Mercenaries: Playground of Destruction
Michael Giacchino and Chris Tilton
" Giacchino wrote the themes, Tilton put them into a score "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
La-La Land Records continues to prove, that by releasing video game scores they too do the community of film music followers a favour. Because after their amazing Secret Weapons over Normandy and the good Headhunter now comes Mercenaries. And like the games expanded, so too did the sound.
This time though Michael Giacchino was the Hans Zimmer of a RC soundtrack. He stayed in the background, wrote the main themes and let the scoring duties to Chris Tilton. Chris Tilton after all is his trustworthy pupil, and Michael thought it was time for Chris to take matters into his own hands. And it's true, Tilton tried to stay close to the Giacchino sound, because at times you would swear it is the master at work here.
For starters, Mercenaries has a very cool theme. It starts suspenseful but that doesn't remain so when brass kicks this theme into motion ("Mercenaries Main Theme"). We have the softer tracks, necessary stuff if you don't want to hear returning bombast. "Destination: DMZ" is a moody piece with a variation on the theme, "For the Motherland" presents a cello moment with strings and "The Blinding Flash" covers the theme softly. These are the counterparts to what dominates this album.
Because there's nothing like a good old action bombardment. "Allied Nations" is a solid fun action track with a great brassy end, "Deck of 52" has pumping variations on the theme while "Family Business" almost returns to Medal of Honor territory with Nazi marches. Furthermore, I love it when choir adds the punch to the tracks, and "Hidden Valley Bunker" has that punch. Stating almost Latin Omen chants, this is what I wanted to hear.
"Swedish Fireballs" is the main theme surrounding the action music, "Trains, Plains and HMMWV's" shows progress with a powerful thematic content, as does "Gas Tank on the Roof", covering rhythmic Incredibles delight. "Countdown" by then grows to the choral climax, giving you Giacchino quality all right.
Altogether, there is a lot to like of Mercenaries. It's powerful, orchestral and covers good enough themes. But we must be honest in saying that Chris Tilton isn't Michael Giacchino yet. Of course this isn't a disgrace, because how many composers can now deliver what Michael Giacchino does each and every day? But the truth must be said, Mercenaries isn't a Medal of Honor or Secret Weapons over Normandy yet.
Tracklisting
1. Mercenaries Main Theme (4.11) Excellent track
2. Destination: DMZ (3.37)
3. Allied Nations (3.21)
4. Mercenary Without A Cause (5.39)
5. Deck Of 52 (2.03)
6. For The Motherland (2.31)
7. Family Business (3.02)
8. Show Me The Mercenary (2.04)
9. Honor And Strength (3.26)
10. Hidden Valley Bunker (4.53) Excellent track
11. Sniper (2.15)
12. Swedish Fireballs (3.02)
13. Trouble At Work (2.05)
14. Trains, Plains And HMMWV's (2.02)
15. Relentless Pursuit (2.25)
16. Gas Tank On The Roof (1.03)
17. Explosion Scherzo (1.50)
18. Thermal Event (2.11)
19. Countdown (3.05) Excellent track
20. The Blinding Flash (1.07)
21. World's Best Carpool Lane (1.54)
Total Length: 58.38
This time though Michael Giacchino was the Hans Zimmer of a RC soundtrack. He stayed in the background, wrote the main themes and let the scoring duties to Chris Tilton. Chris Tilton after all is his trustworthy pupil, and Michael thought it was time for Chris to take matters into his own hands. And it's true, Tilton tried to stay close to the Giacchino sound, because at times you would swear it is the master at work here.
For starters, Mercenaries has a very cool theme. It starts suspenseful but that doesn't remain so when brass kicks this theme into motion ("Mercenaries Main Theme"). We have the softer tracks, necessary stuff if you don't want to hear returning bombast. "Destination: DMZ" is a moody piece with a variation on the theme, "For the Motherland" presents a cello moment with strings and "The Blinding Flash" covers the theme softly. These are the counterparts to what dominates this album.
Because there's nothing like a good old action bombardment. "Allied Nations" is a solid fun action track with a great brassy end, "Deck of 52" has pumping variations on the theme while "Family Business" almost returns to Medal of Honor territory with Nazi marches. Furthermore, I love it when choir adds the punch to the tracks, and "Hidden Valley Bunker" has that punch. Stating almost Latin Omen chants, this is what I wanted to hear.
"Swedish Fireballs" is the main theme surrounding the action music, "Trains, Plains and HMMWV's" shows progress with a powerful thematic content, as does "Gas Tank on the Roof", covering rhythmic Incredibles delight. "Countdown" by then grows to the choral climax, giving you Giacchino quality all right.
Altogether, there is a lot to like of Mercenaries. It's powerful, orchestral and covers good enough themes. But we must be honest in saying that Chris Tilton isn't Michael Giacchino yet. Of course this isn't a disgrace, because how many composers can now deliver what Michael Giacchino does each and every day? But the truth must be said, Mercenaries isn't a Medal of Honor or Secret Weapons over Normandy yet.
Tracklisting
1. Mercenaries Main Theme (4.11) Excellent track
2. Destination: DMZ (3.37)
3. Allied Nations (3.21)
4. Mercenary Without A Cause (5.39)
5. Deck Of 52 (2.03)
6. For The Motherland (2.31)
7. Family Business (3.02)
8. Show Me The Mercenary (2.04)
9. Honor And Strength (3.26)
10. Hidden Valley Bunker (4.53) Excellent track
11. Sniper (2.15)
12. Swedish Fireballs (3.02)
13. Trouble At Work (2.05)
14. Trains, Plains And HMMWV's (2.02)
15. Relentless Pursuit (2.25)
16. Gas Tank On The Roof (1.03)
17. Explosion Scherzo (1.50)
18. Thermal Event (2.11)
19. Countdown (3.05) Excellent track
20. The Blinding Flash (1.07)
21. World's Best Carpool Lane (1.54)
Total Length: 58.38