Marcello De Francisci's original score for Angels of Darkness is released via Plaza Mayor Company Ltd. Lara and her estranged father, Dr. Hill, travel behind the iron curtain to a decrepit castle outside the Hungarian town of Styria. In the nearby woods, Lara witnesses a car crash. Carmilla, escapes from the wreckage as a driver attempts to run her over. When Larea hides this beautiful and mysterious stranger in the castle, the two start an intense and chaotic friendship. As their relationship deepens, the young women of Styria begin to go mad. When local girls are found dead from apparent suicides, Lara wonders if Carmilla is to blame or is there a darker secret behind the mass hysteria destroying the town...

Given the premise of the movie, and the drama and suspense that unfolds, Marcello De Francisci does a remarkable job of delivering a soundtrack that really gets under your skin. There are elements of classic horror fare here. as well as plenty of suspense inducing themes. On balance Francisci works his manipulative powers like a pro.

That said, usually this means that this isn't the sort of score that's easy to digest outside of the film. Thankfully the composer has given the music its own identity - on balance, an atmospheric western religion base which is allowed to simmer in the background quite wonderfully.

Tracks like 'Dark Dream' offer up an electronic manipulation of the soundscape to conjure up something otherworldly.

While there's nothing truly memorable here, as a whole this is a pretty impressive score that is packed full of eerie, at times oddly beautiful, atmospheric pieces.

7

Darren Rea