Krull

After what seems like dozens of different releases of varying degrees of completeness, Krull has finally appeared in complete form on this double CD set from Super Tracks. All other editions of the score are now impossible to find and so this is a more than welcome release. What is almost certainly Horner's finest fantasy score is also one of his most interesting and most complex featuring many different ideas and themes that are all blended together. There is never a dull moment in the entire 90 minutes and considering how boring some of Horner's recent extended releases can get, that is a more than remarkable achievement. From the opening low pedal note that is then layered with eerie vocal intervals before the main theme is heralded with tumbling brass to the marvellous love theme and thrilling action cues, Krull remains a supreme achievement. Of all the Horner scores I've heard, I'd say that in many ways Krull is probably the most difficult listen. Many parts of the score are layered with almost horror like music with descending synth effects and ominous choral ideas that are really quite chilling and most effective.

The additional tracks that appear over and above the original 70 something minute version don't add a great deal, but flesh out quite a lot of the music in the middle of the score. Of all these, the one that made the most impact was The Walk to the Seer's Cave which starts off with a chirruping string figure which soon segues into some very ethereal textures with an almost new-age feel. Otherwise, there is no particularly superb material that appears, but it is good to have everything in film order and it does some way to break up all the action cues (great though they all are).

I would suggest that the opening and ending of the score are perhaps the most exciting parts. The protracted finale moves through all range of Horner action scoring with very rhythmic sections and blaring brass and hair raising synths that build inexorably toward the destruction of the Black Fortress (not 'Forest' as it says on the track listing!) which features the chorus yelping and groaning not unlike the devices employed in Goldsmith's Omen score.

It is difficult to know whether to recommend this release if you have the 70 something minute version since all the best material is contained on that release. If you only have the 45 minute version, then many superb cues are missing (the Main Title perhaps being the most prominent) then it would be well worth the investment. Not only is the score a superb achievement, there is very little that can be made out as sounding close to anything else and considering Horner's track record, that is quite surprising, but I think Krull is a surprising score. It shows a much more dynamic and interesting composer who seemed to make life easier and easier for himself. There's no denying that the effectiveness of his scores in the film has changed, but the interest level on CD has gone down considerably. I can't think of any recent Horner scores that would stand up to a complete 90 or more minute release without becoming rather boring.