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Composed, Conducted, Orchestrated, and Co-Produced by:
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Frederic Talgorn
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Co-Produced by:
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Ford A. Thaxton
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Release Date:
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January, 2001
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Availability:
Limited promotional release, available
only through soundtrack specialty outlets.
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Filmtracks Editorial Review:
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Heavy Metal 2000: (Frederic Talgorn) For the year 2000 animated
adaptation of Heavy Metal, there is perhaps no better candidate than
Frederic Talgorn to score the film. A veteran of producing scores for such
B-sci-fi/action films as Fortress and Robotjox, Talgorn has been
known by a wider audience more recently for his conducting of spectacular
re-recordings of famous modern film music themes under contract by the Varese
Sarabande label. For his original works, Talgorn is a talented artist at the
integration of a full orchestra to create rousing soundtracks. His scores of the
genre often feature loud and heroic brass-dominated themes and a substantial
level of volume throughout. A European composer by origin, Talgorn composes from
the European continent and acquires the assistance of European performing groups
to perform his scores. Heavy Metal 2000 is very much along similar lines.
Like so many of his other work, too, Heavy Metal 2000 is dominated by one
singular, stunning track. The fourth track, "Julie and Kerrie" (which is an
alternate version to begin with) is endowed with the full force of Talgorn's
thematic talents. While the theme is not as strong as that of Robotjox,
though, the track in its whole four minutes is an orchestral exercise in
sweeping beauty. The title theme performed with robust power of the brass in the
major key is complimented by pounding timpani and interludes of strings. The
same greatness exhibited in this one track is the one flaw, however, that
hinders many of Talgorn's efforts. While the title theme does exist in the rest
of the music for the film, it is never so well developed again. And for an
adventurous, space-faring epic, it is difficult to understand why more
elaboration is not possible. There is some more seductive development in track
nine, "Tyler Awaits his Wench" (for reasons we need not look beyond the title to
guess). The end titles offer a hint of the theme --which, come to think of it,
hovers in nobility someplace between the typical Trevor Jones and John Williams
style of heroicism-- but the album ends on a harsh, unharmonious chord that left
me scratching my head and wanting more development.
The thirty-five minutes beyond the thematic statements are strong orchestral
action cues. They resonate with the usual metalic sound of an Eastern European
performing group (actually the Munich Symphony Orchestra), which gives it that
expected, tougher edge than a British or American recording. And while the
filler cues offer tremendous volume from the orchestra, the music is ultimately
faceless in that it never fulfills a satisfying identity. For nonstop action,
with pounding percussion, blasting brass, and chopping strings, Heavy Metal
2000 excels at its purpose in propelling the action on screen, but on
album, you have to be in the precise mood to enjoy it. After much work, the
SuperTracks specialty label has produced this album as a limited promotional
product. The packaging is noteworthy for its pictures of nasty and naked cartoon
women being dragged around, taking showers, and cutting off heads with swords
and various other lethal weapons. I tell you this just in case you're one of
those moral crusaders who would be shocked to find such a thing on an album.
Then again, if you're one of those types, then you'll likely not care for
Talgorn's music in the first place! ***
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Viewer Ratings and Comments:
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• 1. Lost in Space (3:43)
• 2. The Key (1:15)
• 3. Planet Uraboris/Cortez (0:59)
• 4. Julie & Kerrie/Alternate Version (4:28)
• 5. Tyler Catches Kerrie (1:24)
• 6. Dead Planet/Shoot the Injured (2:29)
• 7. Assess the Threat (1:25)
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• 8. Julie's Journey (7:43)
• 9. Tyler Awaits his Wench (1:56)
• 10. Master, Come See/Crash and Burn (2:01)
• 11. The Holy Land (2:20)
• 12. Hospitality (1:51)
• 13. Tyler's Rage (7:11)
• 14. It's Over (End Title) (2:08)
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Insert includes a short note from Talgorn.
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