Andrew Hulshult 2024 Interview: DOOM IDKFA, Blood Swamps, DUSK, Iron Lung, AMID EVIL, Music, Guitars, Cold Brew Coffee, and More

This extensive interview with Andrew Hulshult, a prominent video game composer, delves into his career, creative process, and musical influences. From his early work on canceled projects like Duke Nukem 3D Reloaded and Rise of the Triad (2013) to his acclaimed soundtracks for DOOM Eternal DLC, Dusk, Amid Evil, and Nightmare Reaper, Hulshult discusses the challenges and rewards of composing for video games.

The conversation covers a wide range of topics:

• Career Evolution: Hulshult reflects on his journey, highlighting the learning curve of navigating industry agreements and the unexpected surge in demand after leaving 3D Realms. He emphasizes the importance of balancing artistic integrity with financial stability to sustain a career in music composition.

• Misconceptions about Game Music: He debunks the common misconception that game music is easy, emphasizing the complexity of understanding game design philosophies, collaborating effectively with developers, and advocating for one's creative vision.

• Specific Game Soundtracks: The interview delves into the creative processes behind specific soundtracks, including Rise of the Triad (2013), where he aimed to honor the original while incorporating his own rock and metal influences; Bombshell and Nightmare Reaper, which showcase his metal compositions; and Amid Evil, where personal emotions influenced the soundtrack's tone. He also discusses the unique challenges of composing for Prodeus, which involved creating music for various gameplay scenarios, and the emotional context surrounding the Amid Evil DLC's creation.

• Gear and Setup: Hulshult details his current guitar setup, including his preferred Caparison guitars, Seymour Duncan pickups, string gauges, and amp/pedal configurations, emphasizing his preference for Neural DSP plugins and the Quad Cortex.

• Iron Lung Soundtrack: He offers insights into his experience composing for the Iron Lung movie soundtrack, highlighting the differences between composing for film versus games and his collaborative work with Markiplier.

• IDKFA and DOOM Eternal DLC: He shares the story behind his involvement with the IDKFA soundtrack and its subsequent official release as part of the DOOM and DOOM II remasters, emphasizing the collaborative effort with id Software and the emotional significance of this achievement.

• Musical Influences: Hulshult discusses his favorite bands (Gojira, Metallica, and Jesper Kyd's work on Hitman) and reflects on the evolution of his musical style.

• Future Projects: He touches upon potential future projects, including the possibility of a Duke Nukem soundtrack and a more relaxed soundtrack for Minecraft.

The interview concludes with a discussion of his daily routine, his thoughts on recent Metallica albums, and a reflection on his most cherished piece of music memorabilia. Throughout the interview, Hulshult's passion for music, his collaborative spirit, and his dedication to his craft are evident.

Throughout the interview, various YouTube embeds showcase examples of Hulshult's work. These remain in their original format.