• Altered States (1980) Soundtrack OST •

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Rating: 6.90/10 from 38000 votes

Tags: isolation tank

Alternate Names:

Title in Español:

Un viaje alucinante al fondo de la mente

Synopsis

In the late 1960s, just for a lark, graduate student Eddie Jessup, known for being unconventional, brilliant and slightly mad, conducts experiments with an isolation chamber, using himself as the subject. His experiences in the chamber cause him to hallucinate, much of the imagery being religious-based although he's not religious.

Seven years later, he is a respected full professor in the Harvard Medical School. Believing he has lost his edge and fallen into an unwanted state of respectability, Eddie decides to resume his work with sensory deprivation, this time using hallucinogens, specifically untested ones used in mystical Mexican rituals, to enhance the isolation-take experience.

After initial tests, he claims he entered an alternate physical and mental state. Although unbelieving of Eddie's claims, his colleagues Arthur Rosenberg and Mason Parrish, as well as Eddie's wife Emily, herself a respected academic, are concerned for Eddie's well being. However, if Eddie's claims are indeed true, he could do irreparable harm to himself and others around him, especially if his altered states are uncontrollable.

Download and play the Soundtrack list

Play	Title	Artist
	Altered States
	Voile d'Orphee	Pierre Henry:
	Light My Fire	The Doors: Performer Robby Krieger: Writer
	SIDE A: Main Title And First Hallucination (Ritual Sacrifice And Religious Memories)	John Corigliano: Performer
	Love Theme	John Corigliano: Performer
	Second Hallucination (Hinchi Mushroom Rite And Love Theme Trio)	John Corigliano: Performer
	First Transformation (Primordial Regression)	John Corigliano: Performer
	Primeval Landscape (In The Isolation Chamber)	John Corigliano: Performer
	SIDE B: Second Transformation: The Ape Man Sequence (Escape From The Laboratory, Stalking The Dogs And The Fight, The Zo	John Corigliano: Performer
	Religious Memories And Father's Death	John Corigliano: Performer
	The Laboratory Experiment: Jessup's Transformation, Collapse Of The Laboratory, The Whirlpool And Journey To Another Dim	John Corigliano: Performer
	The Final Transformation	John Corigliano: Performer
	Main Title and First Hallucination (Ritual Sacrifice and Religious Memories)	John Corigliano: Performer
	Second Transformation (The Ape Man Sequence / Escape from the Laboratory / Stalking the Dogs and the Fight / The Zoo and	John Corigliano: Performer
	The Laboratory Experiment (Jessup's Transformation / Collapse of the Laboratory / The Whirlpool and Journey to Another D	John Corigliano: Performer
	Main title and First Hallucination	John Corigliano: Performer
	Second Hallucination	John Corigliano: Performer
	First Transformation	John Corigliano: Performer
	Primeval Landscape	John Corigliano: Performer
	Second Transformation (The Ape Man Sequence)	John Corigliano: Performer
	The Laboratory Experiment: Jessup's Transformation / Collapes of the Laboratory / The Whirlpool / Jo	John Corigliano: Performer

User reviews

Margaret Clark

6/10

Overall, the soundtrack of Altered States is a masterful complement to the film's themes of experimentation, transformation, and the boundaries of human consciousness, immersing the audience in a world where sound itself becomes a powerful tool for storytelling.

Donna Young

7/10

The evocative themes and motifs in the score resonate long after the film has ended, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.

Betty White

9/10

The soundtrack of Altered States perfectly captures the eerie and surreal atmosphere of the film. The mix of electronic and orchestral elements creates a sense of otherworldly tension that enhances the psychological thriller aspect of the story.

Susan Rodriguez

8/10

Overall, the Altered States soundtrack is a masterful work of art that elevates the film to a higher level of emotional and intellectual engagement.

Kenneth Harris

10/10

The use of religious motifs in the soundtrack adds a haunting and spiritual dimension to the film, reflecting Eddie's hallucinations and his quest for transcendence. The choral arrangements and ethereal tones contribute to the overall sense of mystery and unease in the movie, making the music a vital element in creating a truly immersive cinematic experience.

Donald Davis

8/10

The dynamic range of the music, from quiet contemplative moments to intense crescendos, adds depth and complexity to the storytelling.

Richard Hernandez

8/10

The use of unconventional instruments in the score creates a unique and immersive listening experience that complements the experimental nature of the story.

George Martinez

8/10

The intricate layering of sounds and textures in the music showcases the attention to detail and craftsmanship of the composer.

Edward Evans

3/10

Additionally, the soundtrack often felt disconnected from the narrative and emotional arc of the story, failing to establish a cohesive and immersive auditory experience for the audience. The lack of thematic coherence and emotional resonance in the music detracted from the film's ability to fully engage and captivate viewers, ultimately diminishing the impact of key moments in the storytelling.

Kimberly Allen

7/10

The seamless integration of electronic and organic sounds in the score reflects the blending of science and mysticism explored in the film.

Deborah Green

8/10

The atmospheric soundscape created by the soundtrack transports listeners to the surreal and hallucinatory world of the film, enhancing the overall cinematic experience.

Matthew Carter

7/10

The soundtrack effectively builds tension and suspense, creating a sense of unease that mirrors the protagonist's descent into altered states of consciousness.

Carol Williams

2/10

The soundtrack of Altered States failed to effectively capture the intensity and complexity of the protagonist's inner turmoil and psychedelic experiences. The music felt generic and uninspired, lacking the experimental and boundary-pushing qualities that could have enhanced the overall atmosphere of the film.

Carol Parker

5/10

The use of unconventional instrumentation and dissonant harmonies in the music adds an extra layer of tension to the narrative, reflecting the protagonist's descent into altered states of consciousness.

Michelle White

7/10

The emotional depth conveyed through the music enhances the viewer's connection to the protagonist's inner turmoil and existential journey.

Dorothy Clark

5/10

The soundtrack's blend of electronic and organic sounds mirrors the collision of science and spirituality in the film, creating a sonic landscape that is as thought-provoking as it is unsettling.

Karen Hall

9/10

The music in Altered States effectively mirrors the protagonist's descent into madness and his journey through altered states of consciousness. The evolving and experimental soundscape mirrors Eddie Jessup's inner turmoil and struggles with his own identity and beliefs.

Dorothy Evans

5/10

The haunting melodies and ethereal textures in the soundtrack create a sense of otherworldliness, mirroring Eddie Jessup's hallucinatory experiences and blurring the line between reality and illusion.

George Smith

5/10

The soundtrack of Altered States effectively captures the eerie and unsettling atmosphere of the film, enhancing the overall sense of psychological suspense.