Sony Classical release Fernando Velázquez's score for Hercules. The film stars Dwayne Johnson as both man and myth, leading a band of mercenaries to help end a bloody civil war in the land of Thrace and return the rightful king to his throne. A tormented soul from birth, Hercules has the strength of a God but feels the suffering of a human...

Fernando Velázquez delivers exactly what you'd expect for the soundtrack to a blockbuster superhero summer action adventure movie. It's bold and it's beautiful and it's a wonderful album on its own merits.

There are plenty of memorable themes and set pieces, squeezed onto this album's 25 tracks (1 hr, 05 min, 14 sec) but I particularly enjoyed the subtle and sweet ''I Will Believe In You'; and the beautiful 'The Lion's Tooth'.

There are a few nods and winks to other composers works: 'Arrival at Lord Cotys' City' reminded me of 'Avengers' from Alan Silvestri's score for Marvel's Avengers; and there are a handful of occasions (most notably 'Alternative Ending') which brought to mind Patrick Doyle's music for Eragon.

Velázquez's score is a timeless classic in the same vein as some of hollywood's greatest composers including John Williams and Alan Silvestri. Whether you enjoyed the film or not this is a score that's well worth picking up.

9

Darren Rea