Of all the scores Basil Poledouris has composed, this is undoubtedly one of his best. When director John Milius was ready to start work on Conan The Barbarian, he knew that he wanted the audience to be able to follow the story through the power of the images and music rather than solely on dialogue alone. Therefore he chose his long time friend and schoolmate, Basil Poledouris to write the score. One of the difficulties which Poledouris had to face was writing the music prior to and during principal photography. Director Milius also wanted a score that didn't really seem like a period piece since the time period in which the movie takes place is not really specified.
In order to accomplish all the terms and limitations set forth by Milius and the rest of the producers, Poledouris started working backwards with music from varying time periods, choosing a variety of music types as the basis for his score. He utilized everything from music from the Middle Ages to Gregorian Chants and the result is one of the best fantasy scores composed.
The main titles called, Anvil of Crom, is where Conan's theme is introduced. It's origins are clearly Middle Ages and the use of French Horns adds a tremendous power to the piece that represents the mighty barbarian. The second half of the second track The Riders of Doom is one of the more famous of pieces from the soundtrack. It is often used in commercials and movie trailers. Another highlight to the score is Theology/Civilization which while having a religious basis doesn't focus on any one religion and has a mystical quality about it. The love theme, Wifeing is one of the most mellow of pieces on the soundtrack and also one of the most moving played for the most parts by strings. To cap of the action at the final battle, The Battle of the Mounds is mystical, powerful and action packed. Released by Varese Sarabande, Conan The Barbarian is a tremendous score that should be owned by every fan of movie music.
Total time: 67:55
1: Anvil of Crom (2:34)
2: Riddle of Steel/Riders of Doom (5:36)
3: Gift of Fury (3:50)
4: Wheel of Pain (4:09)
5: Atlantean Sword (3:50)
6: Theology/Civilization (3:13)
7: Wifeing (Theme of Love from "Conan The Barbarian") (2:10)
8: The Leaving/The Search (5:59)
9: Mountain of Power Procession (3:21)
10: The Tree of Woe (3:31)
11: Recovery (2:11)
12: The Kitchen/The Orgy (6:30)
13: Funeral Pyre (4:29)
14: Battle of the Mounds (4:52)
15: Death of Rexor (5:34)
16: Orphans of Doom/The Awakening (5:31)