End of Days
John Debney
" Debney can't control the devil "Written by Thomas Glorieux - Review of the regular release
Director Peter Hyams worked one last time with composer John Debney, this on End of Days, the movie starring Arnold Schwarzenegger that cleverly played in the Y2K madness (aka putting a spin on it that the world will end due to the arrival of Satan in the final hour of new year's eve, 1999). Of course this didn't salvage the movie at all critically, but what did it matter if it was another Schwarzenegger hit financially). Anyhoo, John Debney was led on to tackle the end of the world alongside Arnie, and his effort is a hit and miss affair on all accounts. At one end, people seem to love the Gothic choral backbone that supports this fight for survival, infusing the loud score with this extra dash of religious power. At the other end, nothing could spell out chaos more than annoying sfx and one cEvin Key.
No trouble yet at the begin with a large Gothic choral chant over the menacing main theme in "End of Days Main Title", delightful promising stuff. This choir returns one time in ferocious form again, namely in the middle of the action packed "Subway Attack and Escape". And then the problems arise with the use of sfx, the use of electronics, the use of chaos to support the devil in any way possible. It mimics Christine's vision of the "Porcelain Man", it puts a ferocious percussive rhythm to "The Shooter", and it doesn't make "Alley Fight" any prettier when he hear nothing more than ruckus instead of orchestral ferocity. A much better example of how to let loose action is "Helicopter Pursuit". This track has additional sounds too, but here the orchestra is making the rhythm, not the sounds.
And then I don't even want to talk about those vocal effects, that throat singing you spot occasionally. While they enhance the mood of the film perfectly, they detract more than often due to the fact it's placed in already boring underscore ("Baptism in Blood", "Satan Walks the Streets"). And don't count the times you spot some boy singing "Agnus Dei" as well, because you'll lose count.
In fact there are very few tracks that can make an impression, considering most is either too chaotic or too moody. In fact the only redemption comes when soft choir sheds a little light on the subject in "Jericho Finds Faith / The Possession" and the finale "Redemption". Sadly Key ruins everything after that when he thinks he can compose too, mixing "End of Days Dance Mix" to shit. And his influence on "End of Days Alternate Main Title" isn't any better. In fact, Debney's strong elements are sparse in End of Days, and you can count the impressive moments or tracks on 1 hand. And considering the album lasts only for about 40 minutes, it's the less interesting material that takes the upper hand too frequently. Not enough to save the film or this listening experience.
Favorite Moment - Subway Attack and Escape (1.31 - 2.11)
powerful as hell
Track Listing
1. End of Days Main Title * (2.56)
2. Porcelain Man (1.17)
3. The Shooter (1.41)
4. The Tunnel * (1.43)
5. Alley Fight (2.18)
6. Baptism in Blood (1.41)
7. Helicopter Pursuit (3.05)
8. Satan Walks the Streets * (1.46)
9. Crucifixion (2.10)
10. The Beast Comes A Calling' (2.08)
11. The Gates of Hell * (2.41)
12. Subway Attack and Escape (4.44)
13. Jericho Finds Faith / The Possession (2.46)
14. The Eternal Struggle (1.46)
15. Redemption (2.40)
16. End of Days Alternate Main Title * (2.44)
17. End of Days Dance Mix ** (2.06)
* Featuring cEvin Key
** Produced by cEvin Key
Total Length: 40.23
No trouble yet at the begin with a large Gothic choral chant over the menacing main theme in "End of Days Main Title", delightful promising stuff. This choir returns one time in ferocious form again, namely in the middle of the action packed "Subway Attack and Escape". And then the problems arise with the use of sfx, the use of electronics, the use of chaos to support the devil in any way possible. It mimics Christine's vision of the "Porcelain Man", it puts a ferocious percussive rhythm to "The Shooter", and it doesn't make "Alley Fight" any prettier when he hear nothing more than ruckus instead of orchestral ferocity. A much better example of how to let loose action is "Helicopter Pursuit". This track has additional sounds too, but here the orchestra is making the rhythm, not the sounds.
And then I don't even want to talk about those vocal effects, that throat singing you spot occasionally. While they enhance the mood of the film perfectly, they detract more than often due to the fact it's placed in already boring underscore ("Baptism in Blood", "Satan Walks the Streets"). And don't count the times you spot some boy singing "Agnus Dei" as well, because you'll lose count.
In fact there are very few tracks that can make an impression, considering most is either too chaotic or too moody. In fact the only redemption comes when soft choir sheds a little light on the subject in "Jericho Finds Faith / The Possession" and the finale "Redemption". Sadly Key ruins everything after that when he thinks he can compose too, mixing "End of Days Dance Mix" to shit. And his influence on "End of Days Alternate Main Title" isn't any better. In fact, Debney's strong elements are sparse in End of Days, and you can count the impressive moments or tracks on 1 hand. And considering the album lasts only for about 40 minutes, it's the less interesting material that takes the upper hand too frequently. Not enough to save the film or this listening experience.
Favorite Moment - Subway Attack and Escape (1.31 - 2.11)
powerful as hell
Track Listing
1. End of Days Main Title * (2.56)
2. Porcelain Man (1.17)
3. The Shooter (1.41)
4. The Tunnel * (1.43)
5. Alley Fight (2.18)
6. Baptism in Blood (1.41)
7. Helicopter Pursuit (3.05)
8. Satan Walks the Streets * (1.46)
9. Crucifixion (2.10)
10. The Beast Comes A Calling' (2.08)
11. The Gates of Hell * (2.41)
12. Subway Attack and Escape (4.44)
13. Jericho Finds Faith / The Possession (2.46)
14. The Eternal Struggle (1.46)
15. Redemption (2.40)
16. End of Days Alternate Main Title * (2.44)
17. End of Days Dance Mix ** (2.06)
* Featuring cEvin Key
** Produced by cEvin Key
Total Length: 40.23