Favorite Films: Soulburn Are Passionate About ‘Silence of the Lambs,’ ‘Shining,’ ‘Lighthouse’ and 2 Flicks Starring Denzel and Depp
It was all the way back in 1996 that Dutch deviants Soulburn lit embers that eventually became a full-blown blaze of death metal and black-doom, lighting the path for legions of like-minded bands in the years ever since. As is so often the case, the band wasn’t initially appreciated, and they split just three years later. But as the metal world at large eventually caught up to their masterful melange of black, death and doom metal, guitarist Eric Daniels (also of Asphyx) reignited the project in 2013, and Soulburn have burned bright ever since.
The latest evidence of the Netherland band’s brilliance is found in Quantifying Cosmic Doom, which is jam-packed with bangers as complex and rich as the album’s title suggests. Testimony put out the album – which arguably underscores Soulburn’s black-metal bona fides more than any of their previous four studio efforts – roughly two months ago. Get a taste of the record via the below video, then check out movies that each member of the badass band graciously shared with The Bad Penny for the latest installment in our ongoing Favorite Films series.
And now, here are Soulburn’s movie picks:
Twan van Geel (bass, vocals):
Antichrist (2009)
Of the many movies I like, this one [written and directed by provocative auteur Lars von Trier] popped up as being one that really intrigued me. The whole atmosphere, the depth, the tone, the colouring, the pace, the unsettling creepy ungrabbable vibe, I just love it immensely. Also Willem Dafoe and Charlotte Gainsbourg are incredible here. Antichrist is unsettling not just because of what it shows, but because of the deeper ideas it disturbs. Its unease comes from a fusion of psychological, symbolic and existential themes that never fully resolve. That’s also why I keep coming back to this one. It creeps under your skin.
The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Just iconic. Rewatched this one most ever, I think. Jodie Foster is supreme, and of course Ted Levine and Anthony Hopkins are strikingly monumental. They sadly don’t make movies like this anymore. And the soundtrack? Every time I put on “Goodbye Horses” (1988) from Q Lazzarus on at a party, the mood slightly changes in a pleasant eerie way. So strong to witness how a song can take you to that moment of the movie, and how you dive into the mind of a serial killer.
Eric Daniels (solo guitars):
The Shining (1980)
For me, this was the first thriller that grabbed me from the very first second and just never let go. Not a single dull moment. The whole thing has this creeping, gloomy atmosphere that keeps tightening around you, and Jack Nicholson… man, he’s on another level here. The rest of the cast too — everyone just nails it. Honestly, it became one of my alltime favorites without me even noticing. It just stayed with me.
The Professor and the Madman (2019)
Professor James Murray began, in the midnineteenth century, collecting and organizing words for what would become the very first edition of the Oxford English Dictionary. To gather enough material, he reached out to English speakers all over the world, asking them to send in their own contributions. It’s honestly some of the most beautiful acting I’ve ever seen that moment with Mel Gibson and Sean Penn sitting on that bench, just talking, completely pulled me in. There’s so much emotion in that scene, so much honesty, that it stayed with me long after the film ended. It’s one of those movies that really lingers.
Marc Verhaar (drums):
American Gangster (2007)
I’m a huge fan of crime films, and this one is just a really solid, entertaining crime story that never gets dull for a single moment. It keeps you engaged all the way through, and it’s simply a joy to watch.
Donnie Brasco (1997)
The close friendship between an FBI agent and a gangster puts both of their lives at risk. The gangster has no idea he’s actually helping the very agent who’s supposed to bring him down. A long, engaging and beautifully made film with truly outstanding acting. It keeps you hooked the whole way through, and the performances are just on another level.
Remco Kreft (guitars):
Der Goldenen Handschuh (2019)
I love this film because it is so raw. Everything is dirty, filthy, and drenched in filth. I think the acting is amazing, as well as the cinematography. I even went to the main actor’s regular pub in Hamburg (Germany), which bears the name of this film. It was very inspiring.
The Lighthouse (2019)
This film isn’t really about the story. You can tell that in two lines. This is a textbook example of absolute acting and directing talent. Eggers, Pattinson, and Dafoe, what a dream team. Everything about this film is perfect: the dark atmosphere, camera angles, pacing, acting, and yes, even the small story.
Especially if your tastes coincide with those of Soulburn, familiarize yourself with the band via Bandcamp, Facebook and Instagram.
Check out the Favorite Films archive – including recommendations from Ministry’s Martin Atkins, Napalm Death’s Shane Embury, Fireball Ministry’s Emily Burton and loads more rad bands – here.
The Bad Penny (beta) 
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