Vangelis - Antarctica (Arkhan Release) [Beauty Trance review]
Category: Music
Genre: Soundtracks
Artist: Vangelis
Antarctica is the soundtrack to the Japanese 1983 movie "Nankyoku Monogatari"(南極物語), which translates as "South Pole Story" (also known as Antarctica in some countries).
Directed by Koreyoshi Kurahara, it's an emotional story about the Japanese 1958 expedition to Antarctica and the dramatic rescue mission that followed.
I'm going to be reviewing a rare print of the soundtrack, released by Arkhan Records in 2001 and comparing it to the standard 8-track album from 1983 (later released on CD in 1988).
First of all, we have the original album:
Vangelis - Antarctica (1983) (8 Tracks / 45:29 / Polydor)
1. Theme From Antarctica [7:29]*
2. Antarctic Echoes [5:58]
3. Kinematic [3:50]
4. Song Of White [5:17]*
5. Life Of Antarctica [5:59]*
6. Memory Of Antarctica [5:30]
7. Other Side Of Antarctica [6:56]
8. Deliverance [4:30]*
* = Unique to the album (no alternate versions)
Since I've actually seen the film, I can tell you that the music here accurately portrays the events that take place.
However, with just 8 tracks, quite a few mesmerizing songs are left out, but we'll get to that later.
The original album still offers a great listening experience through all of the tracks present. Vangelis is very good at what he does.
The atmosphere in these tracks is very arctic, I mean, antarctic.
Take something like "Memory Of Antarctica", which, while it may not be set in Antarctica itself, does give that feeling of reminiscence.
Then there's "Antarctic Echoes", continuing on from the main theme as if to indicate Part 2 of the theme and the start of an exciting adventure.
The later track "Other Side Of Antarctica" conveys a sense of danger and loss while "Deliverance" signs off the album with a happy ending.
Vangelis - Antarctica (2001)
(24 Tracks / 72:33 / Arkhan Records)
01. Ice Of Antarctica [3:01]
02. Destination Antarctica [2:02]
03. Deliverance [4:36]#
04. Land Of Antarctica [3:01]
05. Mountain In Antarctica [2:31]
06. The Ship In The Ice [2:31]
07. Memory Of Antarctica [4:32]#
08. Escape To Antarctica [0:53]
09. Living In Antarctica [0:51]
10. Wind Of Antarctica [2:21]
11. Kinematic [3:44]#
12. Other Side Of Antarctica [6:02]#
13. Winter In Antarctica [0:39]
14. Mirage [1:24]
15. Borealis [1:41]
16. Light Of Antarctica [2:04]
17. Fall [0:42]
18. Sun Of Antarctica [3:17]
19. Return To Antarctica [0:27]
20. Song Of White [5:13]#
21. Life Of Antarctica [5:57]#
22. Antarctic Echoes [5:57]#
23. Back To Antarctica [1:39]
24. Theme From Antarctica [7:28]#
# = On the original album.
Extremely rare, and limited to 50 copies, the Arkhan release of Antarctica contains all of the songs used in the film.
Most of them are alternate versions or reprises of tracks found on the regular album, while others are collective alternates/reprises to the Arkhan release such as the "Mirage" and "Borealis" tracks.
It's not really essential that you own the Arkhan release, but it's worth carefully researching so you can pick out the songs which aren't found anywhere else.
But if you don't have the original and are somehow able to get the Arkhan release, I'd recommend you go for it since it's an interesting insight into the soundtrack.
I give the Arkhan Release of Vangelis - Antarctica a 4/5 since it tends to rehash some tracks a little too much and some are basically copies of each other.
But otherwise, a compelling album, and it's good to know a complete track collection of the Antarctica soundtrack is out there.
Same/Similar/Related Tracks:
(1) Antarctic Echoes / The Ship In The Ice
(2) Kinematic / Fall
(3) Memory Of Antarctica / Sun Of Antarctica
(4) Other Side Of Antarctica / Ice Of Antarctica / Mountain In Antarctica / Living In Antarctica
(5) Land Of Antarctica / Light Of Antarctica
(6) Winter In Antarctica / Destination Antarctica / Back To Antarctica / Mirage
(7) Escape To Antarctica / Wind Of Antarctica / Return To Antarctica / Borealis
(I have also reviewed the original Antarctica album on Discogs.com) (
http://www.discogs.com/Vangelis-Antarctica/master/6385)
Originally Posted by Iceferno; Feb 5, '11 7:04 AM for everyone (
http://beautytrance.multiply.com/reviews/item/2)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Antarctica - Music From Koreyoshi Kurahara's Film 南極物語, CD, Album, 815 732-2
What an amazing album. It seems Antarctica is relatively overshadowed by the acclaimed Blade Runner and Chariots Of Fire soundtracks, but that's no excuse to miss out on such a wonderful listening experience!
In a way, this could be seen as either an album or a single, since it's many variations on the Antarctica theme, but I think with any soundtrack you have
a distinctly familiar melody replicated in creative ways. I believe "Antarctic Echoes" achieves this best. It holds those familiar chimes but advances the atmosphere as if to indicate 'Part 2' of the theme.
Some of the latter tracks are, however, different from the main theme presenting new sounds as well as emotions.
Now I haven't yet seen the film due to it's rarity, but with such beautiful backing music, one can only wonder how effectively it's used in motion, and I don't doubt that it is. This is Ambient at it's absolute finest.
Highly recommended.
Review by Iceferno Oct 25, 2010 (
http://www.discogs.com/Vangelis-Antarctica/master/6385)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Antartica - Private Release - OWM 2000
Label : OWM 2000
Type : Private Release
Support : CDR with Sticker
Limited To : 100
Interest : ****
Sound Quality : ****
Rarity : ***
01. Ice Of Antartica 3:24
02. Destination Antartica 2:54
03. Deliverance 4:30
04. Land Of Antartica 3:13
05. Mountain In Antartica 2:49
06. The Ship In The ice 2:49
07. Memory Of Antartica 5:05
08. Escape To Antartica 0:46
09. Living In Antartica 0:52
10. Wind Of Antartica 2:22
11. Kinematic 3:50
12. The Other Side of Antartica 6:56
13. Winter In Antartica 0:39
14. Mirage 1:23
15. Borealis 1:43
16. Light Of Antartica 2:00
17. Fall 0:34
18. Sun Of Antartica 3:16
19. Return To Antartica 0:28
20. Song Of White 5:17
21. Life Of Antartica 5:59
22. Antartic Echoes 3:10
23. Back To Antartica 1:40
24. Theme From Antartica 7:29
Original Music Composed and Performed by Vangelis
Limited edition release and is not licensed for public sale. Made in EEC
"Antarctica is really one Vangelis' most majestic and evocative scores. However‚ this private release has some aspects that are very negative.
First of all‚ the name is spelled wrong all over the covers. ("Antartica" as opposed to Antarctica) The major themes found on the official release are all here‚ but most of them are cut into separate parts to give the album more tracks.
(The same happens in "Missing" OWM). Inexplicably‚ "Deckard's Dream" from Blade Runner is heard in different variations about four times throughout the album.
Furthermore‚ many themes are repeated! I see no logic in any of these aspects of this release.
The themes taken directly from the video (tracks 4‚ 8‚ 10‚ 15‚ 16 and 19) are indeed beautiful despite their muffled sound‚ and really is the only justification for owning this release."
Sebastian
The music that appears for Deckard's Dream did actually first appear in the Japanese motion picture "Antarctica" when it was released in 1983.
It was not until the Director's Cut of Blade Runner was released that this music was used for the unicorn sequence
Sandy 2008/01/26
www.vangelis-rarities.com - Antartica - Private Release - OWM 2000 (
http://www.vangelis-rarities.com/index.php?methode=methode1&id=10)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Antarctica - Bootleg - 2001 - Arkhan
Label : 2001‚ Arkhan Records
Type : Bootleg
Support : Manufactured CD
Limited To : 50
Interest : ****
Sound Quality : ****
Rarity : *****
Ice Of Antartica 3:24
Destination Antartica 2:54
Deliverance 4:30
Land Of Antartica 3:13
Mountain In Antartica 2:49
The Ship In The ice 2:49
Memory Of Antartica 5:05
Escape To Antartica 0:46
Living In Antartica 0:52
Wind Of Antartica 2:22
Kinematic 3:50
The Other Side of Antartica 6:56
Winter In Antartica 0:39
Mirage 1:23
Borealis 1:43
Light Of Antartica 2:00
Fall 0:34
Sun Of Antartica 3:16
Return To Antartica 0:28
Song Of White 5:17
Life Of Antartica 5:59
Antartic Echoes 3:10
Back To Antartica 1:40
Theme From Antartica 7:29
Original Music Composed and Performed by Vangelis
This item seems to be the manufactured version of the OWM one
www.vangelis-rarities.com - Antarctica - Bootleg - 2001‚ ARKHAN Records (
http://www.vangelis-rarities.com/index.php?methode=methode1&id=9)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Antarctica (南極物語 - オリジナル�サウンドトラック) - Arkhan Records - 2001
Wrong durations on the vangelis-rareties site I'm afraid. The time durations were taken from the OWM 2000 versions which had those songs longer than the versions presented on the Arkhan.
Anyway. The Arkhan is an edited/re-packaged version of the OWM 2000 with shorter fades.
It is stated on the vangelis-rarities site as a small note plus the review on another site confirms that the time durations on the vangelis site are plainly wrong and referring to the original OWM 2000 version.
On a little side note, the italian version of the movie included some different and exclusive edits to the italian version. Go dig out the music buried in the VHS!
Originally Posted by DC; 07-20-2015, 08:43 PM (
http://forums.ffshrine.org/f92/vangelis-unofficial-official-bootleg-thread-%5Blossless-non-94478/33.html)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Arkhan was at the OWM as the Gongo was at the Off World Edition.
Whenever a boot came out from Off World an almost similiar version came out under different guises to get to a wider circle of collectors.
As far I can tell the Arkhan we had in the first place has the tails chopped out.
For this reason Fictitious Productions took the tails off the only encode that was ever shared (and it was not a good one and with some tracks also present in the official version missing on the OWM that made it to us)...
You can tell which is which because some tails have a lesser deepness in spectrum on the version that we shared 30 pages ago because they were pasted from the mp3 encode and the levels were dropped down to retain the dynamics of the official cues that were missing from the OWM we had.
From time to time I make a check on Soulseek but what I am getting is always the version we have posted also here and not a better encode of the original.
Unfortunately those old cdr's might skip a bit by now.
I guess it's high time to start doing with Antarctica what it was done with Blade Runner...
Oh... most people do not seem to be aware that on the italian version (which is also shorter) different cues and alternate mixes were used compared to the original japanese release.
...unfortunately the master used for the italian version on dvd did age a bit... so I still prefer the original VHS rip for that...
Originally Posted by DC; 04-15-2015, 10:48 AM (
http://forums.ffshrine.org/f92/vangelis-unofficial-official-bootleg-thread-%5Blossless-non-94478/31.html#post2935063)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Antarctica - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack - Fictitious Productions - 2004
... it's from a dvdrip and the OST tracks basically.
Originally Posted by zyzz; 01-21-2015, 10:52 AM (
http://forums.ffshrine.org/f92/vangelis-unofficial-official-bootleg-thread-%5Blossless-non-94478/30.html#post2871680)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I thought the Arkhan and OWM editions shared the same track list...?
[Originally Posted by Donnor; 04-14-2015, 08:54 PM (
http://forums.ffshrine.org/f92/vangelis-unofficial-official-bootleg-thread-%5Blossless-non-94478/31.html#post2934761)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Track titles and durations of an original 2000 OWM edition
1. Ice Of Antarctica 3:24
2. Destination Antarctica 2:54
3. Deliverance 4:30
4. Land Of Antarctica 3:13
5. Mountains In Antarctica 2:50
6. Ship In The Ice 2:50
7. Memories 5:06
8. Escape 0:46
9. Living In Antarctica 0:53
10. The Wind 2:22
11. Kinematic 3:51
12. The Other Side 6:57
13. Winter 0:40
14. Mirage 1:23
15. Dark 1:43
16. Light 2:00
17. Fall 0:36
18. The Sun 3:17
19. Return 0:29
20. Song Of White 5:18
21. Life 6:00
22. Echoes 3:10
23. Back To Antarctica 1:40
24. Antarctica 7:28
Track titles and durations of an original 2001 ARKHAN Records edition
1. Ice Of Antarctica 3:02
2. Destination Antarctica 2:03
3. Deliverance 4:37
4. Land Of Antarctica 3:02
5. Mountain In Antarctica 2:32
6. The Ship In The Ice 2:32
7. Memory Of Antarctica 4:33
8. Escape To Antarctica 0:54
9. Living In Antarctica 0:52
10. Wind Of Antarctica 2:22
11. Kinematic 3:45
12. The Other Side Of Antarctica 6:03
13. Winter In Antarctica 0:40
14. Mirage 1:25
15. Borealis 1:42
16. Light Of Antarctica 2:05
17. Fall 0:43
18. Sun Of Antarctica 3:18
19. Return To Antarctica 0:28
20. Song Of White 5:14
21. Life Of Antarctica 5:58
22. Antarctic Echoes 5:58
23. Back To Antarctica 1:40
24. Theme From Antarctica 7:26
Conclusion
Although the similarities between both versions are obvious, there are also considerable differences.
It is therefore safe to say that the Arkhan edition is not merely a manufactured version of the OWM edition.
Originally Posted by dvran; 06-23-2015 at 08:29 AM (
http://forums.ffshrine.org/f92/vangelis-unofficial-official-bootleg-thread-%5Blossless-non-94478/32.html#post2986504)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As can easily be observed the last section from track 01 was edited out from the original OWM version...
... adding a fade out before the track reach its climax...
The same behaviour was applied on track 02...
As can be seen below the last section was faded out...
On track 22 a large section was simply edited out...
... again resulting in a shorter edit...
... and so on...
I've always postponed the post of the OWM I was having simply because it was ripped from a really badly ageing copy (and you can hear it).
Somehow I've always hoped a better version might resurface one day, but that was never happening, so the 2011 restoration by Fictitious Productions was eventually conceived.
If someone may have tampered with ReplayGain values on the Arkhan and OWM versions I've always had I cannot really tell.
On some occasions I did find some of the tracks on both releases with lower volume gain values compared to my backups... but not all tracks...
Anyway... Here's all the original versions of the soundtrack merely known to date! :)
Key words in my post being original and merely... ;)
Well, after going through countless hd and dvd backups to put a full stop on something that keeps resurrecting not as I've always wished, I re-downloaded about twenty-four different shares on various p2p networks to check against what I was having, but always had to go back to the original backups because what I was downloading was either inaccurate, mislabeled or simply incomplete.
I never had a chance to check any original for the OWM and Arkhan releases so I am drawing my conclusions from what it was merely shared.
Again... key words being original and also merely... :)
Of course everyone is welcome to add their conclusions... supported by solid arguments possibly (FLAC quality preferred...) :)
Yep... I bet I'd really like to be proven wrong this time! ;)
Oh... anyone desperately needing a password could try the name of the cute audio-animatronic robot (or android if you wish) in Tomorrowland. (
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomorrowland_(film))
The one the little Frank Walker falls in love with.
Have a nice summer everybody! :)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vangelis - Antarctica - Music From Koreyoshi Kurahara's Film (Polydor) [1983]
Theme From Antarctica 7.30
Antarctic Echoes 5.58
Kinematic 3.51
Song Of White 5.18
Life Of Antarctica 6.00
Memory Of Antarctica 5.30
Other Side Of Antarctica 6.57
Deliverance 4.30
The 1983 original release on Polydor. (
https://mega.nz/#!A4dDWDAA!olW4dFTIpBTeWYNYEZzFnEiKZc2hlCmihOFIqCXWrYQ)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vangelis - Antartica - Limited Edition (Off World Music) [2000]
Ice of Antartica 3.24
Destination Antartica 2.54
Deliverance 4.30
Land of Antartica 3.13
Mountain In Antartica 2.50
The Ship In the Ice 2.50
Memory of Antartica 5.06
Escape To Antartica 0.46
Living In Antartica 0.53
Wind of Antartica 2.22
Kinematic 3.51
The Other Side Of Antartica 6.57
Winter In Antartica 0.40
Mirage 1.23
Borealis 1.43
Light of Antartica 2.00
Fall 0.35
Sun of Antartica 3.17
Return To Antartica 0.29
Song Of White 5.18
Life Of Antarctica 6.00
Antartic Echoes 3.10
Back To Antartica 1.40
Theme From Antartica 7.30
The 2000 original unedited/looped release by Off World Music. Limited to 100 copies. (
https://mega.nz/#!Ns8UACwJ!NS0JLwBSs4QHPo9IbhE0OjNQm5Lo92OhceIkg17jhRI)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vangelis - Antarctica - Original Soundtrack (Arkhan Records) [2001]
Ice Of Antarctica 3.02
Destination Antarctica 2.03
Deliverance 4.37
Land Of Antarctica 3.02
Mountain In Antarctica 2.32
The Ship In The Ice 2.32
Memory Of Antarctica 4.33
Escape To Antarctica 0.54
Living In Antarctica 0.52
Wind Of Antarctica 2.22
Kinematic 3.45
The Other Side Of Antarctica 6.03
Winter In Antarctica 0.40
Mirage 1.25
Borealis 1.42
Light Of Antarctica 2.06
Fall 0.43
Sun Of Antarctica 3.18
Return To Antarctica 0.28
Song Of White 5.14
Life Of Antarctica 5.58
Antarctic Echoes 5.58
Back To Antarctica 1.40
Theme From Antarctica 7.28
The 2001 edited/re-packaged release by Arkhan Records. Limited to 50 copies. (
https://mega.nz/#!pt9mkKSS!BQJvZqj-7CuxjxMK-VxTei9_dWbog-TxPdPJMpXwr08)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vangelis - Antarctica - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (Fictitious Productions) [2004]
Main Titles 4.15
Deliverance 4.28
Land Of Antarctica 4.15
Life Of Antarctica 5.57
Antarctic Echoes 2.52
Memory Of Antarctica 5.00
Other Side Of Antarctica 2.36
Deserted In Antarctica 0.59
Escape From Antarctica 3.01
Wind Of Antarctica 2.07
Kinematic 3.40
Light Of Antarctica 3.22
Borealis 3.31
Song Of White 2.47
End Titles 7.28
The 2004 edition by Fictitious Productions. (
https://mega.nz/#!lgUlwZRL!RqmHUmWVsnqAKog1DYGjh-eheJ-UjAZByQhO7ahy7oE)
Artworks courtesy of JacKc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vangelis - Antarctica - Soundtrack From The Motion Picture (Fictitious Productions) [2011]
Ice Of Antarctica 3.02
Destination Antarctica 2.03
Deliverance 4.36
Land Of Antarctica 3.02
Mountain In Antarctica 2.33
The Ship In The Ice 2.32
Memory Of Antarctica 4.33
Escape To Antarctica 0.55
Living In Antarctica 0.52
Wind Of Antarctica 2.23
Kinematic 3.45
The Other Side Of Antarctica 6.02
Winter In Antarctica 0.40
Mirage 1.25
Borealis 1.42
Light Of Antarctica 2.06
Fall 0.42
Sun Of Antarctica 3.18
Return To Antarctica 0.29
Song Of White 5.14
Life Of Antarctica 5.58
Antarctic Echoes 5.58
Back To Antarctica 1.40
Theme From Antarctica 7.28
The 2011 restoration from the Arkhan and OWM releases by Fictitious Productions. (
https://mega.nz/#!Z59QgRTT!XzaFRa_pkmIxMi12qYwxoHPvZiVYjt73jdrPYoyudQc)
Artworks courtesy of Pendor.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------