Maximilien Mathevon's score for the documentary film, Rollon, is released by Plaza Mayor Company Ltd. In the 10th century, the Viking Rollon was banished from Norway. He travelled to France where he became the founder of Normandy...

The music for Rollon was composed in order to represent the Viking and warrior side of Rollon, as well as the Christian side of Bishop Francon, who arranged Rollon's fate. Instruments employed include cymbalum, harp, flute, as well as the use of choirs.

Once again Maximilien Mathevon ventures into unknown territory to deliver a score unlike any he's been tasked with before. His enthusiasm for the project, as always, shines through and he produces a collection of themes that are hard not to connect with.

The album consists of 19 tracks (42 min, 58 sec) and is a joy to listen to from start to finish. There are a handful of themes that appear frequently throughout, but each time they are included Mathevon finds a new way to present them - be it different instrumentation or a change in tempo or speed. At times I was reminded of Lorne Balfe's score for 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi.

It's an ambitious and well conceived score.

8

Darren Rea