Original soundtrack to a new British horror film by the pioneering UK electronic research lab responsible for Doctor Who and Quatermass....
Astonishingly considering their 50 year career scoring for radio and television, this is the first time The Radiophonic Workshop have ever scored a feature film for theatrical release or collaborated on a major score together. They’ve risen to the challenge admirably, 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 soundtracks. Housed in a beautiful 6-panel sleeve designed by Julian House (Ghost Box Records/Children Of Alice), the soundtrack includes all the cues from the feature film as well as 9 bonus tracks. 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 sound track and sound design.
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 stars Sean Harris and Alun Armstrong, telling 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.
“This soundtrack a testament to the Radiophonic Workshop’s mastery of sound. At once unnerving, atmospheric, and deeply moving.” - Matthew Holness (Writer & Director)
The Radiophonic Workshop maintain it amongst 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."