Two soundtracks were released for the epic biblical film Son of God: an original soundtrack and an album that featured music inspired by the film and an original soundtrack. The former featured compositions from the musical score composed by Hans Zimmer and Lorne Balfe and also featuring Lisa Gerrard; the trio worked on the History Channel television miniseries The Bible (2013), created by Mark Burnett and Roma Downey, who also produced the film under the Lightworkers Media. The album also consisted of remixed songs from CeeLo Green, OneRepublic, Sara Bareilles amongst others. The latter was distributed by Word Entertainment that featured contributions from Christian music artists Francesca Battistelli, Chris August, Dara Maclean, Sidewalk Prophets amongst others. Both the albums were released on February 25, 2014, three days before the film's release.
Promotional tour A promotional tour titled The Bible: Son of God Tour 2014, was announced by Downey and Burnett. It was held from March 20 to April 13, 2014, with August, Battistelli, Sidewalk Prophets, Meredith Andrews, Natalie Grant and Jason Gray among the featured artists, performing the songs at 16 cities across United States. It was described it as "an immersive music and visual experience" where the artists would perform the songs from The Bible and Son of God.
Critical reception Timothy Yap of JubileeCast wrote "It does the soul good for us to walk again in the footsteps of Jesus from birth to resurrection via these songs again." Bert Saraco of CCM Magazine wrote "The music is big and somber, majestic and mournful." A reviewer from Santa Barbara Independent wrote "The overweening Hans Zimmer music score gushes its way over the scenery". Martin Tsai of Los Angeles Times wrote "Hans Zimmer and Lorne Balfe have changed their tune here quite a bit to cinematic effect". Hannah Goodwyn of Christian Broadcasting Network wrote "A stunning score composed by Hans Zimmer and Lorne Balfe, and sung by Lisa Gerrard, helps to lift the black and red words of the Bible off paper and into our hearts." Grant Stevens of The Christian Chronicle called it as "a thundering score".
In contrast, Kyle Smith of New York Post wrote "the overbearing soundtrack turns what ought to be quietly transcendent moments into corn syrup." Todd McCarthy of The Hollywood Reporter wrote "The score by Hans Zimmer and Lorne Balfe lumbers more than it soars." Justin Chang of Variety wrote "Hans Zimmer and Lorne Balfe’s poundingly unsubtle score sounds better suited to a superhero movie — and not this kind." Claudia Puig of USA Today wrote "An overbearing musical score by Hans Zimmer threatens to bombard all of Bethlehem."
Track listing Son of God (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Son of God (Music Inspired by the Epic Motion Picture)
Personnel Credits adapted from liner notes:
Music composer – Hans Zimmer, Lorne Balfe Producer – Hans Zimmer, Lorne Balfe, Steven Kofsky Arrangement – Andrew Christie, Dave Fleming, Gary Dworetsky, Jasha Klebe, Max Aruj, Satnam Ramgotra, Steve Mazarro Engineer – Peter Nelson Vocals – Lisa Gerrard Electric cello – Christine Wu Recording and mixing – Daniel Kresco, Satoshi Noguchi Mastering – Pat Sullivan Music editor – Jessica Weiss, Rodney Berling Ambient sound design – Mel Wesson Digital instrument design – Mark Wherry Music production services – Steven Kofsky Technical assistance – Nathan Stornetta Coordinator – Kelly Johnson Copyist – Andrew Christie Studio management – Czarina Russell Creative director – Sandy Brummels A&R – Tom Mackay
Chart performance
+Chart performance for Son of God (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)Chart (2014)PeakpositionUS Billboard 20067US Top Christian Albums (Billboard)4US Top Current Album Sales (Billboard)62US Top Soundtracks (Billboard)3
+Chart performance for Son of God (Music Inspired by the Epic Motion Picture)Chart (2014)PeakpositionUS Top Christian Albums (Billboard)25
References