The Satanic element and associated suspense in Deadly Blessing comes in the form of deep, menacing choral tones (almost like throat singing at times) that incorporates religious power in solemn chime-banging that could have informed The Name of the Rose if the latter film had enjoyed a more ambitious budget. This material opens and closes the score and largely defines its ambient character. On the other side, the protagonists' pastoral theme for strings and woodwinds heard in the early cues is simply beautiful, evolving from "Main Title," "Martha and Jim," and the end of "Gluntz's Demise" into a similar love theme as a variation in "This Century is More Peaceful" that is a blatant rehearsal of material destined for The Spitfire Grill and Deep Impact. This idea never reestablishes itself at the end of the picture because, well, everything goes to hell without resolution. The mass of suspense and horror moments is tackled with extremely high range plucking and tearing on violins with disturbing effect, standard thumping stingers also applied liberally. Ultimately, though, the most memorable parts of Deadly Blessing are the direct references to Goldsmith's The Omen. When Goldsmith later made a much-publicized wisecrack about Horner "helping himself to the work of others," it's hard not think about Deadly Blessing, for its several cues of Latin chants (heard most impressively in "Trouble in the Convertible") use unconventional choral techniques, including the battling of vocal genders and crying, shrieking, and wailing females, that owe everything to The Omen. Horner's predictable handling of these sections makes Deadly Blessing an eye-rolling event, sending most listeners back to the lighter pastoral theme. Not many other highlights adorn this work, though Horner collectors will appreciate the more urgently tonal opening to "Faith Leaps Out" as a fascinating moment of foreshadowing for later works. Included with Wolfen on a longstanding 1997 "Pony Tail" bootleg, Deadly Blessing was finally released officially on an Intrada Records product in 2023. Due to the poor quality of the surviving tapes, expect significant variation in the sound from track to track. Some cues are substantially muted, but at least Intrada's source was complete. Luckily, the pastoral highlights sound fairly crisp. (Don't miss John Beal's ambitiously outrageous trailer music for the film at the end.) Hardcore Horner collectors will be intrigued, but don't expect more than academic appreciation from this blatant nod to Goldsmith.  **   @Amazon.com: CD or Download