# Mick Gordon on Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 Boss Fight

> Mick Gordon explains how he created the climactic boss fight music for Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2.
- Title: Mick Gordon on Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 Boss Fight · IGN
- Summary: Mick Gordon explains how he created the climactic boss fight music for Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2. Mick Gordon composed the 'Ascent of the Arkifane' track…
- Keywords: mick gordon, warhammer 40,000, boltgun 2, ascent of the arkifane, boss fight, soundtrack, first-person shooter, doom eternal, doom, gaming, entertainment, Mick
- Source: IGN — https://ign.com/articles/mick-gordon-on-how-he-helped-to-make-warhammer-40000-boltgun-2s-climactic-boss-fight-big-and-bombastic
- Author: Tristan Ogilvie
- Published: 2026-10-14T22:04:54.09+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: mick gordon, warhammer 40,000, boltgun 2, ascent of the arkifane, boss fight, soundtrack, first-person shooter, doom eternal, doom, gaming, entertainment
## Mick Gordon's Role
Mick Gordon, an Australian composer, helped create Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2's climactic boss fight music.
## How He Got Involved
Gordon sent an email to Auroch Digital after the first Boltgun game, praising its unique blend of pixelated shooters and Warhammer 40K universe.
## The Boss Fight Challenge
Auroch Digital wanted Gordon to create music for a massive boss battle that felt big and bombastic, unlike the first game.
## No Pre-Existing Riffs
Gordon creates unique music for each project, avoiding pre-existing riffs to ensure the music fits the game's specific needs.
## Using Gameplay Videos
Gordon uses capture footage from QA to understand the boss battle, then finds the perfect tempo for the music to match gameplay.
## Tempo Matching
Gordon taps metronome tempos to set specific beats per minute for different levels, like 99, 138, and 216 beats per minute.
## Collaboration Process
Gordon works closely with Auroch Digital, submitting ideas and getting feedback to shape the final track.
## The Boss Battle Experience
Gordon aims to be the loudest, most obnoxious bastard in the room during the final boss battle to push the player's experience to its peak.
## Limited Audience Reach
Only about 6% of players reach the boss battle, but Gordon loves the feeling of creating something unique for that small group.
## Player Interaction
Gordon's music adapts to the player's actions, like health levels and gameplay, creating a cycle of interaction between music and player.
## Doom Influence
Gordon's work on Doom Eternal inspired his approach to creating music that directly influences player rhythm and action.
## Game Release
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 is out now on PlayStation 5, PC, and Xbox Series X|S, with a Nintendo Switch version coming later.
## IGN Review
IGN gave Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 an 8 out of 10 rating, calling it 'an explosive sequel that packs a bloody punch.'
## Gordon's Philosophy
Gordon believes games require player interaction to be meaningful, with music adapting to the player's actions in real time.
## The Track Name
Gordon created the track 'Ascent of the Arkifane' for the boss fight, aiming for a big and bombastic sound.
## Key takeaway

Mick Gordon composed the 'Ascent of the Arkifane' track for Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2's boss fight, aiming for a big and bombastic sound that matches the game's scale.