Here is a review of my "The Battle of Gelendor Field" I got on the site Gods of Music (site is dead now)

http://www.godsofmusic.com/gom/reviews.php?action=detail&id=3837

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Film scores. They are some of the most interesting things to review. There exists within these pieces much variation, each with a different story to express. This piece, The Battle of Gelendor Field by Chris Holm, is a story of a battle between the Dragonlord’s Army and King Gandorius IV, the finale to the legend of Anval. I’m not being assigned to review the story, just the music. But in a way, the music really is the story.



This score begins with the first movement, March of the Dragonlord’s army. This is begun by a short orchestral string prelude, which leads into a splendid march arrayed with shouts of horns and the progressive beat of drums. Gong strikes punctuate this march and another band of horns joins in, casting its own onward melody in tune with the march. The progressiveness of the main beat and especially the horn melody entwined with the march make this an excellent first movement.



At 2:20 the next movement initiates, which is the battle itself. This starts off with a simple string melody laced with staccato horn blasts until 3:30, at which this movement begins to move at a more accelerated pace. The violins drive into a somewhat furious melody, while the horns back up with a war cry of their own. The blend here is very forceful, yet retains a distinct melody. This melody builds upon itself and peaks at 4:20, which begins the next movement.



The next movement signals the arrival of the King, his Royal Guard, and the King’s advisor, the wizard Eldor Darklight. The instrumentation breaks from the war and dons a more regal approach. The cries of the horns and percussion back and forth make way for the next phase of battle.



We return to the battle at 4:57, but it is shifting in favor of the enemy. The horns, strings and the bassoon are playing a darker melody, as a prelude to impending doom. Yet it is all building to an upcoming climax. At 5:55 the violins deploy a high, building melody as the wizard Eldor summons up all his power in an attempt to vanquish the foe in this desperate time of need. And at 6:04, Eldor releases his spell and destroys the enemy with one swift blow.



A choir of angelic voices laced with staccato gong blasts leads the next short movement, as the battle draws to a close. The dead bodies of the enemy army plague the ground as an aura of sadness in the midst of victory arises. At 7:20, a cello melody perfectly personifies this sad, yet desired triumph. This movement is very beautiful and very heart stirring. The heavenly choir and the instrumentation seem to nearly put a concrete feeling of sadness on this part in the song. And at 10:09, this battle is over.



This piece is brilliant, every instrument, and every effect, brilliant. The instrumentation is top-notch and the effects are well produced. It all ties together perfectly to tell such an intriguing tale. The production is superb and this whole piece flows without skipping a beat. The march, the battle and the climax are all so brilliantly expressed through such a great film score. Chris Holm has some remarkable talent in creating a work like this. Pieces such as this are suited perfectly for fantasy epics or medieval war films. This is professional sounding stuff, worthy of much praise. Do yourself a favor and set aside 10 minutes to listen and enjoy this tale. You should find it rewarding.



Hunter H.



Charisma: 9.50

Technical Skill: 9.50

Structure: 10.00

Interest: 9.50

Arrangement: 9.50

Recording Quality: 10.00

Long Term Appeal: 9.50

OVERALL: 9.60