Thought I'd dust this one off and let it lumber forth from deep within its musty crypt. We here at Teleport City are vociferous supporters of old Hammer horror films, and part of what made those movies so fabulous -- aside from the stars, sets, and extra-large heaving bosoms --- was the music. The Hammer sound was pioneered by composer James Bernard, who wrote the scores for the bulk of the studio's most famous films, including Horror of Dracula, Curse of Frankenstein, and plenty more. Following Bernard's lead, a slew of composers (or decomposers, so many of these being vampire films -- har har har!) turned in great scores, with styles ranging from the thunderous classical anthems to the ill-advised but never-the-less hilariously enjoyable action film funk of movies like Dracula AD 1972 and Satanic Rites of Dracula, with plenty of weird stuff in between. witness, for example, the swingin' jet set theme from Moon Zero Two, or the laid-back ballad from The Lost Continent.

The two-volume Hammer Film Music Collection from 1998 is hands down the best collection of themes from a variety of Hammer films, focusing on gothic horror, naturally, but also including science fiction, swashbuckling adventure, and psychological thrillers. It's a shame that these collections are so rare, but I guess the world isn't crying out for anthologies of old-fashioned scary movie music. Luckily, we're out of step with the world and more than happy to indulge. So here's volume 1. Volume 2 will follow shortly.

Track Listing
The Devil Rides Out - James Bernard
Twins Of Evil - Harry Robinson
The Mummy - Franz Reizenstein
Captain Kronos Vampire Hunter - Laurie Johnson
Dracula - James Bernard
Moon Zero Two - Don Ellis
Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed - James Bernard
When Dinosaurs Ruled The Earth - Mario Nascimbene
The Kiss Of The Vampire - James Bernard
The Gorgon - James Bernard
Scars Of Dracula - James Bernard
Hands Of The Ripper - Christopher Gunning
The Curse Of The Mummy's Tomb - Carlo Martelli
The Vampire Lovers - Harry Robinson
Creatures The World Forgot - Mario Nascimbene
The Curse Of Frankensein - James Bernard
Dr Jekyll & Sister Hyde - David Whitaker
Lust For A Vampire - Harry Robinson
Quatermass And The Pit - Tristam Cary
Countess Dracula - Harry Robinson
She - James Bernard
The Brides Of Dracula - Malcolm Williamson
Blood From The Mummy's Tomb - Tristram Carry
The Legend Of The 7 Golden Vampires - James
Taste The Blood Of Dracula - James Bernard

Download: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=T2Z2LADA

Labels: mp3s, Soundtracks