For the director, see Mick Gordon (director).
Mick Gordon
Birth placeMackay, Queensland, Australia
Occupation
  • Composer
  • sound designer
  • musician
  • record producer
Years active2002–present
Websitemick-gordon.com

Michael John Gordon is an Australian composer, record producer, musician, and sound designer, composing music primarily for video games.

Gordon has composed for several first-person shooters, including Atomic Heart, LawBreakers, Wolfenstein: The New Order, Wolfenstein: The Old Blood, Prey, the soft reboot of Doom and its sequel Doom Eternal, Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus, and the first two seasons of the 2013 fighting game Killer Instinct.

Career

Video games

Gordon began his musical career as a jazz/blues guitarist in his teens.[1] He first began to work as a sound designer with Pandemic Studios, where he contributed additional sound design for Destroy All Humans! 2. In 2013, he scored the first season of the fighting video game, Killer Instinct, a reboot of the original 1994 title. The following year, Gordon scored the second season of Killer Instinct and the action-adventure first-person shooter Wolfenstein: The New Order (developed by MachineGames). He returned to the Wolfenstein series in 2015 to compose the score for Wolfenstein: The Old Blood, a prequel to Wolfenstein: The New Order.

In 2016, Gordon completed the score for the science fiction first-person shooter, Doom, a soft reboot of the franchise, developed by id Software. His score for Doom won a number of awards including a D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition,[2] SXSW Gaming Award for Excellence in Musical Score,[3] The Game Awards for Best Music/Sound Design, and was nominated for a BAFTA Games Award for Best Music.[4]

In 2017, Gordon completed the score for the horror first-person shooter, Prey, developed by Arkane Studios. He also worked alongside Martin Stig Andersen to again return to the Wolfenstein series, scoring Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus, developed by MachineGames.

In 2020, Gordon completed the score of Doom Eternal; while the music for the game was once again well-received, circumstances around the soundtrack release led to a public falling out between Gordon and id Software and a parting of ways.[5] Both sides posted open letters alleging wrongdoing.[6]

Production work

On 23 June 2020 British rock band Bring Me the Horizon announced they would be working with Gordon on their upcoming release.[7] Vocalist Oliver Sykes discusses how he fell in love with the Doom Eternal soundtrack during quarantine. Being heavily inspired by Gordon's work, the band decided to reach out to him and offer a collaboration. The resulting work, titled "Parasite Eve", was released on 25 June alongside an accompanying music video.[8] The collaboration then expanded into the commercial release, Post Human: Survival Horror, released on 30 October 2020.

Gordon produced the song "Paralyze" with industrial metal band 3Teeth in 2021. On 3rd May 2023 3Teeth released "Merchant of the Void", and on 31st May released "Slum Planet" again collaborating with Gordon.[9]

Musical style and inspiration

According to Gordon's official website, he "utilises a broad range of modern musical sound design and traditional composition techniques in order to be unconstrained by any singular genre," and that it is "inspired by the connection between the audience and the experience."[10]

Gordon's work "considers the role of music as a translation of the world in which it exists rather than a simple accompaniment."[10]

Discography

Soundtrack albums

TitleRelease dateLabelFormat
A Day in Pompeii21 August 2012Self-releasedDigital download
Killer Instinct: Season One Soundtrack + Original Arcade Soundtrack14 October 2014Microsoft CorporationCD, digital download
Wolfenstein: The New Order (Original Game Soundtrack)19 May 2014Bethesda SoftworksCD, digital download
Doom28 September 2016Bethesda SoftworksCD, digital download
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus16 March 2018Bethesda SoftworksCD, digital download
Doom27 July 2018Bethesda SoftworksVinyl

Production credits

YearArtistAlbumTitle(s)Notes
2020Bring Me the HorizonPost Human: Survival Horror"Dear Diary,"Additional production
"Parasite Eve"
"Obey" (with Yungblud)Percussion, synthesizer, additional production
"Itch for the Cure (When Will We Be Free?)"Additional production
"Kingslayer" (featuring Babymetal)
"One Day the Only Butterflies Left Will Be in Your Chest as You March Towards Your Death" (featuring Amy Lee)
20213TeethEndEx"Paralyze" (featuring Ho99o9)Production[11]
2022MonumentsIn StasisCo-production
Motionless in WhiteScoring the End of the World"Scoring the End of the World"Guest appearance[12]
20233TeethEndEx"Merchant of the Void"Co-writer, co-production
"Slum Planet"Co-production
"Higher Than Death"Co-production
"What's Left"Co-production
ArchitectsThe Sky, the Earth & All Between"Seeing Red"Additional Production[13]
2024GravemindIntrosphere"Failstate"Guest appearance

Works

YearTitleNotes
2006Hot Dog KingMusic and sound design[14]
2006Destroy All Humans! 2Additional sound design[14]
2007Nicktoons: Attack of the Toybots[14]
2008El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera[14]
2009Real Racing
Need for Speed: ShiftCo-composed with Stephen Baysted and Mark Morgan[14]
Marvel Super Hero Squad[14]
2010Real Racing 2Game sound effects
The Last Airbender[14]
Need for Speed: World[14]
Marvel Super Hero Squad: The Infinity Gauntlet[14]
2011Shift 2: Unleashed

Composed with:

[14]
Marvel Super Hero Squad: Comic Combat[14]
Need for Speed: The RunAdditional music[15]
2012A Day in PompeiiAudio director; Museums Victoria exhibit[14]
Battle GroupAlso sound designer
2013Real Racing 3Game sound effects
ShootMania Storm[14]
Killer InstinctSeason One (2013) and Season Two (2014)[15]
2014Wolfenstein: The New OrderAdditional music by Frederik Thordendal[15]
2015Wolfenstein: The Old BloodAdditional music by Michael Tornabene and Casey Edwards[16]
Project CARSGuitars with John J. Harvey
SomaTrailers[17]
2016DoomAdditional music by Chris Hite and Ben F. Carney[18]
2017PreyAdditional music composed by Ben Crossbones, Matt Piersall, and Raphaël Colantonio[19]
LawBreakersComposed with Jaroslav Beck, Dieselboy, Mark The Beast, and Malcolm Kirby Jr.
"Faust" and “Toska-9” tracks in the official album		[20]
Wolfenstein II: The New ColossusComposed with Martin Stig Andersen; additional music by Frederik Thordendal[21]
2019Borderlands 3

Additional music support
Original game score by:

[22]
2020Beautiful Desolation[23]
Doom Eternal[24]
2023Atomic HeartComposed with Andrey Bugrov and Geoffrey Day[25]
Diablo IVMusic for Rogue Trailer[26]
2025Absolum

Additional music support, with the song "Underking"
Original game score by:

[27]
RoutineAdditional sound design[28]
Defect[29]

Awards and nominations

YearCeremonyCategoryWorkResult
2006Game Developers' Association of AustraliaBest AudioDestroy All Humans! 2
2012Game Audio Network GuildBest Audio, OtherA Day in Pompeii
2013Game Audio Network GuildBest Interactive ScoreKiller Instinct
Game Audio Network GuildBest Original Song, Vocal (Pop)Killer Instinct ("Touch Me and I'll Break Your Face")
Game Audio Network GuildBest Original Song, Vocal (Pop)Killer Instinct ("I'm Back to Rise")
2016The Game AwardsBest Music/Sound DesignDoom
2017Game Developers Choice AwardsBest Audio
SXSW Gaming AwardsExcellence in Musical Score
D.I.C.E. AwardsOutstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition
British Academy Games AwardsBest Music
2018New York Game AwardsBest Music in a GameWolfenstein II: The New Colossus
(shared with Martin Stig Andersen)
D.I.C.E. AwardsOutstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition
2020The Game AwardsBest Score and MusicDoom Eternal
Steam AwardsBest Soundtrack[30]

References

  1. ^ "Mick Gordon Interview - DOOM Eternal Composer". 28 November 2019. Archived 1 February 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 30 April 2021. – via YouTube
  2. ^ Makuch, Eddie & Imms, Jason (23 February 2017). "Overwatch Wins DICE Game of the Year, Full Nominees List". GameSpot. Archived 25 February 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  3. ^ Makuch, Eddie (19 March 2017). "Uncharted 4 Wins Game Of The Year At SXSW Awards". GameSpot. Archived 29 August 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  4. ^ Erica Webber, Jordan (9 March 2017). "Bafta games awards 2017: Inside and Uncharted 4 lead the way". The Guardian. Archived 9 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  5. ^ "Doom Eternal Composer Distances Himself From The Newly Released Soundtrack". Archived 26 June 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  6. ^ Valentine, Rebekah (9 November 2022). "Doom Eternal Composer Alleges Unpaid Wages and Abuse in Lengthy Soundtrack Controversy Response". IGN. Archived 10 November 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  7. ^ "10BMTHS2-mick gordon-.mp4". 23 June 2020. Archived 13 November 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 18 November 2022. – via YouTube
  8. ^ Trendell, Andrew (25 June 2020). "Bring Me The Horizon tell us about their new 'survival horror song' 'Parasite Eve' and ambitious 'Post Human' project". NME. Archived 28 June 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  9. ^ Carter, Emily (3 May 2023). "3TEETH team up with DOOM composer Mick Gordon for new music". Kerrang. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  10. ^ "About – Mick Gordon". MICK GORDON. Archived from the original on 19 July 2019. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  11. ^ Enis, Eli (6 August 2021). "Hear 3teeth Team Up With Ho99o9 On New Industrial Metal Banger "Paralyze"". Revolver Magazine. Archived 6 August 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  12. ^ "Motionless In White unleash Cyberhex from new album Scoring The End Of The World". Kerrang!. 11 March 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  13. ^ "Architects - "Seeing Red"", 4 December 2023, retrieved 2023-12-06
  14. ^ "Mick Gordon: Credits". mick-gordon.com. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
  15. ^ Makuch, Eddie (12 May 2014). "Guitarist from Swedish metal band Meshuggah working on Wolfenstein: The New Order". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived 31 July 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
  16. ^ "What's New in Wolfenstein: The Old Blood". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. 16 April 2015. Archived 17 April 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
  17. ^ "TRAILERS:SOMA". mick-gordon.com. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  18. ^ "Mick Gordon working on soundtrack for new DOOM". VGM Online. 17 June 2015. Archived 9 October 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
  19. ^ "Prey - Mick Gordon". Archived 12 June 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  20. ^ "Various Artists: LawBreakers (Original Game Soundtrack)". 8 August 2017. Archived 4 December 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  21. ^ "Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus". Mick Gordon. Archived 22 August 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 21 June 2017.
  22. ^ "Borderlands 3 (2019) PlayStation 4 credits - MobyGames". MobyGames. Archived 1 January 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  23. ^ "Announcing Mick Gordon as composer". thebrotherhoodgames.com. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 20 February 2019.
  24. ^ Leavey, Jason. "DOOM Eternal – Official E3 Teaser". Bethesda.net. Archived 23 June 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  25. ^ Wilson, Mike (13 August 2020). "Dystopian Shooter 'Atomic Heart' Will Have Next-Gen Versions; New Gameplay Video Released Featuring Mick Gordon [Video]". Bloody Disgusting. Archived 4 December 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  26. ^ "MICK GORDON — Diablo IV - Rogue Trailer". mick-gordon.com. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  27. ^ "Absolum: The Music". Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  28. ^ Routine. Raw Fury. December 4, 2025.
  29. ^ "MICK GORDON — Defect". mick-gordon.com. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
  30. ^ "The Steam Awards: Winners". Welcome to Steam. Archived 24 January 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 10 November 2022.