The third and final instalment of the biggest accompanying soundtracks to date, The Return Of The King is upon us.  Featuring the memorable melodies and battle themes from the first and second parts of the famous and wonderfully adapted trilogy, it provides yet another chance for Oscar and Grammy award winner, Howard Shore, to boast of his undeniable talent.

Shore portrays, using music as his medium, the heroism of the story’s characters, the beauty of the landscape and the pathos lying beneath the adventure. The tracks each cover the treacherous final journey faced by our little elf-like creatures, who have come so far in building their character portraits and have left us yearning for their true guide and aide, the wonderful Viggo Mortensen.

Back to the soundtrack.  Battle is near. A storm is coming is the first track and marks the peak of this frightening and exciting adventure. Fear sweeps through but there is a hint of success and glory resonating throughout the whole soundtrack. Visions of distant shadows, clouds, shades, moons and stars provide the backdrop of the lair, the Kingdoms, havens and fields that must be crossed.  We know the plight of the story so far so well and can only imagine the force and nature of the music once hearing it alongside the images on the big screen.  

Peaceful tracks such as 'The Steward Of Gondor', featuring acclaimed soprano Renee Fleming and spine tingling talent of renowned Irish flautist Sir James Galway are by far the favourite tracks, and last, but not at all least, this epic would not be complete if it weren’t for the fantastic new song 'Into The West' performed by Annie Lennox.

Entertaining yet fostering much emotion and enthusiasm, the final piece will no doubt go out with a bang, especially with the great effort that has been put into this score.
(5/5)

Release Date: 24 November 2003

Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King