The Ring/ The Ring Two [Soundtrack]

Hans Zimmer (Artist), Henning Lohner (Artist), Martin Tillman (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 15, 2005)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B0007TFGWQ
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #190,793 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Rooted in Hideo Nakata's cult Japanese thriller, 2002's box office success The Ring and its '05 sequel updated the horror genre via a timely, technology-based gambit. But this anthology of soundtrack cues from the popular contemporary horror franchise succeeds by largely avoiding the rhythmic stem-winding, synth-sound washes and metallic thunder that characterize all too many modern horror scores. Instead, veteran Hans Zimmer, aided and abetted by protégés Henning Lohner and Martin Tillman, conjures a compelling, less-is-more aura of shadowy suspense and mounting tension. The music fuses the brooding Bernard Herrmann of Psycho and Marnie with the hypnotic, goth-prog conceits of Italian frightmasters Goblin. But that evocative, minimalist sound gives way to a more contemporary—and clichéd—stew of thrash-guitar and booming electronics in the collection's final quarter. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Killer Score....yet some flaws, March 16, 2005

By	J. Brewer - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have been waiting to hear the score for The Ring since it came out and finally hearing it on a official soundtrack was great. Considering that Ring Two was hitting the screens, it was obvious to release both scores at the same time...on a single disc. I have to say that all of the music here on this cd is very good and pleasant to listen to, especially if you are a big fan of the ring or even zimmers music, because this is one of his greatest works.

The Good-
The sound quality of this soundtrack is very very good and worth buying. It really enhances the score and makes it very clear and listenable, compared to the lesser sounding promo edition. Like I said all of the music here on this soundtrack is very good and I think they hit alot of the highlights in the film. The new music for the Ring Two was also great to hear and makes me even more eager to see the film.

The Bad-
Yes there are alot of mistakes that went into this soundtrack. My major complaint is that there is not any kind of list that says whether the track is from The Ring or Ring Two. Each track is a suite of different tracks from The Ring and Ring Two one after another. I really wished that they had put the score to The Ring first followed by the score to The Ring Two. I am also very very upset that there was not very much music from The Ring. There is only 18 minutes worth of music from the first film which i think is pretty sad. And were are looking at an hour cd here. There are alot of great tracks that were on the promo that didn't make it here. They include the music when Samara is being interviewed, when the horse jumps off the ferry (yet we do get an alternate version of it for The Ring Two), and the music when Rachel and Noah find the well under the floorboards. I also missed alot of other good tracks from the film like when Rachel picks the fly out of the TV, when Aidan goes up into Kaite's room, when Rachel finds the Katie's photobook with all the scratched out faces, the music during Rachels dream....the list goes on. I just think it's too bad that they wern't able to sqeeze in one more track with stuff from the original movie.

Still, I was overall quite happy with what I got and I think The Ring has one of the greatest horror scores of all time. it is one that should not be missed!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great score, but a little long in the tooth., December 30, 2005

By	Julie B. Thompson (Pembroke, MA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Say what you will about the 2002 remake of The Ring (and remakes of J-horror in general), there's no denying the film boasts a great score courtesy of Hans Zimmer, Henning Lohner and Martin Tillman. A wide variety of instruments and interesting sounds are used, creating one hell of an atmospheric track that holds up well independent of the movie.
However, I do have some complaints:
First and formost, there are only twelve tracks, so each track is very, very long (the first one clocked in at around eleven minutes or so!). I think that the score could have easily been broken down into more than twelve tracks for sure.
Second, the first five or so tracks all sound nearly identical--they even go so far as to reuse certain cues many times over.
And finally, the last two tracks--"seven days" and "television", techno-remixes of the main theme--were completely unnecessary. Not only do they break the mood the earlier tracks build, but they are in themselves very cheesy-sounding as well (Never thought I'd say "cheesy" when describing a Hans Zimmer score!).
Do I recommend this soundtrack? Absolutely. The first ten tracks are great, moody pieces that build an ominous, somber atmosphere perfect for both the film and a rainy, dreary day. I do wish, however, the score was broken-down a little more, as it tends to drag at times. Great music anyways...

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing, April 15, 2007

By	Jennifer "littlelady" (MA, USA) - See all my reviews

One word...phenomenal. The music is amazing and produced with exceptional quality. Highly recommend this to anyone who loves the movie, or music for that matter!