The iconic British electronic research lab The Radiophonic Workshop has presented their very first soundtrack for film, Matthew Holness’s drama and thriller movie, Possum.
The soundtrack features sound elements and drones from the Delia Derbyshire archives, the pioneering producer of the original Doctor Who signature tune. These sound elements, discovered in boxes of tapes in the late composer’s attic, have been restored and used in the foundations of the soundtrack and sound design. Concocting a soundtrack that mixes pastoral flute with dread synth tones and bowed percussion that connects this to England’s hidden reverse of Coil, as much as the masters of Italian Giallo music.
Possum is the directorial debut of Matthew Holness, best known for co-writing and playing the title role in Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace. The film tells the story of a disgraced children’s puppeteer who returns to his childhood home and is forced to confront his wicked stepfather and the secrets that have tortured him his entire life.
The Radiophonic Workshop maintain this is among the most significant work of their career: “The unearthly sounds of this form of radiophonic music are well-suited to atmospheres of paranoia, fear and haunting. In the best tradition of horror and suspense, this soundtrack adds to the extraordinarily claustrophobic atmosphere between the two central characters with dark scampering and threatening moans.”
The Possum soundtrack will be out on CD and digital formats on the 30th of November, with vinyl to follow in 2019, and Possum movie is out in cinemas on the 26th of October this year. You can pre-order the score at The Radiophonic Workshop Bandcamp.
Watch the trailer of Possum below.
