Who can imagine horror movies without sudden, sharp clangs and eerie sounds? Music is an integral part of creating a sense of fear, tension, and suspense in horror movies. We can even say that itâs impossible to achieve the goal of horror movies, which is to scare people, without properly chosen sound effects.
The composers who create music for horror movies usually aim to make people feel uneasy and on edge. Wondering what kind of music weâre talking about exactly? Letâs reveal 5 of the scariest horror movie soundtracks that can actually impact your consciousness long after hearing them.Â
Haunted Movie Soundtracks
1. âThe Shiningâ â Wendy Carlos
The Shining is familiar and one of the most highly appreciated movies for horror movie enthusiasts and not only. While itâs hard to resist Stanley Kubrickâs directing talent and Jack Nicholsonâs acting skills, people rarely realize that music created by composer Wendy Carlos could be the main reason why they felt such intense dread and unease.
Talented composers like Carlos know the importance of sound effects, like futuristic voices, fast heartbeats, laughter, or a babyâs cry. Letâs admit it: thatâs exactly what makes specific scenes of horror movies like âThe Shiningâ unforgettable. But unlike authors of horror classics who had to create eerie sounds all by themselves, today a wide range of sound effects are available for anyone who wants to get this chilling effect in their own horror projects.
2. Rosemaryâs Baby â Krzysztof Komeda
A few seconds of Krzysztof Komedaâs soundtrack for âRosemaryâs Babyâ is enough to feel the role of music in creating deep tension. Komeda is a Polish composer and jazz pianist and therefore, the music features some jazz elements that create dream-like sensations. Interestingly, the soundtrack features the voice of lead actress Mia Farrow, who plays Rosemary.
Komeda’s composition is a lullaby that can evoke a sense of innocence, which contrasts with the movieâs dark themes. Even if you havenât watched the movie, just listen to its main theme and weâre sure youâll soon agree that âRosemaryâs Babyâ features some of the best horror soundtracks in the genre.
3. The Exorcist â Mike Oldfield
The mix of The Exorcistâs frightening scenes and Mike Oldfieldâs iconic composition “Tubular Bells” almost always manages to create a haunting viewing experience. This masterpiece was created in 1973 and quickly became a hit album after the premiere of the movie. Even though the musical score was composed by Mike Oldfield, we shouldnât forget the contribution of the director, William Friedkin, who took a long time to adapt the soundtrack and curate it to his preference.
The power of this soundtrack remains in the audienceâs head even after the movie ends. And thatâs exactly what the director aimed for â to leave a lasting impact on the viewer and maintain disturbing scenes of “The Exorcist” in their minds forever.
4. Psycho â Bernard Herrmann
âPsychoâ is a true masterpiece in the genre of horror and not surprisingly, the movieâs soundtrack plays an important role in its long-lasting impact. The soundtrack of âPsychoâ is composed by Bernard Herrmann. It turns out that his skills align perfectly with Alfred Hitchcockâs needs because âPsychoâ isnât the only movie theyâve collaborated on. Other than this, Herrmann has written music for 7 Hitchcock films, including Vertigo, North by Northwest, and The Birds.
Hermmannâs music is minimalist but still so powerful that he takes suspense and terror to new heights. We can even say that the soundtrack of âPsychoâ is considered the foundation of thriller and horror soundtracks. The best track from the movie, âThe Murderâ, easily manages to evoke fear, suspense, and a sense of terror. Thatâs how this music has left an indelible mark on the film industry.
5. A Nightmare On Elm Street â Charles Bernstein
And the final chilling score is featured in the classic horror movie âA Nightmare on Elm Streetâ directed by Wes Craven. The main theme of this music is composed by American composer Charles Bernstein, who has been nominated for a Primetime Emmy two times for his impactful music. In contrast to most horror movie soundtracks, his music in âA Nightmare on Elm Streetâ leads to a strange chilling sense.
The reason is that his melodies sound like lullabies but they feature dissonant harmonies, which is sometimes enough to trigger disturbing nightmares. In either case, itâs obvious that Bernstein has inspired numerous composers to create something as haunting and memorable as his music.
Final Thoughts
In the end, we should point out that these 5 soundtracks from horror movies are just a few of the many eerie pieces that have influenced the viewer’s emotions and sometimes even shaped the success of the movies. As you can see, what makes horror music so impactful is definitely its ability to connect to our primal fears and create an atmosphere of anticipation. Thatâs why itâs hard to imagine horror movies without eerie sound effects that create spine-chilling experiences.
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