Andy Gillion – Video Game Composer
“Exceptionally good music, composed from the heart, crafted with meticulous care and quality, yet delivered surprisingly swiftly.”
I’m a passionate video game composer, solo artist, Guitar Idol finalist, and was the lead guitarist/song-writer for the metal band, “Mors Principium Est” from 2011-2020.
I pride myself on understanding music without the boundaries of genre and have composed for just about every kind of project you could think of. I’m primarily known, however, for colliding heavy, intricate, metal guitars with the worlds of orchestra or chiptune.
I grew up revering game composers of the 80s/90s, while also training as a classical pianist from the age of five, where my love of orchestral music began. I’ve written music for countless projects, games, TV commercials, films and have scored orchestral soundtracks for the BBC. I trained under the wing of BBC composer, Will Hyde (nephew of Grammy award winning Hollywood composer, Harry Gregson-Williams – Narnia, Shrek, the “Metal Gear” series). Will had also trained under Hans Zimmer, working with Hans on the Sherlock Holmes movie soundtrack. He taught me everything he knew about scoring orchestral music and I saw the opportunity to combine those elements with my love of heavy metal, having signed a record deal in a globally touring metal band.
“Arcade Metal” is an original video game themed instrumental shred album, comprised of soaring melodic guitar virtuosity, to the backdrop of a nostalgic 80s chip-tune soundscape. I created this album to bring together my love of retro game soundtracks and modern song-writing, layering old-school 8-bit/16-bit sound design and my signature rock/metal guitar-centric sound I’ve cultivated over the last 20 years of touring the globe as a metal musician and songwriter.
“Arcade Metal” is my love letter to video game soundtracks of old, opening with legendary gaming composer, Yuzo Koshiro (“Streets of Rage”) who collaborated with me on the record. I also had the pleasure of collaborating on the album with guests such as Matt Heafy (Trivium), Jeff Loomis, 66Samus and many other influential metal artists, who joined the ranks to transport the listener to a golden age of guitar shred and video game nostalgia! While the music has been featured in the rhythm game, “Osu!”, it was never used as the actual soundtrack for a game. Instead, I wanted to showcase a new style of music that game devs could discover, with the intention of composing more in the same style for future projects.
My album, “Neverafter”, showcases my signature blend of classical/orchestral music with the world of metal. The single, “Skyless”, features guitar legend, Jeff Loomis (Arch Enemy, Nevermore) and drummer, 66samus.
The game, “Metal Heads”, is a great example of how I blend metal and electronic elements together in a soundtrack.
“Andy continuously manages to capture the essense of what I’m wanting, as if he can hear my thoughts/vision for the game. There’s so much thought and intricacy in his creations that I just can’t fathom what goes on in his head.
Metal Heads would not be the game it is, without Andy. I created a vessel, but Andy gives that vessel a soul” – Nathan Francis (game creator)
The game, “Brimstone Brawlers”, showcases more of my solely orchestral compositions.
“Working with Andy was an absolute blast. Every time a new track landed, it was like unlocking the final piece that made my game levels feel complete. His music didn’t just fit the game—it gave it character, energy, and that extra spark of chaos. Couldn’t have asked for a better composer and I can’t wait to work on more projects with him” – Chris “Ategig” Galea (game creator)
For the game, “The Last Conflict”, I combined guitar and symphonic elements together to create an epic orchestral metal soundtrack.
For “Ray’s the Dead”, I had a lot of fun throwing back to a classic 80s rock/metal style.
Music Showreel
LINKS
Website: www.andygillion.com
YouTube: www.youtube.com/andygillion
Facebook: facebook.com/andygillionmusic
Instagram: www.instagram.com/andygillion
X (Twitter): www.x.com/andygillion_
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5XFD3Ovpy2MkJ1DFGxrH1O?si=XZceZc8RTWqlrNXxFecVHg
CONTACT
Email: contact@andygillion.com