Underworld by Paul Haslinger

Underworld Composed by Paul Haslinger Lakeshore Records (2003) Rating: 4/10   More clips from Underworld at Amazon.com

Synth-Slinger
Review by Christopher Coleman


In that lull between blockbusting-Summer-flicks and the onset of the the more subtle-season of Autumn-Drama, come films like UNDERWORLD. Maybe not true competition for the "Reloadeds," or "Pirates" of the Summer, but certainly full of enough eye-candy to giving those coming off of their Summer-highs a reason to spend one more Saturday afternoon at the theater.

While vampire films never seem to be in short supply, one that pits them against werewolves? Well, that's a decent enough twist. UNDERWORLD's story allows first time director, Len Wiseman, to fill a typically gothic environment with reasonably intriguing, but sadly derivative, fight sequences...and a bit of story, too. Still, for the eye that is on holiday from the organ upstairs, there is plenty to gawk at. But what about the ear's pleasure?

Once again composer Paul Haslinger brings his staple of electronic feastings to the table. The majority of the score is what one would expect: an expansive backdrop of wandering synths, overlaid with live orchestra samples, frequent percussive loops and grungy, industrial sound design. It works well enough in the film, but is not one of your better stand-alone listens.  For those who are not already given to this flavor of music, this album will likely rub you the wrong way. Unfortunately, there are only a few moments where Paul Haslinger's style, found in past contributions to Graeme Revell spearheaded projects like: RED PLANET, THE SIEGE, and THE NEGOTIATOR, comes to the surface.

Likely the most sought after music having any connection to UNDERWORLD has been one of the songs utilized in the film's trailer. The track, "Red Tape" by Agent Provocateur (track 6), was mysteriously left off of the compilation song soundtrack, but finds its way onto this release. Its inclusion almost single-handedly makes the CD a worthwhile investment.

Rating: 4/10

Track	Track Title	Track Time	Rating
1	Introduction	0:52	**
2	The End of an Era	1:32	**
3	Deathdealers Deploy	2:17	**
4	Darkness Deep Within	1:20	*
5	Transformation	1:28	*
6	Red Tape - Agent Provocateur	4:57	***
7	Suspended Memories	2:00	**
8	The Crypt	0:56	**
9	Bloodlines	5:12	**
10	Metamorphosis	2:25	**
11	The End of an Era (Reprise)	2:34	***
12	Anger and Retribution	3:48	**
13	Corvinus	3:54	**
14	Subterrania	0:58	*
15	Fire Falling from the Sky	2:57	*
16	Miserere	2:49	*
17	The Last Stand	2:34	**
18	Eternity and a Day	4:04	***
19	Keep Watch Over the Night	5:38	**
	Total Running Time (approx)	52 minutes