Game Of Thrones: Season 4

Title: Game Of Thrones: Season 4
Music: Ramin Djawadi, Sony Music
Rating: 3.5
The TV adaptation of George RR Martin’s A Song of Fire and Ice series has got an extra dose of drama and dynamism, courtesy Ramin Djawadi’s Game of Thrones score. It brings not just the characters but also the countries and moods of Martin’s world to life in a way that will delight any fan of the series, who wants an immersive experience.
The string sections are massive and majestic in scope. But for the lower ends, Djawadi also adds heavy percussion and a host of other old-fashioned instruments for that exotic touch. The trained ear will be able to pick out the hammered dulcimer as well as the autoharp. These work particularly well to create mood and tone. North Of The Wall could easily be in a horror movie soundtrack, while Love In The Eyes has a plethora of flutes along with deep percussion. Goodbye Brother is slow, with a definite Celtic influence.
The album’s strongest points are the vivid mood pieces. Forget GoT, you could easily imagine The King’s Arrival and the foreboding Small Pack Of Wolves, which are surprisingly heavy, in a horror film soundtrack. But the standout track would be Fire And Blood. It builds up from wind and strings to towering percussion. Essential for any Game of Thrones fan.