Composer Peter Scartabello joins the Etch Cast to dig into the mechanics and mysteries of horror scoring. Philip Gelatt and Morgan Galen King explore Peter’s process—where he begins, how he shapes mood, and why horror thrives on contrast: delicacy beside brutality, silence beside dread. They delve into his influences, his fascination with the strange and the uncanny, and the ways he built the musical architecture of First Word On Horror. Peter discusses the evolution of the score, from early concepts to the moment each author’s episode found its sonic identity. The conversation also touches on The Spine of Night, his work with Yuggoth Records, and the inspirations fueling his latest creations. For artists and horror fans alike, this episode offers a masterclass in how sound becomes story.