History AwesomeMusic / KillerInstinct

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cvq-znoS2HY "The Instinct"]]. There is no better word to describe the main theme of the entire series other than "''killer''".

* Orchid's theme, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTr9K454v6s "K.I. Feeling"]], the most instantly-recognizable track on the album.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5ebAvks9ig "The Way U Move"]], while used solely in promotions and not actually in-game, is as fondly remembered as the rest of the soundtrack, to the point where it later became the credits theme of the Xbox One game.
%%* Fulgore's theme, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kMukxotbzc "Full-Bore"]].
%%* Glacius's theme, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_i5JUjJFkg "Controlling Transmission"]].
%%* T.J. Combo's theme, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYk0UGwyL08 "Yo Check This Out"]].
* Cinder's theme, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jm-rGsr87a4 "Trailblazer"]], which could double as the boss music for Eyedol if he was fought on the Lava Bridge stage (the temple had [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGtoiIDvZqo "The Extreme",]] which also plays at the Lava Bridge on the console version).
%%* Sabrewulf's theme, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eH_MA3qlUVM "Tooth and Claw"]].
%%* Spinal's theme, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5T5RqkQP7O4 "Ya Ha Haa"]].
%%* Riptor's theme, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0I3FN2OgiMM "Rumble"]].
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GUZyJULXQo The "Humiliation!" theme]]. A short, looping, disco-esque track that WILL get trapped in your skull.

%%* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BZScZeIb-Q Sabrewulf's theme]].
* T.J. Combo's theme, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ughcsJBx7TQ "Feel The Power"]], is as catchy as they get.

%%* Tusk's Conan-esque [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ow25ekjy8wA theme song]].
* Orchid's theme, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YNJPd0uHDA "Play Hard"]], complete with vocals. Real [=DJs=] have been known to incorporate it into their sets.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nUYEYrHoR8 Fulgore's theme]] ups the metal factor.

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS4dEgaskk8 Gargos' theme]]. It's ''so'' goddamn ''metal''.

* Fulgore's theme, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kMukxotbzc "Full-Bore"]].
* Glacius's theme, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_i5JUjJFkg "Controlling Transmission"]].
* T.J. Combo's theme, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYk0UGwyL08 "Yo Check This Out"]].

* Sabrewulf's theme, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eH_MA3qlUVM "Tooth and Claw"]].
* Spinal's theme, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5T5RqkQP7O4 "Ya Ha Haa"]].
* Riptor's theme, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0I3FN2OgiMM "Rumble"]].

* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BZScZeIb-Q Sabrewulf's theme]].

* Tusk's Conan-esque [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ow25ekjy8wA theme song]].

%%* Fulgore's theme, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kMukxotbzc "Full-Bore"]].
%%* Glacius's theme, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_i5JUjJFkg "Controlling Transmission"]].
%%* T.J. Combo's theme, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYk0UGwyL08 "Yo Check This Out"]].

%%* Sabrewulf's theme, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eH_MA3qlUVM "Tooth and Claw"]].
%%* Spinal's theme, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5T5RqkQP7O4 "Ya Ha Haa"]].
%%* Riptor's theme, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0I3FN2OgiMM "Rumble"]].

%%* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BZScZeIb-Q Sabrewulf's theme]].

* [[https://youtu.be/cIwkc1l_ygk Spinal's theme]] is certainly more intense than "Ya Ha Haa", and leans more heavily into the choir and naval theme.

%%* Tusk's Conan-esque [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ow25ekjy8wA theme song]].

%%* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nUYEYrHoR8 Fulgore's theme]].
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS4dEgaskk8 Gargos' theme]]. It's so goddamn ''metal''.

* Thunder's theme, [[https://youtu.be/vRWr7hBE-WA "Hinnamatoom"]], is just superb, combining traditional and modern instruments in a way that brings out the best of both. The acoustic guitar part that kicks in during intense moments brings a sense of excitement that's different from the other themes. It's a serious standout among a stellar soundtrack. The [[https://youtu.be/4ckR822Wu4k OST version]] also adds the amazing audience choir, recorded by Mick Gordon at PAX Australia, giving even more depth and atmosphere to this theme.

* Thunder's theme, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOVMIo_Vq40 "Hinnamatoom"]], is just superb, combining traditional and modern instruments in a way that brings out the best of both. The acoustic guitar part that kicks in during intense moments brings a sense of excitement that's different from the other themes. It's a serious standout among a stellar soundtrack. The [[https://youtu.be/4ckR822Wu4k OST version]] also adds the amazing audience choir, recorded by Mick Gordon at PAX Australia, giving even more depth and atmosphere to this theme.

* The 2014 remix of [[https://youtu.be/m85waYxK1YM "The Way U Move"]] by electronic artist [=SeamlessR=], which is featured along with the Season One soundtrack. A stellar update to an already great song.

During the process of remastering and rearranging the songs for the official soundtrack release, an accident resulted in Mick Gordon losing a considerable amount of the original material. The result is that several of the OST versions have such notable differences that they can practically be considered remixes. And many of them are considered ''[[EclipsedByTheRemix better]]'' than the original game versions.

* T.J. Combo's theme, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0v8_lHwq2C8 "I'm Back (To Rise!)"]], a hard-hitting techno-rap number befitting the more urban atmosphere of his stage. The lyrics depict Combo's rough past which came abruptly to an end, his pride and his desire to prove that he still has his fighting spirit. The rapping is performed by [=OmegaSparx=], who's written and performed songs for past EVO fighting game tournaments. During the idle part an awesome remix of "Feel The Power" kicks in, hitting you right in the face with nostalgia. There's even a few samples of "Feel The Power" and "Yo Check This Out" that pop up as a backing track behind some of the main lyrics. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JapDyUwAu8 The soundtrack mix]] features [=OmegaSparx=] in some brand-new, gloriously sung chorus verses and ''even more intense'' instruments!
* Hisako's theme, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZLmf3n00IM "Village of Whispers"]], an airy melodic tune that you'd expect to hear in a J-horror movie, but accompanied by a slow hard-rock backing track and featuring Japanese lyrics whispered by a very ominous, hoarse-sounding female vocalist. The lyrics, when translated from Japanese, express the undead Hisako's agitated state of mind, with words like "slaughter", "crying", and "grudge" being repeated throughout the piece. During idle portions of the fights, it breaks down into a very quiet, oddly serene mix of the main ''KI'' theme that sounds as if it's [[CreepyChildrenSinging a lullaby being sung by a chorus of children]], very at odds with the rest of the song, reflecting Hisako's life prior to her untimely demise. The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kef-MLsrC9I OST version]] makes the vocals more audible and adds more sections not heard in the game version. Also, that lullaby portion? It now has CryLaughing added to it from Hisako's voice actress. Features vocals sung by Erika Mariko Olsen.
* Cinder's theme [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRmwFBK0cyk "Inferno"]]. It's Cinder's original theme made faster, louder, and more intense, and the end result is something that's updated to match the awesomeness of the other tracks. Some of the guitar work is done by [[AscendedFanboy James Mills, aka Little V,]] a Website/YouTube musician who's done covers of several other KI tracks. The idle part of the theme features quotes from the original announcer and the original Cinder, played over a slow remix of "The Instinct". At 2:16, there's even a short guitar riff sounding very similar to the chorus of "Touch Me And I'll Break Your Face".
* Maya's theme, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2N7JP7k_bw "Temperance & Vengeance"]], which is a hard-driving dance-club reboot of her original theme which manages to fit better with her stage. The pulse-pounding beats are accompanied by beautifully-sung lyrics that bring Music/{{Enya}} to mind. The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Gt5KgJtwcY OST version]] makes the techno much more prominent, with the original natural instruments being veiled beneath the new Daft Punk-style synths. Features vocals by Ali Edwards, who previously did the vocals for Orchid's theme.
* Aganos's theme, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQDab8vT8GU "Polemos"]] ("War"), a prog rock piece with heavy Greek chanting in the background by a choir of 461 crowdsourced voices, including the entire Creator/IronGalaxyStudios staff, several from Microsoft, and many others. The dramatic, moving style of the piece is very fitting for a character who has wandered centuries to fulfill its singular task. The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91v7VPe4r2s OST version]] has reworked audio mixing and evokes more power.
* Kan-Ra's theme, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4vJn0IikkQ "Sandstorm"]], which mixes rock with various string instruments, giving it a Mid-Eastern feel that wouldn't sound out of place in ''[[Film/TheMummyTrilogy The Mummy]]'' (or sounds like what happens if one were to mix traditional belly-dancing music from the Middle East with American 1980s rock music). It's got a sinister-sounding deep electric guitar and odd mystical pad effects, and its repetitive beat is absolutely infectious. The OST version gives the song a much cleaner sound, and adds some more backing instruments to make it sound more fleshed out.
* ARIA's theme, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1DX9Wjeh9k ".execute"]] is an intense Drum 'n' Bass theme fitting for the Robotic CEO of [=UltraTech=]. The idle section, instead of focusing on the traditional part of the ''Killer Instinct'' main theme, instead remixes the character select theme from ''Killer Instinct 1''. The OST version turns the entire track into a complete remix of the ''Killer Instinct'' main theme, a change which was later reflected in the in-game version.
* Riptor's theme, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oghnkKz3-ZA "Hatchery 09"]], a sweeping orchestral piece with a primal motif and added electronic effects, befitting Riptor's savage saurian nature. It's also the first direct collaboration between Season 2 composer Mick Gordon and former ''KI'' composer Robin Beanland.
* Omen and Shadow Jago's theme, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxnPM-1CBLQ "Herald of Gargos"]], which is pretty much a heavy metal remix of "The Tiger Warrior". But it's so face-melting your mind will be blown from the sheer intensity, with the chanting being replaced by metal-style screaming of the same lyrics. Even excerpts from Gargos's theme managed to get worked into the main melody, with Jago's ''[=KI1=]'' and ''[=KI2=]'' themes being sampled during the idle track. The OST version added a brand new intro, new backing riffs, and real drums instead of synthesized ones, making it sound even MORE metal than before. Features death metal vocals by Christopher de Leon.
* There's a hidden track on the Season 2 OST which plays after 2 minutes of silence from the end of "Herald of Gargos" - [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKy3pWJllpI "The Instinct (Acoustic Version)"]]. Why is it there? Because it's Mick Gordon's parting gift to the fans. He announced shortly after the OST was released that he would not be doing the soundtrack for Season 3.

* Kim Wu's theme, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-ob-w2vFOs "The Dragon Spirit"]], a fast-paced techno-rock remix of her original [=KI2=] theme, incorporating synthesized drums and keyboards, as well as oriental instruments and an actual Korean vocalist singing a traditional lullaby, at first in tune, but then switching to a more punk-ish sound befitting Kim Wu's spunky attitude.
* General RAAM's theme, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0bFl5Mu5gY "For the Horde!"]], a {{Djent}} remix of the ''VideoGame/GearsOfWar'' main theme.
* [[VideoGame/{{Battletoads}} Rash's]] theme, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBfDtaljCcM "Enter the Battletoad"]], is a toadally radical ''Battletoads'' remix in the style of Music/VanHalen, with some Chiptune flavor sprinkled throughout. The theme is primarily based around the NES title screen theme, but it mixes in the melodies of other stages like Turbo Tunnel and Surf City, with an 8-bit ''KI'' theme added in for effect. Idling during gameplay will even trigger an upbeat remix of the infamous Pause theme.
* Gargos's theme, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE5WclWqafw "Kneel to Your God"]], an up-to-date remix of his original ''Killer Instinct 2'' theme, now even more metal than before. Just like 20 years ago, it's perfectly fitting for a final boss battle, and now sounds like something straight out of ''Doom''. The OST version adds more background ambience, with shrill howling guitars emulating agonized and terrified screaming.
* Mira's theme, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOarI2EwHLY "Nocturne in Blood"]], n eerie mix of gothic opera, orchestra, and techno-rock that sounds like something straight from ''Franchise/{{Castlevania}}''. It carries a heavy air of danger and suspense, but also a sense of refinement and dignity, signifying how Mira relishes her new strength and status as a vampire queen and remembers her inherent training as an ex-huntress.
* Arbiter's theme, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaB-jpRmgiY "The Champion of Sanghelios"]], a techno-metal remix of "Impend" from ''VideoGame/{{Halo 2}}'' with elements of the Halo Theme added in. Guitars, heavy drums both tribal and techno, strings, and a Gregorian choir with some Sangheili chanting from Celldweller himself come together to form an ancient and epic sounding piece befitting the Arbiter. According to him, the "Sangheili" spoken in the track is actually nothing more than gibberish, which he admits was intentional as he has no clue as to what exactly the Sangheili language entails. In the first ''Halo'' game, it's revealed that Sangheili speech is actually reversed English lines, so he was unwittingly right on the money when coming up with the chanting used in the track.
* Tusk's theme, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNxn-P43Qeg "The Watchman of the Gods"]], a symphonic metal piece that can be described as "Viking metal", complete with fancy brass orchestra, bombastic drums and a Bulgarian choir. It wouldn't sound too out of place in ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim Skyrim]]''. During the idle portion, the track transitions into a melancholic rendition of Tusk's original theme, fitting his world-weary outlook and thousands of years of living in this world.
* Eyedol's theme, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUpGXj2xdbo "A Shattered Eyedol"]], an industrial techno remix of Eyedol's original theme, "The Extreme", which features snippets of the original during the intro. With its 80s horror synths and dark atmosphere it sounds like something out of ''VideoGame/HotlineMiami'' and is more than fitting of a FinalBoss type character such as Eyedol. Many fans believe it to be Atlus Plug and Celldweller's magnum opus for Season 3.
* Kilgore's theme, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUSpjSdrvp0 "CCIX"]], combines industrial techno with hints of dubstep and metal. The differences in tempo and instruments compared to Fulgore's theme serves to remind everyone that while Kilgore is the prototype and is in some aspects underdeveloped compared to the enhancements of its successor, it is still dangerous in its own way and should not be underestimated.
* Shin Hisako's theme, simply titled [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoZBuKVhE_0 "Shin Hisako"]], forgoes the horror elements of her original theme in favor of returning to her Japanese roots, mixing in various Japanese instruments in conjunction with dubstep, metal, and redone Japanese lyrics to represent Shin Hisako being freed of the rage and hatred that had consumed her when she was an onryō.
* Eagle's theme, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQUm7YwmLek "An Eagle's Call"]], similar to that of his brother Thunder, combines both traditional and modern instruments while featuring authentic vocals by Native American singers of the Nez Perce tribe to create a triumphant anthem fitting for Eagle's long-awaited debut to ''Killer Instinct''.

* Sadira's theme, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDR8B_d7Wh4 "Ballet of Death"]], the creepiest theme on the soundtrack between the screaming and buzzing. The entire track is full with an emotion that can only be described as "dark hatred", fitting for someone who has made a living by taking the lives of others. Features droning, unsettling vocals by Elspeth Eastman that truly fill you with dread and discomfort.
* Sabrewulf's theme, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpoOsaTwH44 "Lycanthropy"]]. Mick Gordon describes the theme as being akin to Sabrewulf jumping into an orchestra pit and wreaking havoc while the orchestra tries to play around him, giving it a very manic and unhinged feel...up until the end, when it sounds like the surviving orchestra members -- bloodied, clawed-up, and traumatized -- all gather together and play a haunting rendition of "Tooth and Claw" (the original theme for Sabrewulf) with whatever instruments they have that weren't destroyed.
* The 2014 remix of [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m85waYxK1YM "The Way U Move"]] by electronic artist [=SeamlessR=], created for the Season One soundtrack. A stellar update to an already great song.