Bill Brown’s Dark Prophecy is an unusual project: the music score was written for an interactive extension (dubbed “cyber-bridges”) to Anthony E. Zuiker’s book Dark Prophecy, part of the author’s Level 26 series.

MovieScore Media’s album features the full 45 mins. score that’s essentially based around a tender lullaby branded “Henry’s Theme,” with a repeated figure on piano, and gentle, supportive strings.

Brown’s score shifts between the tenderness of the main theme to abstract passages of dissonance and reverb, and the album is sequenced to alternate between good / nasty modes.

Flaring brass dominate “Three of Cups,” and there’s a terrifying warped tone Brown employs in “Deeper Waters” and “The Devil” that mimics a war plane coming fast around the corner. Unsettling harmonies dominate “Dark’s Decision,” and the creepy mood is furthered in “Victims and Visions” with techno pulses and flanging percussion.

The album concludes with a recap of the main theme, which Brown initially begins with a distant, pulsing harp before bringing back the piano variation, and a full string chamber orchestra that backs the theme before a piano statement concludes the cue.

A small, discrete little album that delves into grim human obsessions with welcoming moments of soothing stillness and contemplation.

© 2010 Mark R. Hasan