Thirdface’s 10 favorite horror film scores
Halloween may be in the rearview, but that doesn’t mean it’s not still a good time for some music from horror movies. Nashville hardcore band Thirdface released their new album Ministerial Cafeteria today on Exploding In Sound (read my review in Notable Releases), and one of the inspirations behind it was that very thing, music from horror movies, so vocalist Kathryn Edwards, guitarist David Reichley, bassist Maddy Madeira, and drummer Shibby Poole have made us a list of their ten favorite soundtracks/scores/music from horror flicks, with commentary on each one. Read on for what they had to say.
Thirdface also have a few dates coming up this month supporting Chat Pile, and you can find those listed here.
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THIRDFACE’S FAVORITE MUSIC FROM HORROR FILMS
Near Dark (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by Tangerine Dream
One of my all time favorite movies. Such a sick debut for Kathryn Bigelow and starring two of my favorite character actors Lance Henriksen and Bill Paxton. For a nü Western, this soundtrack is still full on TD 80s electro goodness. Listen to the whole thing. I also wanna shout out the WAVELENGTH soundtrack (and movie) also by Tangerine Dream (if you like sci fi and Cherie Curie!). [Kathryn]
Profondo Rosso (Deep Red) by Goblin
This is the first in a string of Goblin / Argento collaborations, and it’s a star. Thank god he couldn’t get Pink Floyd. Classic chilling prog rock. [Kathryn]
Tony Coca Cola & the Roosters – the fake punk band from Driller Killer
The band had grooves! I’m bummed that they tormented their neighbor into a killing spree. Too bad none of this has had an official release. Real snotty primitive punk. [Kathryn]
Prince of Darkness (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by John Carpenter / Alan Howarth
A list without the main movie music man in my life would be a wrong move. Any number of movies could have gone here, but this is my favorite JC movie. Such a dark theme, the mirror visuals, the unseen demonic forces. Eat it up every time. This one is still very synthy as always, but we’ve hit a stride here. [Kathryn]
Seven Blood Stained Orchids – Riz Ortolani
I really love Riz Ortolani’s music in this movie and generally love the juxtaposition in so many giallo movies with the repulsive and demented subject matter and the lounge-y and playful music. Torso is another great example. [David]
Nightmare On Elm Street
The score for this movie always makes me feel like I’m right there next to Nancy, fraught with anticipation and questioning my reality. The dissonant nursery rhyme theme is a taunting thread that weaves its way through the whole film in an almost maddening way, which I love. [Maddy]
The Shining
No list is complete without this one. The combo of synth swells and extra squeaky strings make my skin crawl every time. The music is such a foundational element of The Shining’s terror. I’m getting scared just writing this!!! [Maddy]
Re-Animator/Puppet Master/Subspecies
Empire Pictures/Full Moon Features was/is a production company with a sort of DIY/keep it in-house approach. The dad was executive producer while one son produced, directed, and wrote, while the other son did all the music. Richard Band composed all these soundtracks and I kind of love them. The Re-Animator one is a pretty obvious rip/homage to the music from Psycho. The Puppet Master and Subspecies soundtracks are pretty fun to listen to, even though they kind of have that midi string sound. Sometimes those bug the shit out of me but other times it just works. [Shibby]
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