List:: My 5 Fave Horror related themes

Cannibal Holocaust by Riz Ortolani.
When I'm asked my favourite horror them this is the one that springs to mind. It is written byJazz musician Riz Ortolani who previously won a Grammy and got nominated for an Oscar for his theme song in Mondo Cane. It is a beautiful haunting piece of music that totally puts you off guard with the juxtaposition with the extreme violence of the film.




Cape Fear by Bernard Herrmann.
It is without doubt that Bernard Herrmann is one of the greatest composers for films even. He his perhaps most famous for his collaboration with Alfred Hitchcock for who he wrote the music for North by Northwest, Vertigo, The Man Who Knew Too Much and (his most well know score) Psycho. But it's his theme for the original Cape Fear which is my favourite of his. The brass used in it are like warning horns for the threat and danger that will soon emanate from villain, Max Cady. Seriously, it does send a shiver down my spine.




Suspira by Goblin.
Goblin are a progressive rock band from Italy who have collaborated many times with giallo director, Dario Argento. Of all those pieces, the one that stands out for me is Suspira. The music starts like a child's music box and then builds up adding more instruments and the creepiest whispering vocal ever.



Click to find out the last two....

Friday the 13th by Harry Manfredini
Like Psycho, this soundtrack is one of the most iconic of the genre. Those 'cha cha cha' vocals immediately evoke 'point of view' shots spying on soon to die camp counsellors. The theme is so famous it's like used in many horror parodies (like the Simpsons Tree House of  Horror).




A Serbian Film by Wikluh Sky
Without doubt, A Serbian Film is one of the most depraved, hard hitting and shocking films to be hit the screens in recent years. And this theme by Serbian musician and rapper, Wikluh Sky fits the film perfectly. Its aural assault to the ears match the films attack on the visual senses. On a side note, I have this as my ring tone.




Honorable Mentions:

The Omen by Jerry Goldsmith.
The Exorcist by Mike Oldfield.
Halloween by John Carpenter.
Psycho by Bernard Hermann.
Re-Animator by Richard Band.