Michael Wandmacher delivers a powerful score for the latest installment in the Underworld franchise, Blood Wars. The movie follows Vampire death dealer, Selene as she fends off brutal attacks from both the Lycan clan and the Vampire faction that betrayed her. With her only allies, David and his father Thomas, she must stop the eternal war between Lycans and Vampires, even if it means she has to make the ultimate sacrifice...

Michael Wandmacher (13 Sins; The Last Exorcism: Part II) pulls no punches with his music for Underworld: Blood Wars. While Paul Haslinger's score for Underworld: Awakening was big and bold, Wandmacher, on the whole, offers more reflective, subtle themes. The two approaches are very different, but both deliver satisfying results.

The album contains 23 tracks (1 hr, 32 sec) with personal highlights including 'The Nordic Coven'; 'Sunlight'; and 'Fate'. The album closes with 'Sound of Your Scream' by Brain and Melissa giving us the perfect indie rock finish.

This is a score that works just as well as a standalone album of intricate themes as it does when heard in the movie. I have to admit that in the past I've not been overly struck by Wandmacher's work, so it was great to finally see a project where he's allowed to flex his creative muscles and deliver something a little more in depth than cliched horror fair.

Repeat listening brings additional rewards as you peel back the layers of Wandmacher's work. This is an album that you'll reap the rewards the more times you play it.

8

Darren Rea