Scores to THE ROOST and JOSHUA due

By: Randall D. Larson
Date: Thursday, August 03, 2006

Celebrating its 10th release since our launch in January, MovieScore Media is about to release Jeff Grace's soundtrack music from two notable low budget horror films, THE ROOST and JOSHUA.

Classically trained, Grace was an assistant to Howard Shore for many years, and worked on all three LORD OF THE RINGS scores before he pursued a career as a composer in his own right.

"This one is probably our most 'bold' release so far," said MovieScore's Executive producer, Mikael Carlsson. "We are very proud to present this difficult, uncompromising horror music that brings back memories of Penderecki, Lutoslawski... and, of course, a little horror film called THE EXORCIST."

Exploring even darker territories, composer Jeff Grace moves from Middle-Earth and Tolkien to the world of zombies and vampires in the acclaimed cult horror film THE ROOST, directed by Ti West. Grace's refreshingly modern horror score, written for a string quartet using many experimental avant garde techniques, is a very impressive work that ranks among the best of scores written in the low budget horror genre.

A suite from Grace's very effective score for the low budget horror film JOSHUA, directed by Travis Betz, is also included on MovieScore Media's release. The score features an unforgettable opera aria sung by Joanna Mongiardo.

Grace's music for THE ROOST has been noted by many reviewers as an important contribution to the film's success. "The dark score by Jeff Grace and the array of creepy/freaky sounds at play gave me the heebie-jeebies!" wrote The Arrow at joblo.com. The Los Angeles Times wrote that the film team, including Jeff Grace, knows "how to craft a scary tale and mine their limited budget for maximum chills." Severed Cinema compared Grace's music to Bernard Herrmann's PSYCHO and Joseph LoDuca's music for EVIL DEAD. About JOSHUA, Slasherpool.com wrote that "the violins work brilliantly and create a great and creepy atmosphere."

THE ROOST, which was ranked as one of the top-10 films of 2005 by the Bloody Disgusting web site, opened theatrically in London earlier this year and will be released on DVD in the USA soon. JOSHUA was released on DVD by Hart Sharp Video in February.

Jeff Grace has just finished work on Larry Fessenden's THE LAST WINTER starring Ron Perlman.

THE ROOST will be available exclusively from iTunes on July 25, 2006, with wider digital distribution to follow.

Cinescape's Music News provides weekdaily news and views on film music, game music, progressive rock, and other notable musical genres, culled from a variety of sources.