For The First Time, Doom And Its Composer Will Melt Faces In Real Life
Video game composer Mick Gordon is set to perform the Doom soundtrack live for the first time as a full-length performance at Radar Festival in the UK next summer. While Gordon previously played a medley of his work at The Game Awards in 2016, this upcoming performance will be his first complete live set featuring a full band, orchestra, and full production.
Gordon composed the iconic soundtracks for Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal (2020), establishing a new benchmark for video game music. His distinctive style combines crushing guitar riffs, industrial synthesizers, and earth-shaking electronic production that perfectly complements the games’ intense, fast-paced “rip-and-tear” gameplay. Notable tracks include “Rip & Tear,” “BFG Division,” and “The Only Thing They Fear Is You.”
To achieve his signature brutal sound, Gordon designed custom analog effects and audio-routing equipment to transform raw sounds into what he describes as “harmonic violence.” This meticulous approach to sound design has made his work stand out in the video game music landscape. Gordon approaches each musical project as a soundtrack waiting to be discovered, with the dedication typically reserved for traditional concert composers.
The upcoming live performance represents a significant moment for both Gordon and video game music fans, bringing one of gaming’s most celebrated soundtracks to the stage with full orchestral and band arrangements.