GWAR played a sold out show at the Summit Music Hall on Wednesday, October 31, 2012. Seth A. McConnell, heyreverb.com
Letap face it. There’s not much, or anything, scary about “Monster Mash.” Even “Thriller,” for that matter, is a little PG and a tired choice for Halloween playlists. Sure, Michael Jackson’s song is a Halloween classic, but we hear it every Oct. 31.
So, as you’re picking your soundtrack for your Halloween party, or looking for a playlist to hear while you hand out candy or what to listen to as you apply your fake blood, takes some risks, try something new. Use our Halloween playlist and impress your friends with some music thatap unexpected, and as good as it is scary.
Bauhaus — “Bela Lugosi’s Dead”
There’s something unsettling about the guitar string scratches that haunt Bauhaus’ “Bela Lugosi’s Dead.” Itap like nails on a chalkboard. With the ambient noise creeping up your spine you can picture the undead rising from the ground.
Tobacco — “Beast Sting”
Thomas Fec, the musician behind electronic project Tobacco, needs to be enlisted to create the music for the next big sci-fi horror film. What is that in “Beast Sting?” A martian squeaking in your ear? And are those synths straight out of the “Alien” soundtrack?
Majical Cloudz — “Childhood’s End”
The beat pulses like your heart, and the vocals are that of doom on Majical Cloudz’s “Childhood’s End.” Itap a sad song, probably meant to be taken as more of a metaphor rather than a literal interpretation of the song’s title, yet the mentions of death and crucification are morbid.
Baths — “Ocean Death”
Baths’ Will Wiesenfeld knows how to build an atmosphere, and between the pitter-patter of rain and threatening synth, the atmosphere on “Ocean Death” is that of stress and impending destruction. The chorus of children singing doesn’t help either.
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds — “Red Right Hand”
Nick Cave is an intense storyteller. On “Red Right Hand” he sounds like the creepy old guy in the beginning of a horror movie that tries to warn the stupid teens from spending the night in the old Wilson Mansion.
Beach House — “House on the Hill”
From the lonely, misty bell in the opening, to the ominous organ and wailing vocals, this track off Beach House’s 2006 debut brings to mind a ghostly shape wandering a dark shore.
John Grant — “Pale Green Ghosts”
Former Denver musician John Grant has a dark sense of humor, and sometimes it translates to just plain dark. He seems like he’s running from something on “Pale Green Ghosts,” but are those ghosts in his past or something more sinister?
Lykke Li — “No Rest For The Wicked”
Anyone who has seen Lykke Li live is familiar with her witch-like persona on stage. Here she gives a tortured and emotional vocal performance on “No Rest For The Wicked.”
Wampire — “The Hearse”
Can you believe how popular ‘80s horror synths are in the 2010s? Wampire opens its excellent debut album with these wavering vintage notes that are perfect for some monster chase scene.
Radiohead — “We Suck Young Blood”
Thom Yorke’s tragic cry is the leads this march of death from Radiohead. The slow clapping gives it the feel of a funeral procession as the song ends in pure chaos.
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