Between its terrible acting, nonsensical script, and inept direction, it’s hard to argue against the widely accepted notion that Troll 2 is one of the worst movies of all time. The film’s infamy has resulted in a wide array of merchandising opportunities, including midnight screenings, Blu-ray releases, a feature-length documentary, apparel, and now the soundtrack.

Aside from the undeniable entertainment value that comes from the so-bad-it’s-good movie, the one area in which Troll 2 succeeds is its score. While the production was a mess, composer Carlo Maria Cordio (Pieces, Absurd) was left to his own devices to write the music. Like the film is a bizarre blend of horror and comedy, so too is the score an eclectic mix of genres.

“Like an Emerald Green” opens the album with delicate, serene instrumentation before ominous synthesizer notes take over. It leads into “Goblins Are Coming,” the rock jam that plays over the film’s opening titles. The score that follows is largely composed of brooding synth, but the occasional rock number (“Desperate Sprint in the Forest,” “Wail of Terror”) sneaks its way in, often accompanied by wailing guitar.

The songs that score some of the more bizarre scenes in the movie (which is full of them) are appropriately strange themselves. “Witch of Popcorn” is a vaudevillian menagerie of horn, organ, and guitar sounds emulated by a keyboard. The aptly-title “Na-Na Song,” which kicks off the B-side, is a bluegrass tune with creepy, choral singing. It’s fitting in the movie, but it feels out of place among the rest of the soundtrack - and it’s the longest track to boot.

The full score wouldn’t fit on a single LP, but the folks at Lunaris Records did a fine job paring it down, leaving 18 tracks that clock in at nearly 42 minutes. They smartly opted not to include “A Green Pottage,” “Tennessee Roads,” and “Carousel of Vegetables” - three off-kilter songs that would have interrupted the flow of the music. The unabridged soundtrack can be purchased on CD, which also features four bonus tracks not in the film.

The Troll 2 score is a good listen, no doubt, but its packaging is what makes the record really stand out. It’s housed in a diecut jacket with a reversible inner sleeve, so you can choose to have either Joshua Waits (the film’s young, unfortunate protagonist) or a goblin (because, of course, there are no trolls in Troll 2) peering through the green slime. It’s a simple but effective design, illustrated to perfection by artist Devon Whitehead.

Whitehead’s handiwork is also showcased on the insert, which offers a collage of Nilbog’s kooky characters. The insert’s reverse side features an exclusive interview with Cordio. The pressing is available in two color variants: transparent neon green vinyl from retailers and woodland camo vinyl exclusively from Lunaris’ webstore.

While Troll 2 is enjoyable in its incompetence, the soundtrack can be appreciated on its own merits. Coupled with the creative packaging, Lunaris Records’ vinyl release of Carlo Maria Cordio’s Troll 2 score is a must-own not only for fans of the 1990 cult classic but also for soundtrack aficionados.

Troll 2 (Original Soundtrack) is available now on vinyl, CD, and cassette via Lunaris Records.