Halloween Teases the Chilling New Soundtrack by John Carpenter

David Gordon Green took over directing duties for Halloween, but creator John Carpenter still has his fingers in the mix infusing us with nightmares. The king of the slasher, who haunted us 40 years ago with the anxiety riddled Halloween theme, has composed a new soundtrack for the upcoming sequel.

You can revisit that chilling refrain in a way too exciting teaser for the film’s music. Just hearing these notes again has my anticipation at a fever pitch. Through a floating and ominous abyss cuts the relentless high-pitched daggers of sound that hunt down victims through the night. Fair warning: I will not be attending any Halloween parties this year that do not have this vinyl spinning. Thank goodness for the LP renaissance that will make Halloween truly feel like 1978 again.

Carpenter produced the original Halloween in 1978 for a mere $325,000. Being resourceful and immensely creative, he composed the synth-based score himself and a masterpiece was born. Carpenter collaborated with son Cody Carpenter and Daniel Davies on the new score. Here’s what the soundtrack press release had to say:

The new soundtrack pays homage to the classic Halloween score that Carpenter composed and recorded in 1978, when he forever changed the course of horror cinema and synthesizer music with his low-budget masterpiece. Several new versions of the iconic main theme serve as the pulse of Green’s film, its familiar 5/4 refrain stabbing through the soundtrack like the Shape’s knife. The rest of the soundtrack is equally enthralling, incorporating everything from atmospheric synth whooshes to eerie piano-driven pieces to skittering electronic percussion. While the new score was made with a few more resources than Carpenter’s famously shoestring original, its musical spirit was preserved.

Pro tip: don’t read too hard into that cool first symbol with a triangle and a snake eating its tail like I did. It’s the incredible logo for Sacred Bones Records and, while a fantastic design, has nothing to do with Michael Myers. Do hop over to their site or Waxwork Records to preorder a gorgeous vinyl or CD of the soundtrack.

Both Halloween and the soundtrack make their big debut October 19.

Featured Image: In “Halloween,” JAMIE LEE CURTIS returns to her iconic role as Laurie Strode, who comes to her final confrontation with Michael Myers, the masked figure who has haunted her since she narrowly escaped his killing spree on Halloween night four decades ago. Photo Credit: Ryan Green