Various Artists - The Exorcist (1973)

It is the time of year when many people go searching the internet for scary music for their parties or their own amusement. Undoubtedly there are thousands typing "the exorcist soundtrack" or "the shining soundtrack" into G00gle. It's understandable. The pieces of music used in William Friedkin's 1973 religious horror staple were well chosen. Penderecki pieces dominate this collection. It's always safe to go with Penderecki if you want to frighten your audience or generally instill a feeling of queasiness. I was listening to this album the other day to "wind down" after my brain was bombarded by a professor at school. My hair stood on end I kid you not. It was "just what the doctor ordered". Download and use generously for its therapeutic properties.

Year of Original Release: 1974
Year of Reissue: 2000
Label: Warner Bros.
Catalog #: WPCR-784
Genre: Soundtrack, Modern Classical
Media: CD
Format: MP3
Bitrate: 320 kbps

Track List:
1. Iraq (01:57) - Jack Nitzche/Krzysztof Penderecki
2. Georgetown/Tubular Bells (05:27) - Mike Oldfield
3. Five Pieces For Orchestra, OP10 (01:16) - Anton Webern
4. Polymorphia (11:48) - Krzysztof Penderecki
5. String Quartet (07:11) - Krzysztof Penderecki
6. Windharp (02:41) - Harry Bee
7. Night of the Electoric Insects (01:38) - George Crumb
8. Kanon for Orchestra and Tape (09:48) - Krzysztof Penderecki
9. Tubular Bells (00:27) - Mike Oldfield
10. Fantasia for Strings (02:11) - Hans Werner Henze

Download: Various Artists - The Exorcist
Download Size: 99 MB

Dominic Frontiere - The Invaders (Unofficial Soundtrack) (1967 - 320kbps)

Information about the origin and all other details regarding this album are extremely scarce. The music appears to be isolated and ripped from the 5.1 surround sound of a DVD of The Invaders, a science-fiction television show which premiered in 1967, and ran for only two seasons. Dominic Frontiere, perhaps better known for composing the music for the television show "The Outer Limits", composed the theme and incidental music for the entire series. I picked this album up several years back on a torrent site, and have attempted to track down where this album originated from ever since, without much luck I might add. The only other place I have seen it mentioned is when the exact same release was posted a few months ago on the Soundtrack Universe blog. In his post johndoever states:

"I’ve been waiting for a soundtrack release of this TV series ever since I first saw it (re-runs in the 70′s),
however the rights are owned by CBS through Paramount Pictures and they have yet to release a soundtrack. So where did this soundtrack come from your thinking, well I cannot remember exactly, I downloaded it years back, there is no tracklisting since its not an official release, but each track is perfect 320kb quality, i can vouch for that personally, whom ever the original owner is, they have done a top notch job bringing this about. In total there are 94 tracks, that spans the entire 2 TV seasons i’m guessing. Usually “Unofficial” soundtracks are ripped/extracted from the actual TV DVD’s, and you can tell, but this is different, I’ve listened to every track, and theres no words to describe the quality of this." - johndoever

Ordinarily I wouldn't post this soundtrack due to the complete lack of information available. However, I am posting this today for two reasons. The first, and most obvious, being that this soundtrack contains an amazing selection of music composed by Dominic Frontiere, which fits in perfectly with our ongoing theme here at DM, "Sci-Fi September." Second, I'm hoping that someone might step forward and provide some information about this release. I have a feeling that it may have been posted on the now defunct Master Cylinder blog, or perhaps one of the subforums of Isbum's World, and I'm hoping someone can confirm this for me. It would also be great to have a track listing for this release. If you have any information about this release, please leave a comment.

As with my previous posts, I'm keeping this brief since I'm very short on time. I hope that the links I provided above will satisfy your curiosity about the composer, Dominic Frontiere, and the show itself.

Year of Release: Unknown
Label: NA / Unofficial Release
Genres: Soundtrack, Science-Fiction
Bitrate: 320kbps

Download Disc 1: Dominic Frontiere - The Invaders (Disc 1)
Download Size: 75MB

Download Disc 2: Dominic Frontiere - The Invaders (Disc 2)
Download Size: 86MB

Bruno Nicolai - Perché Quelle Strane Gocce Di Sangue Sul Corpo Di Jennifer? (1971)

This is Bruno Nicolai's music from the 1971 Giallo Perché Quelle Strane Gocce Di Sangue Sul Corpo Di Jennifer? (aka What Are Those Strange Drops Of Blood Doing On Jennifer's Body?, The Case Of The Bloody Iris). Directed by Giuliano Carnimeo, the film stars the lovely Edwige Fenech and the always amazing George Hilton.

Track List:
1. Sequence 01 (02:09)
2. Sequence 02 (04:52)
3. Sequence 03 (06:10)
4. Sequence 04 (00:36)
5. Sequence 05 (03:46)
6. Sequence 06 (00:53)
7. Sequence 07 (02:43)
8. Sequence 08 (00:47)
9. Sequence 09 (02:09)
10. Sequence 10 (00:35)
11. Sequence 11 (02:24)
12. Sequence 12 (00:40)
13. Sequence 13 (01:07)
14. Sequence 14 (01:22)
15. Sequence 15 (02:20)
16. Sequence 16 (00:27)
17. Sequence 17 (03:47)
18. Sequence 18 (02:47)
19. Sequence 19 (03:49)
20. Sequence 20 (01:03)
21. Sequence 21 (04:55)
22. Sequence 22 (01:22)
23. Sequence 23 (01:05)
24. Sequence 24 (02:38)
25. Sequence 25 (04:30)
26. Sequence 26 (02:40)

Download: Bruno Nicolai - Perché Quelle Strane Gocce Di Sangue Sul Corpo Di Jennifer?
Download Size: 145.3MB

Elliot Goldenthal - Pet Sematary (1989)

This is the score for the oppressively sad 1989 horror film, inspired by the Stephen King novel of the same name. I honestly have not heard much other work by composer Elliot Goldenthal, but I'll probably look for some more after just revisiting this score. I know that, like my last two posts, this score is all over the internet. Just call this an upgrade because it is in 320 kbps. The main theme here has surely invoked comparisons to The Amityville Horror, as will just about any horror score that utilizes a children's choir. This album is short and sweet. It is perfect for playing in the background on the porch while you wait for the little demons to come trick-or-treating. Some might even wet their pants. Wouldn't that be scary?

I have some major studying to do for the next few days, so I hope everyone has a great Halloween!

Year of Release: 1989
Label: Varese Sarabande
Catalog #: VSD-5227
Genre: Soundtrack, Score, Horror
Media: CD
Format: MP3
Bitrate: 320 kbps

Track List:
1. The Pet Sematary (03:00)
2. Dead Recollection (01:21)
3. Hope And Ordeal (01:23)
4. Adieu Gage (01:23)
5. Rachel Against Time (00:50)
6. The Return Game (Jud and Gage) (03:43)
7. Moving Day Waltz (00:31)
8. The WarningTour (01:42)
9. Death Do Us Part (Rachel Hugs Louis) (00:54)
10. Nine Lives Minus Seven (00:15)
11. Up In Flames (Flashback) (01:38)
12. Bitter Loss (Flashback) (01:51)
13. Rachel's Dirty Secret (00:23)
14. Return Game Attack (01:55)
15. Rachel's Blow Out (00:21)
16. I Brought You Something Mommie (00:35)
17. The Return Game II (Louis And Gage) (02:53)
18. Gentle Exhuming (01:03)
19. To The Micmac Grounds (02:46)
20. Chorale (00:30)
21. Kite And Truck (01:22)
22. Immolation (01:37)

Download: Elliot Goldenthal - Pet Sematary
Download Size: 73 MB

Various Artists - Eat Me! Best of Cannibal Movie Soundtracks

I found a copy of Ruggero Deodato’s cult classic (???) Cannibal Holocaust at Streetlight Records twenty or more years ago. Although I am not a true horror or exploitation buff, preferring more the style of David Lynch & Alejandro Jodorowsky among others, I always really enjoyed/was repulsed by this film.

I found this compilation a few years back on knifefightingjesus website, but all of the files seem no longer available. If you’re interested in this sort of thing, you might want to grab it as there is no telling how long it will last. This collection of music features some great tunes from a variety of films in the cannibal films genre.

Cannibal Films is a sub genre of exploitation film made mostly by Italian filmmakers through the 1970s & 1980s. This sub genre is a collection of graphically gory movies  usually depicting cannibalism by primitive, Stone-age natives deep inside the Asian or South American rain forests. Although not all cannibal films show cannibalism on screen, all the movies are connected with the genre by stating that the tribe is cannibalistic & while cannibalism is the common denominator of these films, the general emphasis focuses more on various forms of shocking, realistic, & graphic violence, usually torture, rape, castration &/or animal cruelty. Similar to Mondo films, the main draw of cannibal films was the promise of gore, exotic locales, & cruel behavior. They eventually became a popular feature of Grindhouse culture. The peak of the genre’s popularity was from 1977 to 1981, a period that has come to be known as the cannibal boom.

Due to their graphic content, the films of this subgenre are often the center of controversy. Many of the films include genuine slayings of animals, making them a common target of censors around the world. The inclusion of graphic gore & sexual violence has also landed the films in censorship problems.

Year of Release: 2009

Label: Sharity Surfin’ presents

Genre: Soundtrack

Tracklist:

 01 Cannibal Girls / Raw Meat Trailer

02 Cannibal Holocaust Main Theme

03 Adulteress’ Punishment - Cannibal Holocaust

04 Massacre of the Troupe - Cannibal Holocaust

05 Savage Rite - Cannibal Holocaust

06 Target Firing - Cannibal Apocalypse

07 Fued Ramses Exotic Catering Service - Blood Feast

08 Cannibal Ferox Theme

09 NYC Main - Cannibal Ferox

10 Jungle Jive / Not The Pirahnas - Cannibal Ferox

11 Killing 2 Parrots w/1 Cracker – Rudy & Gloria Get Screwed - Cannibal Ferox

12 Isle of the Damned Action Theme

13 Funky Credentials  -  Isle of the Damned

14 High Tail for Heros – Isle of the Damned

15 Waiting for the Cannibals - Emanuelle and the Last Cannibals

16 Cannibals at Work - Emanuelle and the Last Cannibals

17 Cannibal’s Dance - Emanuelle and the Last Cannibals

18 Cannibals in Pursuit - Emanuelle and the Last Cannibals

19 Make Love on the Wing - Emanuelle and the Last Cannibals

20 The Dark Side of the Soul II - Emanuelle and the Last Cannibals

Cannibal Girls composed by Doug Riley

Raw Meat composed by Wil Malone & Jeremy Rose

Cannibal Holocaust composed by Riz Ortolani

Cannibal Apocalypse composed by Alessandro Blonksteiner

Blood Feast composed by Herschell Gordon Lewis

Cannibal Ferox composed by Fabio Frizzi
Isle of the Damned composed by Kobold
Emanuelle & the last Cannibals composed by Nico Fidenco

Download: Various Artists – Eat Me! Best of the Cannibal Movie Soundtracks

Download Size: 103.1MB

Download Mirror: Various Artists - Eat Me! Best of the Cannibal Movie Soundtracks
Download Size: 103.1MB


Update: A new download link has been provided for those experiencing technical difficulties with the Mega website. The link labeled "Download Mirror" now redirects to the Mega site. You will need to copy the key provided in the comments section (should be the first comment), and paste it where it says Decryption Key on the Mega site.

Bernard Herrmann - Psycho (1975 re-recording)

Sometimes I feel like going psycho. It's been one of those semesters for me. Although it has not been possible to spoil you kind readers as you were last year for the Halloween Countdown, I still have a couple treats in store that I hope you enjoy.

During the Halloween Countdown of 2008, Zer0_II posted the score for 1960's Psycho and mentioned in his post that there was a re-recording conducted by the maestro himself in 1975. Rejoice in morbid glee for today, you get that re-recording of this horrific masterpiece. There have been modern re-recordings, namely those by Joel McNeeley and Danny Elfman respectively, but in my opinion the 1975 version still reigns.

This is one of those works that I will never tire of hearing. Although Hitchcock's film itself is a classic and worth seeing, mostly for its historical value in my opinion, it does lack a certain punch by today's standards as has been noted by many fans. Herrmann's music on the other hand is timeless and will stick with you to the grave. Sleep tight!

Year of Original Release: 1975
Year of Reissue: 1989
Label: Unicorn-Kanchana
Catalog #: UKCD 2021
Genre: Soundtrack
Media: CD
Format: MP3
Bitrate: 320 kbps

Track List:
1 Prelude And Dawn
2 The City
3 Marion
4 Marion And Sam
5 Temptation
6 Flight
7 The Patrol Car
8 The Car Lot
9 The Package
10 The Rainstorm
11 Hotel Room
12 The Window
13 The Parlour
14 The Madhouse
15 The Peephole
16 The Bathroom
17 The Murder
18 The Body
19 The Office
20 The Curtain
21 The Water
22 The Car
23 The Swamp
24 The Search
25 The Shadow
26 Phone Booth
27 The Porch
28 The Stairs
29 The Knife
30 The Search
31 First Floor
32 Cabin 10
33 Cabin 1
34 The Hill
35 The Bedroom
36 The Toys
37 The Cellar
38 Discovery
39 Finale

Download: Bernard Herrmann - Psycho
Download Size: 130MB

Alain Goraguer - La Planète Sauvage (Bande Sonore Originale)

Man, just squeaked in under the wire to get with this September Sci-Fi thang. Been busy as hell...sleeping, & didn’t realize another month had rolled by.

Here’s the soundtrack from one of my favorite sci-fi movies of all, La Planète Sauvage or as it was known in the US, Fantastic Planet. Released in France in 1973.

I’m not going to go into detail about the movie. If you haven’t seen it, check it out. If you have, watch it again, it’s always great. The film takes place in the future in which human beings, known as "Oms" (from the French word hommes, meaning men), have been brought to the Draags' home planet, where they are kept as pets with special collars. The Draags are an alien race, humanoid in appearance but a hundred times larger than humans, with blue skin, fan-like earlobes & protruding red eyes.

The music is by Alain Goraguer, who created music for other French films, including several other animated ones including The Dead Times (Les Temps Morts)(1964) & The Snails (Les Escargots) (1965), both by René Laloux & Roland Topor, who are also responsible for La Planète Sauvage. The music features synthesizers, flute, Hohner clavinet, guitar (with lots of wah-wah effects), bass, & drums. The music to La Planète Sauvage is a progressive funky score, like Pink Floyd meets Shaft.

Year of Release: 1973
Label: Pathé Marconi EMI 2C 066-12698
Genre: Soundtrack, Soul-Jazz, Free Jazz, Jazz-Funk

Tracklist:
Side 1 -
Déshominisation II
Déshominisation I
Générique
Le Bracelet
Ten et Tiwa
Maquillage de Tiwa
Course de Ten
Ten et Médor
Ten et Tiwa Dorment
Ten Est Assomé
Abite
Conseil des Draags
Les Hommes - La Grande Co-Existence
Side 2 -
La Femme
Mira et Ten
Mort de Draag
L' Oiseau
La Cité des Hommes Libres
Attaque des Robots
La Longue Marche
Les Fusées
Générique
Strip Tease
Méditation des Enfants
La Vieille Meurt

Download: Alain Goraguer - La Planète Sauvage (Bande Sonore Originale)
Download Size: 87.3MB (ripped at 320Kbps)

The decryption code is in the comments.

Ren & Stimpy Production Music Vol. 2

As promised, here is Ren & Stimpy Production Music Vol. 2. Ren & Stimpy Production Music Vol. 1 can be found here: http://digitalmeltd0wn.blogspot.com/2010/06/ren-stimpy-production-music-vol-1.html Apparently this was compiled and uploaded to a torrent site by an anonymous person. It was then uploaded by blogger Voncheech, then recompiled and posted by Kirk Demarais in it's final form on the Secret Fun Blog over two years ago. The links on that blog have been dead for some time now. Both volumes have popped up in various locations over the last two years, but never for long, and usually only one volume at a time. I intend to keep these links alive and well. This volume is much larger than the last, so I had to split it up into three separate volumes. There are 194 tracks, so as with the last volume I'm not going to include a track list. Kirk appears to be an expert on the subject, and I can't really expand upon his original post, so I will present it rather than my own amateur ramblings. Here is his original post:

Here it is folks, the long-awaited second volume of vintage incidental music that was excavated for the Ren and Stimpy show. Most of this stuff seems to come from the post John K. era with several notable exceptions that were sorely missing from the first batch (i.e. Shock Horror which blared as the news "Ren Hoek Takes Bubbly Sponge Bath" hit the streets), but even if you're as unfamiliar with the later episodes as I am, you're still bound to find something you enjoy among the one hundred and ninety-four selections (that's five full hours to you and me). Compared to the last set this collection is much more massive, but it's less focused stylistically; however, this amounts to a broader and wackier range of music.

Once again, the original curators of this amassment remain shrouded in the shadows of cyberspace, but we can thank blogger Voncheech for recently upping them. And just like last time, I contributed a cover (featuring another Bill Wray masterwork), looked up and ID tagged the artists, and made a track list. Again I tried to arrange it according to musical styles. It starts with plucky mid-century easy listening, and turns glamorous before going nutso eclectic ( You name it...rag time, folk, barroom piano, jazz, country, big band, banjo pickin', traditional German, Irish, French, and Eastern, and no shortage of polkas) followed by romantic, classical, drama and suspense, all punctuated with an assortment of short cues. You're practically guaranteed to like it if you like the same things I do... wax paper... boiled football leather... dog breath. We're not hitchhiking anymore... we're riding.

- Kirk Demarais

Year of Release: 1998
Label: NA
Genres: Soundtrack, Library Music
Bitrate: 192kbps

Download:
Ren & Stimpy Production Music Vol. 2 (Part 1)
Ren & Stimpy Production Music Vol. 2 (Part 2)
Ren & Stimpy Production Music Vol. 2 (Part 3)
Download Size: 405MB Total

Ren & Stimpy Production Music Vol. 1

Update January 16th, 2013: As NØ aluded to in his previous post, I have finally returned from my adventures in darkest Africa. He and I will be working to re-upload many of the albums that were lost in the great file purges that took place on many of the major file hosting services after the seizure and closing of Megaupload. Almost every blog was affected by this, and unfortunately ours was no exception. Before these purges, Mediafire was easily my favorite file hosting service of choice. However, after reading about how they deleted countless files that were perfectly legal, such as music released under a creative commons license, or shared with permission from the artist, I have decided to look for greener pastures. This means I am going to have to experiment with different hosts until I can regularly deliver download links from a reliable host.

Please comment if any of you can recommend a good file host. I have been away for nearly a year, during which I had access to the computer/internet very little, and a lot can change during that time period on the internet. The primary thing I am looking for is a hosting service that provides longevity, in that they are unlikely to delete the file due to a DMCA complaint or a mistake, as far as the files are concerned. Of course, it would be great if this host met other standards, such as: acceptable file size limitations, no wait time for free users, fast download speeds etc. Again, please leave a comment if you can recommend such a host. I will be conducting an experiment of my own to find the best possible host in the meantime.

This will be the first of what will be many posts containing updated download links. I will begin re-upping Ren & Stimpy Production Music Vol. 2 as soon as I finish writing this. After that I plan on focusing on the posts which have the most re-upload requests. For those who may be new to this blog, I hope you enjoy what we have in store for you, and to those long-time visitors who might still be around, I hope that you discover something that you may have missed the first time around.

Update November 8th, 2010: I posted this several months ago, but as a few readers so kindly pointed out, I neglected to include the last 10 tracks. I should point out that this was originally posted by a former contributor here by the name of PsychoCat. I would like to thank those of you who pointed out the mistake, and apologize for the inconvenience. You can find the link to the download which contains tracks 100-109 listed as Part 3 in the download section at the bottom of the post. Ren & Stimpy Prodcution Music Vol. 2 can be found here: http://digitalmeltd0wn.blogspot.com/2010/06/ren-stimpy-production-music-vol-2_29.html

Today's music comes to you directly from the secret fun blog, an extension of the retro culture phenomenon Secret Fun Spot...created and maintained by Kirk Demarais, who also created I Rode Phantasmagoria, a site dedicated to my favorite childhood dark ride. Unfortunately, the download links to both Volumes 1 & 2 on the Secret Fun Spot blog are now dead. Demarais, author of 'Life of the Party', was most recently a contributing artist in Crazy 4 Cult, a show hosted by Kevin Smith and Scott Mosier, wherein over 100 artists reinterpreted classic cult films. A lot of hard work went into the making of this compilation, and I really appreciate it. I hope you will too. - PsychoCat

"From the moment I experienced my very first brilliantly stupendous episode of the Ren & Stimpy show my brain has ruminated on how to get my hands on that wonderful vintage "incidental music" that sets the tone for their zany, wacky, madcap antics. Eventually the internet taught me that the music of Ren & Stimpy comes from all over the place. Some was written for the show, some are well known classical pieces, and there are quite a few works by Raymond Scott. For me, the most elusive stuff has always been the authentic "production music" from the 1950s.

A couple months ago I discovered that some dear soul (or souls) had assembled a massive collection of these aural delights, and made them available on a torrent site. It was as though the Gilded Yak had answered all of my letters at once! And you guessed it, I'm making this marvelous collection of classics available to you, the valued internet user.

Put simply, these melodies have enriched my life. Play them on your drive to work and you're the star of an instructional traffic safety film, turn it on during dinner and mealtime becomes 80% happier (but be careful.. play the wrong track and you could wind up with a touch of Space Madness). Best of all you can listen and imagine that you live in the world of Ren and Stimpy where the walrus-napping horse is your next door neighbor, where the toy stores are stocked with Log from Blammo, and a visit from Powdered Toast Man is just a complaint away!

Since this stuff is already available 'out there' I decided to add some extra value before I handed it off to you folks, and therefore I did the following..
-Designed an "album cover" for the collection (as seen above)
(Bill Wray illustration swiped from his web site.)
-Hunted down and tagged the name of every artist for every stinkin' track
-Added a couple tracks that I had that weren't included in the bundle
-Created a track listing based on musical styles. It kicks off with some general '50s domestic lollygagging tunes and then it gets more downtown hustle and bustle-ish. After that it goes spooky, glamorous, romantic, and finally dramatic.

It is my pleasure to present you with the unofficial Ren & Stimpy Production Music collection. Be happy happy and enjoy joy joy it! - Kirk Demarais"


Year of Release: 2006
Label: NA (Bootleg Release)
Genres: Soundtrack, Library Music
Bitrate: 192kbps

Download:
Ren & Stimpy Production Music Vol. 1
Download Size: 208MB Total

Download Mirror 1:
Ren & Stimpy Production Music Vol. 1

Download Mirror 2:
Ren & Stimpy Production Music Vol. 1

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Shinichirô Ikebe - Dreams | Rhapsody In August | Madadayo (1990, 1991, 1993)

I watched Akira Kurosawa’s Dreams for the first time a few months ago. I have seen several of his other works, but honestly Dreams really haunts me the most. I heartily recommend it, but I know that it is not for everybody. Considering the anxiety about the nuclear age expressed in this film, and the ongoing nuclear crisis in Japan, I thought it fitting to post this fantastic score by composer Shinichirô Ikebe.

Ikebe was born in Mito, Japan in 1943. He graduated from Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music with a master’s degree in 1971. He is probably best known for his work in classical music, but he has also worked in TV, film and radio. He is the recipient of a very long list of prestigious awards.

This release is mostly the score for Dreams, but tacks on about five bonus tracks from two other Kurosawa films. There is diverse range of moods explored here, expressed through classical, vocal, and traditional Japanese music. There are also some frightening and hypnotic sound effects on the Mount Fuji in Red tracks. Overall, I think the whole album is really good, but my favorite track is The Feast. It starts with some divine Japanese fue, and then brings in some interesting percussion, followed by some kind of plucked instrument. To me it imparts a peaceful fascination with the natural world, but I think it is used in the film in the sequence where a boy, paying no heed to his mother’s warning, is spying on a parade of foxes. My other favorite track is Funeral Procession, which doesn’t sound like any funeral music I’ve ever heard. It is composed of several sections characterized by percussion, wind instruments, possibly some brass, and chanting. I have no idea what the chanters are saying, but it doesn’t matter, because it is awesome.

I want to extend my deepest condolences to all the people who are dealing with the disaster wrought by the earthquake and tsunami.

Year of Release: 2002
Label: Toho Music
Catalog #: AK-0014
Genre: Soundtrack, Classical, Japanese Traditional
Media: CD
Format: MP3
Bitrate: 224 kbps

Track List:
1. Titles (1:50)
2. Sunshower (3:52)
3. Rainbow (1:11)
4. The Feast (4:20)
5. The Fields (1:00)
6. A Spirit In The Fields (1:36)
7. The Snow Woman (2:56)
8. From Behind The Clouds (2:11)
9. Requiem Trumpet (1:17)
10. Raindrops (M11, by Chopin) (2:09)
11. Raindrops (M12, by Chopin) (0:56)
12. Raindrops (M13, by Chopin) (2:13)
13. Mount Fuji In Red (M15 Temp Mix T-1) (1:59)
14. Mount Fuji In Red (M16 Working Sound Temp Mix T-1) (1:23)
15. Radiation (0:55)
16. The Town In The Castle Ruins (0:40)
17. The Crying Demon (1:21)
18. Funeral Procession (5:39)
19. Ending (Caucasian Sketches Op. 10 by Ippolitov - Ivanov) (5:59)
20. Her Grieving Heart (From "Stabat Mater" by Vivaldi) (1:45)
21. The Wild Rose (M6 From The Film) (0:41)
22. The Wild Rose (M7) (1:55)
23. A Weeping Mother Was Standing (From "Stabat Mater") (3:02)
24. Vivaldi Concerto From "Harmonic Inspiration" (Concerto No. 9, D Major, 2nd Movement) (4:23)

Download: Shinichirô Ikebe - Dreams | Rhapsody In August | Madadayo
Download Size: 95.9 MB

Tales From The Crypt: Have Yourself A Scary Little Christmas (1994 - 320kbps)

Christmas Eve has arrived, which means that our Nightmare Before Christmas event is drawing to a horrific conclusion. Now that we've shared an abundance of dreadful sounds throughout the month of December, I hope you have yourself a scary little Christmas. I thought that I would break from the straight forward horror posts to share something which takes a bit more of a light-hearted jab at Christmas. "Tales From The Crypt: Have Yourself A Scary Little Christmas" features John Kassir aka The Crypt Keeper from Tales From The Crypt, putting a blasphemous, yet humorous spin on everyone's favorite traditional Christmas carols. If it isn't obvious by now, the idea of Christmas horrifies me more than any of the music that I have posted this month. I'm particularly repulsed by the Christmas music which can be heard months before the holiday actually takes place. I worked at a retail clothing store a few years ago, and we were forced to listen to Christmas music every day, nonstop, for almost three months straight. If I ever hear "Santa Baby" again I may destroy whatever infernal device the sound happens to emanate from.

If you share the same sentiment towards Christmas Music, and chances are you might if you have been following along with us this month, then this album will be right up your alley. Throw this twisted Christmas album on when you want to get a rise out of stone-faced prudes or overly-sensitive Christmas lovers. With lyrics such as ""Stockings stuffed with ears and fingers (fa la la la la la la la la) Chopped from all those carolling singers (fa la la la la la la la la)", you'll be sure to enjoy a good laugh as they display signs of obvious disgust.

This CD came with a bonus comic book entitled "And All Through The House". "And All Through The House" was the second episode from season 1 of Tales From The Crypt which aired in 1989. It was based on a story first printed in 1954 within the pages of issue #35 of the classic EC horror comic, "The Vault of Horror", one of the sister publications of the original Tales From The Crypt comic. The story revolves a woman who murders her husband on Christmas Eve in order to collect on his substantial insurance policy. Unfortunately for her, a deranged mental patient dressed as Santa has already brutally dismembered four young women not far from her home. Perhaps he has heard "Santa Baby" one too many times? As fortunate would have it, she discovers that the killer is trying to force his way into her home as she is trying to dispose of her dead husband's corpse. Below you will find a download of the classic television episode in its entirety, as well as a complete scan of the aforementioned Vault of Horror #35. Merry Cryptmas!

Year of Release: 1994
Label: The Right Stuff (Capitol)
Catalog #: T2-31330
Bitrate: 320kbps

Track List:
1. Intro to Album
2. Deck The Hall With Parts of Charlie
3. Juggle Bills
4. We Wish You'd Bury the Missus
5. Moe Teitlebaum
6. A Christmas Card for the Cryptkeeper
7. Christmas Rap
8. Intro to Cryptkeepr's Family Christmas
9. Cryptkeeper's Family Christmas
10. Twas The Fright Before Christmas
11. 12 Days of Cryptmas
12. Intro to Revenge of the Cryptkeepr
13. Revenge of the Cryptkeepr
14. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
15. Should Old Cadavers Be Forgot

Download: Tales From The Crypt: Have Yourself A Scary Little Christmas (1994 - 320kbps)
Download Size: 95MB

Bonus Downloads:

The Vault Of Horror #35 (1954 - EC Comics)

Download:
Vault of Horror #35 (1954 - EC Comics)
Download Size: 21MB

Tales From The Crypt - All Through The House

Download:
Tales From The Crypt - And All Through The House
(Season 1: Episode 2 - 1989)
Download Mirror: http://www.mediafire.com/?7w9vza882y721mv
Download Size: 175MB

Richard Band - The Pit & the Pendulum: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1991 - 320kbps)

The Pit & the Pendulum (1991) is another Stuart Gordon / Richard Band team-up, only this time with the source material being by H.P. Lovecraft's predecessor, Edgar Allan Poe. This film I have not seen yet, but they got Lance Henriksen as the star, and that has my attention. After giving the score a few listens, I will surely be seeking out this film that many fans have called Full Moon Pictures' finest. Maybe I can find it to download somewhere. From what I have read about it, it has great atmosphere, sets, costumes and performances. Supposedly, there is far less gore than the usual Gordon fare, but that won't stop me from watching it.

From listening to the score, I have gleaned that this film, in typical Gordon fashion, must have traces of humor in it. There are parts where Band's music really brings a smile to my face, but don't let that convince you that this is all about laughs. No, sirs and madams, there is plenty of dread and horror to be found in this Gothic and dramatic music. Band also makes excellent use of a choir on a few tracks. Enjoy!

Year of Release: 1991
Label: Moonstone Records
Catalog #: MD 9903
Genres: Soundtrack/Score, Horror
Format: MP3
Bitrate: 320kbps
If anyone has a true lossless rip of this long out of print CD, please feel free share it here.

Track list:
1. The Crypt and Main Titles (4:00)
2. The Chase and Onslaught (2:21)
3. The Arrest of Maria (1:18)
4. The Purging of Torquemada (1:06)
5. Antonio Sneaks into the Castle (2:38)
6. Esmeralda's Meadow of Peace (1:34)
7. Antonio Battles the Guards (4:05)
8. The Pope's Envoy (2:13)
9. The Rape of Maria (6:02)
10. Esmeralda Comforts Maria (1:43)
11. The Night Auto da Fe / Esmeralda's Revenge (2:37)
12. Maria's Burial (0:41)
13. The Pit and the Pendulum (8:48)
14. Justice for the Grand Inquisitor... Death (3:36)
15. Maria's Resurrection and Finale (5:51)

Download: Richard Band - The Pit & the Pendulum: Original Soundtrack
Download Size: 114MB

There is a link for an unrelated BONUS album in the comments of this post.

George Fenton - The Company Of Wolves: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1984 - 192kbps)

The Company of Wolves stands apart from the werewolf-themed films that have previously been represented here. It is a unique surreal fantasy-horror film which brilliantly merges European fairy tales with that of Werewolf folklore, woven through the tail of "Little Red Riding Hood" and the stories of Angela Carter. The film serves as an allegory for a young girl's coming of age and the discovery of her blossoming sexuality. The werewolves are presented as a metaphor for the deceptive men who are eager to take away her innocence. The film primarily aims for artistic expression in the form of a dark and surreal psychological tale, rather than a straight forward horror film which seeks to frighten the viewer. There is a thick dark and gothic atmosphere which permeates the film though, as much of the story is told in the form of the young girl's nightmares, and the werewolves play an important role throughout the film.

The highlight of the film for me was the amazing soundtrack from George Fenton. The first time I heard the opening track, with it's ominous opening poem narrated by Angela Lansbury, I crossed my fingers in hopes that that the rest of the soundtrack would be equally impressive. Not only did it live up to my expectations, but it exceeded them by a great deal. Fenton brilliantly combines a small orchestra, traditional folk instruments, and foreboding synthesizer music to create a rich atmospheric soundtrack, which perfectly compliments the gothic fairy-tale atmosphere of the film. Fenton utilized a number of instruments to create his amazing score, including bass flutes, violins, fiddles, organs, pan pipes, double basses, synthesizers, and a variety of percussion instruments. The result is nothing short of magnificent.

Fenton's talent is undeniably displayed throughout this soundtrack, as. he takes on a number of different musical styles and moods, and absolutely kills it with each and every one. "The Message/Main Theme" opens up with a poem narrated by Angela Lansbury, complimented by Fenton's eerie synthesizer sounds in the background. "Rosaleen's First Dream" begins with a reserved minimalistic melody, which gradually becomes more sinister as the track progresses, before the quietness is eventually shattered by some truly powerful and menacing synthesizer sounds. "The Story of the Bride and Groom" consists of traditional Irish folk music, arranged by Alistair McLachlan. "The Wedding Party" is a romantic classical track based on Beethoven's String Trio Opus 9 No. 1. "The Boy and the Devil" has somewhat of an industrial sound to it, dominated by creepy synthesizer music and complimented by blasts of heavy breathing, which sounds as if it originates from some massive mechanical monstrosity.

This is an incredibly underrated soundtrack which deserves more attention, and I believe that it would appeal to a wide variety of people. As with a few of the other releases I have shared this month, there are several tracks which aren't exactly horrific in nature, however, those that are make this soundtrack worth including in our ongoing Nightmare Before Christmas theme. The download link provided below is to a rip of the original vinyl LP released on the That's Entertainment label in 1984. That's Entertainment re-released the soundtrack on CD in 1990, but it has long been out of print ever since.

Year of Release: 1984
Label: That's Entertainment
Catalog #: TER 1094
Genre: Soundtrack, Horror, Contemporary Classical
Bitrate: 320kbps

Track List:
A1. The Message / Main Theme
A2. Rosaleen's First Dream
A3. The Story of the Bride and Groom
A3 (a). The Village Wedding
A3 (b). The Return of the Groom
A4. The Forest and the Huntsman's Theme
A5. The Wedding Party
B1. The Boy and the Devil
B2. One Sunday Afternoon...
B3. All The Better To Eat You With
B3 (a). The Promise and Transformation
B3 (b). Arriving at Granny's Cottage
B4. The Wolfgirl
B5. Liberation

Download: George Fenton - The Company of Wolves
Download Size: 55MB

Charles Bernstein - Cujo / The Covenant: Original Soundtracks (Promo - 1983/1985 - 320kbps)

This is a promo release for two scores by Charles Bernstein, known to me by his iconic score for A Nightmare On Elm Street. Yet another Stephen King treat is served up with Cujo, a film that probably scarred me for life when I saw it as a youngster. A once lovable Saint Bernard slowly transforms into a rabid instrument of Karma, ferociously dispatching a string of mostly unlikable characters. Watching this movie, it probably won't be apparent until later that you are watching a horror film. It is in part due to the score which follows what I like to call the "JAWS" formula. John Williams created music for that film which often didn't match the onscreen action very well. There are scenes where the music plays quite light-heartedly when it should be revving up the tension. The first half of Bernstein's Cujo plays it quite classy and pretty, with zero hints of horror or suspense. Halfway through Cujo things begin to get dark, and it is from this point on that Bernstein shows his horror chops on this release. As for The Covenant, I have never seen it, and IMDB doesn't even have a page for it. About the music, I can say it fits perfectly with the Nightmare Before Christmas theme. Bernstein sticks mostly to orchestral arrangements with elements of mystery, suspense and horror, and the occasional choral accompaniment or electronic creepiness. He pays tribute to the late great Jerry Goldsmith and his score for The Omen with the funny parenthetical titles on the main and end titles. If anyone has any information on the film this score comes from, please comment.

Year of Films Release: 1983/1985
Label: N/A, Promo
Catalog #: CBPRO - 001
Genres: Soundtrack/Score, Horror, Electronic
Format: MP3
Bitrate: 320kbps

Track List:
1-13 from Cujo
1. Theme From Cujo (02:41)
2. Main Title - The Hunt (02:15)
3. Main Title - The House (02:11)
4. Bedtime Poem (01:59)
5. Cujo & Boy (01:21)
6. End Of The Day (02:58)
7. Foggy Morning Cujo (02:12)
8. Cujo Dark (02:35)
9. Cujo Pulse (01:15)
10. Entrance To Isolation (03:09)
11. A Very Bad Dog (03:09)
12. Dog Attacks (03:56)
13. End Titles (02:42)
14-25 from The Covenant
14. Main Title (Ave Goldsmith) (02:10)
15. The Legend Of The Damned (02:30)
16. Slow Death In Ballard (02:25)
17. The Seduction (02:06)
18. The Unholy Of Mercer Island (02:30)
19. Darkness Falls In Wallingford (00:56)
20. Voices Of The Damned (02:16)
21. Fife Demons (03:17)
22. Death Of A Friend (01:53)
23. The Summoning (00:46)
24. The Black Lake (04:59)
25. Finale/End Title (Jerry Satani) (01:35)

Download: Charles Bernstein - Cujo / The Covenant: Original Soundtracks
Download Size: 137MB

Jay Chattaway - Silver Bullet: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1985 - 320kbps)

This one goes out to George Renieris, who requested this soundtrack back in October. I'm all too happy to share it as part of my ongoing series of werewolf soundtracks. This is Jay Chattaway's second appearance on the blog. You can find his soundtrack to the 1988 horror film Maniac Cop here: http://digitalmeltd0wn.blogspot.com/2010/10/jay-chattaway-maniac-cop-1988-320kbps.html. Chattaway is best known for composing the scores to several of the Star Trek television series, including Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Voyager, and Star Trek: Enterprise. My favorite scores from Chattaway happen to be those he composed for several cult movies in the 1980s though, and his score to Silver Bullet happens to my personal favorite from him. The download provided below is a rip from the limited edition CD, of which only 1,000 copies were produced and released. This one sold out quickly and is out of print and unavailable for purchase. The soundtrack was also released on vinyl and cassette around the time the film was originally released, but I couldn't find any information regarding which label released those.

Silver Bullet was a 1995 werewolf-themed horror film based on Stephen King's novella "Cycle of the Werewolf". It's been years since I have seen this film, so I honestly can't comment too much on how well the film has held up over the years. With a couple of exceptions I think this soundtrack has held up well over the years though. The two tracks I am referring to are the tracks containing music from Rob B. Mathes, who is responsible for writing the lyrics and contributing the guitar work and vocals on the track "Joy Ride", along with the reprise version. I could honestly do without these two tracks, and prefer to listen to the soundtrack without them, but I realize that there are many people out there who share a different opinion. I don't feel as if the original Joy Ride is as bad as the reprise, but it still detracts from the overall mood established throughout the album for me. Aside from that small complaint, I believe that this is an amazing soundtrack. I read where one reviewer stated that the music was too over the top for what the film called for. I honestly can't agree or disagree with this statement because I don't have the film to make a comparison, but the soundtrack certainly stands solidly on its own as an amazing piece of work. The orchestral music is extremely powerful, downright epic even. There are several dramatic and suspenseful cues, which have a manic pace to them, bringing to mind the work of Harry Manredini or Bernard Herrmann. The frantic tracks often give way to creepy cues which gradually build a thick atmosphere of suspense, before absolutely exploding. Thrashing strings, exploding brass, and pummeling percussion all erupt into a cacophony of total terror.

Year of Release: 1985 (Original) | 2008 (Re-Release)
Label: Varèse Sarabande
Catalog #: VCL 1108 1089
Genres: Soundtrack, Horror
Bitrate: 320kbps

Track List:
1. Main Title
2. The Hunt
3. The Ballgame / The Chase
4. Making The Silver Bullet
5. Fight To The Finish
6. The Bog
7. Stella And The Beast
8. Looking For Mr. One-Eye
9. On The Bridge
10. Joy Ride
11. The Reveal
12. Teamwork / Milt's Greenhouse
13. Marty's Apology
14. Transformation / Finale / Joy Ride (Reprise)

Download: Jay Chattaway - Silver Bullet: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Download Size: 72MB

Philip Glass & Geoff Zanelli - Secret Window: Original Motion Picture Score (Promo) (2004 - 320kbps)

Secret Window is a film based on a story by Stephen King, and starring Johnny Depp and John Turturro. I'm not going to say anything about the film other than I saw it once, and I found it entertaining, but this film will possibly appeal more to people who create subjective art and who can relate to what the main character is going through. I'm not an artist, so I guess I give this film 3 stars out of 5. Although this is classified as a psychological thriller, the music fits in perfectly with the theme we have going this month.

The music was originally slated to be composed by James Newton Howard and Hans Zimmer (who collaborated on two fine scores for Batman Begins and The Dark Knight). When Howard was replaced, Zimmer dropped out of the picture as well. So instead we have American composers Philip Glass and Geoff Zanelli with scoring duties. I love Glass' film music. He is without a doubt a genius. I have been so impressed by him that I will listen to anything he produces, because I know that more than likely it will be awesome. If you are familiar with Glass' work you'll no doubt enjoy his contribution here. Zanelli I am not as familiar with other than his score for the viking vs. space alien flick Outlander. His tracks here are good, but not as interesting as those by Glass. Overall, this is a very cool album with some truly terrifying moments. Enjoy.

Year of Release: 2004
Label: N/A, Promo
Genres: Soundtrack/Score, Avantgarde
Format: MP3
Bitrate: 320kbps

Track list:
1-10 composed by Philip Glass
1. Main titles (2:01)
2. Flashback (1:14)
3. Mort hears something (2:20)
4. Fix ending (2:34)
5. Can't find keys (1:44)
6. Discovers Tom and Karsh (1:25)
7. Jeep into lake (0:59)
8. The hat (1:11)
9. Amy goes upstairs (5:41)
10. The killing (alternate) (1:02)

11-18 composed by Geoff Zanelli
11. The bodies (1:28)
12. Mort vs the mirror (2:20)
13. Lament (2:00)
14. Mort times two (4:51)
15. Doggy (1:05)
16. Lying awake (0:44)
17. The killing (film version) (5:47)
18. Corn (1:00)

Download: Philip Glass / Geoff Zanelli - Secret Window (Promo Score)
Download Size: 90MB

There is a link for an unrelated BONUS album in the comments for this post.

Daniel Licht - Bad Moon: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1996 - 320kbps)

Continuing with my Werewolf theme, I present to you Daniel Licht's original motion picture soundtrack to the 1996 horror film "Bad Moon". While Daniel Licht may not be a household name, his name is becoming increasingly more well known among horror enthusiasts. He made his debut in the industry in 1991, composing the score to the vampire-themed horror film "Children of the Night". At this point in his career he primarily composed music for b-movie horror films and low-budget sequels, including Amityville 1992: It's About Time and Amityville: A New Generation (1992 & 1993), Children of the Corn II & III (1992 & 1995), Necronomicon (1994), Thinner (1996) and Hellraiser Bloodline (1996). 1996 was Licht's breakout year, as he composed the scores to three horror films which achieved moderate success, Bad Moon, Thinner and Hellraiser: Bloodline.

He has primarily composed for the television medium since that time though, with the majority of his compositions being written for television films and series. Although he has continued to compose scores for made-for-tv horror films and television series, his music has also appeared in everything from documentaries to playboy channel specials. He has experienced a recent surge in popularity after he was selected to compose the score to the hit television show Dexter, which revolves around a forensic detective who lives a double-life as a serial killer. It remains to be seen as to whether or not Daniel Licht will make a triumphant return to composing scores for horror films. I suppose only time will tell, but in the meantime we can enjoy the gems that he did release while he was firmly entrenched in the horror genre.

Of the aforementioned releases, Bad Moon is one of the few that I have had the pleasure of listening to. The film was considered a flop to many, criticized for its sub-part acting, unconvincing special effects and snubbing traditional werewolf folklore. Fortunately Licht's score turned out to be much more enjoyable than the actual film it was composed for. Licht presents a diverse selection of tracks, with the mood ranging from peaceful and soothing to frantic and sinister. There are a few action-themed tracks, such as "Nepal", which somewhat reminds me of Alan Silvestri's score to Predator. Before composing scores Licht studied Gamelan music abroad on the islands of Bali and Javi. This influence can clearly be heard on the track "Handcuffed", in which Licht implements traditional Gamelan instruments to effectively create some genuinely creepy sounds. The middle of the disc is relatively low-key in comparison. There are a few horror-themed cues, but there are almost ambient in nature. However the pace really picks up toward the end of the soundtrack, and features several intense cues.

To be perfectly honest I don't believe that this soundtrack evokes an overwhelming sense of horror. Yet I feel as if this is a solid soundtrack overall, containing a few noteworthy horror cues, and worthy of being featured along with the rest of the werewolf soundtracks/scores I intend to post. I would like to thank Strange Ranger for providing me with a higher quality version of this soundtrack, which of course is currently out of print and commercially unavailable.

Year of Release: 1996
Label: Silva
Catalog #: SSD 1068
Bitrate: 320kbps

Track List:
1. Flying (Main Title)
2. Nepal
3. Man of the House
4. Don't Look Up
5. On The Road
6. Lore of the Werewolf
7. Ted Phones Home
8. Handcuffed
9. The Diary
10. Demise Of A Salesman
11. Piss Off / Claw To Claw
12. Goodbye Thor
13. Brett And Janet
14. The Transformation
15. The Confrontation
16. Ted's Last Trail
17. End Credits

Download: Daniel Licht - Bad Moon: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Download Size: 102MB

Pino Donaggio - Piranha: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1978 - 320kbps)

I was rather surprised to discover that we have yet to share a single soundtrack from one of my favorite Italian composers, Pino Donaggio. Despite posting an insane amount of horror soundtracks for both the Halloween Countdown and our Nightmare Before Christmas Event, and even running with an Italian horror theme for a while, we somehow managed to avoid making a single post dedicated to his work. Pino Donaggio has composed scores for a number of horror movies, although he is best known for composing the scores to "Carrie" and "The Howling". While his scores to both of those films are great, and the films are equally impressive, my favorite output from Donaggio happens to be his soundtrack for the low-budget horror film "Piranha". This soundtrack was released on vinyl by the Varèse Sarabande label in 1978, the same year as the film, and has long been out of print. Varèse Sarabande released a limited edition CD a few years ago, with only 1,000 copies being produced, but it sold out in less than three days.

Piranha remains one of my favorite b-movie horror films of all time. It was the eighth film released by New World Pictures, a studio owned and operated by legendary b-movie director Roger Corman. Piranha was an attempt to cash in on the success of Stephen Spielberg's Jaws, which inspired a slew of films in the late '70s and early '80s depicting overgrown man-eating sea creatures. However, a number of talented individuals involved in the production of this movie enabled it to stand out in its own right, and the result was more of an homage to Jaws than a cheap knock-off. The plot revolves around an insurance investigator, Maggie, and her guide, Paul, who are searching for a missing teenage couple last spotted near Lost River Lake. The two unwittingly release a massive school of killer piranha from an abandoned military compound's fish hatchery after Maggie drains the hatchery's water to search for the couple's bodies. The piranha released by Maggie have been genetically engineered by the military to survive in environments normally unsuitable to them, intended to be used as a living weapon against the Vietnamese. However, the end of the war resulted in the hatchery being abandoned by the military, with only the lead scientist staying behind to monitor the piranha. The killer fish proceed to rapidly swim down river, devouring all those unfortunate enough to cross their path. Maggie and Paul race to warn the town's inhabitants and prevent more deaths, yet they are opposed by a group of military officers who attempt to prevent the two from alerting the media.

Piranha was director Joe Dante's second feature-length film. He would later go on to direct several cult favorites, such as Gremlins, The Burbs, and Innerspace. Despite being restricted by such a small budget, Dante managed to create a very enjoyable film. I just watched the film yesterday, and I was surprised at how well it has held up over the years. There were a few cringe-worthy moments, but I believe the positive aspects of the film far outweigh the negative. There is a fair bit of tongue-in-cheek black humor injected throughout, signaling the fact that this movie doesn't take itself too seriously, yet it still manages to deliver where it counts. The actors, which are the fatal flaw in many b-movies, were surprisingly convincing and genuine in their delivery. The fact that the dialogue was well-written also played to their advantage. While the special effects appear noticeably dated in certain parts of the movie, Dante's choreographic skill enabled him to make the most with what he had to work with. The attacks are often depicted in murky underwater scenes, as the piranhas thrash about in a frenzied state, filling the murky water with blood guts. This only allows the viewer to be able to see brief glimpses of the piranha, sparing the viewer from the eyesore of what was surely a low-budget and cheap looking piranha prop.

Fortunately, the film also greatly benefited from composer Pino Donaggio's brilliant score. His atmospherical score perfectly accompanies the on-screen action, bringing an added dimension of emotional depth to many of the scenes, rather than simply serving as easily dismissible background music. Donaggio employs bold, frantic cues to accompany the frenzied attack sequences, while creating an atmosphere of hopelessness and despair for the aftermath of such attacks, as "Nightmare In The Sun / Betsy's Death" perfectly illustrates. There are a few upbeat numbers on this soundtrack, but the overwhelming majority of the tracks are ominous and menacing in tone, making this soundtrack an obvious choice for our ongoing Nightmare Before Christmas theme. Piranha is one of a handful of films directed by Dante that does not feature a score from the legendary and prolific composer, Jerry Goldsmith, whom Dante met in 1983 while doing directorial work for "Twilight Zone: The Movie." From that point on Goldsmith would be Dante's regular composer of choice. However, Donaggio would go on to compose one more amazing score for Dante before Goldsmith entered the picture. In 1981 he composed the score to the legendary werewolf horror film, "The Howling", which will be the subject of my next post.

Year of Release: 1978
Label: Varèse Sarabande
Catalog #: STV 81126
Genre: Soundtrack/Score, Horror, Contemporary Classical
Original Format: Vinyl LP
Digital Format: MP3
Bitrate: 320kbps

Track List:
A1. No Trespassing
A2. Main Title
A3. Aquarina / Homonocules
A4. Piranha Among Us
A5. Lost River Theme
A6. Fatal Rescue
A7. Summer Dreams
A8. Dr. Hoak
A9. Nightmare In The Sun / Betsy's Death
B1. Empty Tubes / Poor Jack
B2. Operation Razorteeth
B3. Escape In The Night
B4. Premonition / Beyond The Darkness
B5. Restricted Area
B6. End Title
B7. Yes, We Have Piranhas

Download: Pino Donaggio - Piranha: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Download Size: 64MB

Elia Cmiral - Stigmata: Music from the Original Score (1999 - 320kbps)

Stigmata is a 1999 film starring Patricia Arquette and Gabriel Byrne. I saw this movie when it came out, but I don't remember much about it. Must not have been too impressive if I can't remember a thing. I looked it up and the story has something to do with the Catholic church and all kinds of cover-ups about bizarre supernatural happenings. It probably is not really a horror movie. Anyway, the important part is the music.

This promo release is by Czech-born composer Elia Cmiral. I don't really know of his other music, other than Battlefield Earth (terrible movie, interesting score). Cmiral has made a big impression on me though with Stigmata. It is very dark and moody electronic music, that goes from sinister ambience to violent unrest, with the occasional female vocals to enhance the emotional impact. If you are familiar with Graeme Revell's The Crow, you can expect a similar flavor here. I am almost tempted to say this is better than The Crow, but I won't go that far. It will suffice to say that it is damn good and I have no doubt that regular readers of Digital Meld0wn will appreciate it.

Year of Release: 1999
Label: N/A
Catalog #: ECCD 1000
Genres: Soundtrack/Score, Electronic, Horror
Format: MP3
Bitrate: 320kbps
FLAC upgrade available upon request.

Track List:
1. Stigmata (06:30)
2. Subway Attack (02:47)
3. Aramaic Script (04:33)
4. Francis of Assisi (02:02)
5. Gospel Commission (04:00)
6. Evil & Franki's Rebirth (05:08)
7. Lost Scroll (03:02)
8. Smells Like Jasmine (01:24)
9. Why Do I Get Stigmata? (02:56)
10. She Is Just A Messenger (02:10)
11. A Man On The Mission (02:52)

Download: Elia Cmiral - Stigmata (Promo Score)
Download Size: 84MB

Shirley Walker - Black Christmas: Original Motion Picture Score (2006 - Variable Bitrate)

Black Christmas is a 2006 remake of a 1974 original horror classic in which a bunch of girls in a sorority house on Christmas eve get picked off, one by one, by some deranged lunatic. I have not seen this remake, simply because I loved the original and I did not feel like wasting 85 minutes of my life. For all I know, it may be a decent teen slasher flick in comparison with some of the other dreck that comes out these days, but I doubt it. From what I have read though, all of the great things about the 1974 movie are completely absent. So I suggest you skip the remake and watch the original film directed by Bob Clark, who also directed such diverse titles as A Christmas Story, Deathdream, and Porky's.

The original film had no musical score, and that somehow works really well. Now, for the remake, the immensely talented Shirley Walker had scoring duties. She expertly weaves horror and suspense with an orchestral score enhanced by some dark synthesizer moods. This score deserves to have an official release. Shirley Walker passed away at the age of 61 not even a month before the movie hit the theaters. She was one of the few women in film music composition, and she will be remembered for creating some truly awesome sounds.

Year of Film's Release: 2006
Label: N/A, Promo
Genres: Soundtrack/Score, Horror
Format: MP3
Bitrate: Variable

Track List:
1. Clair's Death / Main Title (0:52)
2. Billy Lenz (1:56)
3. I'll Be Home For Christmas (1:16)
4. Megan / Someone's In The Attic (0:52)
5. Megan Killed (2:04)
6. Billy Kills Santa (0:38)
7. Billy Lived Here (1:25)
8. Flashback / Billy's Present (2:12)
9. Billy Calls (0:48)
10. Eve (2:07)
11. Secret Santa (1:15)
12. Billy Calls Again (0:54)
13. Kyle Tells The Story (1:13)
14. Billy's Killing Spree / Where's Agnes? (2:56)
15. From Billy / Leigh Talks About Clair (1:03)
16. Heather Searches / Kyle Leaves (1:06)
17. Billy Watches Lauren (1:01)
18. Dana Killed / Leigh Hears The Music Box (0:55)
19. Kelli & Leigh Investigate / Melissa Killed (1:29)
20. He's In The Attic (2:24)
21. Kyle Killed (1:28)
22. Kelli Fights Agnes (1:34)
23. My Daddy's Here (3:01)
24. Family Forever (2:10)
25. Kelli Hits The Button (0:45)
26. Kelli Kills Agnes (1:50)
27. End Credits (6:02)
28. Black Christmas Suite (5:14)

Note: This re-edit was masterfully compiled from the 47 track version by the user Leeha88 @Final Fantasy Shrine Forum.

Download: Shirley Walker - Black Christmas (Promo Soundtrack)
Download Size: 63MB