There's a legacy of music that inspired and is inspired by these atmospheric, experimental soundtracks. Detailing the rich history of electronic music and prog rock is a task for a music historian, but here are some snippets and selections that should delight soundtrack fanatics.
Jacula
Founded in Milan in 1968, Jacula's music fuses grandiose pipe organ solos with fuzzed-out guitar improvisation and a grimoire full of occult significance. Jacula, who appear to have formed prior to the release of the eponymous sexy-vampire fumetti in 1969, was part of the first wave of Italian prog rock. Their sepulchral, macabre sound creates an ambient sense of dread that would enhance any supernatural horror film. Their two albums, "In Cauda Semper Stat Venenum" (1969, though there's some debate it may have actually been recorded in 1972) and "Tardo Pede In Magiam Versus" (1973) have lost none of their gloomy magnificence in the intervening decades.
Zombi
Pittsburgh's Zombi lists their key influence as prolific composer Giorgio Moroder, whose work with artists from Donna Summer to David Bowie characterizes a specific period of sweeping 1980s soundtracks. This duo's appreciation of vintage scores is front and center in their work, which draws from and expands upon this flavor of soundscape. Zombi will be releasing a new album, titled "Escape Velocity," on May 10th--be prepared for further synth excellence!
Zombie Zombie
Not to be confused with singular sans-e Zombi, Zombie Zombie may be familiar to some of you from their video for "Driving This Road Until Death," a pitch-perfect G.I. Joe re-enactment of John Carpenter's "The Thing." What you may not have realized is that this French synth duo has a catalog of ambient dance-infused material. European fans may even be lucky enough to catch one of their upcoming DJ dates!
Umberto
I cannot fucking believe that Umberto is from Kansas City. This band so beautifully captures the late-70s/early-80s Italo-thriller soundtrack vibe that I could believe they were time-travelers from Rome. Umberto's albums "From the Grave" and "Prophecy of the Black Widow" are structured as soundtracks to vintage fright films that never were--simultaneously familiar and suspenseful. This is music to make you tune in and trance out to a more sinister world.
Umberto on MySpace
I cannot fucking believe that Umberto is from Kansas City. This band so beautifully captures the late-70s/early-80s Italo-thriller soundtrack vibe that I could believe they were time-travelers from Rome. Umberto's albums "From the Grave" and "Prophecy of the Black Widow" are structured as soundtracks to vintage fright films that never were--simultaneously familiar and suspenseful. This is music to make you tune in and trance out to a more sinister world.
Umberto on MySpace
Bottin
I've talked about my love for Bottin, a one-man retro-Italo-disco-making machine from Venice, before on this blog, but his name bears repeating. Bottin makes groovy-ass music that plays like the most danceable horror score ever made. There's a wit behind his work that makes it accessible to soundtrack groupies and party monsters alike. Bottin DJs regularly across the globe--check out his website for upcoming dates.
I've talked about my love for Bottin, a one-man retro-Italo-disco-making machine from Venice, before on this blog, but his name bears repeating. Bottin makes groovy-ass music that plays like the most danceable horror score ever made. There's a wit behind his work that makes it accessible to soundtrack groupies and party monsters alike. Bottin DJs regularly across the globe--check out his website for upcoming dates.
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8 comments:
AWESOME PLAYLIST! Let me recommend you a conteporary one: the band DAEMONIA wiht cluadio simonetti form goblin on the keyboard they are record a DARION AGENTO tribute plus a live disc! they rock!!!!
Sheers!!!!
Yeah, I was familiar with some of this but the rest is amazing as well. Looking forward to incoming music posts!
Odd that they didn't actually recreate The Thing there - but it's an equally plausible starting sequence.
Not sure if leaving out the Norwegians and the dog would be an improvement, but it'd work.
The whole "Man's Best Friend as alien murder vector" thing might be significant, though...
Thank you BN! Daemonia is actually playing in New York next month, and I'm going to try to make it out to the show. I've almost-seen them a NUMBER of times yet wound up missing the shows. An excellent addition to the list!
Thanks, Daniel :) I've been concentrating on some of my current faves--hopefully something new will come your way, and if not, we can share our mutual fandom this week!
Interesting points, Sigivald--food for thought indeed!
I need to give my Midwest brethren Emeralds a shout here: for syntho freakout zero nowhere action they're ruling the roost as far as I'm concerned. John's got a soundcloud for interested parties, and there's a million sideroutes to investigate as well...
Great music posts, Kate!
I may be showing my age, but I don't recall Emerson Lake & Palmer recording any horror movie soundtracks, although a great deal of Trilogy and Pictures at an Exhibition would work perfectly as a soundtrack (and I wouldn't be surprised if some of the tracks were used w/o permission by a few overseas filmmakers). Keith Emerson did do a number of soundtracks, most famously for INFERNO.
DB, thank you (as always) for excellent input! Will have to check out Emeralds soon.
Thank you, Alison :) I'm delighted to have your approval, as you are a lady of taste and distinction.
Fred, I stand corrected! I was thinking of Emerson's "Inferno" soundtrack specifically (as well as his work on "The Church," another fave of mine).
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