Image: Slipknot press photo, Paul Harries
The spooky celebration is just around the corner. This occasion calls for the right musical background! In this article, we will present 10 albums that will deliver the right Halloween mood for every metalhead and rocker.
Dark atmosphere, eerie melodies and creepy lyrics - metal can do all of that very well. On this one day of the year, it's easy to put up with all the clichés about the genre. Here comes your inspiration for the background music on the last day of October!
1. Slipknot - Slipknot
Not only do Slipknot's horror masks fit the Halloween vibe perfectly. The group's debut album also has a lot of creepy potential. The lyrics deal with dark thoughts and the darker sides of being human. In the music video for "Spit It Out," strong inspiration was drawn from the movie "The Shining," the film adaptation of Stephen King's horror novel. The energy and intensity of the album can no doubt rival a good horror movie.
2. Ghost - Prequelle
The Swedish Hard Rock and Heavy Metal band Ghost already has the perfect band name for our list. Ghost also always put on thrilling shows, with lead singer Papa Emeritus in black and white makeup, robe and mitre. If that's not inspiration for a Halloween outfit! Tracks like "Witch Image," "Dance Macabre," and "Rats" from their fourth studio album Prequelle should definitely be on your Halloween playlist.
3. Rob Zombie - Hellbilly Deluxe
Although it was released in 1998 and is therefore not even a recent publication in the discography of Rob Zombie, Hellbilly Deluxe is probably the most famous album of the band. Especially the single "Dragula" is still an unforgotten hit today, still being present in numerous Spotify playlists. But there are even more spooky tracks. "Living Dead Girl" and "Call of the Zombie" are just a start. Listen to the whole album and let it convince you. By the way, singer Rob Zombie is also a horror movie director. Maybe you can discover something new for Halloween night with his works, e.g. "Halloween" (2007) and "The Munsters" (2022).
4. Misfits - Walk Among Us
An album from the horror punk band Misfits should be a given here. Walk Among Us from 1981 holds tracks like "Vampira," "Skulls," and "Night of the Living Dead". Although the album Static Age was supposed to be released before, Walk Among Us was released first, making it the Misfits' debut album.
5. Kiss - Creatures of the Night
Kiss have always been known for their theatrical outfits and eye-catching makeup, which is often imitated by fans attending concerts. Combined with brilliant Hard Rock and the voice of Paul Stanley, the band is already a must for Rock 'n' Roll enthusiasts. 1982's Creatures of the Night is the perfect choice for late October, as the title track "Creatures of the Night" really fits the autumn mood. Maybe try a Gene Simmons outfit yourself?
6. Cradle Of Filth - Midian
For fans of Extreme Metal and gloomy lyrics we move on to one of the first albums of the British band Cradle of Filth, Midian. Dani Filth's distinctive and often shrill vocals won't leave your ears any time soon. The song "Her Ghost in the Fog" is one of the most famous singles of the band, with a gloomy music video, as is characteristic for the group. Other tracks on the album, such as "Cthulhu Dawn" and "Creatures that Kissed in Cold Mirrors", indicate that their lyrics often revolve around mythical creatures and religious figures. The lead singer often draws his lyric inspiration from literature. Midian is inspired by the works of fantasy and horror author Clive Barker. With this mystical atmosphere, you'll be on the right track for Halloween.
7. Lordi - The Arockalypse
Much more relaxed, but not less suitable for the occasion is the album The Arockalypse by Lordi! Maybe you already know the band from the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 and have been able to admire their full-body monster outfits. The whole band is always equipped with monstrous masks and extravagant costumes - at a Halloween party they would be less conspicuous than anywhere else. Their song titles are always humorous though: "Supermonstars", "Chainsaw Buffet" and "Good To Be Bad" are just a few examples. Especially the song "Hard Rock Hallelujah" is known worldwide and helped them win the ESC in Athens
8. Alice Cooper - Hey Stoopid
Everyone already knows Alice Cooper as a "Shock Rocker": with his eyes painted black, sometimes wearing a leather jacket and sometimes a straitjacket on stage. The record Hey Stoopid was released in 1991 directly after the successful album Trash (1989) and has quite a few Halloween hits to offer. Titles like "Feed My Frankenstein" speak for themselves! With features by many different well-known musicians (Nikki Sixx, Mick Mars, etc.) on all the songs, it's super rich in variety, making it even more fun to listen to.
9. Wednesday 13 - Monsters of the Universe
Aliens are more your thing than typical monsters and ghost movies? Then Monsters of the Universe by Wednesday 13 is the album for you. The concept album deals with the horrors that come from outer space and terrify the world. Fourteen tracks depict the horror scenario with titles like "Come Out and Plague" and "Into the Crop Circle". Included in the booklet, by the way, are thirteen illustrations each of various monsters and planets whose names were given by fans!
10. Hollywood Undead - Day of the Dead
Real party music is provided by Hollywood Undead, the rap-rock band from the USA. With the album Day of the Dead and the opening track of the same name, they immediately bring life to your Halloween celebration. Just invite a few like-minded people and have fun!
