Hans Zimmer · DUNE soundtrack

By Joshua Xiang

The resulting soundtrack for Dune may be considered one of Zimmer's most unorthodox and provocative works. In addition to the use of synthesizers, the composition incorporates an eclectic mix of sounds, including scraping metal, Indian bamboo flutes, Irish whistles, a juddering drum phrase that Zimmer has dubbed an "anti-groove," seismic rumbles of distorted guitar, a cello imitating a war horn, and singing that defies Western musical notation.

These are just a few of the disparate elements that can be heard in the score.

The music combines the powerful, chest-thumping sound that has become Zimmer's hallmark in the past decade with the spirit of radical sonic experimentation. The resulting strangeness is entirely fitting for a tale about a futuristic, intergalactic civilization whose inhabitants are pursued by enormous sandworms and venerate a mind-altering substance known as spice.

The distorted and electronic sounds utilized in the soundtrack are intended to mirror the futuristic advances in technology, where sounds and instruments are likely to evolve. With the aid of an upgraded Cubase software designed specifically for the film and the latest Dolby Atmos surround sound technology, the score engenders a highly immersive and otherworldly atmosphere, evoking the uncanny mood that Dune thrives upon. The resulting effect is a perfect realization of the film's universe that effectively captivates and galvanizes the audience within its world.