THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (OST)

Filmed in 1925 by Rupert Julian, "The Phantom of the Opera" is one of those iconic silent movies in history that still draws attention of modern day artists. Throughout the decades many composers and performers worldwide took up to create new scores for this film. And in 2014, Belgian record-label One Way Static presented on compact-discs and vinyl another brand new "The Phantom of the Opera" re-score created this time by the UK Liverpool-based septet THE LAZE. It was the group's fourth full length album, which followed their 2008 effort "Spacetime Fabric Conditioner". Influenced by a history of classic horror soundtracks, THE LAZE blended together elements of Contemporary Classical, Progressive Rock, Jazz Fusion, Experimental-Metal, and Electronica in their all instrumental (except of the final track) effort. The band's members, as highly experienced in various music subgenres and really sophisticatedly minded sound-artists who have basically been together fifteen years, offered something more here than just another abstract soundscape or synth-orchestrated soundscore. THE LAZE's 'The Phantom of the Opera' features thoroughly composed and arranged (with lots of live strings, drums, percussions, synths, piano, clarinet, saxophone, violin, viola, and cello on board), brilliantly performed, and exquisitely produced music that fits Progressive Rock/ Contemporary Instrumental subgenres pretty well, though not without intriguing and refreshing stylistic deviations. Seamless flow of the tracks brings the effect of listener's involvements with both the dramatic plot and the music itself. In my judgement, this is nothing short of a modern instrumental Prog-Rock masterpiece with a dash of modern flavor. Highly recommended! The album's CD version (this one) includes 15 tracks clocking in at almost 50 minutes.