300 (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) [SOUNDTRACK]

Tyler Bates

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 6, 2007)
• Original Release Date: March 9, 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Warner Bros / Wea
• ASIN: B000MTDRDG
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #30,251 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Listening to this soundtrack at full blast one often feels as if the Spartan and Persian forces are coming right at you, then ferociously pummeling your eardrums--and this is meant as a compliment. Tyler Bates's score is basically a modern update of the battle classic to end all battle classics: Carl Orff's Carmina Burana. On the opening cue "To Victory," Bates throws in everything he's got: powerful choral singing, massive percussion (you can almost feel the weight of those Japanese taiko drums), and of course an otherworldly female voice. All these elements are then parceled out over the following tracks, taking turns to dominate the cues, and sometimes coming together again in majestic shows of force--the music can sound absolutely humongous at times ("Submission," "Come and Get Them," "A God King Bleeds"). The most interesting development is the use throughout of electronic treatment; even when the technique is applied subtly, it's very efficient in adding a spooky dimension to the album's very sonic texture. And while you'd think an electric guitar would feel incongruous in a movie set in 480 BC, it actually injects a screaming sense of urgency into a track such as "The Hot Gates." As for that aforementioned female voice, it belongs to Iranian-born, L.A.-based Azam Ali (of the duo Vas), who makes essential contributions on tracks like "Cursed by Beauty" and "Goodbye My Love." --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Product Description

Epic, emotional and inventive describe the action drama 300 and also its score. Written and produced by Tyler Bates (Dawn of the Dead, Rob Zombie's The Devil's Rejects, and Slither), Music From The Motion Picture 300 boasts a sweeping palette, embracing a tonal foundation unfamiliar to studio films. Orchestral and choral, 300 features the haunting, exotic vocals of Azam Ali, featured in world music groups Niyaz and Vas.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Epic to the Core, March 26, 2007

By	C. M. Gillum (Michigan) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

What could possibly be more epic than 300 warriors fighting to the death against hundreds of thousands? This was a question i asked after seeing the movie but now I have the answer: This Soundtrack. This album truly cover all the basis' of what the word 'Epic' means. From soft eerily dark melodies to engaging bombastic drumming and of course head first into the guitar driven battle themes.

This album takes you to a place known as Sparta and you will feel the as though you are the one leaving your family behind to march to war and almost certain death ('What Must a King do' & 'Goodbye my Love'). It empowers the listener to feel as though you are there shield to shield with your war ridden comrades as you feel the very earth below you shake due to the approaching enemy('The Hot Gates' & 'To Victory'). This is no mere Soundtrack to a movie but in fact the story of 300 men told through one thing all can relate to.. Music.

I urge you to pick up this album if you are interested. It truely is a work of art & is easily one of the greatest scores written to date. So if you are a fan of Epic Musical Scores or just Symphonic music in general than this album will be a treat for you. The aforementioned tracks are my favorites and you may wish to hear them to get a taste of what this album can offer. Truly a magnificent addition to my collection that has yet to leave my stereo. Thank you for reading and please check out both the movie & Frank Miller's amazing Graphic Novel all of this is based on.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome use of musical resources, March 13, 2007

By	Barbara E. Jones (Royal Oak, MI USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I checked this out because I loved the soundtrack for "Slither". I have neither seen "Slither" nor "300", but I collect soundtracks that move me. The use of full orchestra, electronics and voice are some of the best I've heard.

Also, I'm going to look up some of the works of Azam Ali. I rarely buy soundtracks with vocals in them, but I loved her vocal contribution.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The power, the mystery, the glory, May 17, 2007

By	D. E. Short (Clearwater, Florida) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you knew the basic history of 300, or read the absolutely beautiful graphic novel, as I did going in to see this film, then the score probably did for you what it did for me, even if it was only subconscious.

I personally was overjoyed at the overall texture of the score from the first sounds to the last. At once the opening is drama and movement, expressing a moment where things are already in motion and moving towards a inevitable conflict. Every moment from then to the final battle holds within it a sense of a warrior's march towards certain sacrifice. The sense of almost arrogance in one's own strength, needed to face another with the final outcome being death. The unrelenting and uncontrollable pumping of the heart with anticipation. Even the softer more esoteric moments of the Ephors has a sense of sadness mixed with duty and purpose.

The score is stark, almost surreal, much like the original artwork and story. It is blunt, bordering on aggression, all of which fit perfectly with the mentality of the Spartans and the delivery of the film. This is not to say there was a lack of grace and subtlety.

On the contrary, there is a constant sense of structure. With flowing transitions and underscoring that allows the audience to breathe in the feelings evoked. And as much as I generally try not to perpetuate the over use of words, there is a "haunting" sense to the entire score. Mostly apparent during the softer moments, the feeling of tragedy to come, lilts through out. Even during the moments of victory and glory there is a sense of futile effort. That every note will be silenced, save for a few lamenting refrains.

I may be going overboard, but I loved the graphic novel, I loved the film, and I loved the score. And when you can interchange the score with the film and the book, somebody did something right. I could go on for pages on this score, but I simply leave it at this.