October 11^th, 2004 (2:19pm) - Sumthing Else Music Works, Inc., through its licensing relationship with Microsoft Game Studios, proudly presents Halo 2: Original Soundtrack Volume One. The highly anticipated soundtrack will be released on November 9 to US retail outlets through Nile Rodgers’ Sumthing Else Music Works label.

Taking center stage on the Halo 2: Original Soundtrack CD are the new symphonic compositions by Martin O’Donnell and Michael Salvatori, the composers behind the best-selling Halo: Combat Evolved soundtrack. Nile Rodgers, the album’s producer said, "Visualize a giant orchestra with Martin O’Donnell as the composer and all the artists and musicians contributing as players in the grand symphony that is called Halo."

The soundtrack also includes all new compositions from some of today’s most exciting rock bands, including "Blow Me Away" by Breaking Benjamin, "Connected" by Hoobastank and "The Odyssey" by Incubus; which serve to fulfill the ultimate vision of Marty O’Donnell’s epic orchestral score.

Commenting on their music for Halo 2, Ben Burnley of Breaking Benjamin said, "Halo is my favorite all-time game. As a band we play it all the time while on tour. It’s like a dream being able to contribute music to the game and soundtrack."

Incubus’ Guitarist Mike Einziger added, "Halo is the only video game that ever inspired us to write a song. Now if we could only stop playing Halo, we might actually be able to write another one!"

Producer Nile Rodgers has also contributed by writing, performing and co-producing the track "Never Surrender" in collaboration with renowned songwriter, artist and remixer, Nataraj. This exclusive cut as well as the "Halo Theme Mjolnir Mix" includes masterful guitar work by acclaimed rock guitarist Steve Vai.

"These players each have the unique ability to improvise and embellish Martin O’Donnell’s ideas," stated Rodgers. "Therefore we are all ’Connected’ - hence the original composition provided by Hoobastank as the bonus track - because [we] are contributors to the overall Halo symphony repertoire."