To put it simply, Heavy Metal is Elmer Bernstein's Star Wars ‹ a rich, vital, thunderingly symphonic work bursting with melody and drive. The anthology nature of the film allowed Bernstein to write distinct melodies for the disparate segments: from the heroic anthem of "Den" to the moody film noir stylings of "Harry Canyon," and, especially, the soaring chorus and ondes Martenot of "Taarna" - the latter adapting the composer's rejected love theme from Saturn 3 (1980).

Heavy Metal: The Score has long been desired by soundtrack collectors. Film Score Monthly releases not only the original LP but the complete score remastered from the composer's personal 1/4" stereo tapes (in excellent sound quality). The cues are presented in chronological order, with bonus tracks of selections edited for the 1981 Asylum Records LP ‹ meaning listeners can, if so inclined, program a recreation of the original album sequence.

Packaging & Liner Notes
Standard jewel case. Liner notes by Paul Andrew MacLean, drawing from interviews with Bernstein and including new comments from orchestrator David Spear, who adapted two of the cues from Bernstein's thematic material. The package is beautifully illustrated with stills from the film.