10 Horror Movie Soundtracks You Need To Listen To
5. Suspiria (1977)
Composed by Italian prog-rock band Goblin, their sensory-shattering music for 1977's Suspiria is one reason why this giallo classic continues to be adored by genre fans over 40 years later.
Written in collaboration with the film's director Dario Argento after the band worked with him on his previous film Deep Red, and would go on to work with him on future projects Tenebrae and Sleepless, this soundtrack is a wild mix of bombastic percussion, psychedelic synths, elegant piano, and sinister whispering.
Matching Argento's bold visual style, Goblin's uncompromising score turns up the atmosphere to 11 by heightening the film's dreamlike (or rather nightmarish) aesthetic to extraordinary effect. Composed by the group before the film was even shot, Argento made the most out of this unnerving collection of sounds by blasting them during filming to unsettle the actors - and judging by their performances it seemed to work.
Assaulting audiences before the film's title even appears onscreen before changing to an eerie celesta melody backed by chilling vocalisations, this soundtrack has to be turned up loud in order to experience its full might.
Unrivalled in its wicked creativity and pulpy atmosphere, Goblin's work will likely remain a masterpiece in terror for decades to come.