We’ve compiled a list of the top ten metal songs that should be in everyone’s playlist this Halloween. From spooky tunes to bloodsoaked death metal check out our top ten picks for this most devilish of nights!
The Black Dahlia Murder – A Shrine To Madness
The Michigan metallers are no strangers to the macabre and on their previous album to their excellent 2013 effort Everblack they celebrate Halloween just as morbidly as any other death metal band. With “A Shrine To Madness” being specifically about going out and raising all kinds of hell on Halloween night, topped off with a cracking solo and some fantastic song writing not to mention Strnad’s ghoulish lyrics, its a perfect start to a metal night!
Cannibal Corpse – Scattered Remains Shattered Brains
Up next we have one of the undisputed kings of death metal, with the choice of songs essentially making up their entire discography if there was one night to blast Cannibal Corpse it would definitely be Halloween! “Scattered Remains, Shattered Brains” does pretty much exactly what it says on the tin. Being more of a groove oriented jam it also shows how ahead of their time Cannibal Corpse were releasing this song on their eponymous bloodthirsty first album Eaten Back To Life.
Immortal Rites – Morbid Angel
What would Halloween be without a little Morbid Angel! Conjuring up some truly evil sounds with the first track off their phenomenal Altars of Madness, “Immortal Rites” has some truly haunting pieces, particularly the break with that distinctive shrill keyboard sound, a perfect addition to any metal heads death metal collection, appropriate on all Hallow’s eve!
Cradle Of Filth – Her Ghost In The Fog
Although time may not have been very kind to Cradle Of Filth, with their extensive line up changes and multiple changes to their sound however times were not always like this. Off their creepy Midian a staple in their live set “Her Ghost In The Fog” is chock full of what makes Cradle Of Filth just that. With cheesy keyboards and the deep demonic introduction that evoke an atmosphere that whilst dark is not to be taken too seriously along with Dani Filth’s banshee like screams its a surefire pleaser for any crowd this Halloween.
Municipal Waste – Born To Party
As much as Halloween is about get all ghouled up its also most definitely about partying. If there is one band who knows how to get the party started and ensure that everyone, dead or otherwise will be moshing to their hearts content its Municipal Waste. With the head bangin’ facer ripper that is The Art of Partying Municipal Waste simultaneously re ignited the crossover thrash fire along with becoming one of the big hitters in the genre. It is a quintessential party anthem.
Nile – Permitting The Noble Dead To Descend To The Underworld
Egyptian loving american death metal elite Nile are no strangers to expanding on the various different ways that the egyptian people met their demise and often about how they were to die in the afterlife. Permitting The Noble Dead To Descend To The Underworld is no exception, the lashing riffs of Karl Sanders coupled with the blitzkrieg drumming of George Kollias create a brilliantly vicious sound, not to mention the truly evil harmonies mid way through, making it a great one to jam tonight.
Obituary – Chopped In Half
What is more apt for Halloween than a song about being Chopped In Half? Although the Florida death metallers may have just released their new record Inked In Blood this week their classic Cause of Death will always be one of their finest works with “Chopped In Half” being only one of the excellent nine tracks on that album that arguably sculpted their sound, not forgetting Slowly We Rot of course!
Gravedancer – Pig Destroyer
The all out assault that “Gravedancer” bursts into the room with is a fantastic testament to the sheer raw power Pig Destroyer possess. With J. R. Hayes fantastically bleak lyrics detailing a metaphorical girl dancing over an unnamed man’s grave but what truly steals the show is the utter groove present throughout the song. A fantastic song to head bang to and a riff that would be loud enough to wake the dead. The perfect grindcore haiku. Also watch out for the chilling scream at the beginning of the video!
The Watchmaker – Steven Wilson
Although sometimes sheer brutality can be too much, opting for a more melancholic but no less creepy approach, Steven Wilson’s tale about The Watchmaker that spent all his years obssessed with the very thing that is passing him by, time. So dedicated is he to his craft that his wife dies tragically and begins to haunt The Watchmaker, perhaps making him realise that the time he treasured so much essentially passed him. A beautiful story that moves through all sorts of landscapes but always retains that creepiness that Halloween is all about!
Death – Evil Dead
Time to go old school, before turning into one of the pioneering progressive death metal bands Death were very much straight up in your face death metal. With brilliant lead intro Evil Dead is a classic of their now archetypal Scream Bloody Gore debut. Not to mention its also the title of one of the best horror movies out there! In Chuck Schuldiner’s honour make sure you play this one loud and proud tonight!
