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Freedom251 › Blog › Andrew Hulshult

Doom Soundtrack Albums Compared: Which Release Should You Listen To?

By Freedom251 Team · · 7 min read

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Start with Bobby Prince’s DOOM (1993) soundtrack if you want the original game’s identity; choose Mick Gordon’s DOOM (2016) album for a longer, industrial-metal listen; and use Andrew Hulshult’s IDKFA when you want remastered music from both classic games while playing. These are different releases, not alternate editions of one album.

Which Doom soundtrack is right for you?

The best choice depends on whether you want the sound of the 1993 game, a modern standalone album, or music integrated into a playthrough of the classic games. Bobby Prince’s original score is the historically important, riff-driven option. Mick Gordon’s 2016 soundtrack is the larger album and the most overtly industrial-metal production. Andrew Hulshult’s IDKFA is an arranged and remastered in-game soundtrack covering both DOOM and DOOM II, rather than a separately documented album.

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Release Composer and game Best for Documented format and length
DOOM (1993) [Original Game Soundtrack] Bobby Prince; DOOM (1993) Hearing the classic game’s original music and its metal-and-blues writing Apple Music lists 23 songs and 56 minutes; dated May 8, 2026
Classic MIDI soundtrack Original DOOM and DOOM II music Playing the enhanced classic games with the familiar arrangements In-game option in the enhanced combined release; no standalone album runtime stated
IDKFA Andrew Hulshult; arrangements for both classic games Playing with an updated, remastered presentation of music from both titles In-game remaster in enhanced DOOM + DOOM II; no standalone runtime or physical edition stated
DOOM (Original Game Soundtrack) Mick Gordon; DOOM (2016) A long modern album built around guitar, drums and industrial synths Apple Music lists 31 songs and 2 hours 8 minutes; dated September 28, 2016

Bobby Prince’s original DOOM soundtrack

What it sounds like

Bobby Prince’s music is the direct sonic signature of the 1993 game. A Library of Congress essay by Dan Spencer analyzes it as metal built on blues-derived harmonic patterns. The writing uses recognizable riffs, layered progressions and parts that accumulate as tracks develop. That combination makes the score feel aggressive without losing the swing and harmonic movement associated with blues-based rock.

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Spencer also notes that the tracks were custom-composed for the game rather than licensed from existing popular songs. That matters when you are trying to identify what “the original Doom soundtrack” means: these are purpose-built game cues, not a playlist of famous songs that happened to accompany the release.

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Album details

The official digital listing on Apple Music identifies the album as DOOM (1993) [Original Game Soundtrack], with 23 songs and a listed runtime of 56 minutes. The listing is dated May 8, 2026 and carries ℗ 2026 Bethesda Softworks. Those details describe that catalog entry; they do not establish a physical edition or imply that every game-platform release uses the same track grouping.

Why choose it

  • You want the 1993 game’s musical identity. Prince’s riffs are the reference point for the classic series’ sound.
  • You prefer a concise album. The listed runtime fits a focused listening session rather than a two-hour soundtrack marathon.
  • You care about game-music history. The Library of Congress essay says this score entered the National Recording Registry on May 14, 2026, becoming the third video-game recording selected. Spencer’s essay includes a qualification that its views are his own and may not represent the Library of Congress.

Classic MIDI music and Andrew Hulshult’s IDKFA

The option inside enhanced DOOM + DOOM II

Bethesda’s enhanced combined release lets players switch between the classic MIDI tunes and IDKFA. This is a gameplay setting, not evidence of a separate soundtrack album. If you want the old music while moving through the original levels, the classic MIDI selection is the direct route. If you want a newly arranged presentation, select IDKFA.

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What IDKFA covers

Bethesda describes IDKFA as a remaster with a complete track list spanning DOOM (1993) and DOOM II. It therefore functions differently from the Bobby Prince digital album, which is presented as a single soundtrack release, and from the Mick Gordon album, which belongs to the 2016 game. The cited release information does not specify an album runtime, a standalone digital issue or a physical pressing for IDKFA.

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When this is the better choice

  • You are playing the enhanced classic games. The toggle keeps the music tied to the levels and gameplay rather than separating it into an album-only experience.
  • You want both original games represented. The remaster’s documented scope includes DOOM and DOOM II.
  • You want an updated arrangement but not the 2016 sound. IDKFA revisits the classic material; it is not Mick Gordon’s industrial-metal score.

Mick Gordon’s DOOM (2016) soundtrack

Musical character

Apple Music’s editorial description emphasizes heavy-metal guitar riffs, pounding drums and industrial synthesizers. That catalog description points to a denser, more modern production than the MIDI-era material. The score is designed around the 2016 game’s fast, violent combat and electronic-mechanical atmosphere, so it works particularly well when you want sustained intensity rather than the looser blues-rooted feel associated with Prince’s writing.

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Album details

Apple Music lists Mick Gordon’s DOOM (Original Game Soundtrack) at 31 songs and 2 hours 8 minutes, with a release date of September 28, 2016. The larger listed program makes it the practical choice for a long workout, gaming session or uninterrupted background listen. The song count and runtime apply to that digital listing and should not be assumed to describe every physical or regional edition.

Why choose it

  • You want the modern reboot’s sound. The combination of distorted guitar, forceful drums and industrial synth textures is distinct from the 1993 score.
  • You want the longest documented album here. Its listed duration is more than twice the length of the Bobby Prince digital listing.
  • You want a standalone listening session. Unlike the classic MIDI and IDKFA choices, this is documented as an album rather than an in-game toggle.

Is the DOOM 2016 soundtrack the same as the original?

No. They differ in composer, game, arrangement and release format. Prince wrote the original game’s custom score for the 1993 release, while Gordon composed the soundtrack for the 2016 game. The classic material is associated with MIDI-era game playback and blues-derived metal writing; the 2016 catalog description highlights heavy guitar, pounding drums and industrial synths.

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They also have different documented album listings. The Prince release is a 2026 digital catalog entry, while Gordon’s album is a 2016 digital release. Calling either one simply “the Doom soundtrack” can therefore create confusion, especially when discussing purchases, playlists or physical editions. Include the composer or game year whenever the distinction matters.

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Digital album or music while you play?

Choose the format before choosing the composer. A digital album is easiest when you want to listen away from the game, arrange tracks in a playlist or compare the catalog as a conventional record. The classic MIDI and IDKFA options are designed for play inside enhanced DOOM + DOOM II. They follow the game’s progression and are not presented as independently sold albums with published runtimes.

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  1. For the original arrangements while playing: launch the enhanced combined release and select the classic MIDI music option.
  2. For the remastered classic-game arrangements: use the same music setting to switch to IDKFA.
  3. For an album outside the game: select the Apple Music listing for Bobby Prince’s 1993 score or Mick Gordon’s 2016 score, depending on the era you want.

What physical editions are actually documented?

Mick Gordon double vinyl

Bethesda’s official Gear Store lists a deluxe double-vinyl edition of the Mick Gordon DOOM (2016) soundtrack and specifies 20 tracks. This is a physical edition of the 2016 score, not a pressing of Bobby Prince’s 1993 music.

Apple Music lists 31 songs for the digital Gordon album, while the Gear Store listing specifies 20 tracks for vinyl. The available descriptions do not explain the difference, so do not treat the vinyl as a complete or identical copy of the digital program. Check the current product page for stock, territory, edition details and availability before buying.

The Bobby Prince release

The cited official listings establish the Prince score as a digital album. They do not establish an authorized physical edition. The existence of a 2016 double vinyl does not imply that the original score is included or that a matching vinyl release exists.

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Game collections are not soundtrack albums

Bethesda’s DOOM Anthology is a physical game collection containing DOOM (1993), DOOM II, DOOM 64, DOOM 3, DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal Deluxe Edition, along with a SteelBook and BFG replica. It is useful as a game-collection reference, but it should not be described as a soundtrack purchase.

A decision guide by listening goal

If your priority is… Choose Reason
The unmistakable sound of classic DOOM Bobby Prince It is the original 1993 score and the subject of the documented metal-and-blues analysis.
A long modern album Mick Gordon The digital listing runs 2 hours 8 minutes across 31 songs.
Classic music during gameplay Classic MIDI Bethesda provides it as a selectable mode in enhanced DOOM + DOOM II.
Updated arrangements from both classic games IDKFA Andrew Hulshult’s remaster spans DOOM (1993) and DOOM II.
A documented physical soundtrack Mick Gordon double vinyl Bethesda’s Gear Store lists a 20-track deluxe double-vinyl edition for the 2016 score.

Bottom line for first-time listeners

Start with Bobby Prince if “Doom” to you means the 1993 game and its instantly recognizable riffs. Move to Mick Gordon if you want a substantial modern album with industrial-metal production. If your main activity is replaying the classic games, use the enhanced release’s music toggle: classic MIDI preserves the older presentation, while IDKFA supplies Andrew Hulshult’s remastered arrangements across both games. Treat the Gordon vinyl as a 2016 physical collectible only, and do not assume its 20-track program matches the 31-song digital listing.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Andrew HulshultBobby PrinceDOOMDOOM 1993DOOM 2016Mick Gordonvideo game soundtracks

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