Halloween isn't just about costumes, horror movies, and candy. The soul of a good Halloween party lies in the soundtrack. It's the music that sets the mood, that gives you goosebumps, and that transforms a simple night into a true celebration .
While pop music has its thematic songs, rock and heavy metal are, by nature, the genres that best embrace darkness, the occult, and the theatrical. From the birth of doom metal to the grotesque operas of Avenged Sevenfold , rock has always known how to tell a good horror story.
We've put together a list of 5 rock and metal anthems that are essential for any Halloween playlist. Check it out:
Black Sabbath – “Black Sabbath”
Where it all began. The first track on the first album by the band that invented heavy metal is arguably the most terrifying song ever recorded. The sound of rain, the funeral bell, and the riff based on the "Tritone" (known as "The Devil's Interval") create an atmosphere of palpable dread. The lyrics, about an encounter with Lucifer himself, are the starting point for the entire dark aesthetic of metal.
Ozzy Osbourne – “Mr Crowley”
Ozzy, already in his solo career, continued exploring dark themes. “Mr. Crowley” is an ode to the infamous occultist Aleister Crowley . The song is pure gothic drama, driven by Don Airey Randy Rhoads ' legendary solo .
Ghost – “Con Clavi Con Dio”
With their aesthetic of satanic popes and undead cardinals, the Swedish band is pure horror theater. “Con Clavi Con Dio,” from their debut album Opus Eponymous , is a dark and captivating chant that sounds like a black mass. The macaronic Latin chorus is made to be sung in unison on Halloween night.
Misfits – “Scream”
We can't talk about Halloween without talking about horror punk, and we can't talk about horror punk without the Misfits . While classics like "Last Caress" or "Die, Die My Darling" could be included here, "Scream" (from the Michael Graves era) is a straightforward anthem. It's an energetic, addictive track that perfectly captures the essence of B-horror movies, celebrating the simple pleasure of a good scare.
Avenged Sevenfold – “A Little Piece of Heaven”
This is perhaps the most cinematic song on the list. At almost 8 minutes long, “A Little Piece of Heaven” is a grotesque rock opera with touches of dark humor, inspired by the style of Danny Elfman Tim Burton 's favorite composer ). The lyrics tell a bizarre story of murder, necrophilia, and zombie revenge. It's theatrical, over-the-top, and absolutely perfect for the Halloween spirit.
READ ALSO : Halloween: 10 rock songs used in horror movies
