Profondo Rosso Goblin's 1975 debut album, stemmed from previous experiences, but actually emerged after director Dario Argento hired them to compose the soundtrack for the film Profondo Rosso (Deep Red).
The soundtrack was begun but not completed by Giorgio Gaslini; Goblin completed it splendidly, emphasizing the tension and creating a now-iconic thriller atmosphere. Today, the bond between Goblin and the film is unbreakable.
A completely instrumental album, just over thirty minutes long, short but very intense, it begins with the title track, Goblin's most famous song, a masterpiece.
But the other tracks are also remarkable.
"Death Dies," with its pressing rhythm, a disturbing interplay between bass and drums, with sudden spikes from the guitar and keyboards.
"Mad Puppet," with its deep drums and electronic sounds that overwhelm the song before the melody, which then begins with guitar and bass in a unison riff that characterizes the entire song with keyboard inserts and sudden guitar and cymbal overlays, followed by a keyboard loop that creates a feeling of apprehension, uncertainty, and anxious anticipation...
"Wild Session," which opens with the wind blowing and a disturbing female voice singing in the distance, then begins a haunting piano riff over which the rhythm section creates syncopated tempos, until the piece builds with the overlay of a splendid sax solo.
"Deep Shadows," a dark song, with its sudden changes in tempo, more distorted sounds, beautiful guitar-bass-drums harmony in this piece, and the great keyboard. The drum solo at the end is beautiful before the epic conclusion in which all the instruments return.
The final two tracks are orchestral, beautiful compositions that close the album with just the right amount of "calm after the storm": "School At Night" is a nursery rhyme that connects in the film to the serial killer's madness, and "Gianna" is a beautiful, light-hearted, romantic song.
A must-have for any lover of Italian Progressive Rock and a frequently listened to album. The title track, in particular, at approximately four minutes, is captivating, disturbing, and thrilling... the perfect soundtrack for a film that certainly wouldn't have been the same without it.
Tracklist
1. Profondo Rosso (3:45)
2. Death Dies (4:37)
3. Mad Puppet (6:30)
4. Wild Session (5:40)
5. Deep Shadows (5:45)
6. School At Night (2:05)
7. Gianna (1:47)
Running Time: 30:09
Lineup
- Massimo Morante - guitar
- Claudio Simonetti - keyboards
- Fabio Pignatelli - bass
- Walter Martino - drums
Featuring:
- Giorgio Gaslini - orchestral score and conductor (4-7)
- Agostino Marangolo - drums (2)
