Humanoids from the Deep
Intrada Special Collection Volume ISC 495

Following closely on the heels of Intrada's release of James Horner's Deadly Blessing comes another early horror score from Horner: Humanoids From the Deep (1980). Although previously released on CD several times, this is the first release to work from the complete 24-track recording sessions, restoring Horner's score into a complete program. This new program features a level of detail not previously heard, particularly in the some woodwind and percussion colors that are almost inaudible in the original mix. Horner composed the score for an orchestra of strings, woodwinds, piano, harp, xylophone, marimba and an array of percussion, including mixing bowls, as well as the blaster beam. A lone trumpet is the only brass instrument in the score. Following the complete score program is the newly remastered original album, preserving those edits made for the LP program as well as the album mix with which collectors have become familiar.

There are two principal themes in Humanoids From the Deep, both debuting in the “Main Title.” First is the eerie and seemingly alien theme for the Humanoids on solo trumpet. The second major idea is the theme for the village of Noyo and its blue-collar residents. First appearing on piccolo, the tune is melancholy, with a shifting tonal center that captures the depressed and uneasy state of the village. Horner weaves these themes throughout the score, along with a plethora of suspense and action, showcasing what a world-class composer James Horner was even so early in his career.
Humanoids From the Deep tells the story of a village divided: an impending construction of a new cannery by the Canco company sets the indigenous community against the rest of the town. Each believes the other is out to get them, but the paranoia escalates when local women begin to go missing. With the arrival of a Canco scientist, it emerges that the village is under siege by human-sized fish monsters—hyper-evolved from coelacanths (an ancient order of fish) who had consumed experimental salmon from a Canco laboratory breach. The action culminates as the creatures lay siege at the local salmon festival.

Intrada presents the World premiere of complete James Horner early horror score! “They’re not human. But they hunt human women. Not for killing. For mating.” So goes the movie taglines on posters marketing the film in 1980.

Intrada presents the World premiere of complete James Horner early horror score! “They’re not human.
But they hunt human women. Not for killing. For mating.” So goes the movie taglines on posters marketing the film in 1980.

The taglines pretty well sum up the picture. Key roles feature Doug McClure, Vic Morrow, Ann Turkel, legendary creature designer Rob Bottin fuses life from both land and sea into one grotesque “humanoid” creation, Barbara Peeters (and uncredited Jimmy Murakami) direct for Roger Corman’s New World Pictures.

Picture tips hat heavily towards gore effects and sexual escapades of incoming 80’s “adult” material with closing nod in particular to 1979’s Alien. Composer James Horner writes his second score after The Lady In Red, showcases his understanding of the horror movie medium and his considerable composing talents with a score orchestrated for strings, woodwinds, piano, harp and percussion while leaving all brass at the door save a lone trumpet for select solo work. With reverberating echoplex in tow, Horner launches his “main title”.

Dissonant colors for scary happenings in full orchestra, austere solo work for trumpet over strings and origins of his love theme on piccolo (an unusual romantic sonority) all appear. In following “Buck-O” (named for small vessel), Horner opens with exhilarating flourish for woodwinds and piano with xylophone punctuation to accompany the boat, first into adventure then horror. In previously unreleased “Surprise For Baron”, composer aims for suspense surrounding dog that encounters terror of its own followed by frantic search for the missing pet.

Other highlights abound: flute over harp and trilling violins bringing love theme into focus if only momentarily, intense string jabs mirroring “Jerry’s Death”, rousing strings punctuated by snare drum (snares off) and tympani that opens “Tommy’s Struggle”, mystery of complete “Hill House” finally erupting into moment of orchestral fury are just four of them.

Entire score is all newly-remixed from recently discovered 2” 24-track session elements, reveals numerous orchestral colors buried in original 1980 mix, especially in woodwinds and percussion.

For fans familiar with initial album that was released back in the day, new remastering of that oft-released production also appears, retaining Horner’s mix and program choice but with crisper and more detailed sound quality.

Score recorded March 15 & 16 at Wilder Bros Studios in Los Angeles. Flipper-style artwork enhances package design by Kay Marshall, informative notes by John Takis. David Newman conducts, James Horner composes.

Intrada Special Collection CD available while quantities and interest remain!

More info at: Official Web Site Intrada Records

More info at: James Horner Film Music (Fr + Engl)