The Fog (1980) Soundtrack [Expanded] [2xCD]

The updated version of Silva Screen’s long deleted and sought after 2000 reissue of John Carpenter’s sparse, piano-driven ambient/electronic score to ‘The Fog’.

This release brings together not just the original album, which featured 20 minutes of newly released music, but a second 20 track disc of the entire score, drawn from the original tapes, re-mastered by long-time Carpenter collaborator Alan Howarth. The multi-talented filmmaker not only directed and wrote his films but also created his own unique brand of atmospheric synthesizer scores.

“I went back to Sound Arts Studio in central Los Angeles and quickly began composing and recording new tracks. Dan Wyman, my creative consultant on Assault On Precinct 13 and Halloween was at my side programming the synthesizers, keeping a critical eye on my multi-tracked performances and maintaining quality control over the long hours of recording and mixing. And, out of all this frenzy, re-working and re-structuring, I produced what I consider to be one of my best scores” – John Carpenter.

Editor's view..

Whilst The Fog (1980) certainly sits among the higher echelons of Carpenter's incredible filmography (such lofty positions also held by the likes of Escape from New York (1981), The Thing (1982) and of course Halloween (1976)), it always feels to me like more of a much-loved cult gem and less "mainstream" (if indeed many/any Carpenter could or should be labelled as such!). That cult love of The Fog most certainly extends to the director/composer's piano-led score for the film. This 2xCD expanded official release will make a suitably atmospheric addition to your soundtracks collection! ~John_