The Peacemaker

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

Hans Zimmer's sole project (without forgetting the already forgettable few tracks on the forgettable Smilla's Sense of Snow) was the action thriller The Peacemaker. Without blushing it is the epitome of the original action score of today. Crimson Tide is almost the same breeze but here the tension is replaced with raw action and bursts of supreme action music. I always consider Hans Zimmer more than an action composer but definitely he is the best when it comes to this because he himself stated that Gladiator was difficult, Crimson Tide a walk in the park. So The Peacemaker is gonna deliver a headache to those that don't favor Hans Zimmer's action music but those that love it will receive bombastic choral and orchestral music from the top of the food chain. Correctly, you have heard it, orchestral (especially if you read all the names of the musicians in the booklet). Of course the synthesizer and added sound effects are on the job too but this is not the synthesized crap, more the themes and action rhythms are sensational. If you want an action score with thought and inspiration, and just the count of decibels then look no further because The Peacemaker is the one you have been searching for all your life. And I love it!

First of all, Zimmer is not afraid to step into foreign mood like some others who stick with their born sound. African, American or Russian laid, Zimmer is there to add the punch. The same here with the East Block choral mass and the Bosnian inspired use of material. Such as in the first mammoth track 'Trains' which brings after each other a Russian march for the commander, a Choral song (written by Zimmer it seems to be), the energy of Muppet Treasure Island and on 10.30 a short inspired foreign piece to represent the Bosnian passengers onboard the train. More it ends with a memorial like hymn, choral of course. 'Devoe's Revenge' is the first action track with the theme to proof it, at 1.45 be ready for its dazzling release. This is what they call a rollicking action track. 'Sarajevo' adds more spice to the proceedings with a Gladiator like vocal accompaniment and Bosnian flavored piece at the end of the track, the vocals are as in the last track of Mamak Khadem. But the cream of the crop remains 'Chase' with a 17 minute bombardment of (for some noise) excellent action music. This also marks the best appearance of the action theme (with added choir at the end) on 15.30 and don't think it will stop until the end. Zimmer might do it fast, he remains the king when it comes to this baby.

And finally 'Peacemaker' lets the Bosnian touch return with the short guitar solo (or whatever instrument it is) and the vocals by Mamak Khadem. It especially adds a foreign grace to the score that many composers would have neglected to use, also the Crimson Tide mark is high with more of that sweet choral mass, sweet majestic choral mass. At 54 minutes and with 5 tracks this might seem to be a difficult score. But the score will only be difficult if you don't accept the sound, the theme or the style because this works just as good as Crimson Tide and others. I sometimes hate long tracks but in any case I also hate short tracks. It is all about putting the stuff in it to make the track count on the occasion. And luckily The Peacemaker fulfills these statements with bravura. Any Zimmer freak out there who likes a fantastic, raw action score with themes to send you up the wazoo will find whatever they need in full speed tempo, at the highest order of bombast and with just the right kind of detail and intelligence. I'm sorry but these are no ordinary action scores like they sometimes mention of several Media Ventures products. It doesn't mean that if they are recorded in Media Ventures that they sound Media Ventures like. The Peacemaker is an example of pure unalderated testosterone action music and doesn't need a bomb to blow up your living room. More, you wished you pushed the button yourself and even more than once.

\도도/

Tracks

Single Disc

1. Trains (13.53)

2. Devoe's Revenge (5.15) Excellent Track

3. Sarajevo (8.42)

4. Chase (17.04) Excellent Track

5. Peacemaker (9.42)

Total Length: 54.43

The use of artwork or photos is posted for non profitable reasons

=== Link to Composer Site: Hans Zimmer ===