Krull

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

This is James Horner at its most strongfelt stylistic route. The adventure genre where he can develop the fanfares, the pace and the excitement of an adventure either on the ground or on battleships. Krull is still after all this time a dream come true of a soundtrack. It is not only such a piece you love to listen to but it brings together the good things of Battle Beyond the Stars and the Star Trek scores II and III. Meaning, this is a brilliant thing after all for us score fans because these are the scores that got James Horner noticed in the first place. Now, Krull received several releases at the time but the one that contains the biggest pride is still the 2 CD release of Supertracks several years ago. It not only covers what seems to be the whole composed score but also several added unreleased tracks and a nice package containing the short biography and notes surrounding the context of the scenes which James Horner accompanied with music. All together, Krull is that spark of James Horner magic I wanted to hear more these past few years. And getting back to it on the level of pure excitement is the dream come true after a hard day's work.

The first disc is what introduces us to the two superb themes James Horner has written for the movie, the one is sensationally fast when it wants to but probably one of the most fun and exciting themes Horner has ever written and the other is a beautiful love theme which is instantly memorable and charmingly loveable you hardly can resist it. It is the stunning 3 or so minutes of 'Krull Main Title and Colwyn's Arrival' that deliver the ultimate performance of the main theme when followed by the love theme. This track ultimately leans close to Star Trek II and hell no is this a bad thing. 'The Slayers Attack' uses once more love theme versions which is reminiscent of Battle Beyond the Stars and further the suspenseful action music and fanfares that rain with fire. One of the unreleased tracks 'Lyssa in the Fortress' uses dissonance and darker versions of the love theme that deliver an extremely moody example of Horner's dark textures. On the other hand, one of the best tracks of the first disc is 'Battle in the Swamp' which is pure orchestral bombast full of heroic themes. The version of the love theme during 'Colwyn and Lyssa Love Theme' closes the score and still feels as fresh at is was at the begin of the soundtrack.

The second disc already opens with a sweeping main theme version before the more scary music is heard. 'The Widow's Web' is one of those tracks which use strong female explosions of mass before hearing dark passages a la Aliens, letting you believe there is actually one giant spider behind your back, just what the music needs to accomplish. And then be ready for 30 minutes or so of sensational adventure music, 'Ride of the Firemares' is one of those exhilarating tracks of pure pace which use the main theme to full effect. The use of choir is not mentioned before and contains either the female sound that can be emotional or scary, or containing the dark tone which usually accompanies the more threatening moody passages such as 9 and 10 of disc 1 and more during 'Inside the Black Fortress' and 'The Death of the Beast and the Destruction of the Black Forest'. The first is the best track of the entire double disc because it uses action / heroic statements, spine tingling fanfares, the love theme and the main theme in such a fashion it makes you breath for air after its finished. Trust me on this part! The second is equally stunning sometimes even if it contains some harsh dissonance along with it. Still, the building music of Horner is equally sensational and the brass players can only have fainted after the performance of it. The theme's versions during 'Epilogue and End Title' are a perfect close to the score. Everything is perfect about Krull, the length of the two discs are never overdone so you could listen to them after the same time, the performance is luckily in the hands of The London Symphony Orchestra, the choral touch is equally mystifying and Horner's overall thematic voice has never been any stronger. Krull is simply summarized one of the most mind blowing soundtracks of all time and is the ultimate top on my fun-o-meter. Definitely Horner's best!!!

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Tracks

Double Disc

Disk One: 46.14

1. Krull Main Title And Colwyn's Arrival (7.34) Excellent Track

2. The Slayers Attack (9.19) Excellent Track

3. Quest For The Glaive (7.23)

4. Ride To The Waterfall * (0.54)

5. Lyssa In The Fortress * (1.29)

6. The Walk To The Seer's Cave * (4.10)

7. The Seer's Vision (2.19)

8. Battle In The Swamp (2.40) Excellent Track

9. Quicksand (3.39)

10. The Changeling * (4.04)

11. Colwyn And Lyssa Love Theme (2.35) Excellent Track

Disk Two: 46.50

1. Leaving The Swamp (2.00)

2. The Widow's Web (6.19)

3. The Widow's Lullaby (5.02)

4. Vella * (3.47)

5. Ynyr's Death (1.42)

6. Ride Of The Firemares (5.23) Excellent Track

7. Battle Of The Parapets (2.53) Excellent Track

8. Inside The Black Fortress (6.15) Excellent Track

9. The Death Of The Beast And The Destruction Of The Black Forest (8.32) Excellent Track

10. Epilogue And End Title (4.50) Excellent Track

* Previously unreleased track

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=== Link to Composer Site: James Horner ===