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What makes a great horror soundtrack? Is it the tension between innocent melodies and the menacing sound that envelops them? Or is it the dissonant chords that seem present in every horror film?
There might be many factors that place a soundtrack above the others. Nevertheless, what every good horror score has is to call attention that something is not right. The ambiguity factor makes us want to keep looking at the screen while all of our other senses are telling us to run with that sinister vibe makes us feel a tingling sensation behind our necks. Halloween is right around the corner, meaning that there is no better time to binge-watch a few horror films, especially ones with soundtracks that send shivers down your spine. Therefore, we have put together a list of horror movies with soundtracks that place them in higher (or scarier) grounds.
Insidious (2010)
Dark, intense, and unhinged, Joseph Bishara has created one of the malevolently great horror scores. Howling, slashing dissonant strings, and unworldly effects accompany this traumatized family in a house full of ghosts and sinister beings trying to take away their child. Mixed with classical tunes and sudden, bone-chilling screech, as soon as you hear the first few tunes you will instantly understand that there are many things wrong with either the house or with the family.
Halloween (1978)
John Carpenter is a very talented individual. He is especially known for his directing skills, and is also capable of producing, writing, and even acting. Nevertheless, a little known fact is that he’s done a fair bit of musical work as well. After all the doubts about the film being 'scary' rose, Carpenter promised to "save it with the music", which, after three days, he did successfully. Comprised of a bone-chilling piano motif and dramatic overlay of synths, the soundtrack suits the slow, suburban horror of the original slasher movie, which remains as one of Carpenter’s finest and most recognized piece of work.
It Follows (2014)
It Follows is a recent horror film with a very original concept and a compelling soundtrack. The score is composed by Rick Vreeland (Disasterpeace), an electronic artist, better known for his video game soundtracks. Disasterpeace worked diligently to build a cohesive world with ominous feelings. A large percentage of this score was influenced by John Carpenter's Halloween, and the sinister synth score gives off a retro vibe that fits perfectly with the movie. There are several recurring motifs like: a booming percussion that comes like the monster pounding on the door; a loud horn sound signaling when danger is near, or the constant "marching" sound that signals the monster's relentless chase. This soundtrack elevates the movie to new, creepier heights.
Rosemary's Baby (1968)
Upon hearing the main theme, it sounds like an innocent affair, but when you understand what the film is about, you realize that there never will be a "la-la-la" song will be as creepy as this one; and we got the late Polish jazz pianist and composer Krzysztof Komeda to thank for that. Mia Farrow's lullabies with keys and a dissonant electric harpsichord invoke the feeling that there are darker forces at play in this movie's environment, steadily rising until reaching a spiking point at the dreadful ending of this 60s classic.
The Conjuring (2013)
Joseph Bishara has been getting recognition as a truly great and amazing horror movie composer. Here, with The Conjuring, Bishara gives a few nods to Insidious by incorporating haunting strings that make your hair stand on end, but overall, the tone is much darker and more creepy than his other scores. The score masterfully combines this movie's creepy (and possibly real) story with lots of unnerving sounds, echoes, reverbs, tones, warbling brass with the simple yet engaging and scary.
As you can see, a horror movie is as great as its score. A movie that may not seem scary might be the most traumatizing if the right music and sounds are played at the right time. Hopefully, the love of creating such atmospheric soundtracks keeps giving throughout the years because that is one of the things that makes watching horror so enjoyable.
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