© 2024 Lawrence Tuczynski

All information courtesy of Robert Storch

Title: Godzilla The Theme
CD Label: Universal Music Japan
CD Number: PROT-1300
Music Composed by: Various
Number of tracks: 29
Running time: 75:29
Number of discs: 1
Year of release/manufacture: May 21, 2021

REVIEW

June 09, 2024

This compilation CD was released by Universal Music Japan on May 21, 2021, but I only discovered its existence fairly recently. The reason? Because GODZILLA THE THEME was ONLY sold as an "exclusive CD" via TSUTAYA BOOKSTORE in Japan, so there are very few websites on the internet which even mention the release, making it a very obscure item!

The cover features a wonderful illustration of the 1954 Godzilla by Japanese ink painter Yuki Nishimoto, a well known artist in Japan, and an English translation of the booklet proudly proclaims "Welcome To Godzilla Gallery", describing the CD as a collection of historical portraits (theme music) by various composers, with a focus on the works of Akira Ifukube.

The CD contains 29 tracks and covers most of the Godzilla films, but for whatever reason, GODZILLA RAIDS AGAIN, GODZILLA VS. THE SEA MONSTER, GODZILLA VS. MEGALON, GODZILLA VS. MOTHRA '92, GODZILLA X MECHAGODZILLA and GODZILLA: TOKYO S.O.S. are not represented. What is interesting about this particular release is that the audio was taken directly from the 2004-2010 Toho Music 50th Anniversary Godzilla Perfect Soundtrack Collection boxed sets, and the booklet helpfully indicates which tracks correspond to which box. This is also the first time that the Godzilla Perfect Collection audio sources have been used for a Godzilla compilation CD, and in my opinion, the result is a positive one, as the CD has a nice, natural sound quality and a volume level that is not too loud. In contrast, Universal Music Japan's 2014 SHM compilation release, AKIRA IFUKUBE BEST OF GODZILLA, was marred by inconsistent and disappointing sound quality, with some tracks mastered far too loud.

Overall, this 2021 release from Universal Music Japan was a nice find and could become quite a collectible CD in the future. I have personally always enjoyed some of the Godzilla compilations released in the past, and this one has instantly become a favorite of mine. As of this writing, it may already be sold out on the TSUTAYA BOOKSTORE website, but I have seen one or two copies for sale on various auction sites.

Godzilla The Theme (PROT-1300)

  1. Main Title (GODZILLA, 1954)
  2. Godzilla Comes Ashore (GODZILLA, 1954)
  3. Godzilla's Resurrection (KING KONG VS. GODZILLA, 1962)
  4. King Kong vs. Godzilla I (KING KONG VS. GODZILLA, 1962)
  5. Adult Mothra vs. Godzilla (MOTHRA VS. GODZILLA, 1964)
  6. The Greatest Battle On Earth I (GHIDORAH, THE THREE-HEADED MONSTER, 1964)
  7. Main Title (INVASION OF THE ASTRO-MONSTER, 1965)
  8. Main Title (SON OF GODZILLA, 1967)
  9. Parent Godzilla Comes Ashore (SON OF GODZILLA, 1967)
  10. Title Credits (DESTROY ALL MONSTERS, 1968)
  11. The Monsters Pow-Wow On Earth (DESTROY ALL MONSTERS, 1968)
  12. Give Back The Sun! I (GODZILLA VS. HEDORAH, 1971)
  13. Godzilla In Flight (GODZILLA VS. HEDORAH, 1971)
  14. Ending (Godzilla March) (GODZILLA VS. GIGAN, 1972)
  15. Godzilla vs. Angilas (GODZILLA VS. MECHAGODZILLA, 1974)
  16. Godzilla Arrives (TERROR OF MECHAGODZILLA, 1975)
  17. Main Title (GODZILLA, 1984)
  18. Super X-2 (GODZILLA VS. BIOLLANTE, 1989)
  19. Ending (GODZILLA VS. KING GHIDORAH, 1991)
  20. Mechagodzilla Sortie (GODZILLA VS. MECHAGODZILLA II, 1993)
  21. G-Force March (GODZILLA VS. MECHAGODZILLA II, 1993)
  22. Godzilla Theme 1994 (GODZILLA VS. SPACE GODZILLA, 1994)
  23. Requiem (GODZILLA VS. DESTOROYAH, 1995)
  24. Ending (GODZILLA VS. DESTOROYAH, 1995)
  25. Godzilla Theme 2000 Millennium (GODZILLA 2000: MILLENNIUM, 1999)
  26. End Credits (GODZILLA X MEGAGUIRUS, 2000)
  27. Main Title (GODZILLA, MOTHRA AND KING GHIDORAH: GIANT MONSTERS ALL-OUT ATTACK, 2001)
  28. The King Of The Monsters Returns (GODZILLA FINAL WARS, 2004)
  29. Godzilla vs. Destoroyah I ~ Godzilla vs. Destoroyah II (GODZILLA VS. DESTOROYAH, 1995)