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11/09/2026

Claudio Simonetti's Goblin perform 'Tenebre' at Hollywood Theater 11.8 - Review

By MATT HANSEN // Wyrd War brings Claudio Simonetti to Hollywood theater for another sold out show to play the live score for the 1982 Dario Argento film 'Tenebre'

It’s been three years since Claudio Simonetti sold out the Hollywood theater, and last Sunday in what would be his 6^th sold out show there ever, Simonetti returned for one night only to play the live score to the film Tenebre. Arguably one of the best soundtracks ever written by Simonetti, the Tenebre score is known for its more danceable theme rather than the darker atmospheric sounds on other Italian horror movies. The event was brought to us by the programmers at Wyrd War, now in their twelfth year of producing events at Hollywood Theater, with this partnership between Wyrd War and Simonetti a cemented longstanding tradition.

If you’re familiar with giallo films, then the works of director Dario Argento require no introduction, yet to the segment of audience at Hollywood Theater who had never seen Tenebre before, Wyrd War co-founder Dennis Dread stepped up to give them context. Dread’s expert analysis as a cult film connoisseur is always welcome by film fans at Hollywood as he details the historic and cultural importance and behind the scenes motivations. Describing Tenebre as “Beauty and terror done the Italian way," - which will then automatically involve gloved hands holding a gleaming knife - Dread primed the crowd explaining that Goblin’s music is timeless, stretching over many years under several names and incarnations. And that any musician worthy can effectively “become Goblin” and join the band’s past cinematic legacy if approved by the founder.

Tenebre is a film that plays on the idea of life imitates art, albeit in a very deadly fashion. Author Peter Neal (Anthony Franciosa) finds that the murders in his books are becoming real, but are things really as they seem? This live score would be a rare occasion in which Claudio Simonetti would be using a vocoder for his performance, and as he warmed up vocally before the film fans were delighted that they would be hearing some of Simonetti’s processed voice. Tenebre’s main theme is a rock italo track that goes from Simonetti catching celestial twinkles in his keys to a darker towering organ solo. It’s one of the more upbeat things you will hear in a giallo as the camera invades feminine spaces through the eyes of killer.

Simonetti and his band’s real strength on Tenebre although, is the sounds they provide during chase sequences. Goblin’s turn on a dime precision with accenting the suspense of the cops chasing a killer with groovy bass lines and frantic drums puts you right into the action of a multiple on foot pursuits. “Flashing” being the film’s crown jewel of chase sequence as a young woman is escaping being mauled by a dog. The high-hat work on “Flashing” by drummer Federico Maragoni is spine-tingling as only the slightest variation of his pattern was cause for some unexpected onscreen terror.

The track “Slow Circus” also stood out for its eerie creeping keys as it plays during the films flashbacks. The kind of mood you may hear in a horror film when someone is being committed to a sanitarium or riding a broken merry-go-round. After the conclusion of the film when the band went full boar into a set of Simonetti's film themes, we knew damn well that Daniele Amador and bassist Cecilia Nappo have certainly "become Goblin" as they rose from their seats with billowing hair. Amador and Nappo share a breathtaking chemistry with Simonetti, and their epic shredding presence shows they truly live and breathe these macabre films night after night with the hands of a master like Simonetti gliding over the keys. 

Simonetti is so at home at Hollywood Theatre that at shows end he offered that the band would be returning soon for the 50th Anniversary of Suspiria. We'll see you in 2027, Claudio! Thanks again, Wyrd War!

goblinsimonetti.com

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