Navid Hejazi's original score for The Cry is released via Plaza Mayor Company Ltd...

If atmospheric, ambient scores are not your thing then you might like to give Navid Hejazi's soundtrack for The Cry a miss. At least that was my first thought. I'm someone who would normally shy away from this sort of release. However, digging beneath the surface Hejazi delivers way more themes and intimate little moments than you'll be expecting.

Yes, on first appearance it appears to be comprised of ambient horror cues that go nowhere. But this is clever subterfuge on the part of the composer. There are layers upon layers, if you move past the disjointed first impression.

Talking about the project, Hejazi says: "The Cry was a challenging score, where I had to combine the dark drama, subtle thriller and cruel horror from the story. Instrumentally, it gave me a chance to develop string techniques in creative ways, like using the instruments as percussion, coming up with a cello imitating a pulsating didjeridoo, using bending viola sounds to imitate ethnic woodwinds and creating different unsettling textures. The use of woodwind flutters became a signature sound for the score, supporting thriller and horror moments. All these are combined with traditional orchestral string ensembles to support drama and horror moments along the movie."

I loved the otherworldly feeling to score. And whilst it's not something I'd revisit that often, technically I totally fell in love with the sheer amount of inventiveness on display here.

7

Darren Rea