Sony Computer Entertainment America has detailed the musical soundtrack for God of War II, available exclusively for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system.

Available at Sony Connect, retail outlets and on iTunes for US$10, the soundtrack features a mix of orchestral, hip-hop and rock music, which are combined in the game with sound effects recorded at Foley Studios on the Warner Brothers Studios lot.

Orchestral pieces scored by the original game’s composers and performed by the London Sessions Brass Players and the Czech National Symphony Orchestra String Players and Choir are featured alongside electronica and hard rock music, including tracks created specifically for God of War II by Junkie XL and Shadows Fall.

The soundtrack also includes music from TraGic, a.k.a. George Doman, winner of the God of Noise original song contest hosted on MySpace last year.

"The God of War II sound design not only makes for a more intense gaming experience, it builds on the success of thesound design for the original God of War, which received critical praise and awards for its original score and soundtrack including the coveted Outstanding Achievement: Original Music Composition, awarded by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences, says Sony.

"The popular response to the original God of War in-game score and soundtrack was so overwhelming, we wanted to take it one step further with the sequel by delivering more of the signature God of War II sound and in addition, give fans a solid soundtrack that features both orchestral pieces of in-game music and also bonus original tracks created exclusively for us by Junkie XL and Shadows Fall that were inspired by the score of the game,” says Chuck Doud, Director of Music, SCEA. “In addition, our God of Noise contest winner, George Doman, will be featured on the God of War II soundtrack.”

The God of Noise contest called for musicians to upload their songs to mySpace.com/godofwar. As the contest winner, George Doman beat more than 500 other artists to be featured on the soundtrack with his song God Like.

To create the in-game sound effects, SCEA enlisted critically-acclaimed Foley Artist John Roesch. Utilising the tools at the Warner Brothers Foley Studio, Roesch thumped watermelons, snapped celery, clanked chains and twisted lettuce to underscore the head bashing, sword fighting and bone breaking of the game’s combat.