For me, music is extremely important during a game. I almost hate to game without it. It's like watching a movie without the soundtrack -- because that's really what music is, a soundtrack for your game.

Following is a list of music that I use or have used. The list is in no particular order and is by no means exhaustive. I've included links to Amazon if you want to go there to listen to tracks.

D&D Adventure
I'll grant you, these are the obvious ones, but they need to be pointed out.

Gladiator Soundtrack: Gladiator: Music from the Motion Picture is my new favorite. A nice mix of rousing combat music and moody, slower pieces. Don't buy the "more music from the movie Gladiator" CD, however, unless you want to hear lots of dialogue snippets.

The 13th Warrior Soundtrack: Until Gladiator came out, The 13th Warrior: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack was my favorite gaming CD. Great, emotional music.

Conan the Barbarian Soundtrack: Conan the Barbarian: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is probably the D&D album to have playing during a game.

Conan the Destroyer Soundtrack: More of the same, but that's a good thing. Conan the Destroyer: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack isn't quite as cool as Conan the Barbarian's, but it's still Basil Poledouris, so it's still pretty good.

Aliens Soundtrack: The Aliens: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is creepy mixed with action. A good way to describe a great D&D session.

Braveheart Soundtrack: If you don't mind the decidedly Scottish feel (that is to say, if bagpipes won't ruin the mood of your game), Braveheart: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is a great CD.

Holst: The Planets: Probably my favorite classical music CD, Holst: The Planets is mystical and otherworldly, while powerful at the same time.

Dune Soundtrack: This is a bit of a guilty pleasure. I like the dialogue snippets in the Dune: Original Soundtrack Recording.

Dragonheart Soundtrack: The movie had its flaws, but the music's good on the Dragonheart: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack.

Planet of the Apes Soundtrack: Planet of the Apes: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is from the original 1968 movie. I have no idea what the 2001 version will sound like (although actually, most Tim Burton movies have pretty good soundtracks).

Stargate and Independence Day Soundtracks: The Stargate: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, as well as the Independence Day: Original Soundtrack, are both good efforts by the same composer, David Arnold. These are not in my CD player every week, but they're good once in a while.

More D&D Adventure
These titles are a less obvious selections. They should pleasantly surprise you.

Henry V Soundtrack: I forget how I stumbled upon the Henry V: Original Soundtrack Recording, but it's great gaming music.

Elizabeth Soundtrack: Surprisingly good. The Elizabeth Soundtrack has some great medieval vocal bits mixed in with good fight music.

Paul Savanet, Nomad: Nomad is great travel music.

Dead Can Dance, Aion: Look for Aion, but really, practically anything by Dead Can Dance is good. It's pseudo-medieval, sort-of-Arabic music. Most of it has vocals, but they are usually moody and not distracting (most are not in English).

Vas, In the Garden of Souls: If you like Dead Can Dance, you'll like Vas. Try In the Garden of Souls.

Mediaeval Baebes, Salva Nos: Sung mostly by an a capella all-female choir, Salva Nos (Save Us) creates some interesting, flavorful background music for your medieval fantasy game.

Jean-Luc Ponty, Mystical Adventures: This one is an old favorite. Ponty is an electric violinist and creates some interesting instrumental music on Mystical Adventures and other albums.

Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen: Lots of bits that you'll recognize from the movie Excalibur, if you're not already familiar with Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen.

Steve Roach, Well of Souls: Very primal sort of ambient music. Well of Souls has lots of drums and primitive instruments.

Classical Thunder: Classical Thunder has all the great gaming classical music you need in one big collection. Very cool.

Replacement Killers Soundtrack: I bought the Replacement Killers Soundtrack on sale and was pleasantly surprised. Great action music. No annoying modern stuff stuck in at the end like so many of today's soundtracks, either.

Horror
These titles all work for D&D as well, but they are more creepy than adventure-oriented.

The Ninth Gate Soundtrack: The Ninth Gate Soundtrack is a spooky, slow-moving album. There's an import version too, but I don't know if it's any different.

The Devil Rides Out: The Devil Rides Out: Film Music is a great collection of classic horror movie music.

George Crumb Works: Really, anything by George Crumb is sure to be creepy and disturbing while you game. He's a modern classical composer with a real dark feel. In addition to Works By George Crumb, look for Black Angels, 11 Echoes of Autumn, and Four Nocturnes as well.

The Thing Soundtrack: Ennio Morricone is great. Just about any soundtrack by him is guaranteed to be a good addition for your collection. Definitely pick up The Thing: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack.

Horror Movie Madness: Horror Movie Madness is a nice collection of various modern horror movie themes like Halloween, Hellraiser, and The Exorcist.

The Omen Soundtrack: You'll find classic, creepy stuff on The Omen: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. Omen IV also has a good soundtrack. I don't know about the other sequels.

What music do you play during your games? Share your recommendations with everyone in the DMs Only Message Board.