Toxic, the latest release on The Scoring House, explores with brutal intensity the darkness and poison that exist in the environment, our planet, and often as an intrinsic part of the human condition.
The brainchild of David Hewson (one of the most prolific documentary composers in the UK), the theme of toxicity felt particularly pertinent for him to reflect upon when faced with the threat of climate change, biological weaponry, nuclear disasters and stories of human suffering in today’s society – all ever-increasingly the subjects of startlingly bleak, yet unwaveringly compelling documentaries and film.
Unlike typical horror music, Toxic is distinctly more subtle in its approach, masterfully bridging the gap between horror and drama, lending itself exceptionally well to dialogue and pictures across a spectrum of genres. Much of the instrumentation is centred around string orchestra; the coldness of tremolando, high-pitched screeching and low unnerving textures expertly create a wide spectrum of rich emotional flavours, from tension and dread to the strange and the beautiful. In Hewson’s words, the dark and emotional cello further depicts the ‘misery and pain of the toxic planet that we live in.’
In the words of Peter Cox, ‘David is an exceptionally creative composer with a true penchant for horror drama. This album draws tonally on modern composition, yet the music retains a classical structure, which creates a deeply disturbing effect.’
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