to the JAW, Ltd. for bringing it back to life.

Anyway, it's available on PSN.
Check it out! And give me a shout if you find you're diggin' the music. I wrote almost 5 hours worth for it.

Yesterday I came across some notes I put together when I released my Subway Meditations album back in 2009. Thought I'd post them here to give you a little background on the concept of the album:

bross.com/subway_meditations_artist_notes 

Matt Gosper at popular Australian game site Stevivor reviews Ratchet and Clank: A4O and say this about the music:

"The visuals and music direction in All 4 One are just as crisp and gorgeous as the previous PS3 titles..."

 

Site link:
stevivor.com/review/ratchet-clank-all-4-one/

 

I've made available a track from the Oddworld Stranger's Wrath soundtrack that has never been released before. Enjoy!

Go here. 

 

Australian-based site Capsule reviews Ratchet and Clank: All 4 One and gives a positive review of the soundtrack:

"The music of the game isn’t bad. It is quite good, actually. The music usually fits the action on screen and happens to bring some of the charm of the series. One particular track in the game that deserves a mention is the main theme. This track is often used in the various tracks throughout the game and it is a track worth listening to. It is quite catchy and somehow fits with the overall theme of the game, which is quite good."

My YouTube channel is now set up. More content coming soon:

www.youtube.com/michaelbrossmusic

Slant Magazine review says this about my score for A4O:

"Music composer Michael Bross turns in a rousing score..."

Full review of game here:

www.slantmagazine.com/games/review/ratchet-and-clank-all-4-one/129

Review of Ratchet and Clank: All 4 One from  VG Chartz site mentions the soundtrack...

"…there were a few levels with genuinely moving background music that reminded me of Final Fantasy XII in the best of ways."

My mixer may be old school, but I love it.

An IGN review says this about the A4O soundtrack: " I couldn't believe how catchy the theme song was..."

IGN review 

Some artists are intent on creating exactly what they envision in their minds.

Sometimes I’ll start with specific ideas, but more often I’ll start with a general idea of where I want to go and then explore from there.

I like the idea of making room for the unknown. It makes the process of creating more interesting to me and allows me to grow. Even mistakes I make in the process are potential opportunities.

Unintention is a hidden gem.

It allows me to break into new territory and to try and avoid stagnent ideas that have been stated over and over.

Here's a link to a video interview for the Firefall project.

I had a session the other day with a live orchestra for the Firefall score and worked with an orchestra in Prague.

I raided my kitchen and found some old pots and pans which I used for percussion on a track. You may notice in this pic that there are also rulers. These I used for "drum sticks". Sometimes I like to use objects as instruments in music that weren't intended to be used as that.

Music can come from anywhere and anything if you listen or look for it.