Music similar to the Chernobyl soundtrack

[Hobo Chang Ba]

I just finished watching the HBO miniseries Chernobyl (which was excellent). Of all the aspects of the show I liked, the music was perhaps the most striking. Cold, industrial, tension filled soundscapes with occasional eruptions of cacophony. The score was composed by Hildur Guðnadóttir and incorporated actual sound from a working nuclear power plant.

I will investigate the artist further, but what other artists/bands have produced music that fits this general description?


(For those unfamiliar, the soundtrack can be listened to on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcEPbx_iSjw)

[Scrotum Scissor]

Several others have created miniature-based soundscapes of this eerie character. Start with Gudnadottir's native colleague Jóhann jóhannsson (R.I.P.), whose most recent claim to fame was the soundtrack to Denis Villeneuve's 'Arrival'. Jóhannsson aso wrote music for pictures like 'Sicario' and 'The Theory of Everything', and most notably for 'The Mercy' - some truly captivating illustrations/imaginations of total loneliness. His excellent work Orphée is easily available from Deutsche Grammofon.

[rcarlberg]

https://flamingpines.bandcamp.com/
https://longformeditions.bandcamp.com/

[battema]

Ben Frost's work for Dark + Fortitude spring to mind semi-immediately.

[battema]

Several others have created miniature-based soundscapes of this eerie character. Start with Gudnadottir's native colleague Jóhann jóhannsson (R.I.P.), whose most recent claim to fame was the soundtrack to Denis Villeneuve's 'Arrival'. Jóhannsson aso wrote music for pictures like 'Sicario' and 'The Theory of Everything', and most notably for 'The Mercy' - some truly captivating illustrations/imaginations of total loneliness. His excellent work Orphée is easily available from Deutsche Grammofon.

Massive +1 on the above.

[Hobo Chang Ba]

Excellent thanks. I shall investigate all of these suggestions farther.

[zappaeverafter]

Several others have created miniature-based soundscapes of this eerie character. Start with Gudnadottir's native colleague Jóhann jóhannsson (R.I.P.), whose most recent claim to fame was the soundtrack to Denis Villeneuve's 'Arrival'. Jóhannsson aso wrote music for pictures like 'Sicario' and 'The Theory of Everything', and most notably for 'The Mercy' - some truly captivating illustrations/imaginations of total loneliness. His excellent work Orphée is easily available from Deutsche Grammofon.

And of course there is the unused score (assume there was a completed score) for Bladerunner 2049. I understand there was a legal agreement to not discuss the reason for Villeneuve's substitution(/rejection?). A swap out similar (for different reasons) to Alex North's score for 2001: A Space Odyssey for example. North's score was eventually released. But of course there has been a game changer with Jóhannsson's death. Now there potentially will be some clamouring for releasing material from the vaults.
Anyone have any insight or further information on the potential release of this score to the public? I for one would like to hear it.

[battema]

I read an interview with someone who is handling his archives, and it appears that the BR cues were not in a particularly useful state. So, it's unlikely we'll see them...or if we do it'll be in conjunction with another artist who completes them.

I originally thought that some of the more aggressive cues from Mandy (i.e. Forging the Beast) might be BF leftovers but apparently not. And by the way...the soundtrack to Mandy is every ounce as amazing as the film, and has become one of my personal favorite JJ works alongside Orphee, Arrival and Fordlandia.

For those who DON'T have any of his material and want to check it out, large anthologies of his work are being released: https://www.udiscovermusic.com/news/...trospective-i/

[zappaeverafter]

it appears that the BR cues were not in a particularly useful state. So, it's unlikely we'll see them...or if we do it'll be in conjunction with another artist who completes them.

[/url]

Thanks John. Was wondering if the eventual cause of his death may have had something to do with the outcome of the BR assignment. Touchy and unfortunate subject. I agree with the notion that if the cues are not releasable now, someone may step in to finish or re-record them. Haven't heard Mandy score yet outside of the film. Will do that soon.

[NogbadTheBad]

Ok, this sounds like i need to explore a bit

[Plasmatopia]

[battema]

Thanks John. Was wondering if the eventual cause of his death may have had something to do with the outcome of the BR assignment. Touchy and unfortunate subject. I agree with the notion that if the cues are not releasable now, someone may step in to finish or re-record them. Haven't heard Mandy score yet outside of the film. Will do that soon.

Mandy is amazing...it also features input from Stephen O'Malley so there's touches of that Sunn O))) feel mixed in.

The movie is also bonkers, a rare movie that finds a way to channel Nicholas Cage's insanity into some kind of art form. And the film is dedicated to Johannsson, which is a nice touch

[Hobo Chang Ba]

Several others have created miniature-based soundscapes of this eerie character. Start with Gudnadottir's native colleague Jóhann jóhannsson (R.I.P.), whose most recent claim to fame was the soundtrack to Denis Villeneuve's 'Arrival'. Jóhannsson aso wrote music for pictures like 'Sicario' and 'The Theory of Everything', and most notably for 'The Mercy' - some truly captivating illustrations/imaginations of total loneliness. His excellent work Orphée is easily available from Deutsche Grammofon.

Listened to his soundtrack from Mandy and Orphee...the former is quite nice and pretty close overall. The latter is a little too 'organic' (for lack of a better word), but I did like it. Thanks for the suggestion...I suspect there will be much throughout his output that I enjoy.

[Hobo Chang Ba]

Ben Frost's work for Dark + Fortitude spring to mind semi-immediately.

Dark comes pretty darn close sometimes. Thanks.

[Hobo Chang Ba]

apologies for the triple post but...

while watching the show I did wonder if the geiger counter sounds were just effects or part of the soundtrack. (They weren't part of the soundtrack, but it would have been a nice touch if they were)

[battema]

Dark comes pretty darn close sometimes. Thanks.

If you don't mind jumping a bit from soundtracks, I'd strongly suggest checking out Frost's albums "By the Throat" and "FAR" as both have a bit more of the "edge" that I think you may be looking for

[hippypants]

If you're going to check out Mandy you might as well check out the Beyond the Black Rainbow soundtrack by the same director that made Mandy.

[battema]

If you're going to check out Mandy you might as well check out the Beyond the Black Rainbow soundtrack by the same director that made Mandy.

Oh yeah, love that film and love the music (that was Sinoia Caves aka Jeremy Schmidt, from Black Mountain)

[Plasmatopia]

apologies for the triple post but...

while watching the show I did wonder if the geiger counter sounds were just effects or part of the soundtrack. (They weren't part of the soundtrack, but it would have been a nice touch if they were)

Good question. They seemed like typical geiger counter sounds to me, but then I've only ever seen geiger counters in movies. Maybe they're all just sound effects. But then I'm sure not all geiger counters are created equal.

[interbellum]

Mandy is amazing...it also features input from Stephen O'Malley so there's touches of that Sunn O))) feel mixed in.

The movie is also bonkers, a rare movie that finds a way to channel Nicholas Cage's insanity into some kind of art form. And the film is dedicated to Johannsson, which is a nice touch

Funny to read this post just a week after I bought both the DVD and the CD on the same day. Both are well received
B.t.w. one of the musicians on the CD is Skúli Sverrison so to my ears there's some ambient Holdsworth mixed in it too (Jóhannsson also worked on one of Skúli's soloalbums.)
Another well known musician is drummer Matt Chamberlain.

[interbellum]

The heavy bass-sound in the opening sequence from Chernobyl reminded me somewhat of "Metamesmeric - Ambient Looping Bass Cello Excursions" by Gustaf Ejelstrom.

[Hobo Chang Ba]

If you don't mind jumping a bit from soundtracks, I'd strongly suggest checking out Frost's albums "By the Throat" and "FAR" as both have a bit more of the "edge" that I think you may be looking for

Non soundtracks are definitely welcome. I'll investigate those, thanks.

[Hobo Chang Ba]

If you're going to check out Mandy you might as well check out the Beyond the Black Rainbow soundtrack by the same director that made Mandy.

Thanks for the tip.

[battema]

One more if you don't mind...and this one is a bit odd.

Serbian cult electronic musician Abul Mogard may not actually exist, but the music he makes is pretty remarkable and might fit into what you're thinking of:

https://abulmogard.bandcamp.com/

The kinda/sorta backstory: https://www.loudandquiet.com/intervi...rigin-stories/

I'm especially fond of "Above All Dreams" and he has a remix album that will easily be in my top 10 for 2019 (even features Brian Eno vocals on one tune): https://houndstoothlabel.bandcamp.co...rough-silently

[Hobo Chang Ba]

The heavy bass-sound in the opening sequence from Chernobyl reminded me somewhat of "Metamesmeric - Ambient Looping Bass Cello Excursions" by Gustaf Ejelstrom.

Mmm...this doesn't scratch the itch of the thread, but I'm enjoying this immensely. Thanks for the heads up.