COMPARISON CORNER #16
by deaf
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THE BEYOND
Music composed by Fabio Frizzi
Comparing four vinyl releases of the score; Beat Records, Dagored, Mondo, and Death Waltz, along with notes on overall package and presentation.
…E tu vivrai nel terrore! L'aldilà (…And you will live in terror! The afterlife), aka
The Beyond aka
7 Doors of Death. Love it or hate it, Fulci’s film is unlikely to leave the viewer unmoved in some way. Found at #20 on Roger Ebert’s list of Most Hated Films, for me, personally, this film evokes emotions and feelings very far
beyond Fulci’s feverish tapestry of nightmare gore. Despair, hopelessness and the inability to escape from ghoulish swamp phantoms, I find myself sharing a sense of isolation and loss of solid reality. Accept fate and blast some zombies, then try to run away only to get transported back into the flooded and haunted basement. Is it even worth running anymore? Just give in and let your soul slip away into the nothingness… or would that be worse than continuing to run on forever?
Film criticism aside (was there really no shooting script?), the manic swings of Maestro Frizzi’s accompanying score are nearly as feverish as Fulci’s film. From the ninth level of Mellotron hell to piping angelic chorus with the accompanying and magnificent Orchestra Dell’Orso (conducted by Giacoma Dell’Orso), Frizzi crafts an eclectic mix of moods for the film score. Somber keys, electric bass and hypnotic flute lull one into relative peace before the hooks of horror sink ever deeper and that chorus is back for more of your soul. The groaning Mellotron on this album sounds like the voice of the undead clamoring to be heard by the living. The sound is even more decayed and decrepit than what was previously conceived in 1979 for his infamous
Zombi 2 theme. Many fans have discovered the Maestro and his other works through this ear-catching sound. The themes from
The Beyond represent a high point of his early horror career, and are among the best of 1980’s Italian horror scores for the unique mix of percussion, synthesizer, electric bass/guitar, strings, and chorus.
Finding a copy of the soundtrack in the US to listen to back in the day was a difficult task before P2P sharing services gained in popularity. Even finding a copy of the unedited film to watch in the US with Frizzi’s original score was difficult due to the
7 Doors of Death theatrical edit/re-score.
The bootleg/tape trading scene existed but was not easily accessible or well-known, especially in remote parts of the country. These issues were resolved by the late 1990’s thanks to a couple efforts; Bob Murawski/Grindhouse for the unedited film transfer/remaster and Stephen Romano for CD/digital releases (supposedly licensed from Flipper Music/Sugar). I will indulge my own personal history a bit and share that the first “OST” presentation of The Beyond I could find back in this era was the Blackest Heart Media digital album that was included with their 1998 graphic novel release. Even with all the dialogue/fx interludes, it was a revelation to hear the isolated score fully presented in a sequence that went along quite well with the film/novel.
Moving from this release to the original 1981 Beat Records album and subsequent reissues was a bit odd for me as it felt like the music was out-of-order and with pieces missing. I also had a different experience with the 2011 Beat Records expanded CD album which has an entirely different track order and includes ten (10) unreleased tracks that have not been included on any vinyl LP release. If interested, I recommend checking out both expanded digital albums. This comparison corner will only focus on the vinyl LP releases which all feature the same exact tracklist and runtime as the original 1981 Beat Records release:
1. Verso L'Ignoto (Towards the Unknown) 3:57
2. Voci Dal Nulla (Voices from the Void) 2:56
3. Suono Aperto (Open Sound) 1:23
4. Sequenza Coro E Orchestra (Chorus and Orchestra Sequence) 4:32
5. Oltre La Soglia (Beyond the Threshold) 4:02
6. Voci Dal Nulla (Voices from the Void) 4:26
7. Suono Aperto (Open Sound) 3:58
8. Voci Dal Nulla (Voices from the Void) 4:17
9. Giro Di Blues (Tour of Blues) 2:19
10. Verso L'Ignoto (Towards the Unknown) 3:22
11. Sequenza Ritmica E Tema (Rhythmic Sequence and Theme) 4:22
All of these tracks were used (and abused) by Fulci like a DJ cutting it up throughout the film, with most repeating in modified sequences. Some even have tiny snips used like stingers. In classic Italian fashion, many tracks share thematic titles, so it’s important to note the sequence of run times to know exactly which mix your mind may be melting along with. There is a mix of Voci Dal Nulla toward the end of the film where the hotel is becoming fully haunted with ghouls and the theme is high in the mix with a great piano lead but is suddenly cut off mid-solo. This is not found on the album and just leaves one wanting more… Thankfully, the Maestro felt the same and blessed all of us with his Composer’s Cut where that mix with the full solo was restored along with many other excellent additions.
The Releases
Disclaimer: not an audiophile, using headphones, not an investment advisor, entertainment only, YMMV, etc.
The Beyond - Dagored RED 133-1 - Italy (2001)
Sleeve:
Printed on a thick cardstock gatefold sleeve. While not original poster art, the image of zombie Schweick in the water works well and is evocative of DVD horror covers. Original Italian film title and composer credit on the reverse along with track titles. A nice fan bonus on the inner gatefold with a reprint of a vintage Italian lobby card/print.
Insert:
An excellent treat for fans here with a reduced size recreation Italian film poster with original Enzo Sciotti artwork.
Liner Notes:
none
Vinyl:
Pressed by Abraxas Srl
I have the Dagored pressing that was distributed in North America by Runt. There was another GZ Digital Media pressing that was distributed outside of NA. The pressing sounds very clear with good stereo separation. The strings and bass immediately sound quite loud, but possibly a bit high and tinny without much warmth to the bass. The sound is enjoyable though and instruments are readily discernible in the mix. It is a decent pressing but nothing is getting me really excited about the listening, possibly due to low end sounding a bit flat. Unfortunately, my copy has some audible surface noise in spots from many small dimples on the vinyl. This production defect is found on other Dagored pressings of the early 2000’s era which is a pity. Likely not worth seeking out due to the rarity and cost along with the risk of the production defect. Recommended for obsessive Frizzi and Sciotti collectors only.
Mondo MOND-002 - US (2012)
Sleeve:
Another nice gatefold sleeve, but thinner cardstock than the Dagored. The artwork by Rob Jones is rare for a Mondo release to feature a still shot from the film. The untitled front sleeve image with Cinzia Monreale (Emily) and her dog, Dicky, immediately attracts attention. The image itself is somewhat grainy and appears to be a low resolution capture, but that has its own grimy appeal. Credit should also be given to Fulci for composing this shot on the highway in New Orleans. He is featured on the reverse in b&w with film title and composer credit along with track titles and runtimes. Excellent image on the inner gatefold with the final landscape shot from the film.
Insert:
none
Liner Notes:
None
Vinyl:
Remastered by James Plotkin
Lacquer cut at Masterdisk
Pressed by Rainbo Records
Pressing sounds a bit quiet in parts and not as clear compared to the Dagored. My ears struggle to discern some of the finer instruments from the overall mix as things just seem to mash together into a mid-range “soundball”. Overall, my ears felt fatigued after listening to this pressing and it did not sound good to me. There is also light surface noise throughout but not enough to be distracting. Quite a disappointment after the Dagored listen. Also, not a very impressive overall package without any additional artwork, insert or notes about the film or composer. Avoid.
Death Waltz/Mondo DW031 - US (2015)
** This reissue coincided with a special MondoCon 2015 live concert by the Maestro himself to help celebrate the festivities. Did you know there are three versions of this release with two different sleeves, but they all have the same catalog number? Does your OCD burn as well?
Sleeve (limited/color vinyl edition):
Nice cardstock gatefold sleeve with fantastic Graham Humphreys cover artwork. Film title and composer credits on the reverse along with track titles, still frame photos and liner notes from Frizzi himself. A nice image of Cinzia Monreale’s (Emily) creepy eyes on the inner gatefold.
Insert:
Outstanding high-quality four-page full color insert with extensive liner notes from Stephen Thrower and Larry Ray along with additional personal production photos from the set by Ray.
Liner Notes:
Frizzi (back sleeve), Thrower, Ray (insert).
Vinyl:
Remastered by Enrico De Gemini
Pressed by GZ Media
Note that there are six tracks on side A and five on side B whereas all previous versions of this album had five on A and six on B. Nothing major, just something of interest. Sound is quite clear on the Death Waltz with great stereo separation. Instruments are easy to discern and there is a noticeable warmth to the bass that was lacking on both the Dagored and Mondo pressings. The keys sound vibrant and lively. String plucks and resonance on synths sound crystal clear. Quite an engaging and enjoyable listen with many dynamics for the ear to follow. Little to no detectable surface noise on my copy which is a delight. Quality job, GZ Media. Both color/splatter and black vinyl play with the same quality and without issue for me. Highly recommended.
Death Waltz/Mondo DW031 - US (2015)
Sleeve (retail/black vinyl edition):
Cardstock sleeve with fantastic Graham Humphreys cover artwork. Film title and composer credits on the reverse along with track titles, still frames and liner notes from Frizzi himself.
Insert:
Outstanding high-quality four-page full color insert with extensive liner notes from Stephen Thrower and Larry Ray along with additional personal set production photos from Ray.
Liner Notes:
Frizzi (back sleeve), Thrower, Ray (insert).
Vinyl:
Remastered by Enrico De Gemini
Pressed by GZ Media
L'Aldilà (Colonna Sonora Originale Del Film) - Beat Records - LPF 052 - Italy (1981)
Sleeve:
Vintage Italian cardstock sleeve with Enzo Sciotti poster artwork. The quality of the printing is quite stunning and the colors remain beautiful and vibrant. With respect to other artists, there is really nothing comparable to Maestro Sciotti’s original poster artwork for this film. Although not even resembling a scene in the film, the horror and terror expressed in the painting evokes strong feelings and truly “gets the job done”. One of his more famous horror works and an absolute stunner of an album cover. Almost worth the price of admission and we have not even got to the vinyl yet. Film title and composer credits on the cover (the only one with this!) and the reverse along with track titles and runtimes.
Insert:
None
Sleeve Notes:
None
Vinyl:
This is a difficult and rare album to acquire. It is chased for good reason as it sounds just... amazing. What is immediately noticeable is how very clear and loud it sounds. The keys ring in my ears and the electric bass is bright and warm with a deep tone. Both the Mellotron and human chorus thunder, and quite clearly without distortion. There is a dynamic quality to the sound that I have not heard in the other pressings. Excellent stereo separation and the sound seems to bounce between my ears giving it a lot of “space” to breathe. The instruments sound so clear and discernible that the individual plucking and keys almost sound live. I am catching some electric guitar strumming that has not been heard previously. It is an amazing listen and without any whispers of surface noise. The Death Waltz is a very nice consolation prize, and I am all for reissues of expensive and rare albums, but I don’t know what it takes, get another job, sell your possessions, commit crime, find the Book of Eibon, and get a copy of this album before you pass into the shadow realm.