Sumthing Else Music Works, under license from Konami Digital Entertainment, release Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2: Original Game Soundtrack. Featuring the epic original score composed by Oscar Araujo and recorded at world famous Abbey Road Studios, the soundtrack is released on CD and MP3 album. In addition a Director’s Cut Soundtrack, includes twelve additional tracks, is available exclusively from Sumthing.com...

Following on from 2013's release of Oscar Araujo's incredible score for Castlevania: Lords of Shadow, Sumthing Else Music Works bring us his new score for Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2.

The album contains 19 tracks (1 hr, 09 min) and once again this beautiful orchestral score is packed full of epic themes. Those worried that Araujo might have taken the easy approach and delivered more of the same, reworking old themes, will be pleased to hear that nothing could be further from the truth. This album consists of new themes and, as far as I could tell there are no themes lazily reworked to form the backbone of this score.

I say "as far as I can tell" because despite listening to this constantly since I received it for review, I keep finding segments of beautiful music that must have passed me by of previous listenings. The reason for this, I can only assume, is that there are so many themes, so many epic moments, that it's difficult to pick them all out and remember them.

Of the tracks here, personal favourites include 'The Throne Room' (which builds slowly and blossoms into an impressive sweeping theme); 'Descent to the Castle Dungeons' (an impressive collection of beautiful themes crammed into 3 min, 53 sec); 'Dracula's Theme'; 'Hunter and Prey' (an outstanding piece of action music); 'City in Flames' (arguably this album's most beautiful track); and 'Carmilla's Spell' (which beautiful plays out the album).

As beautiful as this album was, I couldn't help noticing that there were segments in 'Dying for a Drop of Blood' that reminded me of James Newton Howard's score for Snowhite and the Huntsman (most notably the track 'You Can't Have My Heart'). Other than that there wasn't a track on here that sounded like music by any other score composer. This is a rarity for me as I can, and do, like to pick out the shortest of segments that sound similar to another composers work.

Araujo delivers another beautiful collection of original themes. This is an essential purchase for all score collectors.

10

Darren Rea