Malignant (soundtrack)

Last updated

Malignant (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Malignant (soundtrack).jpg
Film score by
ReleasedSeptember 3, 2021
Recorded2020–2021
Genre Film score
Length53:49
Label WaterTower Music
Producer Joseph Bishara
Joseph Bishara chronology
The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It
(2021)
Malignant
(2021)
The Free Fall
(2022)

Malignant (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the film score composed by Joseph Bishara to the 2021 supernatural horror film Malignant, directed by James Wan. The film score was released through WaterTower Music on September 3, 2021.

Contents

Development

Frequent James Wan collaborator Joseph Bishara, who had worked on the director in numerous films, including the Insidious and The Conjuring film series, was confirmed to score Malignant in April 2021. [1] He was involved even before the production began where he and Wan discussed about the script overnight. He also acknowledged on the polarized response for the film, adding that the film might not be for everyone, but works well for the people who enter into the world. Bishara had developed on a "weird jazz ensemble" kind-of voicing that used the doubling of viola and saxophone, and doubling of violin and trumpet, with a drum kit holding together, and referenced giallo films for the soundscape. He had also discussed with Wan and music supervisor Michelle Silverman on using the specific soundscape based on Wan's ideas. The opening sequence was soundtrack with Celldweller's "When Your Walls Fall (Faction 15)" which Silverman provided. [2]

The production of the score emphasizes three recording sessions. The first session being the "character session" that emphasizes on drums, viola, saxophone, violin and trumpet. The second was a group session which was described as "string wall"; in this session, eighteen string players were split into two rows with nine in each. Players from one row would run towards one direction on the side, while the other row runs into the opposite direction on the other side. Bishara used to hear things in configuration of players in the room, with the writing was a response to the material. At the later stage, another traditional string group recorded with one clarinet, French horn and piano. During the action scenes, the score transitioned to an electronic, beat-driven sound which was Wan's suggestion. He referenced it as a throwback to giallo films, where Wan had learnt more of the electronic influence from the films, which was a response to the jazz-flavored influence. Bishara further used female vocals, as it tied into the lead character in the film. Kirsten Ashley Weist, a soprano female vocalist performed the vocals. [2]

Release

The score was released under the WaterTower Music label on September 3, 2021, a week prior to the film's release. [3] Waxwork Records further released the album into a 180-gram blood red with gold blade and cold blue splattered vinyl LP, that was packaged into a gate-fold jacket with satin coating with an original artwork, which Bishara liked it. [4] [5]

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."Malignant Opening"1:05
2."Time To Cut"2:54
3."Head Injury"3:27
4."Twisted Figure"2:32
5."Something Special"1:10
6."Loss Without Memory"1:46
7."Repeat Visit"2:30
8."In My House"2:52
9."Blood Connection"2:15
10."What Has Become"2:29
11."Discovery Was Made"1:36
12."From Window Led"4:09
13."By Silvercup"1:31
14."Gabriel Calls"2:25
15."Forced Vision"1:46
16."Balcony Drops"2:48
17."It's Happened Before"2:42
18."Fallen Found"1:29
19."Call From The Devil"1:58
20."Station Taken"3:29
21."Backwards Arrival"3:17
22."Taking It Back"2:04
23."Lifetime Found"1:35
Total length:53:49

Reception

Andrew Barker of Variety wrote "Joseph Bishara's score nods to sources as varied as Bernard Herrmann and the Pixies". [6] Bhuvanesh Chandar of Cinema Express wrote "great use of music by Joseph Bishara, Wan's frequent collaborator". [7] Chris Evangelista of /Film wrote "Joseph Bishara's wacko film score blasts in your ears." [8] Robert Kojder of Flickering Myth described it as "a bombastic and cheesy score from Joseph Bishara". [9] Jack Pooley of WhatCulture "Bishara's score is laudably diverse, at times amping-up the orchestral swell for the campier horror-show set-pieces, but also including a strong electronic foundation, as on occasion feels like a nod to the giallo genre." [10] Johanan Prime of Hype wrote "Joseph Bishara's synthetic riff of the classic Pixie's song "Where Is My Mind" in "Malignant" can be a perfect summation of this movie." [11]

Personnel

Credits adapted from WaterTower Music: [3]

Orchestra
Instruments

Release history

Release history and formats for Malignant (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref.
VariousSeptember 3, 2021 WaterTower Music [3]
April 15, 2022 LP Waxwork Records [12]

References

  1. "Joseph Bishara Scoring James Wan's 'Malignant'". Film Music Reporter. April 14, 2021. Archived from the original on May 10, 2021. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  2. 1 2 Fichera, J. Blake (September 20, 2021). "The Music of MALIGNANT: A Conversation with Composer Joseph Bishara". Fangoria . Archived from the original on November 18, 2024. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 "Malignant (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". WaterTower Music. September 3, 2021. Archived from the original on August 11, 2023. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  4. Cavanaugh, Patrick (September 10, 2021). "Malignant Soundtrack Getting Vinyl Release From Waxwork Records". ComicBook.com . Archived from the original on September 23, 2021. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  5. Millican, Josh (September 13, 2021). "Lose Your Mind When Waxwork Releases Joseph Bishara's 'Malignant' Soundtrack". Dread Central . Archived from the original on September 25, 2023. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  6. Barker, Andrew (September 10, 2021). "'Malignant' Review: Anything Goes in James Wan's Delightfully Demented Slasher". Variety . Archived from the original on September 24, 2021. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  7. Chandar, Bhuvanesh (September 10, 2021). "Malignant Movie Review: A terrific ending saves this film". Cinema Express . Archived from the original on January 25, 2022. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  8. Evangelista, Chris (September 10, 2021). "Malignant Review: James Wan Goes Wild With His Bloody, Bonkers Return To Horror". /Film . Archived from the original on October 27, 2021. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  9. Kojder, Robert (September 10, 2021). "Movie Review - Malignant (2021)". Flickering Myth. Archived from the original on April 30, 2025. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  10. Pooley, Jack (September 10, 2021). "Malignant Review: 5 Ups & 5 Downs". WhatCulture . Archived from the original on September 21, 2021. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  11. Prime, Johanan (September 11, 2021). ""Malignant" Review: Does James Wan's Latest Horror Flick Satiate The Hunger For Thrills?". Hype . Archived from the original on September 29, 2023. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  12. "Malignant". Waxwork Records. April 15, 2022. Archived from the original on September 10, 2021. Retrieved April 30, 2025.