© 2005 Lawrence Tuczynski

Title: Godzilla vs. The Bionic Monster
Japanese Title: Gojira Tai Mechagojira
Movie also known as: Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla
Godzilla vs. The Cosmic Monster
CD Label: Toho Music Corporation
CD Number: G-014
Music by: Masaru Satoh
Number of tracks: 47
Running time: 50:34
Number of discs: 1
Year of release/manufacture: April 25, 2005
Year Movie Released in Japan: 1974
Year Movie Released in U.S.: 1976

REVIEW

May 14, 2005

Review Courtesy of Matti Keskiivari

Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1974) is the last score in the whole Godzilla series done by Masaru Satoh. Well I can tell that his style hasn't changed from his two previous scores. There is a jazz kind of feel in the music. And as with all the other CD's, the music is remastered and you definitely can see (or hear) it as the music sounds completely sharp and clear.

This CD is perhaps the primary reason why I've waited so much for this box set. GvsMG was the very first G-movie I saw. So of course I got addicted to the music in it. And now FINALLY I got the whole soundtrack!

Well what can I tell you? The music is wonderful! The opening track gets you right into excitement as the drums and jazz music start the movie. The rest of the soundtrack uses some repeating tunes like the battle theme (my favorite) in tracks 10 and 32-33, Godzilla's theme in 11, 17 and 30, and the "Okinawa theme" in 2, 18 and 35. The music in tracks 12-13 are somewhat similar to the battle theme. I also liked the music in track 7 when the disguised alien tries to steal the Caesar statue. Satoh also uses his Godzilla theme from Son of Godzilla when MG and King Caesar fight. Track 28, Miyarabi's Prayer, is the song of King Caesar and it has a female vocal.

There is of course plenty of bonus tracks. First we have other versions (takes) of the Main Title. That can get repetitive. Then we have a combination of the tracks 12-13. That's the way they're heard in the movie. Then there's other takes of Keisuke's Return and Ending. A shortened version of track 7 is also included. Then comes the Okinawa Folk Ballad which sounds very much like traditional Japanese music. Finally we have two songs. First is the record version of Miyarabi's Prayer and then a song for MG! I liked the MG song a lot. It has the same tune from the battle theme (I think).

The booklet is similar to the others. It's got Godzilla's face from the movie in the front and the leading women in the back. In the first pages is of course the track list. And above it, like in the others, there's a different English movie title than in the front, which is a good thing. The booklet's got many photos and information text. And last but not least, in the middle is a picture of the LP disc where the two songs (46, 47) are from and the lyrics for them both in Japanese.

Overall I give a high grade for this soundtrack. Being one of my definite favorites, I can't stop loving it. Great job, Satoh! If you don't have the old disc then definitely by this box set. It IS worth the money.

Godzilla vs. The Bionic Monster

  1. Opening (M1)
  2. Main Title (M2 Title T2 + M2T1)
  3. Phantasm of Fear (M3)
  4. The Ornament in the Cave (M4)
  5. The Legend of Seesar (M5)
  6. Black Cloud Mountain (M6)
  7. The Mysterious Intruder (Sanshiro Sugata) (M24)
  8. The Disquieting Shadows (M7)
  9. Azumi's Cry (M8)
  10. Godzilla vs. Angilas (M9)
  11. Godzilla vs. Godzilla (M10)
  12. The Appearance of MechaGodzilla (M11)
  13. Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla (M11EXT)
  14. Restoration of Mechagodzilla (M12)
  15. Sunflower (M13)
  16. Sunlight on the Sea (M14)
  17. Godzilla and the Torpedo Attack (M15)
  18. The Sea Coral (M16)
  19. Traces of the Dark Cloud (M17)
  20. MechaGodzilla Repair Work Complete (M18)
  21. The Fallen Pipe (M19)
  22. The Aggressor's True Identity (M20)
  23. Red Moon (M21)
  24. Keisuke's Return (M22T2)
  25. The Sun Rises in the West (M23)
  26. The Appearance of King Seesar (M24)
  27. MechaGodzilla Swings into Action (M25)
  28. Miyarabi's Prayer (M26)
  29. King Seesar vs. MechaGodzilla (Son of Godzilla) (M33)
  30. The Legendary Monster (M27)
  31. Godzilla Comes Ashore (M28)
  32. Showdown between the 3 Large Monsters in Okinawa I (M29)
  33. Showdown between the 3 Large Monsters in Okinawa II (M30)
  34. The End of the Invasion (M31)
  35. Ending (M33T2)

    36. Bonus Tracks

  36. Main Title (M2T1)
  37. Main Title (M2 Title)
  38. Main Title (M2 Title T1)
  39. Main Title (M2 Title T2)
  40. Main Title (M2 Title T3)
  41. Mechagodzilla Appears ~ Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla (M11 + M11EXT)
  42. The Hero Goes Home (M22 T1)
    Literally, ‘The One Who Gives Aid Returns Home’
  43. Ending (M32 T1)
  44. Mystery Invader (SANSHIRO SUGATA M24 original take)
  45. Okinawan Folk Song (PS-1)
  46. Myarabi Prayer (record version)
  47. Attack Mechagodzilla

Lyrics
Tracks 28, 46, 47 Jun Fukuda
46, 47 Stereo recording