Search - Christopher Young :: Hellraiser: Chronicles

Hellraiser: Chronicles
Christopher Young
Hellraiser: Chronicles
Genres: Pop, Soundtracks
 
  •  Track Listings (14) - Disc #1
  •  Track Listings (14) - Disc #2
  •  Track Listings (11) - Disc #3

Liverpool-born Clive Barker has forged his macabre visions into a virtual literary/film/art empire. The early epicenter of that domain was the Hellraiser series, a demonology originally informed by Barker's distinctly dark...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Christopher Young
Title: Hellraiser: Chronicles
Members Wishing: 2
Total Copies: 0
Label: Silva America
Original Release Date: 1/1/1987
Re-Release Date: 3/25/2003
Album Type: Original recording remastered, Soundtrack
Genres: Pop, Soundtracks
Style:
Number of Discs: 3
SwapaCD Credits: 3
UPC: 738572080921

Synopsis

Amazon.com
Liverpool-born Clive Barker has forged his macabre visions into a virtual literary/film/art empire. The early epicenter of that domain was the Hellraiser series, a demonology originally informed by Barker's distinctly dark sense of style and storytelling. Crucial to their evocative atmospheres were musical scores (the first three of which are collected here) that eschewed much of the contemporary horror/slasher genre's electronic synth'n'shriek sensibility for sweeping gothic orchestral concertos that played off decades of fright-film tradition, yet brought a tragic human melancholy to the table as well. Christopher Young's masterful soundtrack for the first film sets the tone: Hammer horror visited by the enticing ghosts of 20th century modernism-past. The composer's second installment explores more sonically mysterious terrain, veering from diabolic walls of percussion and demonic choirs to the eerie sounds of a hellish carnival midway. Randy Miller expands on Young's work, informing the saga's third installment with a driving, percussive sense that's more traditionally action-film oriented in its approach, yet economically effective in its own right. This limited edition (3000 copies) three-disc set archives the scores for the original three films (as well as an informative new booklet) in an elaborate, fold-out puzzle box inspired by the films' own mysterious central prop. --Jerry McCulley
 

CD Reviews

Chilling, Majestic, Powerful
Inspector Gadget | On the trail of Doctor Claw | 03/28/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Chris Young has done some awesome scores in his career. Most of these come in rare limited editions (Urban Legend is rarest yet) so they're quite hard to come by. Much like this set. If you see it in a store...buy it.His score to the first Hellraiser movie combines magical amounts of mystery, horror and intrigue that reflects the black magic nature of the film. The evil atmosphere is laid on so thick in the music that some tracks are actually bone-chilling. I love Young's approach to the film. Instead of a synth-sound (common with 80's horror movies) he opts for a huge orchestra of brass and strings and menacing piano cues, giving it more integrity that other horror scores of the time. Some of it sounds like his score to Hard Rain (which is also very cool) and some of it sounds like a warped, demonic music box.The Hellraiser II score, while larger and more operatic, lacks the mystery and dark seduction of the first. It's a more conventional approach and Young gets a bit to carried away in making it overblown and bombastic. Some tracks, like 'Hall of Mirrors' and 'Chemical Entertainment', are just seven minutes of noises that stimulate in no way. The Hellraiser theme isn't used as dynamically as the first and it seems to take a backseat to constant crescendos and blasting orchestra. Hellraiser III takes an action-based approach. Though composed by Randy Miller it definitely sounds like Chris Young as all the instruments are the same. I'm glad he respected Young's material enough to emulate it. Scoring a horror film with action cues is quite original, especially as high quality as this. But none of the tracks for this threequel are particularly great and the Hellraiser theme is sparsely used among the pounding action cues. As the sequels multiplied the uniqueness of the scores diminished. Don't get me wrong, there is some classic stuff in here that is well worth the five stars. It's just disappointing this couldn't be kept up throughout the three movies. This box set is limited to 3000 copies and comes in a cool fold out box that resembles the Lamont Configuration and is shaped like a crucifix. It's definitely one to get if you're a fan of Chris Young."
Best Soundtrack Collection Ever!
Brendon Schlitt | New Jersey | 11/06/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Wow this is a great 3 CD set. The music of the first three Hellraisers definitely adds to the atmosphere of the movies. I recently got into the movies of Hellraiser and was thrilled to see that these were released into an affordable collection."
"Clive Barker ~ Christopher Young ~ Randy Miller ~ A Winner"
J. Lovins | Missouri-USA | 04/01/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Silva once again has taken the lead with "Hellraiser:Chronicles", three separate scores based on stories by horror writer/director Clive Barker. The first two films "Hellraiser" and "Hellbound" are composed by Christopher Young ~ overwhelming choral work, magnificent arrangement with a large orchestra and choir. Intermittently dark, with scattering of choral tonalities that pulse sat around each counterpoint. Young's score stands very well by itself, would be well received in a concert hall with each cue keeping you on the edge of your seat. The final film in this chronicle is "Hellraiser III:Hell On Earth", as Randy Miller picks up the baton and continues the saga of Pinhead. Miller's score is more dynamic, abundant brass and loaded with percussion ~ takes many liberties that certainly pay off.Total 3-CD-Set ~ Silva America 809 ~ (3/25/2003)"