Search - Jerry Goldsmith, National Philharmonic Orchestra :: Damien: Omen II (The Deluxe Edition)

"lacking the power as in the original but still worthy"

J. Lovins | Missouri-USA | 06/12/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Actor turned director Don Taylor gives us the second installment of "The Omen", which is entitled "Damien:Omen II". This horror sequel of Satan's son features Jonathan Scott-Taylor as Damien Thorn, William Holden (Richard Thorn), Lee Grant (Ann Thorn), Robert Foxworth (Paul Buller), Lew Ayres (Bill Atherton), Lance Henriksen (Sgt. Neff) and Sylvia Sidney (Aunt Marion). Sidney and Henriksen are the scene stealers in this gruesome tale, keeps the audience in a state of panic. But it is the score from Jerry Goldsmith that spreads a menacing and disturbing evil that gives your goosebumps...more goosebumps. What better composer to score a demonic-satanic possed teenager, and deal with the devil of a creepy screenplay. And give the menacing disturbing atmosphere with shades of eerie tense tones that can give you nightmares, even during the daytime. The answer to all your questions is legendary icon Jerry Goldsmith. Fills the goth program with every spell of musical genius he possesses. Varese Sarabande delivers this deluxe edition in gothic-style, allowing the "film-score-buff" to enjoy the entire score that was hidden in the vaults all these years. The CD is divided into two
parts ~ "The Album" section has ten tracks and "The Film Soundtrack" has sixteen tracks, which in many cases are short cues, but lend so much to the story-line that we wonder why it
was left out in the first place. But this is what Varese is so good at, gathering and sharing the complete score with all their fans of movie music. Goldsmith once again sends chills up and down your spine. Our composer has a talent for musical storytelling, he opens the door with "FACE OF THE ANTICHRIST", chanting voice mixed with low percussion and the plucking of string instruments is effective. With the cue "AUNT MARION'S VISITOR", as ravens gather to bring on the demise of a favorite relative. Taking a breather from terror we hear "SNOWMOBILES", a break in the action with an outstanding arrangement of strings and woodwinds racing the scales. Get ready for choir and organ with "NUMBER OF THE BEAST", strong cue with counterpoints adding satanic horror that would terrify the bravest music fan, brilliant choral performance on this one. A single male voice beckons as others join in "THE BOY HAS TO DIE", echoing the cry for the life of Damien is the eerie sounds of orchestra, as the women chorus join with a haunting reply, this in my opinion has highlight written all over it. Hats off to the National Philharmonic Orchestra, Lionel Newman (conductor) and our host Varese Sarabande for this undertaking, bringing the full score to all the "film-score-buffs" around the
world. In closing, listen to the final track "ALL THE POWER AND END TITLE", this makes the whole Satan recruitment of Damien worthwhile, as our composer Jerry Goldsmith pulls out all the stops, gotta love it! Total Time: 68:10 on 26 Tracks ~ Varese Sarabande 302-066-309-2 ~ (2001)"