Jeremy Soule
Contemporary (1994–present)
1. Tribal
The Why
Soule's signature: a Phrygian-derived melody over a droning open fifth. The vocal chant outlines E–F–G (flat 2nd = Phrygian) while the strings hold a static E5 drone. The bVII (D) and bVI (C) chords create the "Nordic" sound — borrowed from the parallel minor mode. The result is ancient, modal, and timeless — avoiding functional harmony entirely.
2. Medieval
The Why
Soule's Guild Wars score uses Dorian mode (A# natural in Dm — the raised 6th). The i–bIII–IV–i pattern is distinctly Celtic-medieval. The iv–VII–bIII–i section (Gm→C→F→Dm) is a circle-of-fifths movement that provides gentle forward motion without the aggression of functional harmony. The Dorian raised 6th gives the melancholy a touch of hope.
Characteristic Scales
Harmonic Style
Soule's music is characterized by modal harmony (especially Dorian and Phrygian), open-fifth drones, and suspended chords that create a sense of ancient, mystical timelessness. He avoids functional harmony (V→I resolutions) in favor of static, coloristic chord progressions that evoke landscapes rather than narratives. His Nordic/Celtic influences manifest in pentatonic melodies and drone-based accompaniments.