Two years ago, Wizards of the Coast dipped its toe into the waters of modern music production with the Dungeons & Dragons-inspired Spelljams, a free streaming album supported by a collectible vinyl pressing. Now it’s back with a second double-vinyl offering, just in time for the holidays. But instead of an eclectic neo-synthwave riot curated by The Decembrist’s Chris Funk, this next offering is far more laid back and cerebral. It’s called Bardic Inspiration: A Musical Journey through the Forgotten Realms, and it arrives in stores and at online retailers beginning Nov. 15.
The 180-gram, gatefold vinyl looks impressive, with glossy accents embossed on the front and a lithe gold dragon sprawled out on the inside. Honestly, it would make a half decent Dungeon Master’s screen if it was just one panel longer. But the real treasure isn’t the cardboard, or the vinyl itself necessarily. It’s the music, which sounds both rich and jaunty.
Composed by Michael Gatt, the album feels like the soundtrack to an epic motion picture that never got made. Opening up with the thunderous and expansive “Across the Forgotten Realms,” it then moves into tinkling, mystical tracks like “In Praise of Lolth” and “Lords and Lairs of Waterdeep.” Later there are thematic choral elements as well, like the breathing of the dragon in “Arise, Tiamat!” and the charmingly rustic “Fare Thee Well,” sung “live from the Yawning Portal” according to the liner notes. Taken as a whole, the score, recorded asynchronously between the United States, Austria, and the United Kingdom, is as coherent as it is complete.
But while Bardic Inspiration lacks the comedy and the character that made Spelljams such a surprising delight, this album fills a very different role. It’s clearly meant to inspire DMs as they plan for their next adventure, or to be played in the background of your gaming group’s climactic final fight. It is an orchestral accompaniment for every adventurer, regardless of how much time they’ve already spent at the table. Pick it up on Apple Music or via Amazon Music, or snag the physical album on Amazon or at Barnes & Noble.
Bardic Inspiration: A Musical Journey through the Forgotten Realms is available now. The album was reviewed using retail product provided by Wizards of the Coast. Vox Media has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though Vox Media may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links. You can find additional information about Polygon’s ethics policy here.
