Welcome to Metal Lair’s Seven Deadly Songs feature: Spooktober edition! Throughout October, we’ll delve into the chilling and eerie aspects of metal music—those spine-tingling sounds, blood-curdling screams, and the shadows lurking just beyond your sight. Each week, our staff will share their picks of terrifying metal tracks. So, without further adieu, let’s dive in!
Suicide – Frankie Teardrop. Album: Suicide Via Red Star Records
“Frankie Teardrop” by Alan Vega’s band Suicide stands as one of the most chilling tracks in music history. Released in 1977, this proto-punk masterpiece weaves a harrowing narrative inspired by a real-life tragedy: a factory worker succumbing to despair and committing murder-suicide. The song’s relentless electronic assault—created with primitive gear like a beat-up Farfisa organ and a drum machine—blends industrial noise with a breathless, haunting delivery, capturing a visceral sense of existential dread. Its raw, confrontational style influenced countless artists, including Bruce Springsteen, who cited it as a pivotal inspiration for his own dark storytelling. With its chilling refrain, “We are all Frankies,” the song taps into deep-seated fears, making it a perfect addition to any Halloween playlist.
Purchase Suicide Bands Album Suicide Here
Black Sabbath – Black Sabbath. Album: Black Sabbath via Vertigo Records
The song “Black Sabbath” not only defined the iconic band but also marked a dramatic shift in their musical identity. Originally known as Earth, they adopted the name after discovering another band had the same title, inspired by a 1963 horror film featuring Boris Karloff. The track itself was born from bassist Geezer Butler’s chilling experience with the occult, where he awoke to a menacing black figure after reading a sinister book gifted by Ozzy Osbourne. This eerie encounter fueled the song’s haunting lyrics, solidifying their dark, heavy sound that deviated from their earlier blues roots. Despite initial criticism, Black Sabbath captivated fans with their macabre themes, paving the way for a legacy as one of rock’s most influential acts. Perfect for a Halloween playlist, this song embodies the essence of horror in music.
Buy Black Sabbath’s Self Titled Album Black Sabbath Here
Aversions Crown – The Breeding Process. Album: The Breeding Process via Nuclear Blast Records
“The Breeding Process” by Aversions Crown delivers a chilling narrative of abduction and grotesque experiments, exploring the creation of a hybrid race through forced isolation and violation. Its harrowing lyrics paint a dystopian world where victims are restrained and subjected to relentless suffering, culminating in the haunting refrain: “Suffer, procreate, and die, this has become your life.” The song’s powerful composition reflects a grim reality where science is perverted to enslave and dominate, leaving listeners with an unsettling impression of a future devoid of hope. This track’s dark themes and emotional intensity make it a must-have for any Halloween playlist, resonating deeply with the fears of control and despair.
Hideous Divinity – The Numinous One. Album: Unextinct via Century Media Records.
“The Numinous One” by Hideous Divinity embodies the dark essence of their new album, Unextinct, presenting a relentless descent into horror. The track explores themes of survival and the awakening of an uncontrollable entity after a shipwreck, drawing listeners into a nightmarish landscape where awe and terror intertwine. Musically, it delivers an appalling death metal sound that builds upon the ferocity of their previous work, Simulacrum. Each song on the album serves as a unique world of dissonance and chaos, making Unextinct a brutal soundtrack for those seeking an unsettling experience this Halloween.
Blood Incantation – Stargate. Album: Absolute Elsewhere via Century Media
Blood Incantation’s latest LP is a mesmerizing blend of death metal and progressive rock, continuing the momentum from their celebrated A Hidden History of the Human Race. This album features six tracks split into two haunting sections, “The Message” and “The Stargate,” exploring deep existential themes and the essence of humanity. The first half oscillates between dissonant, atmospheric passages and bone-crushing death metal, highlighted by chilling lyrics like “Siphon my flesh through the Stargate!” The second half poses thought-provoking questions about human nature while urging transcendence beyond base instincts. With its intricate arrangements and psychedelic elements, this album offers a thrilling auditory experience filled with cosmic mysteries—perfect for a spine-tingling Halloween playlist.
Purchase Absolute Elsewhere Here
Bloodbath – Bathe in Blood. Album: Resurrection Through Carnage via Century Media
Swedens masters of horror paint a gruesom picture with the song “Bathe in Blood.” This song explores dark and violent themes, delving into the disturbing thoughts and actions of the protagonist. The lyrics paint a graphic and macabre picture of indulging in bloodshed and the morbid fascination with death.
The opening lines suggest a fixation on disturbing imagery, as they keep their eyes fixed on the screen, possibly indicating a display of violence and gore. The mention of a pulse oximeter flashing in indistinct green creates an eerie atmosphere, perhaps symbolizing the pulse of a victim or the detachment from reality due to obsession.
Purchase Resurrection Through Carnage Here
A Pale Horse Named Death – Shallow Grave. Album: Lay My Soul To Waste via SPV/Steamhammer Records
Dive into the chilling sounds of “Shallow Grave” by A Pale Horse Named Death, featuring the haunting vocals and guitar of Sal Abruscato from Type O Negative. If you’re searching for a spooky alternative to Type O, this track offers a deliciously heavy twist that’ll make you ponder what Alice in Chains would sound like with a dash more darkness and screams. With its infectious heaviness and catchy riffs, “Shallow Grave” perfectly encapsulates the album’s vibe—no frills, just pure rock that lingers long after the last note fades. If you love music that rocks and chills, don’t miss out on this haunting gem!
Purchase Lay My Soul To Waste Here
