September 24, 2021
Richard Band & Chuck Cirino: Two New Horror Soundtracks Announced by Dragon’s Domain
Dragon’s Domain Records, to be distributed through buysoundtrax.com, presents the original motion picture soundtrack release of THE DEEP ONES, featuring music composed by Richard Band for the 2020 horror film directed by Chad Ferrin, based on the writings of H.P. Lovecraft. After a successful collaboration on the horror comedy EXORCISM AT 60,000 FEET in 2019, director Chad Ferrin knew there was only person to score THE DEEP ONES and it’s Richard Band, whose history with H.P. Lovecraft films includes scoring RE-ANIMATOR, FROM BEYOND, CASTLE FREAK, and the “Dreams in the Witch House” episode of MASTERS OF HORROR. In THE DEEP ONES, a married couple rents a beach side Airbnb only to be surrounded by peculiar neighbors and occurrences. They soon discover to be in the grips of a mysterious cult and their ancient sea god. THE DEEP ONES has been digitally mastered by James Nelson at Digital Outland, featuring liner notes written by composer and author Brian Satterwhite.
The label also presents the original motion picture soundtracks to SORORITY HOUSE MASSACRE II & III, featuring music composed by Chuck Cirino for the 1995 horror sequels directed by Jim Wynorski. Both films continue the longtime collaboration between filmmaker Jim Wynorski and composer Chuck Cirino, which includes films such as CHOPPING MALL, DEATHSTALKER II, NOT OF THIS EARTH, TRANSYLVANIA TWIST, RETURN OF SWAMP THING, A DOGGONE CHRISTMAS, A DOGGONE HOLLYWOOD and, most recently, A DOGGONE ADVENTURE. The films are sequels in name only to Carol Frank’s 1986 slasher film wherein a group of female college students are stalked by an escaped psychopathic killer who shares a strange telepathic link with one of them. Each sequel, both from 1990 (SORORITY HOUSE MASSACRE III: HARD TO DIE, is also known as TOWER OF TERROR or simply HARD TO DIE) eschews the telepathic link of the first film and focus simply on sorority girls being stalked by a crazed killer.
“The main piano riff I used was a slow derivative of Bernard Herrmann’s low piano rumblings from The Day the Earth Stood Still.” Cirini says of scoring MASSACRE II in the album notes. “Of course, I took it to a satirical comedy realm and played it all very tongue-in-cheek while staying spooky and creepy.” In scoring the third film, Cirino “re-established and developed all the familiar themes, textures, and ostinati from the previous movie—but this time with an action twist,” writes Brian Satterwhite, who also provided the liner notes for this release. “The wily composer adds synth drum patterns, a bleating horn section, and the familiar tempi are quickened a few clicks to compliment the action-laden subtext of the picture.” Dragon’s Domain Records is excited to bring SORORITY HOUSE MASSACRE II & III to compact disc for the first time, mastered by James Nelson at Digital Outland.
Both THE DEEP ONES and SORORITY HOUSE MASSACRE II & III CDs are offered in a limited edition release of 500 units. As a special offer, the first 50 people to order either album from the record label’s website will have their copy autographed by the composer at no additional charge. These titles are expected to ship on the week of October 12th.
For more details on both releases, see buysoundtrax.
