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Author	Topic: Your favorite horror score?

nuts_score Standard Userer	I've just recently become interested in scores for horror films after around 5 or 6 years of my collecting habits. I've always bought thriller scores (Shore's "The Silence of the Lambs", Goldenthal's "In Dreams", etc.) but it wasn't until I discovered Brian Tyler that I have found any interest in horror soundtracks. On a whim a couple of months back, I purchased 5 of Tyler's CDs from Amazon (Timeline, Children of Dune, Constantine, Darkness Falls, and Frality) and was truly amazed by all of those scores but I found myself really liking his horror stuff; especially on "Darkness Falls". Since then, I have only purchased Zimmer's "The Ring 1/2" and Badalamenti's "Dark Water". I'm looking to get on track and order some more horror scores but I thought I would ask you guys: what horror scores can any fan not go without hearing and owning? Which ones really get under your skin and crawl underneath even after the score is over?
posted 07-30-2005 10:47 PM PT (US)

joan hue Standard Userer	Rent the DVD ALIEN, the first one. Even though the director toyed with some of Goldsmith's music, you can still hear the absolute master of music at work in this film. Goldsmith's score is scary and haunting.
posted 07-30-2005 11:18 PM PT (US)

scoreguy16 Standard Userer	Scream. Can't get enough of that score. I also really like Ghost Ship (but only for the emotional music, not the horror stuff) Clayton NP>The Last Samurai
posted 07-30-2005 11:33 PM PT (US)

zimmerito Standard Userer	I'm not a great fan of this genere. but i love : the final conflict hellraiser 2 Darkness falls. NP:Charlie and the heroine factory
posted 07-31-2005 02:57 AM PT (US)

Kris Standard Userer	Does FROM HELL by Trvor Jones count as a horror score? If it does, then this would defintely belong to my favorites. Marco Beltrami writes great horror scores. I also enjoyed Steve Jablonsky's TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE. He created a great mood with his score.
posted 07-31-2005 10:27 AM PT (US)

sakman Standard Userer	Try Ken Wannberg's "The Changeling" for a late 1970s take. Beltrami's score for "Mimic" is probably similar to the other things you have recently heard too. Some other possibilities (omitting some of the 1950s sci-fi scores): From the 1930s: King Kong (Steiner) Bride of Frankenstein (Waxman) From the 1940s: Salter and Skinner scores for the many Universal Horror films (Naxos is reissuing some of these pretty cheap) Spellbound (Rozsa--stretching a bit since this is a Psychological thriller) From the 1950s: Gerald Fried has some great scores from this decade (check out Film Score Monthly for a 2-disc set with several Dracula scores and others). James Bernard also provided some great scores for Hammer beginning in the 1950s and into the 1960s. From the 1960s: Psycho (Herrmann) Cape Fear (Herrmann) Experiment in Terror (Mancini--lounge terror) The Night Walker(Mizzy, Herrmann admired this score--available from Percepto) From the 1970s: The Mephisto Waltz (Goldsmith, coupled with the creepier "The Other") Journey into Fear (North) Jaws (Williams) The Omen (3 scores) (Goldsmith) Obsession (Herrmann) The Fury (Williams) Alien (Goldsmith) The Amityville Horror (Schifrin) Dracula (Williams) Exorcist (Mike Oldfield) From the 1980s: John Carpenter scores Fear No Evil (LaLoggia) Ghost Story (Sarde) Poltergeist and #2 (Goldsmith) From Beyond (Richard Band) Aliens (Horner) The Fly (Young) Hellraiser and sequel(Young) Monkey Shines (Shire) Pet Sematary (Goldenthal) Nightbreed (Elfman) In the 1990s: Dead Again (Doyle) Alien 3 (Goldenthal) Needful Things (Doyle) Frankenstein (Doyle) Interview with a Vampire (Goldenthal) Scream and sequel (Beltrami) Beloved (Portman) House on Haunted Hill (Davis) The Sixth Sense (Howard) Shadow of the Vampire (Jones) What Lies Beneath (Silvestri) The Unsaid (Davis) The Village (Howard) Obviously somethings missing that others will fill in...but that will get you started. There is a 2-disc Silva set called "A History of Horror" that is not bad and would give you a smattering of excerpts that could launch you off into seeking the originals. John Carpenter scores.
posted 07-31-2005 01:18 PM PT (US)

nuts_score Standard Userer	First, joan hue: I own the DVD of Ridley Scott's "Alien" so I have heard most of Goldsmith's score inside the movie but I haven't been able to find a copy of the CD (I still haven't even looked on Amazon, my bad). For scoreguy16: Believe it or not: "Scream", along with "Dracula 2000", are the only Beltrami CDs I don't own; but I would consider his glorious work on both "Blade II" and "The Watcher" too be pretty close to what I'm going to hear from him on the horror side. It's a shame about "Red-Eye" not getting a score release; I'm anticipating the film and Beltrami's score. For Kris: I own Jones' "From Hell" but I consider that more Gothic Romance than horror, but I guess we could consider it. It's an absolutely brilliant and dark score, but still no "Dark City". I do want to get Jablonsky's score for "TCSM" because I recently completed a short film of my own and I managed to create a pretty good atmosphere that I think Jablonsky's score would fit well in. For sakman: I own both "Jaws" and "Aliens", but I could consider them horror score; more of it towards "Jaws" than "Aliens" (God I'm tired of hearing "Bishop's Countdown"!). I do want to nab myself a copy of Williams' "Dracula" as I have heard some clips and think that it is really quite good. Well, thanks so far for the comeback. Some really good recommendations there. It's funny how I could perceive some scores in a different genre than most of you and find out that I actually have more horror scores than I thought. Thanks again.
posted 07-31-2005 02:17 PM PT (US)

MWRuger Standard Userer	Christopher Young's Hellraiser I & II are both classics of the genre. Absolute musts. I would also recommend Changeling. A little hard to find but worth the search for the Music box theme alone. Robert Colbert's Dark Shadows music can also be pretty creepy. (I guess music boxes are inherently spooky because Josette's music box is also eerie.) The Relic is good Beltrami and is The Mimic. Eliot Goldenthal�s Interview with a Vampire is one of his best that really showcases his virtuosity. Poltergeist by Jerry Goldsmith is also good as well as Deep Rising (although you could argue that this is really an action score) Danny Elfman�s Sleepy Hollow and Nightbreed are also good.
posted 08-01-2005 10:14 AM PT (US)

Al Standard Userer	Try Patrick Doyle's "Needful Things," and you'll certainly want to try out some Christopher Young albums. As for Beltrami, if you like what you've heard but don't yet have "Dracula 2000," then you will want to track it down, as it has around three outstanding cues about on par with Mimic.
posted 08-01-2005 12:38 PM PT (US)

Al Standard Userer	Oh my, yes, how could I forget? John Williams "The Fury" is an absolute must.
posted 08-01-2005 12:40 PM PT (US)

Timmer Standard Userer	I like my horror with a touch of gothic romance, both Williams and Kilar's DRACULA's fit that bill as does Christopher Young's two Hellraiser scores. Most 'slasher' movie scores do nothing for me at all.
posted 08-01-2005 03:36 PM PT (US)

Graham Watt Standard Userer	Nuts, the above recommendations are very good. Sakman's list is a good, comprehensive start, though if you're a comparative newcomer to this you may find some of the older scores cited not quite to your taste (yet). Things have changed since the 30s and 40s, though, if you're inclined, backwards is maybe the way to go. Some top class stuff has been done for the past 70 years. I'd suggest you start by trying to get Jerry Goldsmith's ALIEN (Joan's recommendation). You know the film - isn't the music just great? Goldenthal's ALIEN "cubed" is also a harrowing, creepy, demanding listen. Back to Goldsmith, certainly his OMEN trilogy, particularly the first one. Sheer brilliance. Also the aforementioned THE MEPHISTO WALTZ. If you want something REALLY unsettling and creepy, this is for you. Holy schidt, that's scary! Some of you mention the HELLRAISER movies which Christopher Young did. A resounding yes. So, the above are a few semi-contemporary choices, just to get started. Watch some old horror movies too to see what you like. Let us know how your quest goes.
posted 08-02-2005 03:15 PM PT (US)

PeterK FishChip	I like gothic romance too, like Timmer. A favorite of mine has always been Waxman's The Bride of Frankenstein. Horror or not? You decide. Burwell's Gods and Monsters is somewhat related, also spooky. Plenty others not mentioned... the thread could go on a long time. Just now thought of Alejandro Amenabar's music for The Others as well. O damn, good stuff.
posted 08-02-2005 03:51 PM PT (US)

nuts_score Standard Userer	Some more good responses around the board. I have already added Goldsmith's "Alien", Chris Young's "Hellraiser", and Goldenthal's "Alien 3" to my Amazon wish list. I'll be getting them at the end of the month. I figue that those three should be good starters. I just bought the Reinhold Heil/Johnny Klimek score for "Land of the Dead" on a recent trip to Wal-Mart (also picked up Ottman's "Fantastic 4" - really good stuff) and I like the ambient sound design approach to the whole thing; but I feel the entire thing will have to grow on me. I was wondering about Ottman's score for "House of Wax"; is it pretty much the same stuff as heard in "Hide and Seek"? Becuase if it was, I won't be buying it.
posted 08-02-2005 09:51 PM PT (US)

Al Standard Userer	My thoughts on House of Wax: http://www.moviemusic.com/comments.asp?id=houseofwax-score&author=all
posted 08-02-2005 11:20 PM PT (US)

moviescore Standard Userer	Here are some of my favourite horror scores: - Dead of Night (Georges Auric) - The Innocents (Georges Auric) - Curse of the Werewolf (Benjamin Frankel) - Interview With the Vampire (Elliot Goldenthal) - Alien 3 (Elliot Goldenthal) - Poltergeist (Jerry Goldsmith) - The Omen (Jerry Goldsmith) - The Final Conflict (Jerry Goldsmith) - Psycho (Bernard Herrmann) - Jaws (John Williams) - Hellbound: Hellraiser II (Christopher Young) mikael
posted 08-03-2005 05:29 AM PT (US)

MWRuger Standard Userer	Another interesting choice for horror is Jerry Goldsmith's Magic. Here is a horror score that uses a harmonica and Americana style music to evoke creepiness. Very unusual and very effective. Simon Boswell did a horror score for Lord of Illusion that is very effective. I don't how available it is now, but it's very good. Swann�s Last Act is really great music. I seldom see this score mentioned, but I think this is mainly due to unfamiliarity with film and the composer�s relatively unknown status. He has a good body of work, but most of it is for b-movies or for songs
posted 08-03-2005 10:36 AM PT (US)

Al Standard Userer	I've seen a lot of Lord of Illusions in used CD bins. The main theme is effectively creepy yet melodic. I remember really being into this score the first time I heard it in the film, but that was many a moon ago, and I'm not so easily impressed anymore.
posted 08-03-2005 04:31 PM PT (US)

filmfactsman Standard Userer	Most of the "horror" scores listed here I love. I also have some great scores in mind that were never released on LP or CD: Frank DeVol's WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE? and HUSH, HUSH SWEET CHARLOTTE (Oscar nominee), Paul Glass' LADY IN A CAGE, Henry Mancini's WAIT UNTIL DARK, Toshir� Mayuzumi's REFLECTIONS IN A GOLDEN EYE (a great horror score for a not-so-horror film), Alex North's WILLARD and SHANKS (another Oscar nominee), Kenneth V. Jones' WHO SLEW AUNTIE ROO? and Max Steiner's TWO ON A GUILLOTINE--just to name a (very) few. So I'd strongly recommend renting the DVD or VHS tape! My current favorite: Herrmann's SISTERS http://www.moviemusic.com/comments.asp?id=sisters&author=2980&rn=1 [Message edited by filmfactsman on 08-04-2005]
posted 08-04-2005 08:45 AM PT (US)

Bodhizefa Standard Userer	Suspiria. Plenty of other fantastic ones, but Suspiria takes the cake as most original and best in my opinion.
posted 08-05-2005 01:51 AM PT (US)

filmfactsman Standard Userer	quote: Originally posted by Bodhizefa: Suspiria. Plenty of other fantastic ones, but Suspiria takes the cake as most original and best in my opinion. My brother would agree with you 1000%. He plays it over and over (along with the DVD). He sometimes plays it in my car (which can be quite embarrassing since I have a convertible!)
posted 08-05-2005 08:58 AM PT (US)

nuts_score Standard Userer	I just wanted to bring this one back to the top and show my appreciation for a lot of the recomenndations all of you made. I've been fairly successful in scoring (pun intended) some great classic and current horror scores and you're recommendations are the ones that really shine through. Some of the older material may be a little harder to find, but I'm still busting (I spotted a copy of Herrmann's The Night Terror at my local trade-in only to come back the next day and it was gone!) my hump locating some treasure. Any other suggestions that haven't been covered here?
posted 08-26-2006 11:52 AM PT (US)

John Steel Standard Userer	My all time best "chilling" horror scores: Hellraiser 1 and 2 (c.Young) Sleepy Hollow (D.Elfman) House On Haunted Hill (D.Davis) The Ring (H.Zimmer) Jaws (J.Williams) 8MM (M.Danna) --actually not a horror score, but has a very creepy and disturbing atmosphere like the film itself.
posted 08-26-2006 12:25 PM PT (US)

moontrekker Standard Userer	I love horror scores, one of my favorites of recent is The American Haunting by Caine Davidson, a must for horror score fans. IMHO of course. sd
posted 08-26-2006 01:25 PM PT (US)

nuts_score Standard Userer	quote: Originally posted by moontrekker: I love horror scores, one of my favorites of recent is The American Haunting by Caine Davidson, a must for horror score fans. IMHO of course. sd I've been looking over that album for awhile. The film looked dreadful and the composer is a bit of an unknown. Can you give me any idea as to what its sound is closest to?
posted 08-26-2006 10:35 PM PT (US)

Thor Standard Userer	I really don't like horror scores very much, except when they're in the untypical "delicious darkness" mode (Beltrami is a good example of this mode). However, the most creepy horror score I've ever heard that manages to freak me out every single time is Goldenthal's PET SEMATARY. NP: THE CORPSE BRIDE (Elfman)
posted 08-27-2006 12:32 PM PT (US)

vdemona Non-Standard Userer	You might want to try The Others. It's a bit minimalist, very atmosperic and creepy. I thought it was good and worked well for the film.
posted 08-27-2006 07:45 PM PT (US)

moontrekker Standard Userer	<BLOCKQUOTE><font size=1 face=arial>quote:</font><HR size=1> I've been looking over that album for awhile. The film looked dreadful and the composer is a bit of an unknown. Can you give me any idea as to what its sound is closest to?[/B]<HR size=1></BLOCKQUOTE> Ill have to give it some thought and get back to ya I have alot of horror scores. But trust me , you love horror scores you will love this. sd actually the movie looked pretty good to me. [Message edited by moontrekker on 08-27-2006]
posted 08-27-2006 08:29 PM PT (US)

nuts_score Standard Userer	quote: Originally posted by moontrekker: actually the movie looked pretty good to me. Well, I just don't have a taste for PG-13 horror. But I respect them more than the torture-porn being passed around the cinemas like sexually transmitted diseases these days. [Message edited by nuts_score on 08-27-2006]
posted 08-27-2006 09:20 PM PT (US)

pjhackman Non-Standard Userer	I love Halloween 1 and 2 and The Fog. Big fan of Bernstein's Cape Fear, what he did with Herrmann's music.
posted 08-28-2006 10:29 PM PT (US)

Timmer Standard Userer	John Barry never did a "proper" horror film score but THE WHITE BUFFALO comes very close to how one might have sounded? Very atmospheric, menacing and creepy. May not be everyone's cuppa if you like your Barry more Bond or Dances With Wolves but I really love this score.
posted 08-29-2006 09:39 AM PT (US)

Demetris Christodoulides Standard Userer	ELLIOT GOLDENTHAL - Final Fantasy: the spirits within, absolutely amazing!
posted 08-29-2006 02:07 PM PT (US)

nuts_score Standard Userer	quote: Originally posted by Demetris Christodoulides: [b]ELLIOT GOLDENTHAL - Final Fantasy: the spirits within, absolutely amazing! [/B] Demetris! Have you gone drunk?! The title is horror score! Not sci-fi! Although I agree that Goldenthal's score is a nice slice of Heaven (O' Lord deliver upon me an expanded release!). NP> Mozart's "Concerto #2 for Horn and Orchestra, K. 417: 1 Allegro Maestoso" (***/***)
posted 08-29-2006 09:14 PM PT (US)

tjguitar Standard Userer	quote: http://www.moviemusic.com/soundtrack.asp?id=brideoffrankenstein If your stock ever runs out Peter, I'd think about replacing it with the Silva UK release if you can get it for around the same price. http://www.silvascreen.co.uk/master.cfm?SilvaCode=FILMCD726&id=3934 It has the same music as the 1993 American release but remastered in HDCD, has a cooler looking cover (IMO) plus some tracks from other Waxman scores.
posted 08-29-2006 09:48 PM PT (US)

nuts_score Standard Userer	Hey TJ, I'm gonna pick up that Silva release when my funds pick back up. I had been looking for that for some time. Thank you so much for the link.
posted 08-29-2006 11:25 PM PT (US)

franz_conrad Standard Userer	As far as horror scores go... * Do either of Kilar's more horror-oriented genre efforts - THE NINTH GATE or BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA - count? * Christopher Gordon's SALEM'S LOT. * Williams - DRACULA, THE FURY and WAR OF THE WORLDS, though the first of these is not really written like a horror score... * Georges Auric - THE INNOCENTS?
posted 08-30-2006 01:11 AM PT (US)

Squiddybop Standard Userer	Here's a few I really like that I don't think have been mentioned yet: A Nightmare on Elm Street (Charles Bernstein) Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 (Carter Burwell) Parasite EVE (Joe Hisaishi) Lost Souls (Jan A.P. Kaczmarek) The Dead Zone (Michael Kamen) Lighthouse (Debbie Wiseman) [Message edited by Squiddybop on 08-30-2006]
posted 08-30-2006 03:59 AM PT (US)

Timmer Standard Userer	quote: Originally posted by franz_conrad: As far as horror scores go... * Do either of Kilar's more horror-oriented genre efforts - THE NINTH GATE or BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA - count? * Christopher Gordon's SALEM'S LOT. * Williams - DRACULA, THE FURY and WAR OF THE WORLDS, though the first of these is not really written like a horror score... * Georges Auric - THE INNOCENTS? Some of those certainly fit the category of Romantic / Gothic horror.
posted 08-30-2006 08:48 AM PT (US)

nuts_score Standard Userer	quote: Originally posted by franz_conrad: As far as horror scores go... * Do either of Kilar's more horror-oriented genre efforts - THE NINTH GATE or BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA - count? * Christopher Gordon's SALEM'S LOT. * Williams - DRACULA, THE FURY and WAR OF THE WORLDS, though the first of these is not really written like a horror score... * Georges Auric - THE INNOCENTS? A agree with Tim on your choices, Franz. I happen to own all of these and would consider all but Salem's Lot to be Romantic?Gothic horror; which is actually a good thing condsidering I'm more of a fan of what I classify as epic/tragic horror film and usually this is the music to be found in those films. Especially Kilar's Dracula which is among one of my favorite scores period; along with Portrait of a Lady, he's one of the few composers to hold two spots in my top favs (thought Maestro Goldsmith claims three spots ). I'm curious about Georges Auric's The Innocents; I've heard Auric's name but I don't currently own any of his work. How would you classify the music in The Innocents? NP> Jeff Beal's Carnivale (***/***)
posted 08-30-2006 09:31 AM PT (US)

Timmer Standard Userer	Portrait Of A Lady? I think you just pressed Franz's magic button
posted 08-30-2006 09:04 PM PT (US)

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