The Exorcism of Emily Rose
Christopher Young
" what happened to Emily and why? "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
Have you ever heard of Emily Rose? If not, you'll sure remember what happened to her upon viewing the intriguing movie of 2005. Apparently it tells the true story to what happened to Emily Rose and why. The movie is an intelligent mix between the exorcism and the trial that follows after the death of Emily, resulting in a battle between truth and faith. Inevitably it left a lot of room for Christopher Young to work with musically.
If "Prologue" doesn't start sombre enough for you, I don't know what will. Moody and unearthly dangerous, it soon goes for a cold piano melody and vocal main theme. And Young keeps on bringing cold music, as "Emily Rose" goes for creepy and sinister soft tones, leaving no room for happy thoughts. The same for "The Suffering Begins". Notice the returning cold piano rambling, depicting evil, danger, unearthly presences.
But Young goes for deeper danger soon. After all he has to underscore the ascending attacks and possessions of Emily. The Interludes aside (using the vocals), there's nothing more scary that possessions. During the first one, we are put through the most frightening of all experiences. "First Possession" is truly an amazing experience, unlike no other. "Second Possession" only explodes in the second part with terrorizing horror music while "Third Possession" carries an incredibly unnerving rhythm to the possession that is beyond comprehension, comprehension that it is so effective.
And yet "The Exorcism" doesn't deliver A atonality, it delivers THE atonality. This is atonality at its best, its most fearsome, its most interesting, its most unapproachable. The ones after that tone the horrific onslaughts down, with the sombre tones returning in "Six Demons", a sorrowful piano during "Interlude 3", soft religious choir in "A Vision of the Virgin Mary" with a sense of unease and finally some emotional colour in "Martyrdom" with the main theme, reprising this theme in "For Anneliese Michel" with the solo vocal.
Without a doubt, The Exorcism of Emily Rose is one of Christopher Young's most atonal scores of his entire career. And yet, when atonal is done right, it is take able. And who better to make it right than Christopher Young. Rookies who think to get a spin out of a new composer will leave the room with a headache. But experienced Young connaisseurs will discover that the fox hasn't lost his stripes yet, and it is easily one of Young's most creative onslaughts yet. And just when you thought it was safe to go back into horror music.
Tracklisting
1. Prologue (2.01)
2. Emily Rose (3.48)
3. The Suffering Begins (4.52)
4. Interlude 1 (2.14)
5. First Possession (5.27)
6. Second Possession (6.55)
7. Third Possession (7.22)
8. Interlude 2 (2.32)
9. The Exorcism (5.59)
10. Six Demons (3.36)
11. Interlude 3 (3.51)
12. A Vision of the Virgin Mary (3.31)
13. Martyrdom (5.36)
14. For Anneliese Michel (5.30)
Total Length: 63.22
If "Prologue" doesn't start sombre enough for you, I don't know what will. Moody and unearthly dangerous, it soon goes for a cold piano melody and vocal main theme. And Young keeps on bringing cold music, as "Emily Rose" goes for creepy and sinister soft tones, leaving no room for happy thoughts. The same for "The Suffering Begins". Notice the returning cold piano rambling, depicting evil, danger, unearthly presences.
But Young goes for deeper danger soon. After all he has to underscore the ascending attacks and possessions of Emily. The Interludes aside (using the vocals), there's nothing more scary that possessions. During the first one, we are put through the most frightening of all experiences. "First Possession" is truly an amazing experience, unlike no other. "Second Possession" only explodes in the second part with terrorizing horror music while "Third Possession" carries an incredibly unnerving rhythm to the possession that is beyond comprehension, comprehension that it is so effective.
And yet "The Exorcism" doesn't deliver A atonality, it delivers THE atonality. This is atonality at its best, its most fearsome, its most interesting, its most unapproachable. The ones after that tone the horrific onslaughts down, with the sombre tones returning in "Six Demons", a sorrowful piano during "Interlude 3", soft religious choir in "A Vision of the Virgin Mary" with a sense of unease and finally some emotional colour in "Martyrdom" with the main theme, reprising this theme in "For Anneliese Michel" with the solo vocal.
Without a doubt, The Exorcism of Emily Rose is one of Christopher Young's most atonal scores of his entire career. And yet, when atonal is done right, it is take able. And who better to make it right than Christopher Young. Rookies who think to get a spin out of a new composer will leave the room with a headache. But experienced Young connaisseurs will discover that the fox hasn't lost his stripes yet, and it is easily one of Young's most creative onslaughts yet. And just when you thought it was safe to go back into horror music.
Tracklisting
1. Prologue (2.01)
2. Emily Rose (3.48)
3. The Suffering Begins (4.52)
4. Interlude 1 (2.14)
5. First Possession (5.27)
6. Second Possession (6.55)
7. Third Possession (7.22)
8. Interlude 2 (2.32)
9. The Exorcism (5.59)
10. Six Demons (3.36)
11. Interlude 3 (3.51)
12. A Vision of the Virgin Mary (3.31)
13. Martyrdom (5.36)
14. For Anneliese Michel (5.30)
Total Length: 63.22