Oscar Fogelström on the Composition and Recording Process for "Äkta Skräck"
When approaching the score for Äkta Skräck, a film set during the 15th-century witch burnings, I knew the sound had to feel organic yet otherworldly. I wanted the music to evoke the raw tension and fear of that time while also grounding it in a sense of ancient history.
I focused on being thematic with my sound choices, pulling from both historical and natural elements. The instruments played a crucial role in this. I incorporated traditional old scandinavian folk instruments like the vevlira, nyckelharpa, and mouth harp, alongside deep, resonant horns to create a dark, atmospheric tone. These sounds helped establish the film’s time period and amplify its eerie, supernatural undertones.
Nature itself acts as a character in Äkta Skräck, and I wanted that reflected in the sound design. The forest in the film feels alive, so I integrated sounds of wood being struck, manipulated forest ambiances, and the crackling of fire to build a primal, immersive atmosphere. Fire, in particular, has a strong connection to the story—it symbolizes the women who were burned as witches, and it also becomes a way for the old witch who helps the main characters to reveal herself. She lets her presence be known through fire, making it a crucial narrative and sonic element.
Voices were also a key part of the score. I wanted them to connect directly with the story, so I used them to represent the ghostly voices of the women who were burned during the witch hunts. These haunting, ethereal vocal layers echo throughout the film, as if the spirits of these persecuted women are lingering in the background, their presence still felt.
Recording the score was a process of experimentation, ensuring every sound supported the narrative. From the striking of wood to the wail of medieval horns, each element was designed to create a soundscape that surrounds the viewer with tension—relying on textures and atmospheres instead of melodies to evoke emotion and build the haunting mood of Äkta Skräck.
