Our selection of royalty-free cinematic music with an emphasis on tension, danger, nerve, and a sense of unease. Sometimes more subtle and sneaky music, other times more overt threatening music and soundtracks for critical situations, this music is made for action thrillers, police operations, stakeouts, spy / undercover agents, dangerous missions, hurricane-chasing and more.
This piece is suitable for killer clowns, zombies, possessed dolls, etc. An eerie piece with a deep terrorizing bass line; highlights the squeaky nature of the Oboe and the sentimental vibrato of the trumpet to create an ironic atmosphere of horror with a slight comedic feel. [Tempo: Slow / 70 BPM]
The Third Reich is to Hitler what the Imperial March was for Darth Vader. It begins with a simple staccato violin pattern and flute melody until the call of horns introduces the ground-shattering beat, synonymous to the force of military tanks. When you thought things were rough, an epic finale kicks in. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 60 BPM]
There’s a difference between terror and horror. This track is a sonic tale of the inner workings of a demonic serial killer as he/she confesses their brutal crime. It’s a slow buildup of organic string lines and atmospheric tension stretched across two minutes of anxiety and creepiness until the explosive ending. [Tempo: Slow / 60 BPM]
A slow and dramatic hybrid orchestral track that brings to mind struggle, confrontation, battles, war and the fallen soldiers. Reflecting and dwelling on past events. Heavy drums, electronic elements, pulsating strings and slow somber brass. [Tempo: Slow / 108 BPM]
A dark, ominous and dramatic film underscore music using a combination of electronic and orchestral elements. This track starts out sneaky and foreboding with staccato synth pattern and grows over time, gradually building up the intensity towards a climax at about 1:26. An element of mystery, conspiracy and intrigue. A very serious tone which sets the scene for crime, thriller, spy movie/game etc. [Tempo: Slow / 155 BPM]
Jazzy, abstract intro. Grows in intensity as it goes along, and introduces new elements. Works well as an intro to something with high expectation. [Tempo: Medium, Fast / 160 BPM]
These dark horror cues can be classed either as "music cues" or "sound effects", as in reality they function as both. They are all recorded with a large, live symphony orchestra with the same quality as any soundtrack from big budget movies. The effects are easy to loop and edit, and can be tailored to fit any cue, as they can be used from virtually any point. Consider them a construction kit to score horror, mystery and dark drama. Recorded, mastered, and delivered to you in pristine 24-bit audio. Also look for YS Horror Cues 21-40 and YS Horror Cues 41-60. [Tempo: Very slow, Slow, Medium / 0 BPM]
These dark horror cues can be classed either as "music cues" or "sound effects", as in reality they function as both. They are all recorded with a large, live symphony orchestra with the same quality as any soundtrack from big budget movies. The effects are easy to loop and edit, and can be tailored to fit any cue, as they can be used from virtually any point. Consider them a construction kit to score horror, mystery and dark drama. Recorded, mastered, and delivered to you in pristine 24-bit audio. Also look for YS Horror Cues 01-20 and YS Horror Cues 41-60. [Tempo: Very slow, Slow, Medium / 0 BPM]
A dark solo piano piece that has an underlying feeling of menace, danger and horror. Piano sounds like a beating heart at the end as the suspense grows but resolves. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 0 BPM]
This track has an eerie mood, yet still suggesting hints of something whmsical, and perhaps mischievous. It would be well suited for footage and video games about horror, fantasy and paranormal subject matter. [Tempo: Slow / 134 BPM]
This frightening music bed has apocalyptic overtones and would be well suited for, horror, thriller, or fantasy footgae about paranormal and occult subject matter as well as video-games and trailers. Its suggests something evil lurking, and makes for a nice tension builder that features an intense, climactic riser. [Tempo: Very slow, Slow / 0 BPM]
Frightening dark ambient horror music bed featuring the sounds of sinister spirits knocking, broken piano, and scary choir. TV static and plenty of door smashes for that extra eerieness well suited for horror, thriller, suspense and fantasy footage, as welll as video games. [Tempo: Very slow, Slow / 0 BPM]
This track has an eerie and deranged mood. It has hints of psychosis and insanity and features the main melody played on a detuned toy music box. It would be well suited for footage and video games about horror, suspense, fantasy and paranormal subject matter. [Tempo: Slow / 0 BPM]
This horror underscore has hellish overtones and would be well suited for, horror, thriller, or fantasy footgae about paranormal and occult subject matter as well as video-games and trailers. Its' slow, slithery pace has suggests something evil lurking, and makes for a nice tension builder that features an intense, climactic riser. [Tempo: Very slow, Slow / 0 BPM]
This track has a haunted overtone and pays a subtle homage to the music 'Dexter' in the theme. This cue would work well for film or television, opening credits, paranormal footage and spooky movie trailers. It features detuned piano and haunting choirs that makes a nice ghostly tension builder. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 70 BPM]
This track is a frightening dark ambient music bed that is well suited for horror, thrillers, suspense, fantasy footage, as welll as video games. It has haunting overtones that make a nice tension builder. [Tempo: Very slow, Slow / 0 BPM]
This track is is an action filled cue that works well for escalating fight scenes, action sequences and something requiring a cue that builds wiht intensity. It begins with overtones of Asia and the Middle East, reminiscent of a kung-fu, or ancient ruins etc, and escalates into a cinematic techno hybrid that is energetic and thrilling. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 101 BPM]
This track is a high Intensity action / chase cue with a primal, menacing tone. It's full of suspense and works well for footage of battles, war scenes, chases, and beasts. It's also well suited for video games and builds into a riser at the end that has a cinematic impact great for film trailers. Apocalypto meets Jurassic Park. [Tempo: Fast / 125 BPM]
This track is an intensely dark orchestral piece with apocalyptic overtones and will work great with horror, thrillers and sci-fi. Its' ominous, foreboding tone has an epic intensity that would suit battle scenes, video-games, and fantasy footage as well. [Tempo: Slow, Fast / 90 BPM]
Useful for animation and short animated story of two parts. Anxiety and mystery, thrill and unanswered riddle in first part. Then it quickly switches to second part which has more tension and is more dynamic, pefect for telling sad story about kind of bad thing which happened somewhere. [Tempo: Medium / 122 BPM]
Useful for animation and short animated story. To show the character or main hero who looks out and trys to find enemies or bad guys lurking somewhere out. Mysterious and enigmatic, with percusive ethnic instruments, more agressive and dynamic in second part, preaparing for some kind of climax part which has will happen soon after... a battle or combat. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 88 BPM]
A cinematic orchestral piece that evokes fear, sadness, anxiety, and magic. This track could work in scenes involving threat, supernatural forces or otherworldly and awe-inspiring locations. The middle section is quite dramatic. [Tempo: Medium / 92 BPM]
Eerie, tense, percussive soundscape with a relentless spooky melody, dark metalic FX and flute sweeps. Atmospheric with a sense of suspense and imminent danger. Menacing and sinister. 48 hours, The Mentalist, Castle, Alien Invasion, crime drama, horror, Sci-Fi. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 105 BPM]
Dark, evil, wicked, sinister, unnerving, cinematic, haunting, disturbed soundtrack to impending danger. Scary, edgy, bleak, ominous, doomy soundscape for use in horror / halloween / space / crime / murder type projects. [Tempo: Slow / 100 BPM]
This track combines strange noises with unusual, repeated, freaky piano melodies. This would work well as part of a freaky dream or nightmare sequence. It also could work quite well in the horror genre or during a haunting. Also quite perfect for Halloween and haunted houses. [Tempo: Slow / 0 BPM]
Eerie, tense, percussive soundscape with a relentless spooky melody, dark metalic FX and flute sweeps. Atmospheric with a sense of suspense and imminent danger. Menacing and sinister. 48 hours, The Mentalist, Castle, Alien Invasion, crime drama, horror, Sci-Fi. [Tempo: Slow / 9 BPM]
Battle drums / war drums / tribal drums. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 75 BPM]
A disturbing and horrific piece of music for use with horror, fright, terror and tension. Available in various different versions / mixes / lengths. [Tempo: Slow, Medium, Fast / 150 BPM]
Sinister orchestra over an urban beat and retro style theremin. Spooky and atmospheric perfect for contemporary halloween and horror projects. [Tempo: Slow / 80 BPM]
Pure suspense with lots of tension and a thumping heartbeat. Think a horrific crime scene, or a deadly chase through a dark forest. Repetitive motifs but constantly building and evolving to enhance the drama and suspense. Synth swells are presented separately to allow for dramatic placement anywhere in the track. Good for crime, suspense, drama, TV, film. [Tempo: Slow, Medium, Fast / 0 BPM]
Featuring orchestra, gritty guitar and drums, this cinematic Western-styled piece could be a character study for a Western hero or antihero. Dramatic and epic, this piece could be useful in scenes depicting the conceiving of or execution of a plan (e.g. bank robbery, capturing an outlaw) or for the archetypical ride into the sunset. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 92 BPM]
Music for a showdown at high noon. Begins tense and sparse, building in energy through several stages as the gunfighters size each other up, it finally ends with a climax as a gun fires and one of the men falls. [Tempo: Slow / 87 BPM]
A slow, restrained and understated, hip-hop style beat provide the basis for this somewhat dark track somewhere between electronica, hip-hop and cinematic soundtrack. This track will go well with a dark corporation or with forensics / investigation / crime solving etc. Has a slightly ominous or malevolent feel, combined with the methodical and calculated. [Tempo: Very slow, Slow / 75 BPM]
Eerie, tense, percussive soundscape with a relentless spooky melody, dark metalic FX and flute sweeps. Atmospheric with a sense of suspense and imminent danger. Menacing and sinister. 48 hours, The Mentalist, Castle, Alien Invasion, crime drama, horror, Sci-Fi. [Tempo: Slow / 78 BPM]
Atmospheric Thomas Newman-style trailer music drone that slowly builds up to an action climax with cinematic drums and staccato synthstrings. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 140 BPM]
Ambient background track with an uneasy, pensive feel. Dark, ominous and threatening, this track suggests danger and death. The track could suit scenes in a graveyard or other dark place, or tense scenes where a character is sneaking around, trying to avoid being caught. Exploring at night, dangers lurking. [Tempo: Very slow, Slow / 0 BPM]
An epic and rousing track for fantasy, adventure, epic trailers. Emotional and lively, this track features big percussion, full orchestra and choir. Valiant and heroic. [Tempo: Slow, Medium, Fast / 77 BPM]
Somber and mysterious. An hypnotic and suspenseful piano with dark and shadowy strings. Great for suspense documentaries or crime scenes depiction. [Tempo: Slow, Fast / 120 BPM]
Tires squealing, sirens blaring, adrenalin flowing. The Chase begins. Dramatic, suspenseful, powerful track mixing electronic and orchestral elements. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 81 BPM]
Energetic percussion/electronic track with impelling synth riffs, huge orchestral drums. Perfect for action films, extreme sports and trailers. [Tempo: Slow, Fast / 120 BPM]
Hard hitting, fast, relentless and ruthless techno / industrial style material. This track is high on energy and packs a mean punch. Suitable for film chase or fight scene, extreme sports, racing, raw power, sci-fi and much more. [Tempo: Slow, Fast / 86 BPM]
Pattern based 20th Century minimalist music. Surreal, Rhythmic, Underscore, Tension. [Tempo: Medium, Fast / 132 BPM]
This cue is a dark tension builder that is designed to set a suspenseful mood. It is reminiscent of eerie soundtracks such as Saw, Dexter, Silent Hill etc. It has paranormal overtones and peaks with a massive, intensely cinematic stinger. It would be well suited to horror, psychological thrillers and scenes requiring an unsettling suspense. [Tempo: Very slow, Slow / 0 BPM]
A thrilling, cinematic trailer Sting that is epic and intense. It starts with rising orchestral clusters that begin ecalating into massive, terrifying, dramatic impacts that are designed to have your viewrs on the edge of their seat. This would be excellent for trailers, tv, movies and film, promos, bumpers and video games. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 0 BPM]
A thrilling cinematic trailer Sting that is epic and intense. It starts with rising orchestral clusters that begin ecalating into massive, terrifying, dramatic impacts that are designed to have your viewrs on the edge of their seat. This would be excellent for trailers, tv, movies and film, promos, bumpers and video games. [Tempo: Very slow, Slow / 100 BPM]
Cold, dystopian music. Foreboding. Ambient, haunting beginning and end parts and a more harsh middle section with violent, distorted stabs. Methodical, lost, spacey. Good for scifi, dark futures, space music, extraterrestrial exploration, etc. [Tempo: Very slow, Slow / 75 BPM]
A piano track with a repeated / ostinato piano pattern, and a sense of tension and intrigue. Developing story, building up to a major event. Pensive, secretive, mysterious. Good for drama / tension. Performed live on an old upright piano, with a nostalgic, organic sound. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 85 BPM]
Heavy percussion, accented strings, blasting brass and dark synths give this track a dramatic, futuristic vibe. Intended for epic promos, video games, sports, trailer and dramatic radio cues. Also ideal for turmoil, tension and struggle in reality TV shows like Celebrity Apprentice, The Ultimate Fighter, Survivor, Fear Factor and The Bachelor. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 135 BPM]
A slow building, pulsating futuristic track in the style of Batman, Tron, Watchmen and Star Trek. Deep percussion and flowing strings make this track dramatic and dark yet inspiring and uplifting. In the style of Steve Jablonsky, Hans Zimmer, John Williams and James Horner. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 152 BPM]
Dramatic accented strings, heavy percussion, blasting brass and pulsating synths give this track a dramatic, epic and futuristic vibe. Intended for epic promos, video games, sports, trailer and dramatic radio cues. Also ideal for breaking news, tragedy, turmoil, tension and struggle in reality TV shows like Celebrity Apprentice, The Ultimate Fighter, Survivor, Fear Factor and The Bachelor. [Tempo: Slow, Medium / 120 BPM]