In a fierce, alternative vision of America’s bleak future, a young boy is about to learn how cruel the world can be. Martin was a normal teenage boy before the country collapsed in an empty pit of economic and political disaster. And from the ashes rose a new breed of terror. A vampire epidemic has swept across what is left of the nation’s abandoned towns and cities, and it’s up to Mister, a death dealing, rogue vampire hunter, to get Martin safely north to Canada, the continent’s New Eden. Welcome to Stake Land...

In the past I've reviewed Jeff Grace's quirky score for I Sell the Dead and his music for The House of the Devil / I Can See You. Both releases were oceans apart - testament to the man's flexibility as a composer.

With Stake Land Grace throws out all the usual cliches and goes for the throat with a collection of themes and styles that makes for interesting listening in isolation and I'm sure add much to the movie.

This album contains just under 50 mins of music spread of 26 tracks. There isn't a dull track here. Sure, there's atmospheric tracks, but these are far from dull. And, yes there are numerous echoes back to the movie's main themes. However, again, these are all presented differently.

If you're looking for beautiful themes, then look no further than 'Orphans', 'Leaving Strivington', 'Moving North', 'Sister Is Gone', 'Not Your Daddy' and 'Goodbye Belle'. If it's action tracks then just about every other track will please you. Oh, and for those who are looking for more of Grace's trademark quirkiness... worry not. 'Strivington Band' allows him to present a rip-roaring hoedown.

Stake Land is an impressive take on the horror genre.

8

Darren Rea