“Heavy Metal: The Score” Makes Premiere CD Release
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Said to be “Elmer Bernstein’s ‘Star Wars’,” “Heavy Metal” is considered by many as one of the great symphonic scores of all time. Rich, robust, thundering, and driven, the score has long been sought by collectors, and is finally available, courtesy of Rhino Entertainment Company, Elektra Entertainment Group, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Inc., Irving Azoff, the estate of Elmer Bernstein, the University of Southern California Cinema-Television Library, and the Loc Nar.
In keeping with the film’s anthological format, distinct melodies highlight the score, from the heroic anthem of Den to the moody film noir-esque Harry Canyon and the soaring love theme of Taarna.
The complete score has been faithfully remastered from the Bernstein’s personal 1/4″ stereo tapes (preserved with excellent sound quality) and presented in chronological order along with bonus tracks of selections edited for the 1981 Asylum Records LP. Liner notes by Paul Andrew MacLean draw from Bernstein interviews and include new comments from orchestrator David Spear, who adapted two of the cues from Bernstein’s original material. Stills from the film add to this beautifully produced CD.
For more information, to purchase, or to hear a selection of audio, please visit the Screen Archives website.