October 06

31 Days 31 Scores

October 6th

“I don’t know if this forest made you psycho or you were always this crazy.”

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Welcome back to 31 Days 31 Scores.  Today we look at a recent score, 2016’s “The Forest” by Bear McCreary.  The score creates a great vibe from the beginning with “Main Title”.  The dissonant female voices set the mood for the score to come.  McCreary always brings so much to the table when he scores anything and this is no exception.  Getting away from the droning horror score that seems to be the norm these days, McCreary crafts a thematic score with layers that one often doesn’t see in a modern horror score.    There is a creepy vibe throughout the score and this especially effective in the cue “The Reversing River” with hints of ethnic instruments throughout.  This excellent vibe continues through the cues “Alone In The Cave” and “The Cabin” with a call back to classic horror scores that build tension, it’s very refreshing to hear.  The score ends with a pumped up version of the “Main Theme”.   McCreary’s score breaks from tradition and actually creates a wonderful creepy landscape. What could have been a droning score in the hands of another composer becomes a rich and full score with moments that truly draw you in and earn their “jump scares”.   McCreary continues to excel in many different genres this is just one example of his immense talent.

Join me tomorrow for more 31 Days 31 Scores where “First it controlled her mind, then it destroyed her body… Long live the new flesh!”