K2
Hans Zimmer
" 2 suites, 1 K2 "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
K2 of 1991 is a weird project to summarize. Apparently Hans Zimmer was chosen to write the music for this mountain-climbing adventure, but in the end Hans Zimmer's music was not used upon completion of the final cut (a fancy way of saying the score was rejected). So Robert Townson decided that he wanted to release it anyway, making sure the fans were still able to hear his work on CD. But somehow, Zimmer's music did get used in the European version of the film, while the US version consisted of a soundtrack by Chaz Jankel. And the ultimate surprise is that Jankel's score never received a CD release, while the so called rejected score by Zimmer became noticeable on CD for its 2 track suite presentation.
Back then, it was considered that suites described Hans Zimmer's music better, and K2 happens to have the longest track ever by Hans Zimmer. A whopping 27 minutes long, "The Ascent" opens with electric guitar riffs (the good stuff that would later inspire Drop Zone), putting you right on the very peak itself of Hans Zimmer's dominating synthesizer sound of the 80's and 90's. In this massive cue, there's a whirling effect from the synthesizer that represents the howling wind, a wonderful horn moment that captures a true James Bond essence for mere seconds (8.17), several powerful ethnic moments that make us think fondly of The Prince of Egypt, and quite a bunch of Backdraft inspired action pieces and synthesizer effects. Basically the whole score oozes cool moments, whether linking itself the most to Backdraft and later on Drop Zone or throwing some brief but diverse (read emotional) ideas in the long playlist for good measure.
The second track, only a disappointing 13 minutes long ;-) opens with a couple of minutes straight out of the Backdraft soundtrack, unleashing enough musical sfx at you that for some strange reason actually impress me. Furthermore we have returning ideas such as several fanfares (the best near the end of the score), various emotional moments and a closing ode to the thrilling guitar work of Pete Haycock.
K2 is a score I rarely listen to, simply because it has such 2 massive cues. Making it practically impossible to listen to the moments I like without skipping over the rest. But actually you have to see K2 as the perfect candidate for background listening as well, flowing continuously forward, and exploding once and a while with some insanely good old Hans Zimmer moments. Again, somehow I hate the presentation of it, because I would like nothing better than to move immediately towards the moments I really want, because now you have to fast forward the minutes or listen to it in its entirety. And yet at the other end, the whole suite like presentation works if you want to explore a world on its own, a trek towards old school Hans Zimmer peaks and synthesizer cliffs. And no matter if it was used in a version or not, somehow this presentation describes Hans Zimmer's K2 the best of all.
Favorite Moment - The Descent (9.35 - 10.25)
Hans Zimmer unleashes several of those powerful anthems for good measure
Track Listing
1. The Ascent (27.39)
2. The Descent (13.41)
Total Length: 41.20
Back then, it was considered that suites described Hans Zimmer's music better, and K2 happens to have the longest track ever by Hans Zimmer. A whopping 27 minutes long, "The Ascent" opens with electric guitar riffs (the good stuff that would later inspire Drop Zone), putting you right on the very peak itself of Hans Zimmer's dominating synthesizer sound of the 80's and 90's. In this massive cue, there's a whirling effect from the synthesizer that represents the howling wind, a wonderful horn moment that captures a true James Bond essence for mere seconds (8.17), several powerful ethnic moments that make us think fondly of The Prince of Egypt, and quite a bunch of Backdraft inspired action pieces and synthesizer effects. Basically the whole score oozes cool moments, whether linking itself the most to Backdraft and later on Drop Zone or throwing some brief but diverse (read emotional) ideas in the long playlist for good measure.
The second track, only a disappointing 13 minutes long ;-) opens with a couple of minutes straight out of the Backdraft soundtrack, unleashing enough musical sfx at you that for some strange reason actually impress me. Furthermore we have returning ideas such as several fanfares (the best near the end of the score), various emotional moments and a closing ode to the thrilling guitar work of Pete Haycock.
K2 is a score I rarely listen to, simply because it has such 2 massive cues. Making it practically impossible to listen to the moments I like without skipping over the rest. But actually you have to see K2 as the perfect candidate for background listening as well, flowing continuously forward, and exploding once and a while with some insanely good old Hans Zimmer moments. Again, somehow I hate the presentation of it, because I would like nothing better than to move immediately towards the moments I really want, because now you have to fast forward the minutes or listen to it in its entirety. And yet at the other end, the whole suite like presentation works if you want to explore a world on its own, a trek towards old school Hans Zimmer peaks and synthesizer cliffs. And no matter if it was used in a version or not, somehow this presentation describes Hans Zimmer's K2 the best of all.
Favorite Moment - The Descent (9.35 - 10.25)
Hans Zimmer unleashes several of those powerful anthems for good measure
Track Listing
1. The Ascent (27.39)
2. The Descent (13.41)
Total Length: 41.20