A string ostinato, dramatic chords and echoing effects make this feel like a ‘montage’ of death. “Reunion” is a sinister cue, whilst “A Quick Death” stands out for its forward motion. A deep tolling bell and the sound of dangling chains dominate this track, alongside sound effects and dramatic orchestral clusters. The film’s main theme receives a wonderful reprise in “Hellbound Heart”.Īll lyricism is put aside with “The Lament Configuration”. It supports a scene in which the dead uncle Frank comes back to life in a spectacularly gory fashion. What follows is one of horror’s seminal cues: “Resurrection”, a deliciously dark waltz for piano, strings and counterpoint brass. It’s grand and gothic, with a larger than life attitude. “Hellraiser” opens with its titular track, an opulent and brooding orchestral cue for strings and brass. If you’re curious to hear their work, simply open this link. Needless to say their work was rejected (not sure by whom exactly) and they reused their material on their album “Unnatural History II”. Barker initially opted for a soundtrack by industrial band Coil. When she opens the box she manages to strike a deal with Pinhead: she will lead the Cenobites back to Frank and in return they will spare her.Ĭlassic though Christopher Young’s scores for the first two films have become, he was not Clive Barker’s original choice. Larry’s daughter Kirsty discovers what’s going on with Frank and evil stepmom Julia, steals the puzzle box and flees the house. Julia and Frank were once lovers (and want to be so again), so in order for him to restore his body she seduces strangers and brings them back to the house to be devoured by Frank.

As Frank’s brother Larry and his new wife Julia move into the house, Julia soon discovers Frank… alive, escaped from hell, but without skin.

The first film sees Frank opening the puzzle box (in the attic of a family home) and subsequently being ripped to shreds by the Cenobites’ hooks. They bring pleasure (read: pain) to those who open a mysterious puzzle box (the Lament Configuration). The original story centers around demon Pinhead and his troupe of Cenobites. With the release of Clive Barker’s novel “The Scarlett Gospels”, which promises to bring Pinhead’s reign to an end, I think it’s only suitable to revisit the scores for the original “Hellraiser” film and the only two sequels worth mentioning.īased on his own novella “The Hellbound Heart” (1986), Clive Barker’s “Hellraiser” is a gothic horror film full or gore and sadomasochistic undertones (seriously… Mr Grey has nothing on Pinhead). Christopher Young, Randy Miller, 2003, Silva Screen Recordsġ4 tracks, 42:31 | 14 tracks, 61:10 | 11 tracks, 46:35

Hellraiser chronicles