Amon Tobin Chaos Theory: The Soundtrack To Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory CD

Video-game soundtracks have come a long way since the blips and bleeps of ASTEROIDS and SPACE INVADERS, especially considering that software companies now hire world-class electronica artists like Amon Tobin to score their products. Tobin is one of the leading lights in progressive electronica, blending the aesthetics of drum-and-bass, trip-hop, jazz, ambient, bossa nova, and trance with a cutting-edge sensibility. CHAOS THEORY is Tobin's soundtrack to the game TOM CLANCY'S SPLINTER CELL: CHAOS THEORY, and distinguishes itself from Tobin's other work in process, if not in sound.

For CHAOS THEORY, Tobin assembled a live band, which features strings, flutes, Hammond organ, Mellotron, and a choir, among bass, guitars, and assorted percussion. Tobin recorded the ensemble, then sampled the recordings, adding and subtracting rhythmic crosscurrents and effects with his usual mix-master aplomb. The overall musical effect is intriguing, with different instrumental textures and break-beats churning through heavy swaths of atmosphere. The tracks here--particularly the schizophrenic "Theme from Battery," the sweeping "Kokubo Sosho Stealth," and the driving "El Cargo"--make for some of the most inventive, dynamic gaming music on the market.

Original Soundtrack/Amon Tobin: Massimo Modugno (Hammond b-3 organ); 'Nacho' Mendez (bass guitar); Amon Adonai Santos, Araujo Tobin (electronics); Fausto Bava, Giuseppe Guerra, Juan Luis Verdi, Eiji Myake, Dominico Lenzi, Fabio Lenzi, Umberto Modugno, Salvatore "El Matador" Pennacchio.

"Chaos Theory" Game Sndtk.

Arranger: Amon Tobin.

Personnel: Amon Tobin (electronics); Fabio Lenzi (guitar); Canhoto Philharmonic Orchestra (strings); Eiji Myake (flute); Dominico Lenzi (piano, electric piano); Umberto Modugno (Mellotron); Fausto Bava, Giuseppe Guerra (drums); Salvatore "El Matador" Pennacchio (tambourine); Juan Luis Verdi (percussion); Kawaguchiko National Junior Choir (background vocals).

Additional personnel: Kawaguchiko National Junior Choir, Canhoto Philharmonic Orchestra.