John Carpenterhas released a brand new song titledThe Dead Walk. The horror legend and director ofHalloweenhas been heavily focused on music for the last handful of years. Now, Carpenter is getting ready to return with his first non-soundtrack album in nearly five years titledLost Themes III: Alive After Death. This represents a preview of what’s to come on the full-length release later this year.
Thesong was shared by John Carpenteron Twitter along with some artwork for the single. The art was done by Boneface. A lyric video was released on YouTube, which comes with animation by Liam Brazier. As is typically the case with Carpenter, the tune is synth-heavy. Sacred Bones Records, which is releasing the album, describes it as making “the zombie apocalypse feel like a rave.” Carpenter collaborated with his son Cody Carpenter and godson Daniel Davies on the album. The trio has been working together for the last several years. Carpenter had this to say about their writing process.
“We begin with a theme, a bass line, a pad, something that sounds good and will lead us to the next layer. We then just keep adding on from there. We understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses, how to communicate without words, and the process is easier now than it was in the beginning. We’ve matured.”
This represents John Carpenter’s full-length follow-up to 2016’s Lost Themes II. Carpenter has managed to stay quite busy over the last four years following that release. The filmmaking legend went on hisfirst-ever concert tour, performing material from both of his Lost Themes albums, in addition to music from his movie scores. He re-recorded many of those classic movie themes on a 2017 album titledAnthology. In 2018, Carpenter returned to theHalloweenfranchise to executive produce the sequel, which was directed by David Gordon Green. Carpenter also composed the music for the movie, which now ranks as the highest-grossing slasher in history.
The 72-year-old filmmaker is known for directing classics such asThe Thing,Big Trouble in Little China,Escape from New York,The FogandThey LiveCarpenter hasn’t directed a feature since 2010’sThe Ward. Even in his earliest days as a director, Carpenter provided the soundtracks for many of his movies. He is also set to return once again for bothHalloween KillsandHalloween Ends, theupcoming sequels to 2018’s Halloween. Carpenter will once again provide the soundtrack to Micheal Myers' bloodshed, along with Cody Carpenter and Daniel Davies.
Lost Themes III: Alive After Deathis set to arrive on August 14, 2025. The album is available for pre-order now digitally and through physical retailers. The standard black vinyl goes for $20, while the red vinyl is available for $21. A CD version is also available. Each vinyl copy will come with a 24x36 fold-out poster as well. Be sure to check outThe Dead Walkfor yourself. Those who wish to pre-order a copy can do so viaSacred Bones Records.
