ABOUT CUCURBITOPHOBIA

Specializing in dark, cinematic, experimental music, Cucurbitophobia (which means “the fear of pumpkins”) is a journey through the malevolent and the majestic; a thrust into an existence witnessing the stark brutality and stunning beauty that nature has to offer.

Multi-instrumentalist and composer Robert Benaquista set out on a journey to create music that echoed many of his favorite Horror, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Adventure themed movies and video games. Through deep analysis of scores and soundtracks coupled with formal education of 20th century music, Robert began creating elaborate music compositions as early as 2010.

Classically trained and skilled on various instruments, Robert drew his main influences from contemporary Horror film composers, visionaries of Neoclassicism, Expressionism, Serialism, and Atonal composition, and experimental Electronic, Dark Ambient, Prog, and Avant-Garde musicians such as Tangerine Dream, Mike Oldfield, Vangelis, and Jean-Michel Jarre.

Over the years, after many stops, restarts, and improvements along the way, Cucurbitophobia finally came together in 2018 with the release of Tapestries of Terror. Since 2018, Rob has recorded and released 6 full length Cucurbitophobia albums, three E.P.s, and a collection of singles geared towards passionate enthusiasts of music embellished in darkness.