EVENT .. akira The score to Akira expresses the events of the film, rather than trying to tap into the characters' emotional response to the events. The inexplicable magnitude of the destruction depicted in the film could only be attributed to supernatural forces. The composer chose, therefore, a music that would be overarching, overwhelming, and spiritual in nature. “Otomo brought in Geinoh Yamashirogumi, a Japanese musical collective formed to create a fusion between traditional Japanese musical forms and modern technology. Lead by composer Shoji Yamashiro, they created an innovative musical sound that reveals the technological and futuristic at war with the traditional and spiritual, tying thematically into the heart of the movie. The score has unique instrumentation: Gamelan (an Indonesian orchestra of chimes, gongs and Jugog, a wood xylophone ensemble), guitar, organ, synthesizers and primarily male chorus... Geinoh Yamashirogumi pictures the human voice as the ultimate instrument and the choral work along with the percussion drives most of the pieces... The well known "Duh-Daah!" chorus... is actually based on Ancient Buddhist Exorcism rites. The combination of... elements are [sic] spellbinding and hypnotic, drawing you into their spiritual rhythms and slowly envelop you. The electronic portion of the score itself is clearly from late 80's (Rhythm Nation 1814 would be proud), but it has not dated as its use is very strategically. ...As Tetsuo's latent psychic abilities overtake him, sampled voices drone inhumanly as the traditional Japanese drums have now "mutated" into a drum machine. Other times the synthesizer play dreamy, haunted melodies.”
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composer: Shoji Yamashiro
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