Featuring Original Music Composed By Tyler Bates and Joel J. Richard
With Original Songs Performed by Ciscandra Nostalghia and Le Castle Vania
Introducing The New Song “A Job To Do” Written and Performed By
Alice In Chains Vocalist/Guitarist Jerry Cantrell
Varèse Sarabande will release the JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2 – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack digitally on February 10 and on CD on March 3, 2017. The album features original music composed by Tyler Bates (GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, JOHN WICK) and Joel J. Richard (JOHN WICK). The soundtrack features songs written for the film and performed by Alice In Chains vocalist/guitarist Jerry Cantrell, Le Castle Vania, and “Plastic Heart,” a reimagining of the JOHN WICK theme (by Bates and Richard) performed by Ciscandra Nostalghia.
“JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2 expands on the rock/electronic hybrid of JOHN WICK,” said Bates. “It’s a much more aggressive and frenetic score throughout.”
Legendary hitman John Wick (Keanu Reeves) is forced back out of retirement by a former associate plotting to seize control of a shadowy international assassins’ guild. Bound by a blood oath to help him, John travels to Rome where he squares off against some of the world’s deadliest killers.
“Chad [Stahelski, director] wanted an Italian influence for the Rome storyline which inspired the use of cello, mandolin, operatic vocals; and in one instance the incorporation of elements from Vivaldi,” Richard described. “It was a matter of finding instrumentation and a musical language that alluded to Italy’s rich musical history while working within the gritty and modern sound of JOHN WICK.”
“The new film pulls no punches, weapons, or fighting techniques, which required the music to change gears and tone at every turn. It’s completely insane,” said Bates. “Joel introduced an element of opera to the score that really makes the dark sense of humor (buried in the floor with John’s weapons and coins) rather apparent.”
Bates jumped into the action himself, appearing on-screen as part of a ‘band’ with Ciscandra Nostalghia and Le Castle Vania performing in Rome. One of the songs they perform is “Plastic Heart” a reimagined version of the original “John Wick Theme,” featuring lyrics by Nostalghia.
Also in the film and on the soundtrack is “A Job To Do,” performed by multi-platinum-selling artist Jerry Cantrell. “I really dug JOHN WICK and have always admired Keanu’s work. When the opportunity arose to create a song for the second film, Tyler Bates and I wrote and recorded ‘A Job To Do’, a theme song for the character. Can’t wait to see it!” said Cantrell.
“Jerry and I are friends and neighbors,” explained Bates. “We got together to jam and came up with the music. He’s a fan of the first John Wick movie and wrote the lyrics from John Wick’s introspective.”
ABOUT TYLER BATES
Composer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Tyler Bates work resonates deeply throughout film, television, video games, and pop culture at large—from critically acclaimed blockbusters such as JOHN WICK and GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY to WGN’s SALEM and Zack Snyder’s groundbreaking 300. An adept and versatile music mind, he develops a distinct sonic palette for each project that is reflective of the director’s unique brand of story-telling and emotion, whether it be sweeping epic grandeur or sheer terror.
In 2004, after a decade of writing film music, he scored Zack Snyder’s reimagining of DAWN OF THE DEAD written by James Gunn, igniting longstanding relationships with both. His soundtrack for Snyder’s 300 quickly became one biggest-selling score albums of the 21st Century. 300 was followed by further collaborations with the filmmaker such as WATCHMEN and SUCKER PUNCH. A partnership with Gunn evolved from the 2006 cult favorite SLITHER and led to SUPER and Marvel’s GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, which became the third highest-grossing film of 2014 worldwide. Throughout Bates’ career he has worked with iconic and influential filmmakers, including Academy Award® winner William Friedkin on KILLER JOE and Rob Zombie on THE DEVIL’S REJECTS, HALLOWEEN, and HALLOWEEN II.
His imprint on the gaming world is apparent in his music for KILLZONE SHADOW FALL, GOD OF WAR: ASCENSION, ARMY OF TWO 40TH DAY, and more. Bates’ work in TV spans a wide range of styles from Showtime’s CALIFORNICATION to Audience Network’s highly popular KINGDOM. An on-camera performance for CALIFORNICATION is where Bates met Marilyn Manson, kicking off another focused and fiery creative alliance. Tyler Bates co-wrote and produced Manson’s THE PALE EMPEROR, which bowed at #6 on the Billboard Top 200 and Rolling Stone proclaimed, “#1 Metal Album of 2015.” “Cupid Carries a Gun” became the main title theme for WGN’s hit series, SALEM, while “Killing Strangers” figured prominently in Keanu Reeves’ John Wick. He also held down lead guitar duties on Manson’s Hell Not Hallelujah Tourand his 2016 arena tour, playing to a half-million fans alongside metal giants Slipknot.
Beyond co-creating Manson’s forthcoming SAY10, 2017 sees Tyler’s scores for Charlize Theron’s THE COLDEST CITY, JOHN WICK: CHAPTER TWO, co-composed with longtime friend Joel Richard, the Gunn-penned and -produced THE BELKO EXPERIMENT directed by Greg McLean, and the mega-anticipated GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2, directed by James Gunn. Ultimately, Tyler Bates’ natural ability to connect with his collaborators yields music that not only becomes part of the film and television zeitgeist, but that resonates with authenticity to audiences around the globe.
ABOUT JOEL J. RICHARD
Joel J. Richard’s passion for music sparked at age twelve with the purchase of a 4-track recorder and an electric guitar. Coming of age, while touring with bands in the New York hard rock scene, Joel lists a diversified range of creative influences (from Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd, to Tool and Tom Waits, to Portishead and Peter Gabriel). Joel’s unorthodox background in music would go on to shape his sound – fusing time-honored musicality with moving atmospheric experimentation. With equal measure, his versatile talent serves raw and unbridled industrial rock-influenced compositions and beautifully intimate acoustic ensemble scores. Joel’s knack for inventive hybrid composition is evident in his scores for the ABC Family miniseries FALLEN, Ridley and Tony Scott’s Emmy nominated THE ADROMEDA STRAIN, Showtime’s thriller/drama COMPOUND FRACTURE, the ABC Family series RAVENSWOOD, as well as the Lionsgate/Thunder Road feature JOHN WICK. Joel’s recent projects include ABC’s hit TV series QUANTICO, the thriller NO EVIL and the upcoming Lionsgate film JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2.
ABOUT JERRY CANTRELL
Led by Tacoma, WA-born guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Jerry Cantrell, Alice In Chains is one of the most successful and influential American rock bands of all time. Alongside Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden, Alice In Chains were one of the Big Four to emerge from Seattle in the early ‘90s and went on to change the sound of modern rock. Over the course of their remarkable career, Cantrell and Alice In Chains have sold more than 20 million albums, recorded 17 top 10 hit singles, had two consecutive albums debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, garnered 9 Grammy nominations, and amassed a diehard international fanbase whose members number in the millions. Their most recent album, The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here, entered Billboard’s Top 200 at No. 2, spawned back-to-back No. 1 hit singles and earned a Grammy nomination.
TRACKLIST
1. Plastic Heart – Performed by Ciscandra Nostalghia
2. Shark Chevelle
3. Man Of Focus
4. Sumo Showdown
5. Peace & Vodka
6. Missing Helen
7. Back In The Ground
8. Santino
9. Walk To Museum
10. Guns & Turtlenecks
11. Wick In Rome
12. Suits Maps and Guns
13. Fool – Performed by Ciscandra Nostalghia
14. John Wick Mode Performed by Le Castle Vania
15. Razor Bath
16. Catacombs
17. La Vendetta
18. Fountain Foes
19. Knives On A Train
20. Presto Museum Battle* – Performed by Joel J. Richard
21. Mirror Mayhem
22. John Wick Reckoning
23. A Job To Do – Performed by Jerry Cantrell
