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. The conversation covers a wide range of topics, from his early work on canceled projects like Duke Nukem 3D Reloaded and Rise of the Triad: 2013 to his more recent contributions to titles such as DOOM Eternal, Nightmare Reaper, Amid Evil, and Prodeus.

Hulshult discusses the challenges and misconceptions surrounding video game music, emphasizing the importance of both artistic vision and financial viability. He reflects on his evolution as a musician, highlighting the learning curve involved in navigating industry contracts and managing client expectations. He shares anecdotes about collaborations with developers, including his experiences working under pressure and incorporating personal experiences into his compositions.

The interview also explores Hulshult's musical equipment and preferences, detailing his guitar setup, pedals, amplifiers, and recording techniques. He reveals his creative process for crafting dynamic game soundtracks, balancing ambient and high-energy tracks to complement gameplay. A significant portion is dedicated to his work on DOOM Eternal's DLC, including the highly acclaimed "Blood Swamps," and the subsequent official release of his IDKFA soundtrack for DOOM and DOOM II.

Hulshult's insights into his work on the Iron Lung film soundtrack, his collaboration with Markiplier, and the impact of budget on his approach to composition provide fascinating perspectives on the differences between game and film scoring. He also discusses his chiptune album, Dusk 82, and the possibility of future chiptune reinterpretations of his work. The interview concludes with Hulshult sharing his favorite bands, his thoughts on the evolution of Metallica's music, and his ideal game and film projects.

The interview is punctuated by embedded YouTube videos showcasing Hulshult's music from various games. This provides a rich auditory accompaniment to the detailed discussion of his creative journey and musical philosophy.