01. Prologue/Anvil Of Crom (3:39)
02. Riddle Of Steel/Riders Of Doom (5:40)
03. Gift Of Fury (3:51)
04. Column Of Sadness/Wheel Of Pain (4:10)
05. Pit Fights (2:40)
06. Discipline Of Steel/Freedom Council (1:38)
07. Atlantean Sword (4:01)
08. Warm Welcome (2:06)
09. Wolf Witch (3:10)
10. Theology/Civilization (3:14)
11. Street Of Deviants (0:29)
12. Hopefuls at the Tower of Set (2:22)
13. The Tower Of Set (5:38)
14. The Snake/Infidels (2:01)
15. The Tavern (1:14)
16. Wifeing (Love Theme) (2:11)
17. Indulgence/Mettle (1:15)
18. The Hall of King Osric (1:23)
19. The Leaving/The Search (5:58)

01. The Mountain Of Power Procession (3:22)
02. Capture (0:52)
03. Tree Of Woe/Recovery (5:46)
04. Warpaint (1:01)
05. The Kitchen/The Orgy (6:30)
06. The Defilers (5:16)
07. Funeral Pyre (4:32)
08. Battle Of The Mounds Part I (4:52)
09. Battle Of The Mounds Part II (2:16)
10. Battle Of The Mounds Part III (Revised)/Night of Doom (5:36)
11. Head Chop (0:57)
12. Orphans Of Doom/The Awakening (5:33)
13. Conan The King/End Titles (5:28)
Extra Tracks (26:41)
14. Prologue (First Version) (0:46)
15. Anvil Of Crom (First Version) (2:31)
16. The Tower Of Set Part I (First Version) (3:46)
17. Battle Of The Mounds Part II (2:16)
18. Battle Of The Mounds Part III (First Version) (3:03)
19. Orphans Of Doom (Orchestra & Solo Voice) (1:22)
20. Orphans Of Doom (Chorus & Harp)/The Awakening (First Version) (6:45)
21. "Las Cantigas De Santa Maria" (The Tower Of Set Snake theme) (6:05)

01. Anvil Of Crom (2:35)
02. Riddle Of Steel/Riders Of Doom (5:38)
03. Gift Of Fury (3:51)
04. Wheel Of Pain (4:10)
05. Atlantean Sword (3:51)
06. Theology/Civilization (3:14)
07. Wifeing (Theme Of Love From "Conan The Barbarian") (2:11)
08. The Search (3:09)
09. The Orgy (4:16)
10. Funeral Pyre (4:30)
11. Battle Of The Mounds (4:54)
12. Orphans Of Doom/The Awakening (5:32)
13. Prologue (W/Narration)/Anvil Of Crom (3:39)

Basil Poledouris' score to the 1982 Universal film Conan the Barbarian remains the most impressive amongst his body of work. Poledouris delivered an impressive schematic of driving rhythm, charged strings and muscular brass that propelled the movie forward like the hammer of the gods. For almost the first thirty minutes the music appears continuous, the various themes and motifs ebbing and flowing, dovetailing seamlessly. Playing for long stretches against dialogue-free visuals, the score completely creates the sound of Cimmeria—a credible world for Conan to inhabit, the music representing his inner turmoil, confusion, and rage.

For this new, definitive release of Conan The Barbarian, Intrada’s 3-CD set is a box of delights even for those who know this fabulous music inside and out. Recorded in Italy by two separate orchestras and remixed from the original 24-track multi-track masters, it is now presented in a way that would make even Basil proud; it shines with a new clarity, a resonance and breadth of scope that makes the whole experience feel fresh and vibrant. The original soundtrack album and its subsequent reissues from 1/4" masters always had a “pinched” quality to them. And this definitive Intrada set contains a host of alternates and unheard treasures. Just in time for the 30th anniversary of the film’s release, this new collection of everything Basil recorded for the film is an emotional high—pure joy for collectors and cultists everywhere.

In the film, Thulsa Doom (James Earl Jones) leads a charge on Conan’s (Arnold Schwarzenegger) village and the young Conan watches while his father is eaten alive by dogs, and his mother is beheaded. Conan is taken into slavery and harnessed to the Wheel of Pain where he pushes the mill’s grindstone, endlessly building his muscles and anger. Freed under mysterious circumstances, he pursues his thirst for revenge, and in cahoots with Subotai (Gerry Lopez) and Valeria (Sandahl Bergman), he plots the downfall of Thulsa Doom.

At last! Complete soundtrack by Basil Poledouris to John Milius epic with Arnold Schwarzenegger as Conan, James Earl Jones as Thulsa Doom, Sandahl Bergman as Valeria. Legendary music needs little introduction but long journey to 3-CD set warrants spotlight. Thought missing for decades, even by composer, Universal vaults reveal recently discovered 2" 24-track & 1/2" 3-track stereo session masters in mint condition for entire project, right down to rehearsal takes! (Assorted extra tracks on earlier Varese Sarabande release were made from composer's own incomplete 1/4" two-track copy.) Having complete multi-track session elements allows Intrada to newly mix and master everything, finding cool extras in the process! All of them are here! Poledouris originally scores main title with high trumpets joining horns on primary theme plus dynamic horn counter-melody playing in mid-section. Only one raw take is made before re-writes on podium create familiar final version. Other previously unreleased cues include rich version of "The Awakening" with lengthy never-before-heard woodwind bridge section dropped from final film version plus haunting early versions of "Orphans Of Doom", one scored for orchestra plus solo mezzo-soprano, one scored for chorus with harp alone. Three versions of opening prologue, alternate version of "Battle Of The Mounds Part II" add more fun! Original Poledouris music for snake sequence, savage "Pit Fights" are more highlights. Poledouris didn't write music for kitchen battle sequence as scene was scored editorially from other cues. For Conan purists, we have recreated entire sequence (including awkward edits) for this segment as well as for closing "End Credits", also created editorially in picture itself. Many of composer's unique percussion sequences were created through experimentation right at sessions, including size and pitch of tunable drums, volume of tam tams, density of rhythmic figures, so forth. It's all here! Poledouris was fond of his own 48-minute distillation of highlights from massive score so we have licensed that original 1982 MCA album from UMG as well, newly mastered from original album tapes. Two final extras: opening prologue with Mako narration plus actual mono tape master for film version of snake sequence preferred by director Milius. Fascinating, personalized notes by Nick Redman plus musical coverage by Douglass Fake give listener something to read, exciting graphic design by Joe Sikoryak featuring Schwarzenegger and other cast give listener something to look at. Primal intensity and crisp, vibrant details of original performances are without equal. Basil Poledouris conducts. MAF series 3-disc release!