Lakeshore Records release the score for Blackwood, composed by Lorne Balfe. Having recovered from a shattering emotional breakdown, college professor Ben Marshall relocates to the countryside with his wife and young son, hoping for a fresh start. He has a teaching job lined up and a new home to move into; things finally look to be going Ben’s way. Until, that is, he starts to feel that something isn’t quite right in the house. Finding himself plagued by visions, Ben becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth behind a local mystery that appears to be putting the lives of his family in danger. He begins to investigate the local gamekeeper Jack and the ex-paratrooper vicar, Father Patrick but things complicate when an old friend Dominic and his girlfriend enter the frame...

Lorne Balfe delivers a mellow, understated score for Blackwood. It's a bold move, and one that pays off. This is one of those soundtracks that is designed to sit quietly in the background giving the movie a subtle, atmospheric feel, without being too obtrusive. It also works, rather nicely, outside of the cinema as a standalone album of beautifully, background music.

'Six Chimes' was, for me, the stand out track, which takes a church organ theme and turns it into a track that is both eerie and beautiful. The score's closing track, 'Blackwood', is also worthy of note, providing this score's one memorable theme.

Those wanting cliched horror cues should look elsewhere, but those looking to hear something a little more original will find much to appreciate in these 15 tracks (57 min, 30 sec).

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Darren Rea