John Ottman: Portrait of Terror
Halloween H20: 20 Years Later

The story behind the score for Halloween H20 is a well known one by now. I'll recap it anyway; growing composer John Ottman was set to score the film. After completing the score, the post production team decided to make some big changes. Almost all of Ottman's great score for the film was chopped apart or replaced. Most of the replacement music were temp tracks from various Marco Beltrami scores (Scream, Mimic, etc.). While the new msic fit the film's tone, it was definitely a crime to see all of Ottman's hard-worked score get thrown out over some dumb decisions. Fortunately Ottman managed to release the music under the name 'Portraits of Terror'.

For those woondering about how John Carpenter's iconic theme is fit into the score, they need not worry. Rather than blatantly using the theme, Ottman manages to integrate it into the music perfectly. The best example is 'Main Title', which offers a great orchestral rendition of the theme and combines it with bass so loud it might destroy your speakers when turned all the way up. The theme is also hinted at throghout the score, as well as some subtle references to John Carpenter's other music, best heard in 'Narrow Escape' (a little side note, props for the 'Psycho' motif used in 'Advice). Alot of the suspenseful music works well on the album, being creepy and thrilling at the same time with orchestra, synth, and choir being blended. However, some of the highlights come with the more orchestral themes. 'Laurie', 'The Evening Begins', 'Seventeen', and 'Road Trip' all feel memorable and fresh, especially for a horror score.

Listening to 'Portraits of Terror' is a sad reminder of the score that shouldn't have been cut up the way it was. The music sounds great and would have fit the film perfectly. If there is one problem, however, it would be that alot of the suspense music drags on and slows the album down. Otherwise 'Halloween H20'/'Portraits of Terror' can be considered one of Ottman's better scores.