System of a Down singer Serj Tankian teams up with composer Bear McCreary to record a new version of Blue Öyster Cult's "Godzilla" for the soundtrack to the upcoming Godzilla: King of the Monsters. He first terrorized Tokyo way back in 1954, and now Godzilla is coming back to once again thrill movie audiences (in computer generated form). And this time, he'll be joined by fellow kaiju superstars Rodan, Mothra and King Ghidorah.
In Godzilla: King of the Monsters, the titular fire-breathing atomic creature finds himself fighting on the side of humanity when Earth is overrun by monsters, leading to a global calamity. Millie Bobby Brown heads up the movie's human cast, playing a young girl who has a mysterious connection to Mothra. She's joined by Vera Farmiga as Dr. Emma Russell, a scientist who's invented a machine that may allow humanity to control the rampaging Titans. In all, the movie contains at least 17 monsters, which should make for one of the most epic Godzilla films of all-time.
In honor of the return of Godzilla, composer Bear McCreary has dusted off the classic 1977 song "Godzilla" by Blue Öyster Cult and created a new version with lead vocals by Serj Tankian of System of a Down. The new take on "Godzilla" is appropriately epic, even though the lyrics remain as intentionally silly as they were when Blue Öyster Cult first laid them down back in the '70s. Hear the song below (via WaterTower Music):
Composer McCreary, who of course is best known for creating the theme to The Walking Dead, calls his new take on "Godzilla" the most "audacious" piece he's ever produced. He said (via Rolling Stone):
[The song is] jammed to the breaking point with orchestra, choir, taiko chanting, taiko drumming, heavy metal rhythm section, Gene Hoglan’s blistering double-kick drums, and Serj’s distinct vocals. It is complete musical madness.
By all appearances, Godzilla: King of the Monsters is a complete cinematic event, so it's appropriate that the music would also be just as epic. McCreary's full score for the film contains 25 pieces, many of them adapted from original Godzilla themes, including the classic "Mothra's Song" by Yuji Koseki. With so many classic kaiju returning alongside Godzilla in the new movie, it seems fitting that the music would also form a connection back to the original Godzilla movies.
Music indeed has played a big part in the marketing for Godzilla: King of the Monsters, with one trailer even featuring the tune "Over the Rainbow" from The Wizard of Oz. It seems McCreary's score will be a big part of the overall effect when Godzilla and his fellow kaiju roar their way back onto movie screens.
Source: WaterTower Music, Rolling Stone
