We've had a good week of Godzilla fun on Empire recently, what with our spoiler podcast and feature on Gareth Edwards' version, and our tour through radioactive monsters. But the original - and, for many, still the best - Godzilla is the Toho creation of 1954, and its soundtrack is now available in full for the first time in its sixty year history, courtesy of Death Waltz Recording Company. And it gets even better: we have an exclusive stream of the whole thing for a limited time, so get your monster on and get listening below!
Akira Ifukube's score builds layers of bass and brass to emphasise the dread as the monster approaches Tokyo. While there's a jauntier theme here early on, which became the Godzilla theme, the focus is disaster and destruction - contrasted with the piercing strings that mark the arrival of the Oxygen Destroyer weapon that might halt the beast.
This new release has been remastered from Toho's original Godzilla source material, and boasts exclusive art from Cheung Chung Tat on the cover and gatefold (that's the former above) and liner notes from Japanese cinema expert Jasper Sharp and Film On Wax editor Charlie Bridgen. There's even a limited edition (400 copies worldwide) version on blue and white "atomic breath" vinyl, as well as the regular green vinyl version.
This soundtrack will be out on June 21, so whether you're a film buff or a music lover, be sure to check it out (pre-order will open soon). Meanwhile, the new Godzilla is already on release.