Eclectic Rock Arrangements of Classic Godzilla and Monster Themes Author: John “Dutch” DeSentis Source: The Monster Project Special Thanks to Bob Johnson Well now this is something that you certainly don’t hear very much. THE MONSTER PROJECT is a collection of rock arrangements of classic monster music, most of which is dedicated to the music of Godzilla. According to the group’s website, The Monster Project is a progressive rock outfit of seven people from New York City and presents faithful arrangements of classic monster movie scores. The group apparently had a short life, only performing between 2005 and 2006 before dissolving. Somewhere in that timeline, they managed to record this 65 minute album of material they had performed. So just what does THE MONSTER PROJECT offer? Well that certainly depends on your taste and if you can accept eclectic rock arrangements of the music you know and love. As far as Godzilla goes, two composers are represented here: Akira Ifukube and Richiiro Manabe. The Ifukube section is called “Kaiju Daisenso”, named for the sixth Godzilla movie MONSTER ZERO (aka: INVASION OF ASTRO-MONSTER, 1965). The selections, however, are from all of Ifukube’s scores during the Showa Godzilla Era 1954-1975 (with the exception of GODZILLA VS. GIGAN, a score in which stock music from other movies was used). The arrangements run the gamut of sounds. Ghidorah’s theme from “The Battle on Mt. Fuji” sounds heavy in the vein of “Iron Man” by Black Sabbath whereas directly afterwards, a solo bass guitar takes over for the chromatic monster battle passage which will remind one of the sound of John Paul Jones during the Zepplin tune “Dazed and Confused”.

Strangely enough, Ifukube’s music lends itself surprisingly well to the progressive sound. His use of the twelve tone technique and alternating time signatures makes his music feel right at home with what this group is doing. Attempting to capture Ifukube’s music in rock form is something that has the potential to fail miserably. There is a delicate balance needed that is ultimately what will make or break a project like this; being faithful to the material while allowing your instruments and sounds give it the fresh aspect. That is actually one of the strengths of this recording. The arrangements are almost note for note versions of the cues they are covering both melodically and harmonically. Aside from the standard rock instruments, there are several orchestral instruments (trumpet, flugelhorn, clarinet) and even some banjo. At first listen, it may take some time to get used to the sound, but after settling in it is relatively easy to get into this CD. Of course, you might not always be in the mood to hear this type of thing, but if you ever desire to hear something a bit different, give it a try. One of the standout tracks in the Ifukube section is “Namikawa on Planet X” from MONSTER ZERO. This is a very good arrangement and actually succeeds in creating the same otherworldly feel that Ifukube’s original cue does. Some other goodies are “Two Monsters Appear in Yokohama” and “Dr. Mafune’s Past”.

Next is the Richiiro Manabe section. All the selections here are from GODZILLA VS. HEDORAH (Gojira tai Hedorah aka: GODZILLA VS. THE SMOG MONSTER, 1971). Not surprisingly, this section lends itself to the sound of the group more than the Ifukube section due to the fact that Richiiro Manabe’s score to the movie is in the progressive rock and jazz style. Some of the tracks here sound almost identical to their movie counterparts. The only thing which will affect your enjoyment of this set of cues is your tolerance for Richiiro Manabe’s music in general. His score for GODZILLA VS. HEDORAH is at times very difficult to listen to as much of it is very slow moving and repetitive. His score for GODZILLA VS. MEGALON (Gojira tai Megaro, 1973) was in contrast much more lively although it contained music that was just as weird. That is a complaint one could find here; it would have been cool to hear an arrangement of the Jet Jaguar theme recorded for this CD. Overall, the use of Richiiro Manabe’s music compliments the band style wise, but it would have been great to hear the group tackle some of the decidedly more accessible cues of Masaru Sato and even Kunio Miyauchi. Tracks from GODZILLA’S REVENGE (Kaiju Daishingeki aka: All Monsters Attack, 1969) would have fit this project like a glove. Although the CD is primarily Godzilla based, there are four other tracks. Act II scene X from “Swan Lake” is represented here. Fans will know this music as the opening cue from DRACULA (1931) and THE MUMMY (1932). There is “The Slasher Suite” which contains selections from FRIDAY THE 13th and HALLOWEEN. Finally, there are two tracks dedicated to music from LAND OF THE LOST.

Once again, your enjoyment of this CD really depends on how into the progressive sound you are. Fans of Rush (“you fool” references aside) and current progressive bands like Dream Theater might take well to this recording. If you do not like your Godzilla music given rock treatment, then you will probably not get into it. It certainly will not make you forget the original themes, but it can make for a nice little change once in a while. THE MONSTER PROJECT is available exclusively from CD Baby. THE MONSTER PROJECT TRACKLIST: Kaiju Daisenso: Godzilla Music of Akira Ifukube 1. Godzilla Approaches 2. Godzilla Comes Ashore 3. Main Title 4. Horror in the Water Tank 5. Godzilla to Tokyo Bay 6. Godzilla vs. Mothra 7. King Kong vs. Godzilla 8. Two Monsters Appear in Yokohama 9. Namikawa on Planet X 10. The Monsters of Earth Gather 11. Birth of Ghidorah 12. Battle on Mt. Fuji 13. Dr. Mafune`s Past 14. Terror of Mechagodzilla 15. Ending 16. Swan Lake (Act II Scene X) 17. The Slasher Suite Godzilla vs. the Smog Monster 18. Opening 19. Investigation at the Bottom of the Sea 20. Godzilla and the Polluted Ocean 21. Multiplying 22. Fragments 23. Sulfuric Acid Mist / Smokestacks and Hedorah 24. Ending Land of the Lost 25. Medley 26. Closing Theme