Iron Man Soundtrack

The score to Iron Man isn't your usual superhero score. No big thematic themes like superman, but instead a score that is a bit more rock and roll. The music is written by Ramin Djawadi, an up and coming composer from Hans Zimmer's Remote Control Productions, also know for his score to the television series Prison Break. And for his first big feature film, Ramin Djawadi has done a pretty good job.

"Driving With The Top Down" is probably my favourite track because it is fast paced and has got some cool themes in it. But they aren't your brass like themes you get in every other superhero film, instead the themes are played on strings and guitars which just sound great.

"Merchant Of Death" is the most rock and roll cue on the soundtrack, complete with guitars drums and some electronics underneath. All it needs to take it that one step further is some heavy metal singer screaming his brains out. Luckily for me though the singer is missing since I'm not a big fan of heavy metal.

It's not all guitars and drums though, as there are some slower cues for the more emotional scenes. "Vacation's Over" is the first one and contains quite a dramatic theme played on strings. Then there is "Extra Dry, Extra Olives" which is a very slow piece that to me didn't seem to go any where. The final slow cue is "Are Those Bullet Holes?" Which again didn't seem to go any where.

There's also the darker more mysterious cues like "Section 16" and "Iron Man". However, there are actually three cues on the soundtrack which are called Iron Man. The first is an arrangement of the main theme from the old Iron Man television series which is featured as background music in the film when Tony Stark is at a party. The second cue called Iron Man is a more darker mysterious cue which reminds me of some dark moments from Mission: Impossible 2. And finally the third cue called Iron Man is actually the main title theme from the old television show.

The final two cues by Ramin are "Iron Monger" and "Arc Reaktor" which are just full on action cues rocking away. "Arc Reaktor" is the heavier of the two, but the second half of the cue goes much more thematic and is the only part on the soundtrack which I could easily compare to another superhero soundtrack. But that is not a bad thing.

To complete the rock/heavy metal sound to the soundtrack there is also a track by the band Suicidal Tendencies which I think sounds pretty crap. But hey if you're into heavy metal then I'm sure you'll like it. As for the sound of the overall soundtrack I think it is great to hear something new from someone new, because all those other superhero soundtracks can tend to sound a bit the same.