Why are Dario Argento’s films so compelling? It’s largely due to his knack for matching fantastic, terrifying imagery with amazing music that fully enhances the mood. The Italian writer/director works closely with composers, which has resulted in a number of highly effective horror movie scores. He’s frequently collaborated with the prog rock band Goblin, and soundtracks for two of those films, plus Argento’s team up with one of prog’s most famous and flamboyant figures, are about to be reissued on vinyl—and in lavishly packaged, expanded editions, to boot.

This Friday, Waxwork Records will release enhanced and complete soundtracks for three Dario Argento classics: Profondo Rosso (a/k/a Deep Red (1975), Inferno (1980), and Phenomena (1985). Profondo Rosso is the first Argento film Goblin scored, while the music for Phenomena was composed by Goblin band members, Claudio Simonetti and Fabio Pignatelli, and performed by the group. Inferno is the work of the late Keith Emerson. Waxwork has produced the definitive versions of these soundtracks, with lots of previously unreleased tracks. Each release includes stunning, newly commissioned artwork and cool colored vinyl, with high quality gatefold jackets.

We’ve got a sneak peak at what Waxwork is offering; the majority of these images are making their web premiere.

Profondo Rosso:
 

 

 
Much more after the jump…

 
A year ago today I posted here about four hours worth of creepy Goblin-esque horror-prog mixes for your Halloween party and the mastermind behind them, “DarkLord Disco,” Ryan Todd.

I discovered Ryan’s mixes several years ago on a messageboard we frequented together. Back then he had a website where you could download the mixes or request CDs—which had beautiful covers inspired by horror film poster art. Alas, the website is down, but the mixes live on over at Soundcloud. The mixes rely heavily on what I call “horror-prog” elements and seem to be highly influenced by ‘80s Italian horror. Think lots of Goblin style heartbeat rhythms and lots of John Carpenter style synth-work—all expertly arranged and mixed.

Ryan just released a brand new mix, after a four-year hiatus, and just in time for Halloween—it’s one of his best yet.

I bust Ryan’s mixes out every year around this time and fall in love with them all over again. If you’re a fan of ‘80s horror or dark synthy prog, you’re going to eat this up.

His new mix, Il Suono Scuro 6, begins with a rather well-known piece, Wendy Carlos’ theme from A Clockwork Orange, but then hits some really deep horror soundtrack cuts. As is typical with Ryan’s mixes, Italian film soundtracks are heavily repped.

Listen after the jump…

 
Looking for the perfect Goblin-esque Halloween party soundtrack? You found it right here.

Here’s over four hours of expertly chosen and cleverly mixed bits of horror movie soundtrack elements and obscure scare-pop that will give any occasion the feel of a Dario Argento creepfest.

I had the good fortune of discovering these mixes a few years back on a messageboard I frequented along with the mastermind behind them, “DarkLord Disco,” Ryan Todd.

Back then he had a website where you could download the mixes or request CDs—which had beautiful covers inspired by horror film poster art. Alas, the website is down, but the mixes live on over at Soundcloud. I’ve gathered the first five for you here. There is a sixth mix that is comprised entirely of direct-to-video film soundtracks which you can obtain from Ryan’s Soundcloud.

These mixes rely heavily on what I call “horror-prog” elements and seem to be highly influenced by ‘80s Italian horror. Think lots of Goblin style heartbeat rhythms and lots of John Carpenter style synth-work.

You can click through to Todd’s Soundcloud to see full tracklists. He digs DEEP.

I bust these out every year around this time and fall in love with them all over again. If you’re a fan of ‘80s horror or dark synthy prog, you’re going to eat these up.

The macabre mixes, after the jump…

 
Famed Italian progrockers Goblin, best known for their work with horror auteur Dario Argento—Goblin did the soundtracks for Deep Red, Suspiria, Tenebrae and more of his films—will be launching their first ever North American tour this October.

The tour begins in Atlanta on October 1 and ends in Austin where Goblin will perform for two evenings as part of the Housecore Horror Film Festival on Oct 25th and 27th. VIP tickets allow fans to meet the band and see the soundcheck. A new Goblin EP featuring recently recorded versions of some of their favorite numbers will be pressed on blood red 180g vinyl and be available on the tour at the merchandise table.

The line up will include the key original members Claudio Simonetti and Maurizio Guarini (keyboards) and Massimo Morante (guitar). Opening act for the tour is Secret Chiefs 3, the solo offering from Mr. Bungle’s Trey Spruance. Tour dates can be found at Ear Buddy.

Below, Goblin performing their theme from Dario Argento’s Suspiria in 1977 on Italian television:
 

 
Well, I say in full, but this is actually the shorter US edit, which cuts out twenty odd minutes of the film. Gone are most of the scenes between David Hemmings and Daria Nicolodi, which are actually quite sweet and charming, and add to whatever vague arc these characters are meant to have. This isn’t a great transfer (with a fair amount of color loss) but if you haven’t seen this before it’s worth a watch. The brutality is intact, and most importantly so is the soundtrack by Goblin. It’s one of those films that is worth watching just for the music.

The Profondo Rosso score is as good as any score that came out in the 70s. Yes, that’s saying a lot, as the mid-to-late 70s were a golden age of soundtracks—from Blaxploitation to John Williams to big commercial hits like The Exorcist/Tubular Bells, Grease and Saturday Night Fever—but with its combination of horror-atmospherics and tightly woven sleuth-funk it’s truly brilliant.

If Dario Argento is anything, he’s a master of atmosphere, and it seems obvious to say that he was at his zenith when he worked with Goblin. Profondo Rosso is the first fruits of that collaboration, and while they may have topped it with their work together on Suspiria, this is still a filmic landmark.
 

 
Goblin’s Profondo Rosso - The Complete Edition is available to buy on CD.

Deep Red has just been released on Blu-Ray, you can find it here.

 
Yes, that’s THE Goblin, Italian prog supremos and soundtrack authors of Suspiria, Dawn Of The Dead, Tenebrae, Deep Red and more. Not only will this be the first time the band have played in Scotland and the North-West, but this will be their first shows in the UK featuring founder member Claudio Simonetti.

I know, right?! I haven’t been as excited about a gig in years!

OK, I know this is only relevant to readers in the UK, but amazingly there are tickets left for both shows (why haven’t they sold out?), so if you live in Newcastle/Gateshead or Glasgow, there’s still time to catch the band in action. I’ve had my ticket for ages - it wasn’t cheap but it wasn’t extortionate (£22 inc booking fee - it’s cheaper in Gateshead) and this is GOBLIN we’re talking about here. Beloved of horror afficianados, prog rock fans, electronica and dance artists, break spotters, goths, metal-heads, sleuths, zombie hunters and Black Forest headmistresses alike.
 
 
 
Tonight Goblin play at The Sage in Gateshead, with support from Warm Digits.

Tomorrow they play The Arches in Glasgow, as part of the city’s Film & Music Festival, with a special occult-cinema manifestation from the band OV.

Tickets are available directly from the venues (follow the links above) or from Ticketmaser (here’s links to The Sage and The Arches).
If you don’t go, here is what you are missing:
 
Goblin - “Tenebrae” live in Paris 2009
 

 
Goblin - “Suspiria” live in London 2009
 

 
Goblin - “Profondo Rosso” aka “Deep Red” live in Paris 2009
 

 
Previously on DM:

Enjoying the hell out of this Goblin-style freakout via Antoni Maiovvi. From the artist’s site (which features pinups of Patrick Cowley everywhere?