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 renowned 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, Nightmare Reaper, and Amid Evil, Hulshult discusses the challenges and rewards of composing for video games.

The conversation covers a wide range of topics, including:

• His career trajectory: Hulshult recounts his unexpected rise to prominence after initially considering leaving the game industry. He emphasizes the importance of balancing artistic vision with financial stability.

• Misconceptions about video game music: He challenges the notion that video game music is easy, highlighting the complexities of understanding game design philosophies and effectively conveying the game's atmosphere.

• His creative process: Hulshult details his approach to composing soundtracks, emphasizing respect for source material while injecting his unique style. He shares anecdotes about his collaborations with various developers and how his creative process has evolved over time.

• Specific game soundtracks: The interview delves into the creation of soundtracks for Rise of the Triad: 2013, Bombshell, Dusk, Amid Evil (including its DLC, and the impact of a family emergency on its composition), Prodeus, and Wrath: Aeon of Ruin. He discusses his creative choices, challenges, and favorite tracks from each.

• His musical influences and fears: Hulshult discusses his love for metal music and how he’s avoided being typecast, demonstrating versatility across various genres.

• His gear and setup: He provides a detailed overview of his current guitar setup, pedals, amps, and recording process, revealing his preferences for Seymour Duncan pickups and Neural DSP plugins.

• His work on the Iron Lung film soundtrack: He shares insights into the differences between composing for film and games, his collaboration with Markiplier, and the impact of a larger budget on his approach.

• His chiptune album, Dusk 82: He discusses the challenges and rewards of working within the limitations of chiptune music.

• His thoughts on remastering older soundtracks: He expresses interest in remastering Rise of the Triad: 2013 but emphasizes the significant time commitment involved.

• His work on the DOOM Eternal DLC: He details the process of creating the IDKFA soundtrack and the subsequent official DOOM music, highlighting his collaboration with id Software and the emotional significance of the project.

• His musical preferences: He shares his favorite bands (Gojira, Metallica) and video game composers (Jesper Kyd), and discusses his thoughts on the evolution of Metallica's music.

• His daily routine: He describes his daily schedule, emphasizing the importance of sleep and planning, and incorporating recent additions like regular cardio.

• His current gaming habits: He discusses his ongoing enjoyment of Hunt: Showdown and his experiences with Cities: Skylines 2.

The interview concludes with a hypothetical scenario where Hulshult chooses his dream game (Duke Nukem or Minecraft) and movie (Man on Fire or American Gangster) projects, and shares a story about a piece of rare Pantera memorabilia he owns. The interview is a comprehensive look at the life and career of a highly talented and influential video game composer.