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Credits:
Music By John Van Tongeren
heme By Mark Mancina & John Van Tongeren
Additional Music By J. Peter Robinson
Design: Doerte Lau, Andreas Adamec, Darwin Foye
Photos courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc.
Executive Soundtrack Album Producer: Richard B. Lewis
Executive Producers: Richard B. Lewis, Pen Densham, John Watson
Label A&R: Brad Pressman
Co-Executive Soundtrack Album Producer: Mark Stern
Produced by John Van Tongeren
Album Editor: Aaron Martin
Engineered by Aaron Martin, Randy Noble, Jim Hill
Mastering: Joe Gastwirt and Ram—n Bret—n, Ocean View Digital
Theme Music written and performed by John Van Tongeren and Mark Mancina
Published by United Lion Music, Inc. (BMI)
Outer Limits Remix by JVT
Vocals: Tammy Byler
Reviews:
Suites from various episodes of the 1990's version of The Outer Limits, composed by John Van Tongeren, are
contained on a classy new import disc >from Sonic Images (SI 8604-2, 70m). The music is generally of the
low-profile ambient synth type usually found in TV shows, but occasionally Van Tongeren lets rip with some
decent action cues. Although there are a variety of different moods conveyed here, the disc does have a
consistent voice of its own. It contains the series' opening and closing titles, (without the narration), which
were co-written by Mark Mancina, and a radically re-mixed version of the theme, (with narration), which
recalls Telstar's Power Themes '90 disc.
- JULIAN KNOTT, SHIVERS MAGAZINE U.K. 7/97
It's a Friday 9:59 P.M. in Los Angeles, California as I pick up my remote control and turn on the television.
On Showtime, a very odd story begins. After the premise is set with hypnotic music and words, the music,
like a strange dream, unfolds like a magic spell as the voice speaks. "THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH YOUR
TELEVISION. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO ADJUST THE PICTURE, WE ARE NOW CONTROLLING THE TRANSMISSION.
WE CONTROL THE HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL. WE CAN DELUGE YOU WITH A THOUSAND CHANNELS OR
EXPAND ONE SINGLE IMAGE TO CRYSTAL CLARITY. WE CAN SHAPE YOUR VISION TO ANYTHING OUR
IMAGINATION CAN CONCEIVE. FOR THE NEXT HOUR WE WILL CONTROL ALL THAT YOU SEE AND HEAR."
At this point the music breaks forth into a powerful Gothic theme, one you will not soon forget. As this builds
to its conclusion, you hear the final words. "YOU ARE ABOUT TO EXPERIENCE THE AWE AND MYSTERY WHICH
REACHES >FROM THE DEEPEST INNER MIND TO THE OUTER LIMITS!"
If you're looking for the typical traditional score here, forget it! John Van Tongeren is riding the crest of a
wave which defines a new generation of soundtrack composers. It's the creativity of one person who takes
technology and uses this as a gateway to interpret and redefine film scoring as a whole. When you are the
strings, brass, percussion, choir, etc.....the control is total. Now you can guide your musical dreams forward
to become one with the picture. But when score music is also entertaining without the picture, it takes on
another form of life. When you listen to this soundtrack all kinds of feelings and emotions are released. From
a whisper to a scream, this music unlocks your imagination.
The CD starts off with The Outer Limits Theme by both Mark Mancina and John Van Tongeren. Mancina has
done quite a few film scores of his own including Speed, Twister, Moll Flanders, Speed 2, and others. This
team does a remarkable job of creating a very powerful opening piece for the show. It complements the
opening visual effects and leaves you with an unforgettable melody. The score then takes you on a musical
tour of Outer Limits episodes.
All the score music up to "Stitch In Time" and after is written and performed by John Van Tongeren. There
are some wonderful adventures in modern recording here. The music ranges from the very moody and
beautiful like "Valerie 23" to driving orchestration with great percussion on "Sandkings I" and "Sandkings
II" (pilot for the series). On "Message I, II" and "III" the arrangements are traditional. This is very unique
considering it was done on keyboards. "Quality of Mercy I" and "II" leads us into a furious symphonic
movement with an amazing climax. "Conversion" has a soft sound that's very mysterious with a very fine
flute based theme. "New Breed I" and "II" with its great orchestration leads you in and out of different
musical passages like a maze. But when you listen to "I Hear You Calling," the transition from soft suspense
scoring to a final dramatic ecstasy will really satisfy.
When "Stitch In Time" comes on things change. This is the only piece written and performed by J. Peter
Robinson. He's composed scores for Nightmare Caf* (TV), Wes Craven's New Nightmare, Highlander III,
Vampire in Brooklyn, First Strike, Rumble in the Bronx and his new film Firestorm. The soundtrack here is
very exotic and esoteric. There is a great ethnic flute sound and the end percussion moves you. You'll love
this cut.
We come back to John Van Tongeren/Mark Mancina and the "End Titles" for the show. This is a visit back to
the main theme. The last track, "Outer Limits Remix," is just outrageous, pure, plain fun.
The packaging and booklet for this CD is excellent. Images from the opening effects and each episode are
featured. The artwork expertly captures the dark essence of this series.
Overall this score is very entertaining. If you love dramatic soundtracks with moody feelings and symphonic
explosions, run out and pick it up. This soundtrack comes together to present a soundscape that takes you
directly to the unpredictable world of The Outer Limits.
- Rudy Koppl , SOUNDTRACK
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