MovieScore Media teams up, once more, with composer David Stone Hamilton for the release of his score for Carl Strathie's Dark Encounter. This soundtrack has a more sombre tone than their previous collaboration, Solis, but is no less impressive in both its scope and delivery. The movie follows a grieving family who has yet to learn the truth about the mysterious disappearance of their 8 year-old daughter. When strange light appear in the nearby forest, the family is exposed to an inexplicably strange phenomenon that rattles them to the core...

Much like his work on Solis, David Stone Hamilton gets to the heart of the movie, engineering themes that draw inspiration and then pour emotion back into the scenes they are composed for.

This is a score that not only works its magic in the movie, but also works incredibly well when listened to in isolation. Even if you haven't seen the film, the music conjures up imagery in the listener's mind. Tracks like 'Lights in the Sky' are chilling and other-worldly. Whilst 'Forest Encounter' is one of many instances where the theme is engaging and epic - certainly music that you'll remember.

There were several instances were I was reminded of the flavour of Jerry Goldsmith's score for Poltergeist. It's not that this pays homage, more that it shares common roots and gives off the same emotional connection, being both creepy and beautifully orchestrated at the same time.

Yet another fantastic score from Stone Hamilton that you should immediately add to your wish list.

10

Darren Rea