Hearing the Halloween theme once again can be amazing for Halloween fans. Then you realize it was composed by John Carpenter. This fact can bring a joyous tear to any fan's eye. Plus, along with the theme, a snippet of Carpenter's synchronizer soundtrack can be heard when Micheal bumps into some kids in the first trailer.
The end credits remix of the theme, appropriately titled "Halloween Triumphant", is downright chilling. Starting with a series of fast-paced somber piano retreads of the official theme, it soon escalates into the main tune with some badass bass chords. The final part of the remix transitions into a completely different but downright phenomenal synth.
It's almost universally agreed that the track "The Shape Hunts Allyson" is one of the best, if not the best, in the whole score. Not only is it a perfect mixture of awesome and terrifying, but it's 100% new and original, unlike most of the other tracks which are revamps and re-arrangements. A fan made extended version manages to up the ante and take the already awesome track and make it even livelier and more menacing, leading to some considering it even better than the original theme.
"Prison Montage" is a dreamy and melancholic song that perfectly fits the oddly saddening scene of Michael leaving Smith's Grove for good. The classic Halloween tune playing in the background and the industrial grinds make Laurie's anguish at failing to kill Michael when she had the chance even more heartbreaking.
"The Shape Kills" is the new and improved version of the classic "The Shape Lurks". The bass and escalation are so impactful and satisfying.
"Michael Kills Again", which plays when Dana and Aaron get killed in the restroom is positively oozing with that Carpenter-style synth that perfectly matches the scene, especially at the end when Michael chokes Dana and retrieves his mask, where you hear the familiar theme song played slowly on the piano. It's nothing short of breathtaking and terrifying combined into one neat package.
"The Shape Returns" plays as Michael first starts stalking his first victims in Haddonfield. Starting with the original's legendary Scare Chord, this track takes the original theme (the first time it is heard in the film proper) and adds some twists instead of just being a straight retread. The way it slows down into a rapid ticking as time runs out for Michael's victims onscreen before seguing into a synth version with some heavy percussion behind it illustrates just how different Carpenter chose to make this, blending the traditional with something new to create a truly unique sound.
Through the Woods is a slow, saddening piano piece that plays as Laurie and Karen are worried about Allyson's safety, which cuts to her desperately running for her life away from Michael.
"The Shape is Monumental" plays as Michael finally enters Laurie's house to begin their final game of cat-and-mouse. Though mostly an eerie, droning piece emphasizing the sheer dread of Michael cornering his victims, it reaches its crescendo in what is essentially the heavy-metal equivalent of "Psycho" Strings as Michael's dark outline is illuminated from behind. In just several seconds John Carpenter found the sound that perfectly embodies just how consumed by inhuman, cold rage Michael has become. And it is horrifying.
The Shape Burns is downright cathartic. It takes the classic Halloween theme and adds some major key progressions, giving the whole piece a triumphant, satisfying rush of victory. Burn, Shape, burn!
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