John Carpenter has announced Anthology II, a collection of newly-recorded versions of his movie themes from 1976 through 1988 dropping on October 6th via Sacred Bones Records. As a preview, the famed filmmaker and composer has shared “Chariots of Pumpkins” from 1982’s Halloween III. Stream it below.
Carpenter teamed with his son Cody Carpenter and godson Daniel Davies to re-record some of his career highlights, including songs from the Halloween franchise, Escape from New York, Big Trouble in Little China, They Live, and Assault on Precinct 13. The new album also includes updated versions of three lost tracks from The Thing, which originally saw Carpenter handing over scoring duties to fellow legend Ennio Morricone.
See the artwork and full tracklist below. Pre-orders are ongoing.
In a statement, Carpenter shared his memories about making the original “Chariots of Pumpkins” and explained how he and his longtime collaborators approached their re-recording. “This piece was made for someone else’s movie, the Tommy Lee Wallace directed Halloween III,” he said. “I don’t remember what his specific direction for me was for the main titles, but I wanted to reflect a kind of science fiction feel. The sound has been updated and it was fun to redo this song. The three of us using modern and updated sounds and production has influenced the overall feel of the song.”
Last year, Carpenter composed the soundtracks for a new adaptation of Stephen King’s Firestarter and David Gordon Green’s Halloween Ends, which Carpenter also executive produced.
Anthology II (Movie Themes 1976-1988) Artwork:
Anthology II (Movie Themes 1976-1988) Tracklist:
Side A
Chariots of Pumpkins (Halloween III)
69th St. Bridge (Escape from New York)
The Alley (War) (Big Trouble in Little China)
Wake Up (They Live)
Julie’s Dead (Assault on Precinct 13)
The Shape Enters Laurie’s Room (Halloween II)
Season of the Witch (Halloween III)
Side B
Love at a Distance (Prince of Darkness)
The Shape Stalks Again (Halloween II)
Burn it (The Thing)
Fuchs (The Thing)
To Mac’s Shack (The Thing)
Walk to the Lighthouse (The Fog)
Laurie’s Theme (Halloween)
