John Carpenter’s scores are fucking epic. Often transcending the films themselves, these scores now define the era of which they were created. Carpenter was not classically trained, nor was he particularly versatile; his synth-led compositions were bombastically simple, but always memorable.
I can’t articulate the immense pleasure I feel when I watch Zombie Zombie play the Halloween theme tune live. Obviously recognising the dance floor potential, they wisely veer away from adding too much ‘noize’, instead settling for a drum kit. These live drums give the track a new energy and vitality, without it losing any of its menace. This is where ZZ have really nailed it- whether it’s the Escape from L.A theme, or Assault on Precinct 13- these covers perfectly compliment the genres they were originally written to represent.
The music speaks for itself, but it ZZ’s approach to modern electronica which truly excites me. Inspired by cinema, slated to play a live accompaniment to Eistenstein’s Battleship Potempkin in February; Zombie Zombie are balancing French hipster cool, with genre-loving geek chic. In their own words;
“We use Sound and Rythm as a medium to explore the feeling of fear growing deep inside of you. You'll go through different emotional stages with the analogue effects. The drumming will make your heart beat faster:"like in a horror movie when the car won't start, you give it one last try."
With the uprising of the Witch House genre, it seems electro music is taking a turn for the dark. This sense of the sinister is giving the music a new level of artistry; these tunes offer mood and atmosphere, along with the danceable beats. With LCD Soundsystem calling it a day and Daft Punk scoring Tron, maybe it is time to welcome this new wave of cinematically inspired, pitch black acts.
But have no fear, if this E.P has taught me one thing, it’s that there’s a lot of fun to be had in taking the music to a darker place. What’s next for Zombie Zombie? Some Goblin covers please.
Words : David Campion
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