Lakeshore Records releases The Ritual – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack for digital download. Four friends get together for the first time since the tragic death of a member of their group. A hike in the wilds of Scandinavia leads to a wrong turn into the forests of Norse legend, and a confrontation with an ancient evil. The score comes from composer Ben Lovett, who worked on American Folk, Synchronicity and Black Rock. He also collaborated with director David Bruckner on The Signal (which I reviewed back in 2009) and makes a return here with The Ritual. He temporarily relocated to England and worked with the London Contemporary Orchestra...

The music opens with an electronic version of a foghorn, which sounds periodically but becomes more sustained. A Celtic element is soon introduced with an off-key/off-kilter feel and throbbing heartbeat. Definitely on the edge of John Carpenter territory. A few tracks in, and menace brings back the violin Celtic element. 'Stalker' immediately sounds like the opening to Black Sabbath’s 'Iron Man', which then turns to something similar to a motorbike! Horror movie violins and cellos invade the experience. Something very different follows, as we enter a pacey more urgent feel. However, the further we get through the soundtrack the more individual sounds of the early tracks are combined for a fuller and more varied sound. The feeling of encroaching darkness and malevolence is created to good effect, but similar sounds are perhaps just a little over-used.

A competent and original soundtrack which is let down somewhat by repeated techniques.

5

Ty Power