Volume III 1978-1984

DRG’s third compilation of Goblin material utilizes the same tack as Goblin Volume II: 1975-1980 by presenting a combination of soundtrack rarities and non-soundtrack material. Goblin Volume III, 1978-1984 focuses on lesser-known scores like Buio Omega and Amo Non Amo. The Buio Omega music will surprise casual fans who know the group only for thunderous music like Profondo Rosso and Suspiria: these tracks are surprisingly subtle for a group that is best known for its gothic theatrics, but their minimalist, electronic-oriented style paves the way for later scores like Tenebre. The music for Amo Non Amo presents an intriguing array of styles: the main title music is a subtle slice of soft rock, while “Maniera” is an organ-driven slice of hard rock in the vein of Deep Purple. Only “Yell” has a traditional, prog-ish Goblin sound. This time out, the non-soundtrack material is taken from Il Fantastico Viaggio Del ‘Bagarozzo’ Mark, one of Goblin’s rare non-soundtrack albums. Since this album is extremely hard to find, fans will be delighted to see this material. “E Suono Rock” effectively blends programmed synthesizer textures with a guitar-driven band arrangement to create a prog instrumental that builds to a powerful crescendo, while “Le cascate di Viridiana” is a subtler, more atmospheric affair reminiscent of the quieter moments of their soundtrack work. Both tracks will also surprise the group’s fans with their use of the saxophone, an instrument that isn’t often part of Goblin’s sonic palette. All in all, Goblin Volume III, 1978-1984 is a package that will only really appeal to hardcore Goblin fans, but its rarity-oriented approach will provide plenty of diversion for those listeners. – Donald A. Guarisco