Headhunter (Video Game Score)

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

As said countless times before, video game scores are becoming wild property on the market itself. The success of the Medal of Honor scores of Michael Giacchino are a prime and clear example of that fact. But other video game scores show equally their talent and whether it is Final Fantasy, Outcast or a more synthesized product, it seems to sell well. One of the recent scores becoming very popular is Richard Jacques' Headhunter, an action suspense score which again presents melodic music with a wonderful up tempo feel. The fact is, the score is becoming so hot that there are plans for an official release and there is no reason why not to bring it out since each track listens great on itself. The score overall remains in the same mood and even if it misses in that part a bit of diversity, the score is still shimmering with one great track after another. More, Jacques' very percussive background beat never makes the score settle out. However the greatest fact of Headhunter's success is the countless times Richard Jacques throws in variations of two single themes. Each track have the themes in abundance and whether with horns or on flute, the themes makes the effect happen on disc, if not the most in the game itself. There is very little room for non action material but its present nonetheless. 'Meet Angela Stern' is where the flute comes in handy in bringing a very relaxed moment in what seems to be a total variation on the main theme. I'm not fully sure but it sounds that way to me, anyway the full minute is welcome and more darker / light suspension pieces 'Angela's Quest' (with flute), 'A Dark Secret' and 'Jack's Dream' bring at least something else.

From those last tracks we have even some light choral touches and the last even a welcome sign of the violin. But this score is still mainly concentrated on the action music. This is no Medal of Honor action music where the theme is developed and furious brass blasts appear from left to right. No, this is rhythmic action / suspense music which carries from begin to end a pace unimaginable, a beat unmistakable and a drum section unstoppable. Especially the constant fact that drums and strings return along with the brass keep this score going well from start to finish. The sign of the main theme is already noticed in 'Main Title' but its fully fleshed performance is kept for 'Jack's Theme', and its a wonderful theme. Always on trumpet, this theme is playful, heroic and never heard twice in the same variation or sounding version. And also Jacques has a way in creating horn blasts from the legendary composers, Williams on Star Wars in track 2, Arnold (Godzilla) in track 14 and Conti (for the Rocky fame) in track 16. 'Ready for Action' is the first great action piece but the start of some truly wonderful action sets is kept for 'Greywolf', a truly spectacular piece of pace and energy. Another theme which works its way onto the score is heard the best in 'Ramirez at Bay' and again the constant return of this theme in various guises is great onto itself. 'Aquadome' captures more of the brilliant string and brass work and is another excellent highlight and as foretold the choral soft backing during 17 and 18 are a welcome addition.

But there is always a finale waiting to emerge. 'Zweiberg's Nightmare' is an excellent set of suspense and action, accenting the drums and various themes but 'Final Conflict' is the best of them all, bringing with the 67 piece orchestra (strings and brass in blazing glory make this sound like this is a 134 piece orchestra) and choir (continuously showing its face) a devastating climax of fanfares with the Ramirez theme and main theme to be exact. Richard Jacques is also a wonderful suspension builder. Its the pace that drives this score but overall this soundtrack is no furious action score but a wonderful suspension builder with either the pace or not to prove it, 'The Stern Legacy' which has a bit of The Bone Collector in it. Headhunter as a score has a healthy doses of music, a wonderful set of ideas but its the constant reminder that the themes are so variously changed of tempo, sound or orchestration keep this score rolling. It doesn't have the finesse of Medal of Honor because there, the various themes and instrumentation give the scores either more color or more edge, but Headhunter is wonderful in giving action scores about chases a run for its money. This score could work in any movie or even game of that sort. From a film music fan's perspective, Headhunter misses true diversity of tone to keep this score at the ultimate helm of movie scores for a video game but its pace and wonderful melodic voice is well enough to keep you on edge from the start you hit the play button to the end where its game over.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Main Title (0.50)

2. Escape From The Lab (1.56)

3. Meet Angela Stern (1.06)

4. The Stern Legacy (3.14)

5. Jack's Theme (5.09) Excellent Track

6. On The Prowl (4.04)

7. Ready For Action (2.15)

8. Headhunting (2.22)

9. Greywolf (4.10) Excellent Track

10. Assault On The Mall (4.17)

11. Fulci's Final Threat (2.14)

12. Ready For Action (Reprise) (0.54)

13. Ramirez At Bay (5.05)

14. Aquadome (4.14) Excellent Track

15. Angela's Quest (4.07)

16. The Queen Of Hearts (3.07)

17. A Dark Secret (3.37)

18. Jack's Dream (2.05)

19. Zweiberg's Nightmare (4.19)

20. Final Conflict (4.34) Excellent Track

21. Game Over (0.22)

22. Credits (3.40)

Total Length: 67.52

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