Conan the Barbarian
Basil Poledouris
" Me Basil, you Conan! "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the deluxe edition
A classic is a classic when it has the personality to impress the listener even years after its initial release. It isn't difficult to mention several that changed the fate of movie music, but hardly anyone will mention Conan the Barbarian as one of its leaders, though it was equally important for that change. Basil Poledouris changed his career once he scored the legendary Arnold Schwarzenegger in this John Milius epic about a man who seeks revenge against the warlord who massacred his tribe.
Of course, even though people don't mention Conan the Barbarian as one of the founders of the indestructible 80's sound, it nonetheless remains a soundtrack that literally kills every obstacle that comes its way. And after all this time, it has received its epic release. Prometheus released a 2 CD edition of Conan the Barbarian, featuring the complete 100-Minute Film Score which has been newly recorded. It is complete with bonus material including music from the sequel Conan the Destroyer and a 24 page full colour booklet. I have heard many people question if it was necessary to obtain this soundtrack if they already have the previous release of Varèse Sarabande, and I would have to say HELL YES. This baby not only delivers epic filmmusic with additional unreleased material, it does it in symphonic exquisite sound quality. Need I say more?
Of course the begin is a known one, and "Prologue / Anvil of Crom" couldn't be a better opening track. Thundering percussion and blazing heroic fanfares show you immediately the improved sound quality of this recording. The opening that inspired Total Recall and the improvisation near the end you'll have to accept along the way.
The heroic theme is softly whispered in the begin of "Riddle of Steel / Riders of Doom", but it soon gets the company of a choral dance that quite easily shows you the epic pride and charm of Basil's legendary score. The liturgical "The Gift of Fury" and the amazing heroic main theme statement near the end of "Column of Sadness / Wheel of Pain" continues to show you the richness of Poledouris composition.
For whatever reason, I like the previous version of "Theology / Civilization" more than the version presented here. No matter the quality of the sound, the previous version had something mesmerizing in the string playing that this version can't quite match. No matter though the quality of the piece because Poledouris delivers you a mesmerizing playful and beautiful work.
The love theme (another tender creation) is first discovered in the beautiful opening of "Conan Leaves Valeria / The Search", but it's the beautiful secondary part of this particular track that will open your eyes instead (especially once Basil makes his civilization theme magical through another variation).
The choral heroism now moves slower in "The Kitchen / The Orgy" alongside the charming waltz that's brewing in the second part of the cue. By then we've already reached the second CD of the album, and from here on Poledouris' score will prove to be very worthwhile. The unreleased "Orgy Fight" suddenly releases another version of the "Anvil of Crom" theme mixed with the conclusion of "Riders of Doom". And "Funeral Pyre" turns it all upside down with touching and somber versions of the love theme and heroic theme.
But as good as that was, expect better from the choral mass being both magical and thundering in "Battle Preparations / Battle of the Mounds (Part I)". The final tracks are soft whispers compared to this momentum. The "Battle of the Mounds (Part III) / Night of Doom" does it softly with choir and "Orphans of Doom / The Awakening" relaxes the experience with emotional underscore (except for the awakening fanfares at the end of course).
Not all new tracks appear to bring something extra though. There are some hypnotizing choral chants in "The Street of Deviants / Hopefuls at the Tower of Set", sole percussion is discovered during "Wolf Witch", the continuation of liturgical singing is enlightening "The Tower of Set / Snake Attack" and a variation of the civilization theme is used in "The Tavern".
What the original Conan the Barbarian missed was a finishing punch, a final moment that summarized the entire experience with one final blowout. This complete edition fills in that gap with the return of the "Anvil of Crom" theme in the "Epilogue / End Titles". The unreleased tracks are not all that brilliant unfortunately, with only a few being equally memorable as their previously released peers. That doesn't mean this specific release of Conan the Barbarian should be neglected though. It not only resurrects the brilliant momentum of one of Poledouris' ultimate achievements, it does it as well in superior sound quality and performance. Enough for you to remember that classics were different in a time where men like Goldsmith, Bernstein, Kamen, Barry and Poledouris soared the skies.
Conan the Barbarian "1992 Varèse Sarabande release": ****
Conan the Barbarian "2010 Prometheus release": ****1/2
Tracklisting
CD 1: 60.21
1. Prologue (Film Version) / Anvil of Crom (3.38) Excellent track
2. Riddle of Steel / Riders of Doom (5.23) Excellent track
3. The Gift of Fury (3.25)
4. Column of Sadness / Wheel of Pain (4.09) Excellent track
5. Pit Fights * (2.45)
6. Prologue (Original Version) (1.03)
7. Atlantean Sword (4.00)
8. Wolf Witch * (3.21)
9. Theology / Civilization (3.04) Excellent track
10. The Street of Deviants * / Hopefuls at the Tower of Set * (1.28)
11. The Tower of Set * / Snake Attack * (5.21)
12. Infidels * (1.03)
13. The Tavern * (1.51)
14. The Wifeing (2.20)
15. In the Court of King Osric * (1.13)
16. Conan Leaves Valeria / The Search (6.03) Excellent track
17. The Mountain of Power / Capture * (4.00)
18. The Tree of Woe / Recovery (6.04)
CD 2: 61.48
1. The Kitchen / The Orgy (6.23) Excellent track
2. Orgy Fight * (2.53) Excellent track
3. Funeral Pyre (5.15)
4. Battle Preparations / Battle of the Mounds (Part I) (5.59) Excellent track
5. Battle of the Mounds (Part II) * (2.11)
6. Battle of the Mounds (Part III) / Night of Doom (5.56)
7. Head Chop * (0.53)
8. Orphans of Doom / The Awakening (6.30)
9. Epilogue / End Titles * (5.13) Excellent track
Bonus Tracks
10. Theology / Civilization (Alternate Version) (3.27)
11. The Tower of Set (Alternate Cue) * (3.37)
12. Battle of the Mounds (Part II) (Original Version) * (2.11)
13. Chamber of Mirrors From "Conan The Destroyer" (7.16)
14. Riders of Doom (Orchestral Version) (4.05)
* Previously unrecorded
Of course, even though people don't mention Conan the Barbarian as one of the founders of the indestructible 80's sound, it nonetheless remains a soundtrack that literally kills every obstacle that comes its way. And after all this time, it has received its epic release. Prometheus released a 2 CD edition of Conan the Barbarian, featuring the complete 100-Minute Film Score which has been newly recorded. It is complete with bonus material including music from the sequel Conan the Destroyer and a 24 page full colour booklet. I have heard many people question if it was necessary to obtain this soundtrack if they already have the previous release of Varèse Sarabande, and I would have to say HELL YES. This baby not only delivers epic filmmusic with additional unreleased material, it does it in symphonic exquisite sound quality. Need I say more?
Of course the begin is a known one, and "Prologue / Anvil of Crom" couldn't be a better opening track. Thundering percussion and blazing heroic fanfares show you immediately the improved sound quality of this recording. The opening that inspired Total Recall and the improvisation near the end you'll have to accept along the way.
The heroic theme is softly whispered in the begin of "Riddle of Steel / Riders of Doom", but it soon gets the company of a choral dance that quite easily shows you the epic pride and charm of Basil's legendary score. The liturgical "The Gift of Fury" and the amazing heroic main theme statement near the end of "Column of Sadness / Wheel of Pain" continues to show you the richness of Poledouris composition.
For whatever reason, I like the previous version of "Theology / Civilization" more than the version presented here. No matter the quality of the sound, the previous version had something mesmerizing in the string playing that this version can't quite match. No matter though the quality of the piece because Poledouris delivers you a mesmerizing playful and beautiful work.
The love theme (another tender creation) is first discovered in the beautiful opening of "Conan Leaves Valeria / The Search", but it's the beautiful secondary part of this particular track that will open your eyes instead (especially once Basil makes his civilization theme magical through another variation).
The choral heroism now moves slower in "The Kitchen / The Orgy" alongside the charming waltz that's brewing in the second part of the cue. By then we've already reached the second CD of the album, and from here on Poledouris' score will prove to be very worthwhile. The unreleased "Orgy Fight" suddenly releases another version of the "Anvil of Crom" theme mixed with the conclusion of "Riders of Doom". And "Funeral Pyre" turns it all upside down with touching and somber versions of the love theme and heroic theme.
But as good as that was, expect better from the choral mass being both magical and thundering in "Battle Preparations / Battle of the Mounds (Part I)". The final tracks are soft whispers compared to this momentum. The "Battle of the Mounds (Part III) / Night of Doom" does it softly with choir and "Orphans of Doom / The Awakening" relaxes the experience with emotional underscore (except for the awakening fanfares at the end of course).
Not all new tracks appear to bring something extra though. There are some hypnotizing choral chants in "The Street of Deviants / Hopefuls at the Tower of Set", sole percussion is discovered during "Wolf Witch", the continuation of liturgical singing is enlightening "The Tower of Set / Snake Attack" and a variation of the civilization theme is used in "The Tavern".
What the original Conan the Barbarian missed was a finishing punch, a final moment that summarized the entire experience with one final blowout. This complete edition fills in that gap with the return of the "Anvil of Crom" theme in the "Epilogue / End Titles". The unreleased tracks are not all that brilliant unfortunately, with only a few being equally memorable as their previously released peers. That doesn't mean this specific release of Conan the Barbarian should be neglected though. It not only resurrects the brilliant momentum of one of Poledouris' ultimate achievements, it does it as well in superior sound quality and performance. Enough for you to remember that classics were different in a time where men like Goldsmith, Bernstein, Kamen, Barry and Poledouris soared the skies.
Conan the Barbarian "1992 Varèse Sarabande release": ****
Conan the Barbarian "2010 Prometheus release": ****1/2
Tracklisting
CD 1: 60.21
1. Prologue (Film Version) / Anvil of Crom (3.38) Excellent track
2. Riddle of Steel / Riders of Doom (5.23) Excellent track
3. The Gift of Fury (3.25)
4. Column of Sadness / Wheel of Pain (4.09) Excellent track
5. Pit Fights * (2.45)
6. Prologue (Original Version) (1.03)
7. Atlantean Sword (4.00)
8. Wolf Witch * (3.21)
9. Theology / Civilization (3.04) Excellent track
10. The Street of Deviants * / Hopefuls at the Tower of Set * (1.28)
11. The Tower of Set * / Snake Attack * (5.21)
12. Infidels * (1.03)
13. The Tavern * (1.51)
14. The Wifeing (2.20)
15. In the Court of King Osric * (1.13)
16. Conan Leaves Valeria / The Search (6.03) Excellent track
17. The Mountain of Power / Capture * (4.00)
18. The Tree of Woe / Recovery (6.04)
CD 2: 61.48
1. The Kitchen / The Orgy (6.23) Excellent track
2. Orgy Fight * (2.53) Excellent track
3. Funeral Pyre (5.15)
4. Battle Preparations / Battle of the Mounds (Part I) (5.59) Excellent track
5. Battle of the Mounds (Part II) * (2.11)
6. Battle of the Mounds (Part III) / Night of Doom (5.56)
7. Head Chop * (0.53)
8. Orphans of Doom / The Awakening (6.30)
9. Epilogue / End Titles * (5.13) Excellent track
Bonus Tracks
10. Theology / Civilization (Alternate Version) (3.27)
11. The Tower of Set (Alternate Cue) * (3.37)
12. Battle of the Mounds (Part II) (Original Version) * (2.11)
13. Chamber of Mirrors From "Conan The Destroyer" (7.16)
14. Riders of Doom (Orchestral Version) (4.05)
* Previously unrecorded