A soundtrack of wildlife, drones and saucepans ensured the 1974 film became truly horrifying. Its co-creator recalls the can-do spirit that made it happenThe Texas Chain Saw Massacre arrived much like its hulking antihero, Leatherface: without warning and with a sickening blow to the skulls of unsuspecting audiences. Despite its bare-bones production and lack of actual gore, the 1974 movie carved a new path for horror film-making, and key elements were the eerie sound design and abstract score: perfect matches for the film’s red-raw storytelling and stark imagery. But despite its enduring influence, the soundtrack has never had an official release until now.Put out by Waxwork Records, it has been painstakingly stitched together – rather like Leatherface’s horrific mask – from the original recordings, and it is startling: a cloying series of drones, scrapes, clanks and groans that draw a jagged line to genres like industrial, noise, dark ambient and musique concrète. “We really wante...
"The Texas Chain Saw Massacre" arrived unexpectedly in 1974, shocking audiences with its minimalist yet impactful approach to horror. Its eerie sound design and abstract score, created by Wayne Bell, played a crucial role in shaping the film's unsettling atmosphere. Despite its influence, the soundtrack had never been officially released until now. Waxwork Records has meticulously reconstructed the score from original recordings, capturing its experimental essence, which blends industrial, noise, and dark ambient elements. The release, described as "startling," reflects Bell's innovative approach, born from the film's low-budget, improvisational production. The soundtrack's reconstruction highlights its enduring legacy and its role in pioneering horror sound design.