SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 6:02 Min.
Composer-conductor Michael Kamen devised this instrumental theme for a 1985 BBC crime drama/mini-series entitled Edge of Darkness starring Bob Peck and Joanne Whalley. Years later, the Seattle Symphony Orchestra performed the track for the 1998 Michael Kamen’s Opus retrospective album.
REVIEW:
Its opening moments evoke taking an ominous journey aboard a train and ends with wind blowing in its wake. Building a lengthy solo electric guitar riff around this bleak theme is a stroke of brilliance. Even without knowing the related storyline, “Nuclear Train” implies a foreboding sense of doom. Later on, this track sounds like what might a James Bond-type instrumental be, were it interpreted as alternative rock.
In that sense, it’s an unique effort by Michael Kamen, as “Nuclear Train” has the potential to resonate for quite some time. It’s definitely worth adding to instrumental and/or soft metal (i.e. Trans-Siberian Orchestra) playlists.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
