REVIEW

A newly composed soundtrack for the 1921 Swedish silent film The Phantom Carriage, created by Icelandic post-punk / darkwave trio Kælan Mikla alongside fellow Icelandic artist Bardi Jóhannsson.

The project premiered in 2023 at the Transilvania International Film Festival, where the film was screened inside a church with a live performance by the artists.

I haven’t seen the film yet, but the music alone is more than enough to draw me in. Cold, shadowy synths intertwine with mystical female vocals, capturing the essence of classic gothic horror with striking elegance. My standout track is “The Burden of Love and Death,” where thunderous, subterranean beats collide beautifully with solemn female choral passages. It instantly brought back memories of the late, great Cold Meat Industry and left me unexpectedly emotional.

If you’re into 4AD-associated artists, neoclassical darkwave, or industrial gothic, this is an easy recommendation. Until the day The Phantom Carriage finally gets screened in Japan, this soundtrack is well worth immersing yourself in.