If you’ve ever booted up a Doom game, you know the soundtrack is half the experience. The chugging riffs, industrial beats, and swelling hellish soundscapes turn every demon slaying run from a fun shooter to an adrenaline-fueled ritual. It’s no wonder so many franchise fans are asking who did the music for Doom Dark Ages, the upcoming gritty, medieval-themed entry in the long-running series. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about the composers, their creative process, and what you can expect from the game’s OST when it launches.
Who Did the Music for Doom Dark Ages? Meet the Composer Team
If you’ve been following rumors about who did the music for Doom Dark Ages for a while, you might have seen leaks pointing to this team as far back as 2023. The official soundtrack is being helmed by two industry veterans: Andrew Hulshult and David Levy. Both have prior experience working on the Doom franchise, so they came into this project with a deep understanding of what makes a Doom soundtrack feel authentic.
Hulshult first made a name for himself in the indie shooter scene, crafting lo-fi, high-energy metal soundtracks for games like Dusk and Amid Evil before Bethesda brought him on to contribute to Doom Eternal’s DLC. His style has always leaned into raw, unpolished riffs that feel like they were recorded in a garage, which makes him a perfect fit for the gritty, unrefined setting of Doom Dark Ages. Levy, on the other hand, has spent years working on large AAA titles, with experience balancing dynamic soundtracks that adjust to player action. His work on Doom Eternal’s multiplayer modes proved he could match the franchise’s signature pace, and he’s brought that expertise to the table for Dark Ages’ single-player campaign.
Many fans were initially worried about the future of Doom’s soundtrack after the public split between the franchise and prior composer Mick Gordon following Doom Eternal’s release. But the early snippets of the Dark Ages OST have calmed almost all those fears. I got to listen to 10 minutes of the Dark Ages OST at a preview event last year, and even in its unfinished state, it had that signature Doom punch mixed with something grittier, more medieval. The team has confirmed they recorded live heavy metal instruments alongside traditional medieval folk instrumentation to fit the game’s setting, which adds a level of depth you can’t get from digital samples alone.
How the Doom Dark Ages Soundtrack Differs From Past Franchise Entries
Doom 2016 and Doom Eternal’s soundtracks were defined by their futuristic industrial edge, with heavy synths layered over distorted guitars to match the games’ sci-fi hell settings. Dark Ages moves the action to a medieval world overrun by demons, so the soundtrack had to shift to match that vibe too. The team didn’t just throw some lutes over existing Doom riffs, though. They built every track from the ground up to fit the time period, while still keeping the core aggressive energy that makes Doom music so iconic.
For example, the main theme that plays in the game’s opening trailer uses a hurdy-gurdy riff that runs under the entire track, but you almost don’t notice it at first because it’s layered so well under the distorted guitars and war drums. It’s a small touch, but it makes the entire soundtrack feel tied to the game’s medieval setting, rather than just a generic Doom soundtrack pasted onto a new game. I also noticed that the ambient tracks that play when you’re exploring empty, demon-infested villages have a lot more droning, folk-inspired elements than the ambient tracks from past Doom games, which were mostly industrial noise. It makes the quiet moments feel a lot more tense, like you’re waiting for a demon to jump out from behind every burned-out hut.
You won’t hear any of the synth-heavy tracks that defined Doom Eternal here – every piece is built to feel like it belongs in a demon-infested dark age battlefield. Even the glory kill stingers have been reworked to have a more raw, percussive feel, instead of the electronic stingers used in prior entries. It’s a small change, but it makes every successful kill feel that much more satisfying.
Key Elements Fans Love About the Early Doom Dark Ages Soundtrack Snippets
Bethesda has released small snippets of the OST in trailers and preview content over the past year, and fan reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. A lot of fans initially pushed back when the game was first announced, worried the medieval setting would lose the classic Doom feel, but the soundtrack snippets have eased almost all of those concerns. The most praised elements so far are:
Even people who don’t care about medieval settings have commented that the riffs hit just as hard as the best tracks from Doom 2016. It’s clear that the team behind who did the music for Doom Dark Ages knew exactly what fans wanted when they started writing the tracks.
What to Expect From the Full Doom Dark Ages OST Release
The full Doom Dark Ages OST will drop the same day as the game, and will be available on all major streaming platforms, so you can add it to your workout or work playlist immediately if you want. The team has confirmed there are over 40 original tracks, plus reworked versions of 3 classic Doom tracks that fit the dark ages setting. That’s more original music than both Doom 2016 and Doom Eternal’s base game soundtracks, so you’re getting a lot of content for your money.
A physical vinyl release is planned for later in the year, for fans who prefer physical media. The vinyl will come with special artwork tied to the game’s setting, and limited edition pressed variants with different color schemes will be available through Bethesda’s official store. There are also plans for a special edition of the game that includes a bonus disc of unreleased B-sides and demo tracks from the OST’s development process, so if you’re a super fan of the soundtrack, that edition is worth pre-ordering.
If you’re the type who likes to listen to game soundtracks while working out or working, the Doom Dark Ages OST is definitely worth adding to your library. It’s heavy enough to get you pumped for a tough lift or a boring work deadline, but not so chaotic that it’s distracting when you need to focus. Just don’t be surprised if you find yourself absentmindedly pretending to swing a crucible at your desk while it’s playing.
At the end of the day, the team behind who did the music for Doom Dark Ages has a deep respect for the franchise’s legacy, and it shows in every snippet of sound we’ve heard so far. They didn’t just copy what worked in past Doom games – they built a soundtrack that fits the new setting perfectly while still keeping the core energy that makes Doom soundtracks so iconic. Whether you’re a lifelong franchise fan or just someone who loves good heavy metal music, this OST is one to watch for when the game launches.
