Reijiro Koroku: Godzilla 1985 (1984) / Suite Conducted by Katsuaki Nakaya

ABOUT THE SCORE: In 1984 Toho Studios decided to revisit their coveted Godzilla property, and then-unknown composer Reijiro Koroku was commissioned to provide music somewhat in the vein of Akira Ifukube's sound-world while still bringing a human element to the music (for the US release of the film, it should be noted, pieces of Christopher Young's DEF-CON4 score were tracked in, to surprisingly seamless results overall). Koroku stepped up to the plate for the commission with a terrific score that not only features the requisite slithering monster movie sound one expects for the concept (almost recalling Herrmann more so than Ifukube) but also a set of surprisingly tragic and thoughtful themes, a gorgeous associated waltz-like string dirge for Godzilla's death at the end, and a fantastic militaristic theme for the (mostly useless) human forces. All recorded and played terrifically, to boot. While Koroku's best effort, to me, his later score to UNDER AURORA from 1990, there is no question that the composer milked the opportunity to write a grand, tragic, sinister musical portraiture of everyone's favorite big rubber monster for this project.
As usual, I claim no ownership over anything found herein.

[@robertdillon5331]

Koroku's music touches certain emotional currents that music from the Godzilla films doesn't hit. His work has a special place in my heart. Tracks like "Godzilla's Exit" are a case in point.

[@sallykohorst8803]

Really loved this movie and the music too.

[@MyTroubadour]

Reijiro Koroku est un excellent compositeur Japonais certes moins connu que Ryuichi Sakamoto mais qui sait parfaitement maitriser son sujet avec talent et conviction.

[@TheTayedrums]

this is a gorgeous piece.-the intro is so smooth.....could be for any dramatic movie....i loved this movie,,,still had the old school elements in it....Koroku great job..great job...you hit the very emotions of this movie with your soundtrack...def. carried the movie...peace to you brother....

[@ohgodwhy9853]

This is the only godzilla score that touches anything beyond the greatness of Ifukube, i wish the later films had this quality and drive to take a chance on something similar. Great themes even beyond, but some of the millennium films sound cheap, while the rest of the Heisei series outside of some great new tracks and Biollante having a new original score were just reinterpretations of Ifukube material(not that i'm entirely complaining).

[@BattyWanderer]

Agreed. The '84 score is just so damn good. Definitely the best non-Ifukube score by a good margin.

[@faronomus1589]

This day’s film industry (or hell any type of media) need this type of music back

[@TRULYSUFFERING777]

damn, this is good.

[@JoseCavendish]

Thanks for uploading it. I have been looking for this suite a long time.

[@maricedixion3357]

This is the best movie soundtrack for Godzilla 1985 I want to get this movie soundtrack but I check eBay they don't have the 1985 Godzilla soundtrack they only have the Godzilla 1984 but not Godzilla 1985

[@SonicSanctuary]

so good wth

[@jeroenvandenhark1480]

This kicks all kinds of ass.

[@jackriley7772]

I was in High school Back then 1984/ then Graduation 1985 Godzilla You Rock " But Get a huge Cup of coffee 50ft by, 50ft Get Better SLEEP Not so Cranky.. L0L.

[@GojiGuru]

Is this a re-recording of the score?