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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

References

1. "'Son of God' Soundtrack Details". Film Music Reporter. February 4, 2014. Archived from the original on February 27, 2014. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
2. "'Son of God' Soundtrack Announced". Film Music Reporter. December 23, 2013. Archived from the original on July 24, 2014. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
3. "If you go: 'The Bible: Son of God' concert tour". The Oklahoman. February 22, 2014. Archived from the original on August 2, 2024. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
4. Honaker, Andrea (February 26, 2014). "Following the 'Son of God': Film about Jesus' life accompanied by music tour, liter". Gaston Gazette. Archived from the original on June 6, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
5. Yap, Timothy (February 26, 2014). "Various Artists: Son of God Soundtrack Review". JubileeCast. Archived from the original on March 4, 2024. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
6. Saraco, Bert (May 1, 2014). "Son of God – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack". CCM Magazine. Archived from the original on March 5, 2024. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
7. Staff, Indy (March 5, 2014). "Review: Son of God". The Santa Barbara Independent. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
8. Tsai, Martin (February 28, 2014). "Review: 'Son of God' takes on epic proportions effectively". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on September 27, 2020. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
9. Goodwyn, Hannah (October 12, 2022). "Son of God: Movie Review". Christian Broadcasting Network. Archived from the original on February 28, 2024. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
10. Stevens, Grant (February 26, 2014). "Review: Despite its made-for-TV roots, 'Son of God' will inspire believers". The Christian Chronicle. Archived from the original on February 21, 2024. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
11. Smith, Kyle (February 27, 2014). "'Son of God' fails to deliver a holy message". New York Post. Archived from the original on May 4, 2014. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
12. McCarthy, Todd (February 27, 2014). "Son of God: Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on June 27, 2024. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
13. Chang, Justin (February 27, 2014). "Film Review: 'Son of God'". Variety. Archived from the original on March 7, 2014. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
14. Puig, Claudia (February 27, 2014). "'Son of God' goes by the book". USA Today. Archived from the original on May 9, 2014. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
15. Zimmer, Hans; Balfe, Lorne; Gerrard, Lisa. Son of God (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (Media notes). Republic Records.
16. "Billboard 200: Week of March 15, 2014". Billboard. March 15, 2014. Archived from the original on September 30, 2015. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
17. ^ "Christian Albums: Week of March 15, 2014". Billboard. March 15, 2014. Archived from the original on March 18, 2018. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
18. "Current Album Sales: Week of March 15, 2014". Billboard. March 15, 2014. Archived from the original on April 11, 2022. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
19. "Soundtracks: Week of March 15, 2014". Billboard. March 15, 2014. Archived from the original on July 26, 2015. Retrieved August 2, 2024.

• 2014 soundtrack albums
• 2014 compilation albums
• Christian music albums
• Word Records albums
• Republic Records soundtracks
• Hans Zimmer soundtracks
• Lorne Balfe soundtracks
• Lisa Gerrard albums