Claudio Simonetti’s Goblin performing Suspiria at Orpheum

From the classic music-box-like opening theme of Dario Argento’s 1977 supernatural horror film Suspiria to its straight-ahead progressive rock tracks to its haunting, atmospheric scores, Goblin’s music has become the sound perhaps most associated with Italian horror. The band’s cosmic synthesizer arrangements, commanding kettle drums and percussion, and frightening vocals—which almost play a role of their own in Suspiria‘s plot—are unmistakable 45 years later. 

The first of The Three Mothers trilogy, Suspiria follows American dance student Suzy Bannion’s (Jessica Harper) tormented experience as a new student at a prestigious dance academy in Freiburg, Germany. Upon her arrival, Suzy sees another student run out of the building, only to be the victim of a gruesome, exhibitionistic murder—one of several that occur on school grounds during Suzy’s brief tenure. Goblin’s soundtrack clues in viewers to the fact that darkness lies within the school. The score is a plot point itself, featuring whispers and chants of “Witch! Witch!”, foreshadowing Suzy’s own discovery and eventual fate. In addition to the score, the deep, vivid red hues present throughout the film play the role of evil living within the school. 

Goblin has performed under several iterations, with the latest led by original composer Claudio Simonetti. This 45-year anniversary of Suspiria tour features Simonetti with a live band including guitars, bass, and percussion, performing the soundtrack over a screening of the film. Simonetti’s Goblin will also perform supplementary soundtrack material after the viewing of Suspiria. 

There’s also a whole other screening of Suspiria in town this same night. UW Cinematheque will be showing a new digital restoration of the film at 7 p.m. in its Vilas Hall screening room.

—Emili Earhart