Now and then a something will come along and redefine the norm. A few years ago, that was the case with horror films and a movie called Saw. I remember the premise “How much blood would you shed to stay alive?” The previews were intense. So of course I went to see it.
Brutal and gut wrenching is how I would describe that movie. Brilliant in it’s story too. Probably one of the most original ideas I had ever seen for horror. Set a trap with a way out, but that way out has a catch. If you choose to take that catch, you might very well enjoy your life that much more despite the maiming that you incur.
I liked it so much that I went to see the second one. Which was still pretty brutal, but the idea was already losing focus. Then I went to see the third one. It had completely lost it’s nerve. Thus I didn’t go to see the fourth. This year there is a 5th. The jury is still out as to whether or not I’ll go see that one.
What didn’t get lost in Saw III was the music.
That probably has a lot to do with the man behind the theme and the production. That man would be Charlie Clouser. One of the top artists in the whole industrial and programmed music genres. He’s revered. He knows his way around a piano, and he really knows his way around sound. That’s a potent combination.
Which is why I’m thinking about Saw III’s music right now. As I stare at the poster of the original Saw movie framed and hanging in my studio. Why do I have that? A former girlfriend who did a great thing for me, got it and gave it to me for Christmas. Oh the irony in that one eh? A movie poster about pain, blood and possible death on a holiday about love, peace and life. It was still a good gift.
As for Charlie, I think he’s written one of the most intense themes for a horror movie. It’s not the most simplistic, maybe not the most recognizable, but it is intense. It also builds, and builds in its fury. That’s something I really like music to do. Build. Ramp up. Charlie is definitely no stranger to doing that. Hell he worked for very intense music builder – Trent Reznor. I’m sure some of that rubbed off on him.
Either way, if you’re not a Saw fan, you can probably still appreciate the intensity of the music Charlie has created. We all need some intense music from time to time. Go get it now and have it ready when you want to feel more intense, more, alive!