My assumptions going into this was that the score would probably account for action and atmosphere as per the gameplay, with the latter taking up most of the running time.  That was an incorrect presumption on my part.  "Gears of War" brings home a substantial amount of action music that is militaristic in nature.  The ambience, while present, does not overtake the defining characteristics of the soundtrack. In fact, the atmospheric cues present a curious representation of the unknown, with electronic and mechanical effects that are used creatively and properly.  Certainly, when heard in the context of the game, it's sure to raise the stakes and the involvement of the player tremendously.

 

The score begins with what is tabbed as the Main Theme for "Gears of War," which offers a few heroic bars in the midst of the dark, bold orchestral statements.  While it makes for a nice opening, don't get used to any uplifting or heroic tunes the rest of the way as the duration of the score thereafter takes you on a dark, dangerous journey.  These darker aspects is what is represented the rest of the way.  In all, the best way I can describe it is that the music is rugged and is not afraid to be so.  I appreciate such a fearless approach. 

 

With each cue, there is a level or mission assigned to it.  This makes following the music very easy for those of us who have not played the game.  In fact, it's rather enjoyable to let a specific track unfold and then check the title of it to see how it fits.  I also was impressed by the level of urgency that the music builds up to.  It really makes you want to fall in line and play the game yourself.  For a videogame score, I can hardly think of a better accolade than that.

 

The soundtrack offers bookends of the Main Theme and its reprise.  As with the opening track, the finale offers hints of a more uplifting version of the darkened theme.  These moments are epic when the score is heard in its entirety.  Aside from the smaller size of the orchestra, this is a blockbuster type of score that could easily have found a spot in any major science fiction film that is found at the cinema.  The only downside to me, again, is the size of the orchestra, thought Riepl does a solid job in making the music sound larger than the constraints.

Though I give this effort a favorable score, let's get one thing straight -- this isn't going to be for everyone's tastes.  The score didn't call for light melodies or dramatic interludes.  Instead, it required guts and brawn and that's what Riepl delivers on a very consistent basis.  If you're a fan of the music from the "Alien" series, and specifically the second installment from James Horner, than this is a good match for you.  For me, I was pleasantly surprised with the effort, which goes to show you that you should never judge a CD by its genre; it's all about what the Composer can do within it.