When people think about horror films, they often picture terrifying monsters, haunted houses or shocking jump scares. However, there is another part of horror that is just as important as the visuals, and that is the music.
A well-written score can make an ordinary scene feel tense, unsettling or downright terrifying. Sometimes the audience doesn’t even notice the music, yet it quietly controls how they feel throughout the film.
Over the years, I have composed music for more than 200 films and short films, many of them within the independent horror scene. Alongside my work as a composer, I am also a filmmaker, writer and creator (though not particularly talented in those areas), giving me a unique understanding of how music fits into the wider film making process.
Independent horror has always been a home for creativity, experimentation and passionate filmmakers. While blockbuster productions often have huge budgets and large orchestras, independent films rely on imagination, clever storytelling and talented collaborators. Music plays a huge role in helping these films achieve an atmosphere that audiences remember long after the credits roll.
A Career Built Around Independent Film
As “Chan Walrus”, I have spent many years working alongside independent filmmakers, creating original music for projects across the horror genre. My website features an extensive collection of scores, many of which I also make available for other creators to use under a free licence, to offer support for the wider independent filmmaking community.
Feel free to download any of my music here and use it for any purpose: Free Music – as with every case of people using my music, I don’t care if you love me or you hate me, you’re welcome to use my music for anything! (Even an Anti-Chan Walrus video! Wahay!)
My portfolio includes work on films such as She’s Dead, All Hell Breaks Loose, Return to Blood Fart Lake, Decline and many others. Several of these productions have received recognition for their music, demonstrating how important a carefully crafted soundtrack can be to an independent film.
Rather than seeing horror as a narrow genre, I try to embrace its many different styles. Some films demand slow, atmospheric soundscapes that create an uneasy feeling, like I used when working with DT Films, while others need fast-paced orchestral music or retro synthesiser tracks inspired by classic horror cinema. For All Hell Breaks Loose, I even used a wok and water to create many of the undercurrents within the pulsing soundtrack.
This variety keeps every project fresh and presents a new creative challenge each time. I often look to Delia Derbyshire’s music for inspiration on using things not commonly classified as instruments.
Why Horror Music Matters
Music tells the audience how to feel without using words.
A quiet piano note can suggest loneliness.
A deep drone can make viewers feel uneasy.
Sudden orchestral stings can make people jump out of their seats. (God I love those jump scares!)
Great horror music doesn’t simply accompany the action on screen, it subtly becomes part of the storytelling itself.
Many of my scores focus on creating atmosphere rather than relying solely on loud or dramatic moments. The music often builds slowly, encouraging the audience to feel that something isn’t quite right before anything frightening actually happens.
That slow build of tension is one of horror’s greatest strengths.
Working Within Independent Budgets
One of the biggest differences between independent films and Hollywood productions is the available budget.
Independent filmmakers rarely have access to full orchestras, expensive recording studios or large post-production teams. Every member of the production has to make the most of the resources available.
For a composer, this means being creative.
Instead of relying on expensive equipment, many independent composers use carefully chosen virtual instruments, synthesisers, layered sound design and imaginative recording techniques to create professional-quality scores.
Limitations often encourage innovation.
Many memorable horror soundtracks have been created using relatively simple equipment combined with strong musical ideas.
Understanding the Director’s Vision
Every horror film has its own identity.
Some are psychological thrillers.
Others are supernatural ghost stories.
Some are full of dark humour, while others aim to leave audiences feeling deeply unsettled.
Because of this, I believe that the composer scoring the film must understand exactly what the director wants to achieve.
I have worked with many different filmmakers over the years, adapting my musical style to suit each project rather than approaching every film in the same way. My collection of scores demonstrates just how varied independent horror can be.
Building Tension Instead of Noise
One common misunderstanding about horror music is that it needs to be loud.
In reality, silence can often be more frightening.
A scene with almost no music can leave audiences feeling uncomfortable because they expect something to happen.
Likewise, a single sustained note can sometimes create more tension than an entire orchestra.
Independent horror often benefits from subtle scoring because it allows the performances, sound effects and atmosphere to work together naturally.
The music supports the fear rather than overwhelming it.
Collaboration Is Everything
Film is one of the most collaborative forms of art.
Directors, actors, cinematographers, editors, sound designers and composers all contribute to the finished product.
Music cannot exist in isolation.
The composer needs to understand the pacing of each scene, the emotions of the characters and the overall tone of the film.
My experience as both a filmmaker and composer gives me an understanding of how these creative elements work together. Having worked behind the camera as well as behind the keyboard, I always appreciate the challenges involved in bringing an independent production to life.
Supporting Independent Creators
I will never waver on my commitment to supporting other creators.
My website offers a large archive of royalty-free music that filmmakers, game developers and content creators can use under my published licence. This allows people working with small budgets to access free music while helping independent projects grow.
Independent filmmaking thrives when creators support one another.
By sharing resources and encouraging collaboration, composers help strengthen the creative community as a whole.
As Chan Walrus, I have built a respected career within independent horror by combining creativity, versatility and a genuine passion for filmmaking. My work across more than 200 films and short films highlights the important role that music plays in creating atmosphere, building suspense and bringing stories to life.
Independent horror has always been a place where imagination matters more than budget, and composers are a vital part of that creative process. Whether writing orchestral themes, eerie ambient soundscapes or retro-inspired synthesiser scores, the goal is always the same: to help audiences feel something.
As independent horror continues to evolve, I hope that more composers emerge who will remain at the heart of the genre, proving that great music can transform even the simplest scene into something unforgettable.
