CD REVIEW - IMAGO MORTIS


Imago Mortis
Music by Zacarias M. de la Riva
MoviesScore Media MMS09013
30 Tracks 50:11 mins

MovieScore Media continues its support of the current Spanish film scoring scene with this release of Zacarias M. de la Riva's symphonic score for the Italian/Spanish horror film Imago Mortis, which stars Geraldine Chaplin. The film has already opened in Italy and is expected to to premiere in Spain and other territories later in the years.
The music is performed by the Bulgarian Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, conducted by Dejan Paulov and is a mix of dark and light, with truly menacing moments competing with some quite beautiful passages for strings and choir.
The score opens quite tensely with "Following Instructions," but quickly opens out with strings and choir and, after a brief moment of sadness, turns quite delicate with flute and piano, before ending warmly with woodwinds and strings. The following "Astolfi Stands Up" could not be more different, with frantic action giving way to much menace, before choir injects a brief and somewhat religious feel at the conclusion. "School" lightens the mood, a pleasant, choir-enhanced piece of travel music, but darkness returns, along with some awe in "The Thanatoscope."
As previously stated, there is much variety in the tracks that follow, with some really lovely moments lulling us into a false sense of security, before the carpet is pulled menacingly out from under. Choir is virtually ever present, and effectively enhances the orchestra throughout.
I haven't heard anything previously by this composer, but this is certainly an impressive effort and, somewhat unusual for a contemporary horror score, many of which I find virtually unlistenable away from the film they serve. Having said that, genre fans will find plenty of frightening moments to enjoy amongst the strong melodic writing that abounds.
Available both on CD and for download, go to http://www.moviescoremedia.com/imagomortis.html for more details, samples and even a trailer.