Hellbound: Hellraiser 2
Christopher Young
" A sequel score that goes beyond its original and deliver loads of unheard goodies. "Written by Thomas Glorieux
In 1987 Christopher Young became famous with movie directors and fans for his score to the Clive Barker phenomenon Hellraiser. Little did they know how many movies would spawn the Hellraiser franchise in the years to come. And little did they know that Young didn't even push the envelope with the soundtrack for the first Hellraiser. Because you can't begin a lot bigger than Christopher Young's Hellbound: Hellraiser 2. The gothic theme of the movie gets a never before felt level of doom through the insertion of a mighty choir. "Hellbound" is the name and terrifying pleasure. Clever is also the way Young distinguishes the second from the first score. The mystery lullaby theme gets a variation here and yet it feels almost exactly the same. Nonetheless "Second Sight Seance" is but a whisper away from the horror to come.
After the first minutes where subtle strings and choir have guided us towards mysterious boundaries, the gothic level is resurrected once again. This amazing building structure already shows some of the best what Hellraiser 2 has to offer. "Looking Through A Woman" even goes further in stating the James Horner influences, namely through Aliens sounding trumpets. Soon the gothic choral fanfare takes over, and then do we reach the real terror of Hellraiser. Namely through the metallic clangs and sound effects for the Cenobites. The lullaby theme which will sound for most as the Species music takes over "Something to Think" About, while the threatening "Skin her Alive" is nothing but a staggering festival of trumpet fanfares that scream for help.
That help is needed when the Cenobites return with their metallic clangs and unnerving choir in "Stringing the Puppet". The great effect in this track shows how Young continues to insert a carnival sound to the sound design. making it more scarier than it already is. The return and expanded carnival music doesn't sound so strange anymore in "Hall of Mirrors", a track where Young creates the most berserk ideas. At times it reminds me of the crazy music for Pennywise in the Television movie IT. And perhaps that's exactly how you have to picture it.
Yet if you think Young is over with his gothic sound design then think again. "Leviathan" carries the Cenobites' scary sound design, along with more intriguing sound effects. Only to create an even more terrifying sound for a new monster.
"Sketch With Fire" brings a variation on the choral fanfare, creating the same effect but without choir. Yet the moody sound design is far from over. Now The Cenobites' scary music gets a couple of vocal effects and strings, creating a more alienating atmosphere. "Chemical Entertainment" goes further in delivering a riveting finale when a rhythmic brassy danger is crawling towards the ultimate climax. Going from textural to orchestral is what Young did best in the Hellraiser scores.
"Headless Wizard" is the icing on the cake. The fanfares return, the mystery unfolds itself again and the choir unleashes Young's biggest insane creations. All making the track one sheer massive powerplay and career highlight.
Basically it is a frigging shame that there is so much to do about Spider-Man 3 if you consider that Young could create something as big as Hellbound: Hellraiser 2. Most people got crazy over Young's music when they heard the theme for the Sandman, but that's exactly Hellraiser in tone and idea.
I love it, no I adore it when sequel scores go beyond its original and deliver loads of unheard goodies. So many have done it before, and Hellbound: Hellraiser 2 is probably one of the finest in doing so. If film music is just but a thing that interest you, then this score is a definite must. Because it is Young's finest, it is one of horror music's best soundtracks and it is what raises hell in front of your very eyes.
Tracklisting
1. Hellbound (1.58) Excellent track
2. Second Sight Seance (5.29) Excellent track
3. Looking Through a Woman (5.26)
4. Something to Think About (4.26)
5. "Skin Her Alive" (1.46) Excellent track
6. Stringing the Puppet (4.55)
7. Hall of Mirrors (7.46)
8. Dead or Living? (2.49)
9. Leviathan (3.25)
10. Sketch With Fire (2.53)
11. Chemical Entertainment (6.35) Excellent track
12. Obscene Kiss (5.00)
13. Headless Wizard (5.31) Excellent track
14. What's Your Pleasure? (3.11)
Total Length: 61.16
After the first minutes where subtle strings and choir have guided us towards mysterious boundaries, the gothic level is resurrected once again. This amazing building structure already shows some of the best what Hellraiser 2 has to offer. "Looking Through A Woman" even goes further in stating the James Horner influences, namely through Aliens sounding trumpets. Soon the gothic choral fanfare takes over, and then do we reach the real terror of Hellraiser. Namely through the metallic clangs and sound effects for the Cenobites. The lullaby theme which will sound for most as the Species music takes over "Something to Think" About, while the threatening "Skin her Alive" is nothing but a staggering festival of trumpet fanfares that scream for help.
That help is needed when the Cenobites return with their metallic clangs and unnerving choir in "Stringing the Puppet". The great effect in this track shows how Young continues to insert a carnival sound to the sound design. making it more scarier than it already is. The return and expanded carnival music doesn't sound so strange anymore in "Hall of Mirrors", a track where Young creates the most berserk ideas. At times it reminds me of the crazy music for Pennywise in the Television movie IT. And perhaps that's exactly how you have to picture it.
Yet if you think Young is over with his gothic sound design then think again. "Leviathan" carries the Cenobites' scary sound design, along with more intriguing sound effects. Only to create an even more terrifying sound for a new monster.
"Sketch With Fire" brings a variation on the choral fanfare, creating the same effect but without choir. Yet the moody sound design is far from over. Now The Cenobites' scary music gets a couple of vocal effects and strings, creating a more alienating atmosphere. "Chemical Entertainment" goes further in delivering a riveting finale when a rhythmic brassy danger is crawling towards the ultimate climax. Going from textural to orchestral is what Young did best in the Hellraiser scores.
"Headless Wizard" is the icing on the cake. The fanfares return, the mystery unfolds itself again and the choir unleashes Young's biggest insane creations. All making the track one sheer massive powerplay and career highlight.
Basically it is a frigging shame that there is so much to do about Spider-Man 3 if you consider that Young could create something as big as Hellbound: Hellraiser 2. Most people got crazy over Young's music when they heard the theme for the Sandman, but that's exactly Hellraiser in tone and idea.
I love it, no I adore it when sequel scores go beyond its original and deliver loads of unheard goodies. So many have done it before, and Hellbound: Hellraiser 2 is probably one of the finest in doing so. If film music is just but a thing that interest you, then this score is a definite must. Because it is Young's finest, it is one of horror music's best soundtracks and it is what raises hell in front of your very eyes.
Tracklisting
1. Hellbound (1.58) Excellent track
2. Second Sight Seance (5.29) Excellent track
3. Looking Through a Woman (5.26)
4. Something to Think About (4.26)
5. "Skin Her Alive" (1.46) Excellent track
6. Stringing the Puppet (4.55)
7. Hall of Mirrors (7.46)
8. Dead or Living? (2.49)
9. Leviathan (3.25)
10. Sketch With Fire (2.53)
11. Chemical Entertainment (6.35) Excellent track
12. Obscene Kiss (5.00)
13. Headless Wizard (5.31) Excellent track
14. What's Your Pleasure? (3.11)
Total Length: 61.16