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!
Rotting Christ, Orders From The Dead. Album: Aealo via Season of Mist Records
Prepare for a spine-chilling journey into the depths of darkness with “Orders from the Dead” from Aealo. This haunting track, featuring the powerful Greek-American soprano Diamanda Galás, explores the harrowing themes of battle, death, and mourning, recounting the atrocities of the Turkish genocide against the Armenian, Greek, Assyrian, and Hellenic peoples. Over a mesmerizing rhythm and Rotting Christ’s intertwining guitars, Galás weaves a spellbinding narrative, alternating between incantations and anguished howls in English and Greek, bringing to life the ghosts of the past. The chilling lyrics, coupled with majestic choirs and sinister synths, create an atmosphere steeped in mythology and historical weight—perfectly suited for a Halloween playlist that dares to confront the shadows of history.
Belphegor – Necrodaemon Terrorsathan. Album: Necrodaemon Terrorsathan via Nuclear Blast
Prepare for a chilling ride with Belphegor’s Necrodaemon Terrorsathan! This blackened death metal classic, originally unleashed in 2000 and recently remastered, stands as a spine-tingling testament to the band’s relentless fusion of genres. From the eerie storm sounds that kick off the album—echoing the first Black Sabbath—to the punishing drumming and melodic riffs that claw at your senses, each track delivers a haunting intensity that’s impossible to ignore. With their signature blend of brutality and eerie melodies, Belphegor has carved out a darkly unique sound that captivates and terrifies. If you’re seeking something to elevate your Halloween playlist, this is one bone-chilling masterpiece you won’t want to miss!
Mortician – Redrum/Outro. Album: Mortal Massacre via Relapse Records
Get ready for a spine-tingling addition to your Halloween playlist with “Mortician’s Redrum” from the Mortal Massacrealbum! This track kicks off with eerie samples straight from The Shining, setting a chilling mood that pulls you right into the haunted halls of the Overlook Hotel. With “Redrum” echoing through the darkness—it’s a nod to that infamous palindrome that sends shivers down your spine—this song is a true homage to horror.
Originally released in August 1991 as a wicked 7″ vinyl by Relapse Records, the cover features the menacing Angus Scrimm as “The Tall Man” from Phantasm, adding to its creepy allure. So, crank up the volume, let the haunting vibes wash over you, and embrace the thrill of Halloween with this ghastly gem!
Ryujin – Gekokujo. Album: Ryujin via Napalm Records
Japanese Samurai metal outfit Ryujin’s single, “Gekokujo” is taken from their self-titled album.“In Japanese history, gekokujo refers to the act of a lower-ranking person politically or militarily overthrowing a higher-ranking person, violating the social order, and seizing power. I would say the song is Japanese horror folk metal. The music video also depicts Japan’s unique horror.
Ghost – Cirice Album: Meliora via Loma Vista Records
The creep factor of the song “Cirice,” is high. The lyrics evoke a gaslighting effect. They manipulate the listener’s perception, creating doubt and vulnerability. The aggressive riff combined with the invasive lyrics creates a pressure that compels you to lower your defenses. Initially, the lyrics cast doubt, predominantly using “can you?” to make the listener question themselves, as if Papa Emeritus is coaxing agreement.
Then, at the midpoint, when the line “now there is nothing between us” hits, the tone shifts. The lyrics transition to “can’t you see?” and “I can…”—a moment that signifies it’s too late. The riff becomes lighter and inviting, reinforcing that you’ve been drawn into his world.
It’s striking how, upon reaching that pivotal moment, you realize you’ve let him in, and the realization can be unsettling. This song masterfully balances aggression with an unsettling intimacy, evoking a cult-like connection that is both invasive, captivating and ritualistic. This unsettling dynamic adds to the song’s intensity, amplifying its themes of control and submission. It’s a powerful exploration of psychological influence wrapped in haunting melodies.
My Dying Bride – A Kiss To Remember. Album: Like Gods of The Sun via Peaceville Records
Open me
And drink up my scarlet
Kiss me deep
Kiss me deep and love me forever more
Bloody love
Bloody love inside of you
Swallow me
On the bands fourth studio album “Gods of The Sun,” this vampiric track is the perfect addition to any Halloween playlist.
While the album seems to be underrated for reasons unknown this song is among my all time favorites by this band.
Frontman Aaron Stainthorpe has stated many times that this is his favorite MDB album and the track “A Kiss To Remember” has become a regular in the band’s live setlist.”
Marilyn Manson – Cryptorchid Album: Antichrist Superstar via Nothing/ Interscope Records
Yes, Marilyn Manson is an obvious choice — but for good reason. After all, Manson is one of the highest profile Satanist’s in popular culture, with numerous religious groups protesting against his uncompromising anti-Christian stance. Manson’s remarkable 1996 album Antichrist Superstar was a deep examination of the Nietzschean Übermensch, telling the twisted tale of a misunderstood worm who gradually develops into the Antichrist. On “Cryptorchild”, the worm explores his darker side to discover his true purpose of inducing doom. The instrumental features a twisted drum beat and numerous grotesque voices and vibrations. It’s one of Manson’s spookiest tracks off his most controversial album. The song is arranged in a surprisingly measured manner. The video is slightly less subtle.
