Music to Game to: Moon Duo – Occult Architecture Vol.1 and Occult Architecture Vol. 2

I listen to a lot of music (over 41 days worth in 2018 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.

Moon Duo – Occult Architecture Vol.1 and Occult Architecture Vol. 2

A psychedelic conceptual opus in two parts intended to be “an intricately woven hymn to the invisible structures found in the cycle of seasons and the journey of day into night, dark into light through the Chinese theory of Yin and Yang”, Moon Duo’s Occult Architecture albums are a great choice for background music for any RPG. With driving rhythms, psychedelic guitar work and understated vocals these two albums provide a wonderfully evocative and thematic backdrop for a game.

• Vocals?...Yes, but unobtrusive.
• Music Genre(s)… Psychedelic Rock
• Perfect for… Games where you want a psychedelic touch that isn’t over-whelming or distracting.
• If you only grab one track, make it... The shimmering and sinister “Cult of Moloch” from Vol. 1 and the propulsive “The Crystal World” from Vol. 2