SORCERER (OST)

3.5 stars

First movie soundtrack by TANGERINE DREAM, "Sorcerer" was commanded to the German trio by film director William Friedkin ("The Exorcist", "The French Connection"...). Contrarily to what the title may suggests, the film deals neither with witchcraft nor black magic, but is a remake of Henri-Georges Clouzot's 1953 "The Wages Of Fear". The scenario is about trucks transporting nitroglycerine, "Sorcerer" being the name of one of the vehicles. Friedkin discovered the band's electronic soundscapes during a projection of "The Exorcist" in Munich and confessed he would have asked TD to take care of the film's music if he had knew them before.

TANGERINE DREAM supposedly composed the soundtrack before a single scene of the movie was shot, only by reading the scenario, which is quite unusual in the cinematography industry. Initially an hour and a half long, the selected material was finally shortened to 44 minutes by the film director. The style is on par with the band's releases of the 1976-1977 period, "Stratosfear" and "Encore", however the tracks are much shorter than usual. This may surprise the fans used to long evolving soundscapes. Instead, this disc consists of small disturbing, threatening or gloomy ambiances. The danger lurks everywhere...

The opener "Main Title" is in fact not a theme at all, but is rather a nightmarish ambient piece with strange electronic effects. "Search" is more melodic with its nice changing sequences. One of the best passages of the record. Then comes "The Call" a cool floydian track in the vein of "Shine On You Crazy Diamond"'s opening. The slow "Creation" displays a menacing atmosphere, whereas "Vengeance" possesses slight reminiscences of "Statosfear", however more sinister. The most original composition is "The Journey". Its unusual robotic rhythm contrasts with the smooth melody.

"Grind" pre-dates the fast sequence used 3 years later for "The Thief", that will become a gimmick of TD's concerts during the 80's Schmoelling-era. Not very peaceful, "Rain Forest" is a rather somber HELDON-esque jungle. "Abyss" is the longest track but unfortunately not the best. A crazy and messy ambient pit. Calm and hope come back with "The Mountain Road" and "Impressions Of Sorcerer" and their tribal percussions. The ender "Betrayal (Sorcerer Theme)" is of course the iconic tune of the disc with its dark electronic loop and hazy mellotron interventions.

The music represents well the title and the picture. I did not saw William Friedkin's movie, but I saw Henri-Georges Clouzot's, so I would tend to say the soundtrack suit the film scenes. Overall, despite a few less interesting passages, "Sorcerer" a nice collection of different eerie ambiances. Do not expect long hypnotic spacey soundscapes here.

Recommended for fans, this first movie soundtrack by TANGERINE DREAM is probably their best. It marks the entrance of the band into the film industry, who will become one of its most prolific film music composers...

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