Sony Classical release John Ottman's score for X-Men: Apocalypse. Apocalypse, the first and most powerful mutant from Marvel’s X-Men universe, amassed the powers of many other mutants, becoming immortal and invincible. Upon awakening after thousands of years, he is disillusioned with the world as he finds it and recruits a team of powerful mutants, including a disheartened Magneto, to cleanse mankind and create a new world order, over which he will reign. As the fate of the Earth hangs in the balance, Raven with the help of Professor X must lead a team of young X-Men to stop their greatest nemesis and save mankind from complete destruction...

John Ottman's score for X-Men: Apocalypse does exactly what you'll be expecting, delivering an epic, Hollywood blockbuster orchestral sound. The album opens with 'Apocalypse' which reminded me a little of David Arnold's work on the James Bond movies.

The album contains 25 tracks (1 hr, 16 min, 09 sec). There are so many interesting themes on display that this is a score that you'll get a lot of listening pleasure out of. I think, on balance, the most impressive track is probably 'Like a Fire'. As a fan of melancholic themes, this hit exactly the right note for me.

Other personal highlights include the subtle, yet beautiful 'What Beach?'; the epic 'The Transference'; 'Contacting Eric / The Answer!'; and 'Great Hero / You Betray Me'.

The final seconds of 'Eric's Rebirth' has a segment that is incredibly similar to a piece of music from Thomas Newman's soundtrack for The Shawshank Redemption. Check out the track 'Shawshank Redemption' from The Shawshank Redemption if you want to see what I mean.

'Beethoven Havok' incorporates Beethoven's Symphony No. 7 but Ottman puts his own twist on it.

An interesting score that doesn't disappoint.

8

Darren Rea