Throbbing Gristle’s ‘The Mask of Sarnath’

I happily admit being a slave to the noisy stuff and I’ve been listening to Throbbing Gristle for what feels like eons now. Innovators of industrial music (and so much more), cultural terrorists, experimental artists–call them what you want, but they are nothing short of amazing. I recently found out about this (if you love me you’ll get me one), which got me all gushy about their work on a short horror flick called The Mask of Sarnath, released in 1981. The 20 minute, 16 mm short was directed by Neil Ruttenberg and Louis Black with music by TG and starred Nina Nichols, Raymond Lee, Larry Seaman, Madelynn Goldfein, Dan Puckett, and Tom O’Guinn.

The story revolves around Harry who steals an ancient mask and becomes entranced by it, causing him to put it on which in turn transforms him into a brutal killer. He slays several people but one girl survives his attack only to follow suit and fall prey to the mask’s evil power. TG’s soundtrack steals the show and is far more entertaining than the film itself if you ask me, but it’s a fun little flick nonetheless. The film also features a song by the Austin punk band, The Huns, called Busy Kids. At the end of the credits the directors leave you with a little warning: ‘Evil Never Dies.’

It’s likely that the film was based off of H.P. Lovecraft’s short story, The Doom that Came to Sarnath, however it should be noted that Sarnath was an Indian historical city where Buddha first taught the Dharma. The word Sarnath comes from Saranganath which means ‘Lord of the Deer.’ Perhaps that explains the horns on the mask.

Check it out below and tell me what you think.