John Carpenter’s soundtracks for the most recent Halloween trilogy, made alongside his frequent collaborators Cody Carpenter and Daniel Davies, marked the legendary director and composer’s return to film scoring after nearly two decades away. 2018’s Halloween, 2021’s Halloween Kills, and 2022’s Halloween Ends were all directed by David Gordon Green, who engaged Carpenter early in the pre-production process, ultimately enlisting him as both an executive producer and soundtrack composer for the trilogy. Now, for the first time, expanded editions of all three scores are being made available in a deluxe box set by Carpenter’s longtime label, Sacred Bones Records.
In listening to the recent Halloween scores, the collaborative spirit among the composing trio is one of the first things that jumps out. The now-famous bowed guitar part on Halloween’s “The Shape Hunts Allyson,” like all the guitar parts strewn across the trilogy, is played by Daniel Davies. John calls Daniel “the adventurer” of the group, and credits him with introducing sounds he’d never have considered. Cody, who his father refers to as a “musical savant,” is an equally essential presence. It’s his steady, methodical hand that helps give shape to the ideas that fly around when these three get in a room together. The scores for the new films may be centered on familiar themes, but they’re also a lot more sonically diverse and musically audacious than anything John could have pulled off in 1978, when he made the original Halloween.
In addition to the individual expanded releases, the Halloween Expanded Trilogy will be available as part of a deluxe limited box set, offered in 6xLP and 3xCD formats. These editions feature exclusive new packaging and artwork by Chris Bilheimer, along with expansive liner notes by music critic Brad Sanders, which include exclusive interviews with John Carpenter and director David Gordon Green. Also included on both box sets are three collectible posters designed by Creepy Duck, a box set-exclusive poster design by Chris Bilheimer, and a deluxe lenticular cover that brings the artwork to life.
The expanded version of Halloween Kills features 25 unreleased music cues, while Halloween Ends adds 10 new tracks and Halloween sees a completely new art and packaging treatment by Chris Bilheimer. For John Carpenter collectors, Halloween completists, and all fans of great film music, the Halloween Expanded Trilogy should be considered an essential, landmark release.