Lovely background music

A fearsome and beautiful masterpiece: Themes from terrifying film scores

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and for over 18 years I’ve contributed to music magazines, disc guide books, mooks, and web media. As a writer my main field is Western music, but as a listener for over 35 years, I always try to keep my curiosity alive with the motto “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in bands, where I was a bassist who handled songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve played include bass, guitar, and piano. I began studying English in my mid-40s and continue to do so today.
Editor-in-Chief, RAG MUSICHane Keisuke
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. After working in a music studio and handling wedding sound, joined the RAG MUSIC editorial team in 2016. Experienced with a variety of instruments: marching band in elementary school, clarinet in junior high school wind ensemble, and drums in a band from high school onward. Drawing on my own musical activities and the experience gained through my work, I produce daily articles, including various song introductions, features on music festivals around the country, and live reports. In music, I enjoy not only rock from Japan and abroad but, lately, a wide range of J-pop as well.

The role that music plays in horror films and suspense dramas is incredibly significant and important.

There are ways to evoke fear through silence, of course, but iconic theme songs often have the power to make you feel fear from the melody alone, or instantly conjure vivid scenes from the film.

Here, we’re introducing a collection of terrifying yet beautiful masterpieces, centered on classic horror movies.

Many of these tracks transcend the category of “film themes” and are used in all sorts of contexts—you’ve likely heard quite a few of them at least once.

You might even discover, “So this was from that movie?”

By all means, turn off the lights and enjoy with headphones!

Scary and Beautiful Masterpieces: Horror Movie Music and Theme Songs (41–50)

The Texas Chainsaw MassacreUiin Beru

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre – soundtrack 1974.

The Texas Chainsaw MassacreUiin Beru

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is a 1974 American film.

Since its 2015 revival screening in Japan, it has been rated R-15 there.

With sound effects that make extensive use of metallic noises and processing, it is a terrifying work that conjures the image of a chainsaw-wielding killer.

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Scary and Beautiful Masterpieces: Horror Film Music and Theme Songs (51–60)

Glory of Love by EstherJon Ottoman

Orphan Soundtrack – Glory of Love by Esther [HQ]

Glory of Love by EstherJon Ottoman

This piece, with its beautiful yet eerie vocals, resonates throughout.

Released in January 2009 as part of the soundtrack for the film Orphan, composed by John Ottman, it is used in the unsettling scene featuring the voice of Esther, the girl adopted from an orphanage, heightening the film’s tension and psychological atmosphere with remarkable effect.

Its distinctive, synthesizer-driven approach leaves a powerful impression on the audience.

While depicting the complexity and beauty of love, it also expresses the challenges in human relationships and the joy of overcoming them.

It’s a recommended track not only for fans of horror films but also for those who enjoy psychological suspense.

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THE DEVIL’S NIGHTMAREAressandoro Aressandorōni

The Devil’s Nightmare (1971) Music by Alessandro Alessandroni

THE DEVIL'S NIGHTMAREAressandoro Aressandorōni

Alessandro Alessandroni was an Italian musician and composer.

He played multiple instruments, including guitar, mandolin, sitar, and piano, and worked as a film score composer.

This is a piece from the 1971 Belgian horror film “The Devil’s Nightmare,” a composition that depicts a sensual demon.

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Strong FateWagakki Band

"Wagakki Band" performs the image song! Special trailer for the film "Zan'e: The Inerasable—The Room You Shouldn’t Live In" #TheInerasable #movie

Strong FateWagakki Band

Skyrocketing in popularity as the theme song for “Zang-ei: The Room You Must Not Live In.” Yuko Suzuhana handled both lyrics and composition.

This is the first time WagakkiBand has been involved in music for a film.

There’s an anecdote that the movie’s producer immediately became convinced WagakkiBand was the perfect choice to express Japan’s traditional “wa-style” fear through music.

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Full CircleKorin Taunzu

Colin Towns – Full Circle (The Haunting of Julia – 1977) main title theme

Full CircleKorin Taunzu

Colin Towns: Born May 13, 1948.

British composer.

Keyboardist for the Ian Gillan Band.

“Full Circle”: A 1977 Canada–UK co-produced horror film that was not released theatrically in Japan.

Directed by Richard Loncraine.

From deep bass to piano passages, its melancholic melodies evoke the presence of spirits.

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In conclusion

I think the feeling of fear differs from person to person, but the background music centered on the main themes of the horror films introduced this time consists entirely of masterpieces that not only send a chill down your spine, but also convey a sense of beauty.

The fact that something is beautiful can make it all the more frightening—that’s one of the wonderful charms of music, isn’t it? How about spending tonight alone in your room, immersing yourself in a world of music that is both scary and beautiful?