Exorcist II: The Heretic CD soundtrack

'Exorcist II: The Heretic' is a much maligned film (unfairly so in my opinion), and consequently its soundtrack often gets overlooked. Which is a great shame, as it is composed by none other than legendary film score composer Ennio Morricone, and is in fact one of his most powerful scores.

The soundtrack CD opens with the main theme 'Regans Theme'. It is a haunting melody, with female vocals that waver between wistfulness, tenderness and slight but discernable menace. It is followed by an abrupt change in mood with the driving, staccato rhythms of 'Pazuzu' which boils up a heady broth of tribal rhythms, chants and edgy wind.

This contrast in tempo and mood is characteristic of the soundtrack as a whole. At times, Morricone seduces the listener with heart-wrenching strings ('Interrupted Melody - Suspend Sound'), while elsewhere he builds up the tension with pieces like 'Rite of Magic' which seem to prowl around soundspace, waiting for a moment to strike.

Other than the main theme, there is one other stand-out piece, the astonishing guitar-driven 'Magic and Ecstasy' which whirls dervish-like in a frenzied attempt to keep up with itself. It is an exhilerating ride, though one which ends abruptly at the precipice of 'Seduction and Magic', an interlude which leaves the listener hanging in a void of sinister, whispered incantations.

Suffice to say that the score to 'Exorcist II: The Heretic' is richly textured, dynamic, beautiful and scary. For me it is one of finest horror movie scores ever written, and one that I consider an essential listen for fans of the genre. And don't believe all that you read about the film itself, either - whilst it doesn't live up to expectations made by the first film (what could?) it is nonetheless a thoughtful, intelligent and sincere film, which is alone something to be treasured.