Soundtrack: Darkzone - Music to Murder People to (2020)

60 / 100

Atmospheric horror soundtrack with some intriguing references but limited impact outside of its niche.

Darkzone, aka d a r k z o n e, emerged from Milwaukee, Wisconsin with a two-track soundtrack EP titled Music to Murder People to, released in April 2020. The cover, featuring an eclipse, reflects the human “dark zone” often portrayed in horror. The project also draws on two fictional criminals: Leland Palmer (Twin Peaks, 1990) and Jack Torrance from the film adaptation of Stephen King’s The Shining (1980)—the latter’s axe-wielding rampage later becoming a famous meme.

As a horror-inspired soundtrack, Darkzone crafts tension through string scratches across both tracks, though the drum hits in “Leland Palmer” fail to truly unsettle me. Either with the second piece and it feels more suited to a Halloween backdrop, but perhaps my lack of familiarity with the films kept me from connecting with their darker moods. Still, at the very least, these tracks offered me some curious side-knowledge, especially about Jack Torrance.

It’s not entirely disappointing although I initially expected vaporwave rather than horror soundtrack, so it won’t be making my playlist. But for fans of Cryo Chamber, Rojinski, or even Hans Zimmer, Darkzone may still be worth a listen.

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