A review by JAMES SOUTHALL

In common with many of Arnold Schwarzenegger's films, End of Days is ludicrously enjoyable despite being unbelievably stupid.  Released just days before the start of the new millennium, the movie sees Satan turning up on Earth in search of a bride so he can bring about the apocalypse - all very nice.  Gabriel Byrne hams it up as Satan, with Schwarzenegger playing an ex-cop who's mankind's last hope.  The Governor is truly hilarious here, even moreso than usual, but that only adds to the enjoyment.  John Debney is now enjoying the best days of his career so far in the wake of his excellent score for Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ, and it's interesting to revisit some of his scores from earlier in his career.  Sadly for him, they are almost all for excruciating movies, but I think some listeners would be surprised by the level of quality often present. 

End of Days is a distinctly superior horror score.  Known primarily for his music for lightweight comedies and family movies, Debney has actually tackled the horror genre on a number of occasions; this is almost certainly his finest effort within it.  He came up with a deliciously eclectic mix of elements to produce a pleasantly original approach, combining traditional orchestra, electronics, choir and "ethnic" elements.  The opening title cue is certainly a highlight, with the beautiful sounds of a solo boy soprano both opening and closing the piece, sandwiching some excellent music for orchestra and choir.  Elsewhere, it is true that there is a little too much dull suspense music for the album to be entirely satisfying, but when things get going, boy does it pack a punch.

"Subway Attack and Escape" is the undoubted highlight, mixing pulse-pounding action music, choir (both real and sampled), a Tuvan throat singer (who produces a truly disconcerting sound), the boy soprano and electronics into one truly thrilling whole.  Things get truly apocalyptic towards the end in "The Eternal Struggle" and "Redemption", which underscores our hero saving the day (or, if you don't want spoilers, perhaps he doesn't, who knows?) with some lovely modal writing.  End of Days is a score with many fine moments, easily one of Debney's most satisfying, and would make an excellent first port of call for those wanting to explore the breadth of the composer's output before The Passion (though clearly it shares little in common, musically, with the later score for an altogether more sensible movie based upon Christian theological notions).  

Tracks

1. End of Days (2:52)
2. Porcelain Man (1:17)
3. The Shooter (1:41)
4. The Tunnel (1:44)
5. Alley Fight (2:18)
6. Baptism in Blood (1:42)
7. Helicopter Pursuit (3:06)
8. Satan Walks the Streets (1:46)
9. Crucifixion (2:10)
10. The Beast Comes a Callin' (2:08)
11. The Gates of Hell (2:41)
12. Subway Attack and Escape (4:46)
13. Jericho Finds Faith / The Possession (2:45)
14. The Eternal Struggle (1:46)
15. Redemption (2:40)
16. End of Days (alternate) (2:44)
17. End of Days (dance mix) (2:06)