Ante Bellum Original Soundtrack: Dev Diary #2
Continuing with the discussion of motifs from last week, today I am going to talk about a new prominent motif that is scattered throughout the album.
Motifs: the "Catholic" theme
This theme within the OST represents the Catholic world of Europe in Ante Bellum, and specifically in the state of Christian affairs at the 1444 start date. The motif used for this is new to Ante Bellum, but would not be new to Utopia fans: it is the main motif from Land of Piety in Themes of the Old World. Specifically, it is the tune heard at the beginning of Piety (War) and in the medley track Themes of the Old World. This is completely intentional and has been done to link the Ante Bellum world seamlessly with the immersion that TotOW provides, and through this bringing that relationship established between Piety and the Christian religions to the wider European region. Essentially, it has elevated the Piety theme from representing Italy to representing all Catholics by utilising the Vatican as a stepping stone.
In the the Ante Bellum OST the motif has been used prominently in three pieces, plus a fourth use in conjunction with the Islamic theme in "Battle of Valencia". Together, these uses make up four different variants of the motif:
1. Catholic Theme - Main
The motif first appears in "Empire's Downfall" in a totally different rhythmic and melodic style than in TotOW; to the point where you possibly wouldn't recognise it otherwise. This is the main establishment of the theme and throughout the album the motif will generally follow a similar harmonic style (although this rendition is the most graceful/melodic of them all). The first four notes are generally always the same, so it should be recognisable. However, it is different in style to TotOW to distinguish itself as a unique, but related variation. In the case of "Empire's Downfall" the motif is used primarily as a harmonising tool with long drawn-out notes on the organ. However, it does came into prominence with its main statement halfway through the piece in a sombre, but vibrant melody. This is to capture that depressing mood of a crumbling empire and is intended to tie such empires to the religion, as per the Ante Bellum lore. Where religion succeeds, the state succeeds.
2. Catholic Theme - Peace
The motif doesn't exactly have any specific peace theme. Instead it has a whole track where numerous variants are gently put together to form a peace-themed track just for the motif. So just like how Land of Piety (Peace) is the peace theme for Italy, The Streets of Rome is the peace theme for Catholics. Played only on strings it wanders through a variety of variations of the motif, as if somewhere were wandering around the streets of Rome and finding something different, but recognisable, around each corner. You have the theme. Then you have the theme with a different melodic structure, like a strange conversation. Then the rhythm changes, are you running or walking? Then the theme is deep in bass, like the catacombs, and high in the violins, like the birds. Then you have the theme, followed by its inversion, as if you hit a dead end and had to turn back. Who knows what you'll find next on your pious adventure through Rome?
3. Catholic Theme - War
This is what you get when you give the motif to an army and send them off to battle. In "Nicene Legions" our Anatolian Christians do their perfect best to be the vehicle by which the glorious faith can be proclaimed to their opponents across the land. Indeed here the motif is given loud and clear in an epic brass fanfares with pounding drums to drive it forward and the Church's best organ to add those undertones of greatness. Nothing says "War" better than EU4's war declaration sound and in this piece some of the deep brass blasts come close; in particular the very last one. It's as if the Pope himself walked over to the Sultanate with an army of horns behind him, looked them in the eye and said "War Declared". Essentially, that's what this version of the motif is: straight, ordered and very militaristic.
4. Catholic Theme - Conflict?
This is what you get when you give the motif to an army and send them off to battle. In "Nicene Legions" our Anatolian Christians do their perfect best to be the vehicle by which the glorious faith can be proclaimed to their opponents across the land. Indeed here the motif is given loud and clear in an epic brass fanfares with pounding drums to drive it forward and the Church's best organ to add those undertones of greatness. Nothing says "War" better than EU4's war declaration sound and in this piece some of the deep brass blasts come close; in particular the very last one. It's as if the Pope himself walked over to the Sultanate with an army of horns behind him, looked them in the eye and said "War Declared". Essentially, that's what this version of the motif is: straight, ordered and very militaristic.
So, in summary, the Ante Bellum mod has a significant focus on Christian Europe vs Islamic incursions into Europe. This has been reflected in the music. The "Catholic" theme is intended to capture the Christian European side of this conflict. Peace, war, conflict and sadness have all been expressed by this theme, in fitting with the general state of affairs for the area in question. Hopefully, the four pieces will give your European nations just that little bit more immersion.
Next week I will take a detailed look at the "Islamic" theme and how it has a close relationship with the Catholic theme.
The Ante Bellum Original Soundtrack releases worldwide on 4 February 2022.
- Utopia