Today sees the release of Lost in Reality, the new album from Stockholm’s Metro Riders — an enticing and atmospheric collection of music that draws both musical and aesthetic inspiration from the suspense and horror films of the 1970s. Metro Riders’ Henrik Stelzer provided an in-depth look at some of his favorite horror film posters — and explained how they shaped the new album.
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The concept of “Lost In Reality” conjures images of forsaken exploitation movies, a realm where lost people lurk, and the vengeful souls of corrupted youth seek retribution. Yet, it also reflects our grim present reality, a teetering society. “Lost In Reality” embodies two intertwined themes: the haunting echoes of forgotten influences and the harsh truths of our current existence.
The artworks depicting these overlooked, low-budget European films not only capture a bygone era but also serve as a profound wellspring of inspiration for “Lost In Reality.”
Aenigma (1987)
Director: Lucio Fulci
Genre: Horror
Country of origin: Italy
How do you get funding in 1987 for an obscure Italian film project about demons and miserable teenagers? You add suspense and sensuality to the posters. Even though the movie is not really very revealing when it comes to skin and nudity, by today’s standards, it’s certainly a good recipe for increasing revenue.
Manhattan Baby (1982)
Director: Lucio Fulci
Genre: Horror
Country of origin: Italy
Just as the synthesizer became a strong association with the music of the 80s, so too did the airbrush technique become a symbol of the popular culture of the time. The style was both anonymous and telling at the same time, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the cover of Manhattan Baby was already reproduced on a truck side or traveling haunted house.
The Cat O’Nine Tails (1971)
Director: Dario Argento
Genre: Horror
Country of origin: Italy
In the true spirit of Hitchcock and with a limited color palette, this artwork is almost like an oil painting that you would see in a museum in Florence rather than a video store in some forgotten suburb. First class art.
Buio Omega (1979)
Director: Joe D’Amato
Genre: Horror
Country of origin: Italy
Unlike the other selected covers, this one may not belong in a museum, it may just belong in a dusty x-rental video cave. But if I had seen this cover when I was 14, I would have done anything to bring it home under my t-shirt. It represents the obscure, the inaccessible and all that you may or may not understand or like but still leaves you with an impression.
Torso (1973)
Director: Sergio Martino
Genre: Horror
Country of origin: Italy
I remember three things about this movie. The yellow cover that stood out from everything else on the shelves, Suzy Kendall and that I saw it at a friend’s house when I was 14 and that when I got home I asked my mom what is a torso? Mom called my friend, the rest I can’t go into right now.
Spasmo (1974)
Director: Umberto Lenzi
Genre: Horror
Country of origin: Italy
Sometimes, the experience of anticipation can be just as strong as reality. I have had Spasmo in my possession for years on a tired DVD. Sometimes I pick it up, look at the cover and then let my mind wander. I still don’t really know what it’s about, but my imagination and the title of the movie were still the inspiration for one of the songs on Lost In Reality. Sometimes that’s all it takes.
Suspiria (1977)
Director: Dario Argento
Genre: Horror
Country of origin: Italy
One cannot talk about the giallo genre and Italian exploitation without mentioning Suspiria. Just a few weeks ago I saw two young people in the city, one of whom was wearing a shirt with this particular graphic. Even if you sometimes think that all the best things have already been done, you are always surprised when gen z starts to discover the promised land of slasher films.
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