COMPOSER — FILM · GAMES · MEDIA — BUTZBACH, GERMANY
THREE WORLDS. ONE MUSICAL VOICE.
I create music for what lies beneath the surface — shaping psychological tension, emotional depth and atmosphere.
From intimate drama to suspense and horror, my scores
-> follow the story,
-> reveal the unseen
-> make the audience feel what remains unsaid.
REEL 1
Psychological Drama
Music for psychological drama is about what happens beneath the surface — the thoughts left unspoken, the emotions that cannot be expressed, and the conflicts within a character.
I see music not as an explanation of what we see, but as a way of revealing what we cannot. Through restraint, silence, subtle harmonic movement, evolving motifs and sound, I explore the inner world of a character.
The score should not tell the audience what to feel. It should draw them deeper into the experience — into the uncertainty, vulnerability, fear and transformation that lies between what is shown and what is felt.
REEL 2
Suspense & MYstery
Horror and mystery begin where certainty ends. I am interested in the space between what we know and what we fear — where a sound, a silence or a subtle musical shift can make us question what we see.
Rather than revealing the threat, I let the music create anticipation, doubt and psychological tension. I use texture, restraint, silence and evolving musical ideas to make the unseen feel present.
For me, the most powerful horror is not what the music tells us to fear, but what it makes us imagine.
REEL 3
Score & GAME MUSIC
Game music has to live inside the game — not simply play alongside it. I create adaptive scores that respond to the player, the environment and the emotional state of the game.
Seamless loops, layered stems, transitions and dynamic intensity allow the music to evolve naturally as gameplay changes. From subtle mood shifts to major narrative moments, the score adapts without breaking immersion.
The goal is a musical system that feels composed, but never repetitive — responsive, seamless and deeply connected to the player’s experience.
[...] Everything he needed to read our thoughts was the script and a conversation about the intended feelings and moods of the project and, in the best Ennio Morricone style, he had conjured up a suitable score before the scenes had even been filmed. One can not only wish for such a collaboration, but one can also, fortunately, commission it. [...]
Dominik Stark (producer, author)
...
[...]Since 2021 I have been working with the likeable film composer Marco Herbert on a number of film projects.
His musical work was always well received by all the filmmakers to whom I recommended Marco. Marco works very quickly, reliably and precisely. He has a very strong feeling for designing the music to suit the scene - whether from the script or the storyboards, as well as the scene in the finished film.[...] Working with Marco is completely uncomplicated and very pleasant . I can therefore only warmly recommend him to any filmmaker who wants an intense and gripping film score to hire Marco for it. [...]
Matthias Schmidt (actor AKA Moloch)
...
[...]Marco Herbert understands what we want better than we can describe it ourselves. Every collaboration was a small revelation. [...]
Arne Ciliox (Feigenbaumpunkt advertising agency)
[...] Marco Herbert's music is so awesome, it's soulful, it's bliss, but also somehow hauntingly beautiful, all in all it's pretty incredible, I could listen to it for hours and just lose myself in its magical sound. [...] As a composer Marco he has a unique ability of expressing himself through his music, he works disciplined. Marco Herbert composes the most amazing film music, no kidding! It's out of this world, I love it. I highly recommend this brilliant composer. [...]
Dianne Holmes (singer/songwriter/teacher)
...
[...] From second onwards there was a productive and goal-oriented atmosphere. His first drafts formed a concept that wasn't fully formed in my head, and his patience with a musical amateur like me was admirable. It's worth listening to professionals. ;-) [...]
Markus Köhler (First Contact: A Film Encounter)
...
[...] We have already implemented several film projects with Marco (including image films, commercials, short films).
He always worked very reliably and quickly. We value him very much as a film composer and look forward to further collaborations![...]
Markus Baumeister (media agency Das Zeichen)
Based near Frankfurt, Germany, Marco Herbert is a composer specializing in dramatic scores for film and video games.
He creates music that lives in the shadows—where tension breathes and silence speaks. Specializing in psychological storytelling, drama and suspense, he crafts dark, emotionally charged soundscapes for film and video games. Blending orchestral depth with modern textures, his work draws audiences into the unknown—and keeps them there.
He creates music that lives in the shadows—where tension breathes and silence speaks. Specializing in psychological storytelling, drama and suspense, he crafts dark, emotionally charged soundscapes for film and video games. Blending orchestral depth with modern textures, his work draws audiences into the unknown—and keeps them there.
Working from his studio in Butzbach, Marco collaborates with directors and developers worldwide to translate dramatic vision into powerful cinematic soundscapes.
Film- und Game-Komponist aus Butzbach (Hessen) – Filmmusik für Spielfime, Kurzfilme, Diplomfilme und Games.
Project | Type & Role | Year & Notes |
|---|---|---|
| After Ivan | Feature film – Original score | 2026 – Emotional drama |
| Salz der Erde | Documentary – Original score | 2026 – Emotional documentary |
| Bad Trip | Diploma film - Original Score | 2025 - Psychological drama |
| Die Hochzeit | Short film – Original score | 2025 – Dark humour drama |
| The Maze | Short film - Original score | 2025 – Horror |
| Seelenheil | Diploma film - Original score | 2024 – Psychological drama |
12 reviews
Your opinion is important to us and helps us improve our service.
Arne Ciliox
Tuesday 28 Mar 2023
Marco Herbert versteht besser was wir wollen, als wir es selbst beschreiben können. Jede Zusammenarbeit war eine kleine Offenbarung.
Markus Baumeister
Tuesday 28 Mar 2023
Wir haben mit Marco schon mehrere Filmprojekte (u.a. Imagefilme, Werbespots, Kurzfilme) umgesetzt.
Dabei hat er immer sehr zuverlässig und schnell gearbeitet. Wir schätzen ihn als Filmkomponist sehr und freuen uns auf eine weitere Zusammenarbeit!
Dabei hat er immer sehr zuverlässig und schnell gearbeitet. Wir schätzen ihn als Filmkomponist sehr und freuen uns auf eine weitere Zusammenarbeit!