Soundtrack (Blood and Chrome)
More actions
|
For other Battlestar Galactica soundtracks, click here.
For a general article on the music in Battlestar Galactica, see Music of Battlestar Galactica (RDM). |
|
| ||
| "Blood and Chrome soundtrack" An album of the Re-imagined series | ||
|---|---|---|
| Album No. | 7 | |
| Composer(s) | Bear McCreary | |
| Artist(s) | {{{artist}}} | |
| Producer(s) | {{{producer}}} | |
| Label | La-La Land Records | |
| Tracks | {{{tracks}}} | |
| Running Time | {{{runtime}}} | |
| Discs | 1 | |
| Released | {{{released}}} | |
| Chronology | ||
| Previous | Next | |
| Soundtrack (The Plan/Razor) | Blood and Chrome soundtrack | So Say We All: Battlestar Galactica Live |
| CD Version | ||
| Available at Amazon – Purchase | ||
| Download Version | ||
| Available at iTunes – [ Purchase] | ||
The Blood and Chrome soundtrack is the official music album for the Battlestar Galactica prequel film Blood and Chrome, composed by Bear McCreary and released by La-La Land Records as a limited edition CD in March 2013.[1]
Musical Innovation
The Blood & Chrome soundtrack represents a significant departure from previous Battlestar Galactica scores through McCreary's introduction of electronic synthesizers alongside the signature organic instrumentation of the BSG universe. For the first time in the franchise, McCreary employed heavy synthesizer bass lines, electronic textures, and distorted electric guitars to match the film's more adventurous tone and emphasis on action sequences.[1]
McCreary collaborated with legendary guitarist Mike Keneally (known for his work with Frank Zappa, Steve Vai, and Dethklok) and electronic musician Jonathan Snipes, who designed custom synthesizer patches for the production. The score blends these new electronic elements with the returning ensemble of BSG musicians, including Chris Bleth (woodwinds), MB Gordy (taikos and percussion), Paul Cartwright (electric violin), and Steve Bartek (electric guitars and sitar).[1]
New Musical Themes
The soundtrack introduces several new leitmotifs created specifically for Blood & Chrome:
- Military Theme - Representing young Adama's developing relationships with fellow soldiers, particularly his bond with Coker Fasjovik
- Becca Theme - A mysterious melody for Becca Kelly, performed by piano, gamelan, vibraphone and rhodes to create a "shimmering, vibrating quality"
- Coker Theme - A six-note melody reserved for Coker's emotional moments, played by solo bansuri with duduk accompaniment
- Destruction Theme - A mournful synthesizer melody inspired by Vangelis' Blade Runner, doubled with duduk for human expression[1]
Track Listing
- Dear Dad (3:58)
- The Galactica (1:37)
- Featuring Raya Yarbrough, vocals
- Contains "Theme from Battlestar Galactica" by Stu Phillips and Glen A. Larson
- Features Latin text: "Domini ducem dederunt agmen qui ducat caelorum" ("And the Lords anointed a leader to guide the Caravan of the Heavens".)[1]
- The Mission Begins (2:00)
- Becca's Past (2:42)
- Originally contained a Caprica theme quote in McCreary's initial version, later removed from the final film but retained on the soundtrack[1]
- Archeron (5:37)
- The Ghost Fleet (2:03)
- Coker and Kirby (1:48)
- Introduces the Coker Theme, highlighting the tender side of Coker Fasjovik's character.[1]
- The Last Battle of the Osiris (8:39)
- Built around a pulsing 5/8 rhythm, described by McCreary as "absolutely the largest action cue in Blood & Chrome".[1]
- Emergency Landing (1:58)
- The Ice Cave (5:23)
- Features innovative real-time orchestral conducting technique where McCreary shaped string tremolo patterns by hand while watching the scene.[1]
- You Will Regret This (5:38)
- Coker's Interlude (2:50)
- Performed by Joohyun Park
- Represents a classical piece by in-universe composer Stu Nomion that Coker Fasjovik learned as a child[1]
- Ski Lodge Battle (6:28)
- Automated Cylon Transmission Relay (2:58)
- Features hurdy-gurdy performed by McCreary, the only prominent use of this instrument in the BSG universe.[1]
- A Cylon Spy (4:01)
- Coker's Photo (2:32)
- Built from overlapping layers of the Coker Theme, described by McCreary as "probably the single most beautiful piece of music I wrote for the film."[1]
- Husker (3:12)
- Features the largest arrangement of the Military Theme ever written for any BSG series, augmented by ethnic soloists, full string orchestra, electric guitars and synthesizers.[1]
- Apocalypse: Blood & Chrome (4:53)
- Featuring Raya Yarbrough and Brendan McCreary, vocals
- Lyrics by Raya Yarbrough; Music by Bear McCreary
- Adapted from "Apocalypse" from The Plan, marking the first BSG composition with English lyrics.[1]
Total time is 68:17
Production Details
McCreary described the Blood & Chrome score as "the angry, rebellious teenage son of my Battlestar Galactica music," representing an experimental fusion of the established BSG sound with new electronic elements. The recording sessions featured innovative techniques, including a 5/8 rhythm in "The Last Battle of the Osiris" that required constant mental counting from the string players due to changing subdivisions.[1]
The soundtrack was part of La-La Land Records' renewed engagement with the BSG musical universe, with plans announced for a comprehensive Caprica soundtrack album to follow in April 2013.[1]
Press Release
La-La Land Records and NBC Universal proudly present the original soundtrack to the SyFy Channel special event BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: BLOOD & CHROME, composed by Bear McCreary (THE WALKING DEAD, BATTLESTAR GALACTICA, EUREKA, TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES).
Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome (a prequel to the critically acclaimed hit series, Battlestar Galactica) takes place in the midst of the First Cylon war. As the battle between humans and their creation, the sentient robotic Cylons, rages across the 12 colonial worlds, a young, talented fighter pilot, William Adama (Luke Pasqualino), finds himself assigned to one of the most powerful battlestars in the Colonial fleet: the Galactica. Full of ambition and in pursuit of the intense action that the Cylon war promises, Adama quickly finds himself at odds with his co-pilot, the battle-weary officer Coker (Ben Cotton). With only 47 days left in his tour of duty, Coker desires an end to battle just as much as Adama craves the start of it. Though they clash at first, the two men forge an unlikely bond when a routine escort mission with an enigmatic passenger (Lili Bordan) turns dangerous and becomes a pivotal one for the desperate fleet.
Acclaimed composer McCreary returns to the BSG universe with his amazing musical arsenal, launching a breathtaking score that recalls his famed GALACTICA sound while energizing it in exciting new sonic directions. Produced by Bear McCreary and Ford A. Thaxton, and mastered by Patricia Sullivan, this special release is limited to 3000 units. CD Booklet contains exclusive comments from the composer.
External Links
- La-La-Land Records announcement