45 years after its release, Dario Argento‘s Suspiria remains one of the most breathtaking horror films ever committed to celluloid. Its unparalleled visuals – vibrantly colored lighting, unconventional camerawork, opulent production design, extravagant death scenes – are complemented by a memorable score from frequent Argento collaborators, Goblin.
Goblin founding keyboardist Claudio Simonetti now performs with a new manifestation of the prolific Italian instrumental act – officially branded as Claudio Simonetti’s Goblin to avoid confusion with the other incarnation of Goblin featuring different legacy members that remains active concurrently.
Simonetti is accompanied by guitarist Daniele Amador, bassist Cecilia Nappo, and drummer Federico Maragoni. Together they’re celebrating Suspiria‘s 45th anniversary with a tour in which they perform the score live to the film followed by a set of other Goblin classics. I caught the sold-out stop at the Somerville Theatre in Somerville, MA on November 8.
I’m unsure what source was used for the theatrical exhibition – it didn’t appear crisp enough to be Synapse’s recent, flawless 4K restoration – but seeing Suspiria on the big screen is a mesmerizing experience in and of itself. The addition of the full-blown sonic assault of a live score made it positively transcendent.
The band, accompanied by a backing track to round out their sound, followed the screening with an hour of fan favorite cues spanning Simonetti’s five-decade career. In addition to Suspiria, the capacity crowd of 840 was treated to selections from Dawn of the Dead, Deep Red, Tenebre, Phenomena, and The Card Player.
It’s not uncommon for a musician from a popular band to start what is essentially a glorified tribute act in an attempt to cash in on their earlier success, but Claudio Simonetti’s Goblin is far from that. The original material already leaned toward prog-rock, but the quartet have reworked every song to give them a more modern, rock-oriented sound.
Moreover, the live setting makes each member’s skill even more evident. While Simonetti’s melodically atmospheric synthesizer work – up there with John Carpenter, as far as I’m concerned – is on full display, he’s elevated by Amador’s headbang-worthy riffs, Nappo’s dancing basslines, and Maragoni’s tight rhythm.
Claudio Simonetti’s Goblin’s Suspiria 45th anniversary trek – which continues to make its way across North America into December – is the perfect cure for the post-Halloween blues. If you can’t make it to a live show, a studio recording of the band’s fresh take on the score is available from Rustblade.
Upcoming shows include….
11/11 Philadelphia, PA @ PhilaMOCA
11/13 Richmond, VA @ The Norva
11/14 Washington, DC @ The Howard Theatre
11/15 Knoxville TN @ Bijou Theatre
11/18 Tokyo, JP @ Club Citta
11/20 New Orleans, LA @ Poor Boys Bar
11/21 Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live Ballroom
11/22 Austin, TX @ Paramount Theatre
11/23 Dallas, TX @ Texas Theatre
11/26 Mesa, AZ @ Nile Theatre
11/27 Los Angeles, CA @ Palace Theatre
11/29 San Francisco, CA @ Castro Theatre
12/02 Portland, OR @ Hollywood Theatre
12/03 Portland, OR @ Hollywood Theatre
12/04 Vancouver, BC @ Rickshaw Theatre
12/05 Vancouver, BC @ Rickshaw Theatre
12/06 Seattle WA @ El Corozon
12/09 Estes Park, CO @ Stanley Hotel
12/10 Estes Park, CO @ Stanley Hotel
12/11 Winnipeg, MB @ The Park Theatre
12/12 Winnipeg, MB @ The Park Theatre
12/13 Winnipeg, MB @ The Park Theatre
12/15 Chicago IL @ Thalia Hall
12/16 Memphis TN @ Black Lodge
12/17 St Louis MO @ Red Flag
The post Celebrating 45 Years of ‘Suspiria’ With a Live Performance from Claudio Simonetti’s Goblin [Event Report] appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.