Now Reading
12 great horror soundtracks as picked by John Kowalski of Solar Bears

12 great horror soundtracks as picked by John Kowalski of Solar Bears

Avatar

1. Under The Skin by Mica Levi

Track: ‘Love’

This is the strongest score I’ve heard in years. Extremely impressive given it is her first foray into film composing.

Mica Levi - Love

2. The Wicker Man by Paul Giovanni and Magnet

Track: ‘Lullaby’

Flawless film, flawless soundtrack.

the wicker man ost-lullaby

3. The Shining by Wendy Carlos

Track: ‘Rocky Mountains’

As far as I’m aware the score was based on Berlioz’s Dies Irae meaning ‘Day of Wrath’. Fitting given the nature of the plot. Her work is far more futuristic and wide reaching than anything I hear nowadays.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-KHK-GEW7M


4. Cannibal Holocaust by Riz Ortolani

Track: ‘Cannibal Holocaust Theme’

Extremely inappropriate for the subject matter but luscious nonetheless.

Riz Ortolani - Main Theme [Cannibal Holocaust - Original Soundtrack]

5. Berberian Sound Studio by Broadcast

Track: ‘Teresa, Lark of Ascension’

Berberian Sound Studio is a film told mostly through sound and suggestion. It centres around a shy sound mixer who is given the task of completing a mix for an Italian horror film. Sadly the score was the final work of Broadcast’s Trish Keenan.

Teresa, Lark of Ascension

6. Christine by John Carpenter and Alan Howarth

Track: ‘Moochie’s Death’

Lesser known but full grown.

Track 07 : Moochie's Death - John Carpenter & Alan Howarth [HD]

7. Patrick by Goblin

Track: ‘Patrick’

The score they did for Suspiria would have been the obvious choice and many others such as Buio Omega. My personal favourite would be this one for the film Patrick. Beautiful sequencing.

Goblin - Patrick

8. The Bird With Crystal Plumage by Ennio Morricone

Track: ‘The Bird With Crystal Plumage

Most folk would be familiar with Morricone for his work in Western movies with Sergio Leone and more recent fare like The Mission or The Untouchables. He also delved quite a lot in the Giallo genre which was an Italian scene in the late 20th century.

Ennio Morricone - The Bird with the Crystal Plumage (1970)

9. The Hitcher by Mark Isham

Track: ‘The Hitcher’

Certainly a good example of a score that enhances a movie fully, perfect tone throughout.

Mark Isham - The Hitcher

10. Beyond The Black Rainbow by Sentionauts

Track: ‘Sinoia Caves – Sentionauts’

I found out about this film on the ISO50 blog due to the fact it has remarkable set design and colour scheming. The soundtrack would be the other major strength it has.

Beyond The Black Rainbow OST / Sinoia Caves - Sentionauts

11. All The Colors Of The Dark by Bruno Nicolai

Track: ‘ Sabba Sequence 2’

Had to include the following simply based on the melody. Bruno Nicolai would not be as acclaimed as Morricone, having said that his output is up there amongst the best.

Bruno Nicolai  - Sabba  Sequence 2 (Tutti I Colori Del Buio)

12. Rosemary’s Baby by Krzysztof Komeda

Track: ‘Lullaby Variation 1’

One of the most haunting films of all time for obvious reasons.

Rosemary's Baby Soundtrack 02

Support Nialler9 on Patreon!
Become a patron at Patreon!

Patreon