Treyarch has released the main theme for Black Ops 7 Zombies. Oh my god, it is really happening! The track is called Damned 8. Treyarch tweeted that with a nearly perfect caption: “when the choir hits…. 🤌.” This is going to be the main theme for the upcoming Zombies game mode, and the players are going nuts over it.
But what actually is Damned if you are unfamiliar? It is, in short, the signature theme currently associated with every incarnation of Black Ops Zombies ever since it was first introduced. Just about every game gets a different rendition of the soundtrack: Damned 1, Damned 2, you name them. Now with number eight, audiences have been waiting with bated breath for YnTrekarch’s take on this new entry.
The general reaction has been positive and mixed indeed. Some people were just totally in love with it, while others had some pretty interesting analogies. One soul named SOULSLAYER stated it sounded like what he imagined GTA 6’s theme to be, and in hindsight, I’d have to say he is kind of right. It has this big cinematic energy to it, something that could very well soundtrack an enormous open world heist or something.
Whereas social media user xDamianZockt commented: “Nah Cold War still the best for me,” a valid point from anyone with a favorite. However, he also dismissed himself by admitting, “its not bad. Dont understand me wrong 🤣 especially the last part goes hard,” so even some opposition agrees that this tune packs heat.
Overall, old school versus new school is what nice-jacked with Nathan’s thoughts: “I’m so glad they did a new spin on it, has an old school mixed with new school sound to it.” Actually, he’s so happy about it for a good reason-the beginning is slow pace and atmospheric moving up to this larger orchestral thing with choir and the whole thing. But when the choir hits? Chef’s kiss.
Already being compared with the previous renditions. “Started off whatever but the 2nd half gave me bo3 vibes n im all for it,” said Rob, and this is very interesting since Black Ops 3 is considered the peak of Zombies by quite a huge part of the community. So if this new theme could capture even a bit of that magic, then we surely are in for something.
The legendary “Rising Tide” theme from Cold War will inevitably get thrown into the mix, with some player claiming it to be “better than any other Black Ops tracks!” So, yeah, the bar is set pretty damn high. But from what I’m hearing, Damned 8 could very well live up.
Though not everyone is fully sold. Take Brandon6Numbers, for instance, who said, “I like it, the melody shows up too late but it’s still pretty good,” while THORNIECUS literally demanded, “Could do with more DAMNED,” and uh… good luck with that; we all do.
What is really interesting, though, is how this is already associated with the greater Black Ops 7 hype. One guy pleaded, “Just release bo7 mp main theme bro,” while another responded, “Okay, release the whole blog post next week it’s fine at least i can listen to this banger till it comes.” There’s definitely anticipation there, and Treyarch surely knows how to keep us on the edge of our seats.
These foreign language comments made me chuckle a bit-the Arabic comment roughly translates to “Infinity Warfare was a fantastic part, but the herd remains no matter what happens,” which I think is a reference to the Zombies storyline? Then there’s this French comment, “c’est dingue c’est exactement ton style de musique lol quelle Å“uvre d’art, d’ailleurs,” which demonstrates some international hype.
Anyway, gotta get back to the music. It has that old-school Zombies vibe, with a fresh coat for whatever loonies they have cooked out for Black Ops 7. Releasing it now practically screams that proper reveals might be on the horizon, maybe even a gameplay showcase at the next big event.
Undoubtedly, though, the usual unrelated complaints will rise up amidst this hype, and someone will be complaining about camos being “lazy and boring” while wanting “each camo different for every challenge/gun like mw3,” which uh… cool story, bro, but we’re talking about the Zombies theme here? Though I suppose it’s sort of connected.
The vibes in the comment section are simply electric: “THIS IS PEAK BRO ðŸ˜ðŸ”¥” and “OH MY GOD???????” and then my personal favorite, “YESSSSS COOK KING,” which honestly, the feels are mutual.
What really excites me is how this ties into the bigger picture of Black Ops 7. We all know Zombies plays a huge part in the experience, and the main theme is going to set the tone for the entire mode itself. If Damned 8 could be trusted to tell us anything, then perhaps we’re looking at a return to form after the… mixed reception some recent entries have had.
That track is a wonderful balance between horror and epic that made original Zombie mode famous. It lays there, atmospheric and eerie, but soon starts flowing into a sonic crescendo that slaps you with the imagery of standing before an army of undead with nothing but a pack-a-punched gun and sheer willpower.
I’m picturing already: loading into the menu as this track plays while I tag my loadout before jumping straight into whatever insanity those new maps are. Music is such a big part of the Zombies experience, and Damned 8 sounds like it might be one of the very best.
The question will remain whether it gells with the gameplay and whether the rest of the game fully measures up to the hype, which, for the time being, Treyarch gives, involving a little taste of what’s coming, and honestly? I could just dive right back into the zombie-slaying mayhem as soon as they drop the full set.
The fact that they’re sharing this lends itself toward us almost getting a few big reveals. At least we used to count on Summer Game Fest. Either way, these four words here “going the hype train” officially fill up the station, with Damned 8 blasting out on the speakers right now.
So if you haven’t checked it yet, listen. It is worth your time if you’re hardcore into Zombies or even if you’re just into good video game music. And who knows? Maybe we’ll actually be standing atop endless waves of zombies sooner than we think while listening to this track.
In other gaming news, Call of Duty continues to expand its reach, while PlayStation and Xbox fans have their own exciting updates to look forward to.
