Various – The Terminator (Original Soundtrack)

The music. Give it to me. NOW!

James Cameron’s classic 1984 sci-fi-horror actioner is a meagerly budgeted classic whose lack of resources generated the absolute best from all parties involved, including the musical talents represented on this fine but paltry collection of the film’s excellent music.

Side A is devoted to the frightening synthesized sounds of Brad Fiedel, who utilized equipment including the Oberheim, the Emulator II, a drum computer, and a grand piano. Special mention must be granted to his frequent associate Ross Levinson’s startling electric violin performances.

Opening Side A is “The Terminator Theme,” an abbreviated rendering of the end credits music. Fiedel’s iconic 13/8 signature motif plays against a four note “boom boom boom boom” percussive effect reflective of the titular cyborg Arnold Schwarzenegger’s mechanized heartbeat.

“The Terminator Arrival” invokes these pulses in a cold, threatening tone as he is teleported from a war ravaged 2027 to 1984 Los Angeles. The exciting “Tunnel Chase” scoring is an LP friendly mix of the climactic pursuit music, delivered with sharp string sampling and chugging, insistent percussion.

The “Love Scene” is a gentle pause of the full-throttle action scoring permeating the narrative, with a pretty melody that would recur in Fiedel’s “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” score.

A nightmarish “Future ed” is another home listening rendered track highlighted by austere synth choirs, with the “Factory Chase” marked by reverberating woodwind and electric violin samples.

Side B contains five New Wave source vocals that function as statements on the onscreen action as opposed to mere album padding, per Cameron’s request. A trio of songs by Tahnee Cain and Trianglz, “Burnin’ In The Third Degree,” and “You Can’t Do That,” and “Photoplay” efficiently intertwine the scenes of Sarah Connor seeking sanctuary in the Tech Noir nightclub as the Terminator quickly locates her.

Linn Van Hek’s “Intimacy” and Jay Ferguson (with 16mm ‘s) “Pictures Of You” appear as the Terminator arrives at Sarah’s apartment only to find-and savagely eliminate- her roommate and friend.

Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Enigma Records, the vinyl suffers from some minor distortions with the high ends on the Fiedel cues. Barely any discernible pops or crackles are evident on this first edition vinyl edition, housed in a ultra glossy cardboard sleeve.

While Fiedel’s music has been greatly expanded upon with subsequent CD productions from Edelton group in 1993, and the complete score from Milan Records 2015, the songs have remained unavailable save for this Enigma program and a short-lived DCC Classics reprint.

Although Fiedel’s remarkably inventive and richly thematic textures are the principal draw the the bulk of listeners, the above songs certainly merit a reissue. Kudos to Cameron for asg renowned movie music supervision duties to the astute Budd Carr and the film’s sound mixers, who allowed all the musical players’ contributions to fully resonate, aiding in the film’s elevation to greatness.

Wondered why the CD was so expensive, then I saw the name “Steve Hoffman”

This score really nails it. Brings back the creepy soundtrack from the original movie. If you are a fan, I highly suggest this.