End of Days

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

It took some time but John Debney has finally attached himself to a project worth knowing about. And fans were equally thrilled about it. Arnold Schwarzenegger stars in this highly charged demonic effort of the end of the world. Debney may have a worthy title on his list but the musical accompaniment wasn't easy. How can you approach such a violent yet scary subject: a) with choir, b) with electronics and c) with a very rocky attitude. This all works fine inside the movie, and some things really do work outside of it, especially when you saw the movie but this will never be easy listening. The music of End of Days offers too less the musical accompaniment, too much of the synthesized noise or sound effects and just not enough of Debney's own voice. True, it isn't easy and there are some really impressive moments in the soundtrack, but others have attacked similar composers for their scary musical development, and just for Debney they seemed to make an exception, showing their rather positive remarks towards this score. The score's main positive side are several tracks including the highly powerful 'End of Days Main Title', the action tracks 'The Shooter', 'Helicopter Pursuit', the choral performances during 'Subway Attack and Escape' and 'The Eternal Struggle' and the enlightening 'Redemption' that offers the only uplifting moment of the score, rather a redemption for the score itself.

But the rest offers too much bombast of electronics and that annoying cEvin Key doesn't help much either in this process. Really, this is what it has to do inside the movie but nobody can call this the music to play for your mother or father. There is too much underscore and parts really lose my interest. Do not be fooled, I was even more negative when I heard it the first or the second time but seeing the movie helps a great deal in appreciating the music for what it has to do, not as musical material. I don't hate this score but it doesn't offer both the development or the accompaniment. Still, End of Days starts to build positively in the right direction and seeing the movie helps a great deal in this, trust me. Debney did a rather fine job but he mixed the electronics a bit too loud, and persons who don't expect this will even worship the devil after this. Especially the last two tracks are horrendous and that cEvin Key really starts to irritate me when you hear it again and again. This score isn't bad and what it achieves to do is perfect for the movie and the subject. But the electronic part of the movie score is nothing to be proud of. Deleting those last two tracks would have helped a great deal in enjoying the score a bit more but they are a part of the album nonetheless. The end result is nothing short of demonic but the electronic supplement and cEvin Key have destroyed the half of the third star. So blame him instead of me.

\ЕЕ1/2/

Tracks

Single Disc

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

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

=== Link to Composer Site: John Debney ===