Measuring The Score: A Compendium
Spiral: From the book of SAW
Music By Charlie Clouser
Written by Chris Lott
The SAW films have a unique style. They usually consist of various people in very precarious and horrifying traps that will or will not lead to their deaths. When they lead to their deaths, it is usually in a very gruesome manner that will cause even the most average horror film watcher's stomach to turn just a bit. The score for a film of this type would have to be up to the task of bringing the gruesome horror to the ears of the audience and make you feel every single stomach churning second.
That is where Charlie Clouser comes in. Record producer, remixer, and composer who worked with several famous bands and artists including Marilyn Manson, White Zombie, Rammstein, and is more well known for working with Nine Inch Nails. Clouser has scored every SAW film dating back to the very first back in 2004. Then, every year they released a new film, Clouser was once again up for the task. Every film tried to have their own flavor or theme with each new incarnation, but they still retained that SAW brand of music. Hard hitting ,loud, in your face and raw. Then, at the end of every film there would be a big twist reveal to who the killer, or mastermind was for the entire film. This is when Clouser would shine the most.
The first film ended with a cue called "Hello Zepp" which has since become the theme for the entire SAW series. Every film would end with their own version or variation of the theme. It would start off with a synthesized piano rhythm that would then build into this huge orchestral motif. Then, it would dip down for a moment for a beautiful violin piece then go back huge and throw the listener off their rocker. A true highlight each time Clouser did this.
Now why am I going on about the series and not the score? Because you need to know the history before we get to the new film. From 2004 to 2010 Clouser worked non-stop on these films. The score would change slightly here and there, but it would never stray too far from what he created in the first film. Probably, didn't have enough time really. Plus, it was also a case of it ain't broke don't fix it. Not that any of his scores for these films are bad. They work fantastic for each film. 2017's, JIGSAW saw the return of the series with Clouser returning as well and he came back in a big way. The score still retained the SAW feel, just in a bigger and bolder way.
Here we are in 2021 and we get SPIRAL from the Book of SAW. Chris Rock and Samuel L. Jackson are in a SAW film. That tells you right there, this is not going to be your normal SAW film. When I learned Clouser was coming back, I became intrigued. It was clear from the beginning they were going in a different direction. I was curious as to how Clouser was going to pull this off, I knew he could. I just didn't know how.
The first two tracks play and it sounds like what you would expect from a SAW score. It’s loud in your face and ready to tear you apart, in a good way. Then, the third track, "Reprimands" plays and something happens. The score starts to quiet down a bit. It sets you in the mood and it is clear-this is a different SAW score. Clouser has managed keep the integrity of the previous film, but bring in something completely new and fresh.
Throughout moments of the score, you will hear an instrument or subtle nod to the previous films, then this new theme starts up. This new addition to the series really lets you know that this film is trying to be it's own thing. Its a fast moving pattern, almost like a piano or sharp instrument along those lines, that comes in every so often, it is first heard in "Horrorshow" and continues throughout the rest of the score. When I first heard it, it threw me for a loop but in a good way. It was fresh for the series.
We get a nice action piece with "Pig Truck". The string arrangement is fantastic. The one piece that I really liked though has to be "Wax Angie" It starts up with the new theme. It goes into this beat with the strings. It is just an enjoyable piece to listen to.
The piece "You OK?" re-introduces us to the "Hello Zepp" theme, but slower with a soft beautiful solo violin. Some percussion comes in but it is still slow and soft enough that it doesn't overpower. Then the entire score is ended with "Zepp Nine". This is Clouser right here telling everyone, Hey this is still a SAW movie. To remind you, here is the theme. It is fantastic to come back around to that theme again. You can tell from the music he has enjoyed coming back 4 years from the previous film and he enjoys doing this.
To sum this all up. I really enjoyed this score. There were a lot of fun moments. I loved how he would bring in elements from previous films, but only pepper them in there and not make them the main focus. Only there to remind that this is apart of the SAW universe. As of writing this I have yet to see the film, but if it is anything like the score. I'm sure it will be great.
So as always for Measuring The Score, I'm Chris. Have a good one.
