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Rating: Basil Poledouris's masterpiece: written to serve as the soundtrack for John Milius's visionary film that launched Howard's barbarian character into a true pop culture icon, this soundtrack has a majestic evocative power. Poledouris, with his music, manages to perfectly narrate the poetry of vast spaces, the violence of war, the most intimate and devastating human passions, the charm and horror of an era only dreamed of but never forgotten.
The exceptional nature of this work is especially noticeable during the viewing of the film, as the music blends with the images in a perfect manner, creating an indissoluble unicum. But, and here comes the enormous stature of Poledouris, the soundtrack also shines with a life of its own, recreating that vital tension that has always characterized the adventures magnificently told by Robert E. Howard.
Therefore, it's pointless to talk about one track over another (even though the beginning, with Prologue/Anvil Of Crom, is something wonderful!) because every single moment of this album possesses intense energy and suggestion. The Greek-born maestro reinterprets classical themes of tradition in his own way, assigning each instrument its precise role, alternating pathos with the wildest emotions, using choirs and voices exemplarily, yet carving his very personal groove within this tradition. The allure of gothic music, all the orchestral power, the perverse physicality and the reminiscences of Gregorian chant, the savvy cunning of contemporary music, sounds and noises taken directly from an unhealthy medieval era: Poledouris manages to bring to life a creature that is both terrible and fantastic, captivating and conquering the listener from the very first notes.
Ultimately, then, a perfect soundtrack but also a great album, recommended not only to all those who loved Milius's masterpiece, but also to anyone who simply wants to close their eyes to immerse themselves in a timeless era, that of Conan, the Cimmerian: a thief, a reaver, with gigantic melancholies and great mirth, who came to tread the jeweled thrones of the Earth under his sandaled feet.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Anvil of Crom (03:41)
Between the time
when the oceans drank Atlantis,
and the rise of the sons of Aryas,
there was an age undreamed of.
And onto this, Conan,
destined to wear the jeweled crown
of Aquilonia upon a troubled brow.
It is I, his chronicler,
who alone can tell thee of his saga.
Let me tell you of the days of high adventure!
02 Riddle of Steel / Riders of Doom (05:38)
Enses, enses requirimus, requirimus saevos nos.
Swords, we seek swords, savage ones.
Nos ferrei reges, servi fati.
We, iron kings, servants of fate.
Vale caelum, vale terra, vale nivis, morimur!
Farewell, heaven; farewell, earth; farewell snow; we die
Vale, morimur servis fati!
Farewell, for the servants of Fate, we die!
etc.
Enses requirimus saevos nos,
We seek savege swords,
nos ferrei reges servi fati,
We, iron kings, servants of fate,
morta ex terra mortiferra tela
bringing deadly weapons, sprung from the earth
in hostes bello ad moventes.
against the enemy in war.
Equos frenamus furentes
We control high-spirited horses,
Capi ta superba quatientes
shaking their proud heads
mortem hostibus et luctem date
Spirits of the dead, give death and bitter grief
acrem di manes sternadis.
to the enemy who must laid low.
Ave Nevis, ave ferrum,
Hail Nevism, hail iron
Ave tela, ave cruor
Hail weapons, hail terror,
Ave pugna, ave moritur.
Hail gore, hail those who are about to die!
Skylon!
Skylon!
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