Rod Abernethy
Rod Abernethy is known throughout Europe, Asia and the Americas for his cutting-edge approach to music composition for video games, television and film. His work spans a vast range of styles, as heard in his creation of award winning scores for EA, Midway, Vivendi/Universal, Sony, Ubisoft, Bethesda/Paramount, Disney/THQ, Activision, Konami, Majesco, Sony, NC Soft, Namco and Nintendo.
Rod has more than 65 video games to his credit including id Software’s new post-apocalyptic action shooter RAGE, TERA, EA’s science fiction survival horror opus and the critically acclaimed Dead Space, Alpha Protocol, The Wheelman, Blacksite: Area 51, Star Trek Legacy, Blazing Angels, and Dead Head Fred. Rod’s score for The Hobbit won G.A.N.G.’s Best Soundtrack of the Year Award in 2003.
Using a powerful blend of orchestral and modern scoring techniques, Rod has received international critical acclaim and endorsements from Computer Music, IGN, GameSpot, Music4Games and Film Score Magazine. During his prolific music career he has recorded for industry giants Warner Bros., Elektra, Atlantic, MCA Records and collaborated with legendary producers Paul Rothchild (The Doors, Bonnie Raitt), John Anthony (Genesis, Roxy Music, Queen) and David Lord (Peter Gabriel, Tears for Fears, The Pretenders).
Currently, Rod is composing for id software’s new post-apocalyptic action shooter, RAGE. He serves on the Board of Directors of G.A.N.G. G.A.N.G. (The Game Audio Network Guild) and has been a featured speaker at the Game Developer’s Conference in San Jose, CA.
Prominent works
- RAGE id Software/Bethesda
- Despicable Me D3 Publisher/Vicious Cycle Software
- Earth Defense Force-Insect Armageddon D3 Publisher/Vicious Cycle Software
- TERA Bluehole Studios/Korea
- Dead Space Electronic Arts
- Wheelman Midway/Ubisoft
- Darksiders Promotional Trailer/THQ
- Mad Karts of Madagascar Activision
- Eat Lead D3Publisher
- Alpha Protocol Obsidian/Sega
- Transformers Animated Activision
- The Wheelman Midway/Ubisoft
- Dead Head Fred D3Publisher
- Hour of Victory Midway
- Horsez Ubisoft
- Star Trek: Encounters Bethesda/Paramount
- The Hobbit Vivendi Universal Games/Sierra Entertainment
- Blazing Angels Ubisoft
- Lineage II, Scions of Destiny Promotional Trailer/NC Soft
- Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows Midway
- Rayman Raving Rabbids Ubisoft
- Marvel Universe Konami
- Flushed Away D3Publishing of America
- Zathura Take 2 Interactive
- Warhawk Promotional Trailers/SCEA
- Rise and Fall: Civilizations at War Stainless Steel Studios
- Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones Promotional Trailers/Ubisoft
- Heroes of Might and Magic V Promotional Trailers/Ubisoft
- Jaws Unleashed Majesco
- Pac-Man World Rally Namco
- Area 51 Midway
- Rise of the Kasai Sony Computer Entertainment America
- King Arthur Konami/Touchstone Pictures
- The Sims Bustin' Out Electronic Arts/Maxis
- The Urbz Electronic Arts/Maxis
- Wild Wild West Warner Bros. Interactive
- Wars and Warriors: Joan of Arc Enlight Software
- Star Wars Trilogy: Apprentice of the Force Ubisoft
- Monster Garage Activision
- Cabela’s Big Game Hunter Activision
- Atlantis The Lost Continent Disney/THQ
- Dora The Explorer Monkey Bar Games/Nickelodeon
- Curious George Vicious Cycle/Nickelodeon
- Shinobi THQ
- Altered Beast THQ
- Looney Tunes Assorted Nuts Warner Bros.
- Dark Side Of The Moon SouthPeak Interactive
- Ellis Island The History Channel
- Atomic Pongling Adveractive/Playtonium
- Tejumin SouthPeak Interactive
Awards
- BAFTA 2009 for Original Score Dead Space, music Co-Producer
- BAFTA 2009 for Best Use Of Audio Dead Space, music Co-Producer
- G.A.N.G. 2007 Special Recognition Award Rednote Audio for Dead Head Fred
- G.A.N.G. 2007 Soundtrack Of The Year Dead Head Fred (Finalist)
- G.A.N.G. 2007 Best Original Instrumental Song Blazing Angels II (Finalist)
- G.A.N.G. 2007 Best Handheld Audio Dead Head Fred (Finalist)
- G.A.N.G. 2007 Best Handheld Audio Transformers (Finalist)
- G.A.N.G. 2006 Best Instrumental Of The Year Star Trek: Legacy (Finalist)
- G.A.N.G. 2006 Best Arrangement of a Score Jaws: Unleashed (Finalist)
- AIAS 2005 Awards-Outstanding Achievement for Original Music Composition Rise of the Kasai (Finalist)
- G.A.N.G. 2004 Music Of The Year King Arthur (Finalist)
- G.A.N.G. 2004 Best Choral Performance King Arthur (Finalist)
- G.A.N.G. 2003 Soundtrack Of The Year The Hobbit
- G.A.N.G. 2003 Best Original Instrumental Song The Hobbit (Finalist)
- G.A.N.G. 2003 Music Of The Year The Hobbit (Finalist)
- G.A.N.G. 2003 Best Live Recording The Hobbit (Finalist)
- G.A.N.G. 2003 Best Original Vocal Song The Sims: Bustin’ Out (Finalist)
- TeamXbox Editor’s Choice Awards The Hobbit
- TeamXbox Editor’s Choice Awards The Sims Bustin’ Out
- The Telly Awards Six time winner
- The Gold Addy Award Six time winner
- The International Film & TV Awards of New York (Finalist)
- PBS national advertising/marketing award
- Golden Reel ITVA Award Two time winner