You know that feeling. The screen goes dark, the PlayStation logo fades, and then those three deep, brassy notes hit your chest like a physical punch. It's the sound of Kratos. Specifically, it's the opening of "God of War," the title track from the 2018 reimagining, often referred to by fans and listeners by the evocative phrase Hail to the King God of War. It isn't just a song. It’s a mission statement.
Bear McCreary, the composer behind The Walking Dead and Battlestar Galactica, basically redefined what "epic" meant for a whole generation of players. Before 2018, the series was all about high-pitched, frantic orchestral screaming. It was Greek. It was chaotic. But when the series shifted to Midgard, the music had to grow up alongside the Ghost of Sparta. McCreary didn't just want loud; he wanted heavy. He wanted ancient.
The DNA of the King
When people search for "Hail to the King" in the context of God of War, they are usually looking for that specific feeling of dominance and burden. It’s funny because Kratos isn't technically a "king" in the traditional sense anymore—he's a father trying to hide from a throne he already sat on. But the music treats him like royalty. Forsaken royalty.
The main theme is built on a simple three-note motif. That’s it. Just three notes. McCreary has talked openly about how he struggled to find the "soul" of the new Kratos until he landed on that low, rumbling sequence. It represents the strength, the past, and the begrudging godhood.
Most games use music as wallpaper. You barely notice it. But here? The music is a character. Honestly, if you play the game on mute, you lose about 40% of the emotional weight. You've got the Icelandic choir singing in Old Norse, which adds this layer of "this has been happening for a thousand years" to every fight. It’s not just a guy with an axe. It’s a myth in motion.
Why the 2018 Theme Changed Everything
Before the Norse era, the music was composed by Gerard Marino and others. It was fantastic for what it was—a blood-soaked revenge flick. But the 2018 track, the one that makes people shout Hail to the King God of War, changed the palette.
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- The Bass Choir: McCreary used a deep male choir to ground the sound. It feels like the earth is singing.
- The Nyckelharpa: This is a traditional Swedish string instrument. It sounds scratchy, raw, and woody. It’s the sound of the woods Kratos lives in.
- The Silence: This is the most underrated part. The music knows when to shut up. When Kratos and Atreus are having a quiet moment of tension, the music thins out until it’s just a heartbeat.
It’s about the contrast. You have these massive, earth-shaking crescendos during the fight with The Stranger (Baldur), and then you have these hollow, lonely notes when they’re just walking through the house. That’s how you build an icon.
The Lyrics You Didn't Know You Were Hearing
Most people just hear "cool viking sounds," but the lyrics in these tracks—especially in the main theme—are actually written in Old Norse. They weren't just making sounds that sounded "cool." They hired linguists.
The lyrics often revolve around the themes of the "Exiled God" and the "Father and Son." In the track "God of War," the choir is literally chanting about the burden of the past. It’s meta. It’s deep. When you hear that thunderous vocal section, it’s not just noise; it’s a narrative.
"I wrote the theme so that even if you heard it on a tinny speaker, you’d know who it was," McCreary once mentioned in an interview.
That’s the hallmark of a "King." Presence. You don't need a crown when you have a leitmotif that can shatter glass.
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The "Hail to the King" Connection: Avenged Sevenfold or Kratos?
There is often a bit of confusion in search results. If you type in Hail to the King God of War, you might get hits for the famous Avenged Sevenfold song "Hail to the King." While that song is a banger, the gaming community has effectively "claimed" the phrase for Kratos edits.
If you go to YouTube or TikTok, you’ll find thousands of "God of War" montages set to both the McCreary score and the A7X track. Why? Because both capture that specific "unbeatable-but-tired" energy. Kratos is a king who walked away from his kingdom, but he still carries the weight of a god. The lyrical themes of the Avenged Sevenfold song—"Watch your tongue or have it cut from your head"—actually fit the ruthless side of Kratos perfectly.
But if we’re talking about the actual game score, the "King" status is earned through the sheer scale of the production. McCreary recorded the score at Abbey Road Studios. Yes, that Abbey Road. He used the Schola Cantorum choir from Iceland. This wasn't a budget production; it was a cultural event.
Ragnarok: Raising the Stakes
When God of War Ragnarök dropped in 2022, the music had to evolve again. The theme of the "King" became even more complex because now we had multiple "kings" in play—Odin, Thor, and the eventual rise of a new kind of leader.
The music in Ragnarök is more melodic. It’s sadder. If the 2018 theme was about a father finding his way, the Ragnarök variations are about a man realizing he might have to die for his son to live. It’s heavy stuff. You still get those Hail to the King God of War vibes during the boss fights, but there's a layer of tragedy that wasn't there before.
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How to Experience the Music Properly
If you're just listening to this on your phone speakers, you're doing it wrong. Truly.
To appreciate why this score is the "King" of gaming music, you need a setup that handles low-end frequencies. The double basses and the low-register choir in the Midgard tracks are designed to vibrate your chest.
- Get Open-Back Headphones: Something like the Sennheiser HD600 series. You want the soundstage to feel wide, like you're standing in the middle of a frozen lake.
- Listen to the Vinyl: The "God of War" vinyl release is gorgeous and the analog warmth actually suits the "woody" sound of the Nyckelharpa better than a compressed Spotify stream.
- Watch the Live Performance: Check out the Game Awards 2016 footage where Bear McCreary conducts a live orchestra to reveal the game. It’s one of the greatest moments in gaming history. The hair on your arms will stand up.
The Legacy of the Ghost of Sparta
Kratos has come a long way from the "angry bald man" of 2005. The music reflects that. He has earned the title of King—not by conquering, but by surviving himself. The theme is a reminder that power isn't just about how hard you hit; it's about what you do after the fight is over.
Honestly, the "God of War" theme is likely to go down alongside the "Halo" chant or the "Mario" theme as one of the most recognizable pieces of media ever created. It’s timeless. It’s brutal. It’s King.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you want to dive deeper into the lore and the soundscape of the series, start here:
- Listen to "Raeb's Lament": This is a track from Ragnarök where Bear McCreary actually plays the hurdy-gurdy himself. It's a masterclass in folk-inspired gaming music.
- Read the Lyrics: Look up the Old Norse translations for the 2018 theme. Knowing that the choir is singing about "The Father's Shame" changes how you view the early game cutscenes.
- Compare the Eras: Listen to "The End Begins" from God of War II and then listen to the 2018 theme back-to-back. You’ll hear how the "King" evolved from a screaming warrior to a stoic protector.
- Check the Credits: Look at the sheer number of traditional instruments used. From the Dulcimer to the Hardanger fiddle, it’s a history lesson in Scandinavian sound.
The music isn't just a background track; it's the heartbeat of a god. Whether you're calling him a king, a monster, or a father, the music ensures you'll never forget his name.