Based on a true story, the story of the most terrifying case of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren features original music by Joseph Bishara. Before there was Amityville, there was Harrisville. Based on a true story, The Conjuring tells the horrifying tale of how world renowned paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren were called upon to help a family terrorized by a dark presence in a secluded farmhouse. Forced to confront a powerful demonic entity, the Warrens find themselves caught in the most terrifying case of their lives...

I want to start off by apologising for how "incomplete" this review is. Unfortunately, for some unfathomable reason, we were sent a review MP3 file which was one long track. So, I have no idea where one track ends and another starts and so can't single out tracks of merit (of which there was only one, anyway).

I can't imagine how soul destroying it is for a composer to have to write music for a horror movie. For some reason it appears that one soundtrack was written at the dawn of the genre and has been borrowed wholesale ever since. It doesn't have to be like this. Bernard Herrmann wrote some wonderful pieces, but all too often these days atmospheric, jumpy music cues are all that a director wants to use. It's as though the visuals are not creepy enough; a music score of shock moments is the only reason the audience jumps out of their skin.

Because of the way the music was presented, I found it hard to listen to. I normally like to play a score through several times, make a note of the interesting tracks and then single those out. Here, unfortunately the whole thing just merged into one atmospheric blur. We even get a creepy music box tune - now that's original.

There is a segment of music very near the end that finally allows Bishara to shine, a little, but it's too little too late.

If dull, cliched, atmospheric cues are your thing, then congratulations; here's another collection of tracks that you've heard a million times before. It may work well in the movie, but just feels lifeless when listened to on its own merits.

3

Darren Rea