Apocalyptica share epic metal anthem Upperhand
The Soundtrack to Survival: How Metal Became the Soul of Control: Resonant
When video games deliver an experience, they need more than just graphics and gameplay; they need an atmosphere. In the world of action-adventure sci-fi, the soundtrack is often the secret ingredient that transforms a mere game into an immersive cinematic experience. This is exactly what the Finnish symphonic metal trio Apocalyptica and Norwegian folk band Kalandra delivered for the upcoming title Control: Resonant.
Their collaboration resulted in the epic track Upperhand, a piece of music that doesn’t just accompany the game—it expands upon the core emotional journey of the narrative. Upperhand is more than just background noise; it is an expansion of the instrumental main theme Apocalyptica originally composed for the game.
Apocalyptica’s Eicca Toppinen explained the genesis of the track. The initial version of the theme served as the music for the game’s opening sequence, setting a tone of tension and anticipation. To evolve this into a full song with lyrics and richer instrumentation, they brought in the unique voice of Katrine from Kalandra, adding a layer of haunting, alternative folk depth to the metal foundation.
“We wanted to expand that initial feeling into a full song with lyrics,” Toppinen shared. “We were lucky to get Katrine to carry that emotional weight where it was supposed to go, blending multiple special qualities of Apocalyptica and finding ways to serve the world of Control.”
Control: Resonant is set seven years after the events of the original Control, placing players in the role of Dylan Faden, the older brother of the original protagonist Jesse. Players will navigate a warped Manhattan, battling a reality-bending cosmic threat and fighting to preserve their humanity against the forces of paranatural annihilation.
The synergy between the intense, driving nature of metal and the atmospheric textures of folk music perfectly mirrors the game’s themes of transition and existential struggle. Creative director Mikael Kasurinen, who oversees the game’s auditory experience, believes music should do heavy lifting.
“My goal is to have music elevate key moments beyond what you’d expect from the drama,” Kasurinen stated. “It can add surprising complexity to events where things aren’t what you expect, or it can be the fuel you need when you must beat impossible odds. Sometimes you don’t need to say anything. All you need is the right song.”
As players prepare for the launch of Control: Resonant on September 25, they are getting more than just a game; they are getting a fully realized sonic world, proving that the right melody can indeed tell the most powerful stories.
Buy on Amazon
Credit
