Music to Game to: The Budos Band - Burnt Offering

I listen to a lot of music (over 40 days worth in 2017 according to last.fm) and I find that few things help me keep the mood of a game foregrounded in my mind like a good soundtrack. Plus, I’ve discovered that when I’m playing music to a speaker via Bluetooth, I’m less likely to be on my phone, lest my players hear any stray sounds, letting me better model engagement during a game. To that end, I want to share some of my favorite music to game to; the albums that inspire and inflame my imagination and that I’ve found work well as background music for games as well. I’ll do a mini-review and cover the basics of what mood it helps me set.

THE BUDOS BAND - BURNT OFFERING

Look at that album cover and tell me it’s not “Music to Game To”… This is a tight slab of afro-soul funk crossed with 70s metal with a dash of blues here and there. The album immediately evokes 70s B movies and psychedelic fantasy van panoramas without getting bogged down in cheesy homage. Foreboding and gritty, the songs are propulsive and perfect for keeping a game session moving briskly forward. While the throwback 70s stylings might not fit every D&D session, they’ll be appreciated by players and game masters who enjoy a good groove as they bash in troll heads.

• Vocals?...No
• Music Genre(s)…Funk, Soul, Psychedelic Rock, Afrobeat
• Perfect for…Any game where you want a pulsing, horn and bass heavy, epic 70s style B-movie soundtrack.
• If you only grab one track, make it…The title track, “Burnt Offering”, which opens with some ominous horror movie synths and pounding drums and then switches to a beautifully scuzzy guitar riff and blasting horns cut with organ riffs.