3. 300 - Composer: Tyler Bates
It was a long time before I saw this film. I'm a huge fan of that part of history and to see a comic-booky adaptation of the Greek Persian War brought to life...needless to say, I wasn't sure what to expect. But I was pleasantly surprised with the film. It's got some captivating, if over the top performances from Gerald Butler's Kind Leonidas and his band of Spartan warriors. Lena Heady is strong and captivating as always as Queen Gorgo. And Rodrigo Santoro was virtually unrecognisable as the god-like Xerxes. I loved the action and horror and the sense of desperation that was captured in the final struggle. But its soundtrack...that is something else altogether. Tyler Bates created a suite of music that is staggering epic. Even if you haven't seen the film, you should pick up a copy of this soundtrack. The heroic 'Returns A King, filled with heavy percussion and a mournful choir, this piece builds to a magnificent crescendo. It lifts the hairs on the back of my neck every time I hear it. In contrast is the synthetic, thundering beat of 'Fight In The Shade' and the powerfully emotive 'Glory', 'Message For Queen' and 'Remember Us'. It's very eclectic soundtrack for sure. Tyler Bates mixes electric and bass guitars with ancient percussive instruments like the toumbek to create something unique and powerful. I recently read a review of the soundtrack that summed it up as follows. "If any listener is not prepared for an audio assault of the third kind, that listener may find their ears laying, bloodied and vanquished upon the ground." I don't think I could have put it any better myself. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVVHTBAA-VU