I spent hours learning about horror music, watching copious amounts of horror films, listening to their scores, and listening to other horror artists and musicians around the globe on CD and on the net. Some artists had a huge impact on the way I view and hear horror music as a whole, such as Nekromantix, Zombie Ghost Train, Nox Arcana, The Meteors, Midnight Syndicate, Calabrese, Camille Saint-Saens, Creature Feature and the like. These artists’ lyrics and music really stuck with me because of its ability to remain catchy, unique and at the same time deliver something that all good horror music does, and that’s fear.
Many films and television shows over the years have had plenty of impact on my ability to create and perceive horror music. Usually it’s a soundtrack to a movie that will grab my inspiration rather than the film itself. The rare few movies and shows that do visually and literally inspire me are flicks like Killer Klowns from Outer Space, anything by Tim Burton, Tales from the Crypt and Creepshow. On top of all this, horror in other media like video games, novels and comics really facilitate a wonderfully spooky mood.
All in all I’d say horror music rather than horror film has a greater effect on how I go about making music as an artist. I draw inspiration from soundscapes and sonic paintings produced in my mind when I hear any kind of music, but seeing something soaked with blood definitely doesn’t hurt the process either!
Canadian producer Ghoulshow makes spooky electronic music which you can check out here!