Five More Dark & Creepy Rock Songs for Your Halloween Playlist

It’s Halloween time again! The holiday of ghouls and demons provides many with the chance to celebrate their love of the occult with spooky décor, costumes and haunting music. But before you put on “Thriller” for the thousandth time, why not look for something a little more off-beat.

If you haven’t caught our previous Halloween song lists (1, 2 & 3), Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, is back to bring you even more off-beat horror rock songs to add to your Halloween party playlist. Here are five sure to up the creepy factor at your next get-together.

1.       My Chemical Romance, “Helena”: The dark, theatrical nature of “Helena” is haunting. Written by frontman Gerard Way about the passing of he and bassist Mikey Way’s grandmother, you get this sense of mourning and anger from it. The combined sadness and anger explode in the big outbursts of the chorus, while the verses seem internal and head-y. (video)

2.       Ice Nine Kills, “IT Is The End”: If you’re into horror films, than Ice Nine Kills latest album, ‘The Silver Scream’ would be right up your alley. Each song is about a classic of the genre and any one would be perfect for a Halloween playlist. But there’s something about “IT Is The End,” a spin on the ‘IT’ franchise, that is just special. From the circus theme woven into the melody to the somewhat unhinged vocals of frontman Spencer Charnas, this retelling is as disconcerting as the film itself. Also, Charnas’ clown costume in the music video is terrifying. (video) (Note, the video is the final part of a series. Watch parts 1 to 4 first because otherwise you will spoil the ending for yourself.)

3.       Nine Inch Nails, “Closer”: One of Nine Inch Nails’ most well-known tracks, “Closer” is also one of the creepier tunes the band has released. The lyrics are a bit two-faced, on the one hand they read like a sex offender vocalizing their inner demons, and on the other crying out for help. Trent Reznor’s slow, almost spoken vocal delivery is deliberate against the song’s dark, creeping, metallic instrumental, adding to this cloying unwell feeling you get from the song. (video)

4.       Bauhaus, “Bela Lugosi’s Dead”: Don’t listen to “Bela Lugosi’s Dead” in a quiet room in the dark. First off, the song is melodically eerie with its screeching guitars that feel like mice scurrying around a room and Peter Murphy’s haunting deep vocals. Then towards the end you have these moments when the song cuts out and are filled with unsettling noises like knocking on a door or a brass instrument that sounds like moving furniture. It’s definitely a sensory overload that will have you questioning your sanity. (video)

5.       AFI, “Miss Murder”: It’s hard to know what “Miss Murder” is referring to, mostly because AFI frontman Davey Havok won’t say. But it’s creepy, haunting lyrics have always hinted at something otherworldly, like an alien or cult waiting to be taken home by their ship or higher power. The passion with which Havok sings adds to the darkness, evoking points of both sharp power and deep pain all in one track. (video)

With Halloween right around the corner, you need the right playlist of creepy songs to get the mood just right. Check out some of the off-beat unsettling tracks above and let us know what haunting tunes you like to listen to at this time of year in the comments below.

---

Find music for all of your perfect holiday playlists at Vinyl Bay 777. As Long Island’s top new independent record shop, we have thousands of titles to choose from in a wide variety of genres to choose from. Browse our selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more tin store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Seven Creepy Music Videos to Get You in the Halloween Spirit

Music videos have often times been a means for an artist to express their creativity. Some artists, however, have a more active imagination than others. That’s when you get some of the truly weird, creepy and grotesque video concepts.

As Halloween inches ever closer, Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, is taking a look at the creepier side of the music video game. From the gory and off-putting to the downright odd, here are seven videos that will have you squirming in your seat.

1.       Die Antwoord, “Pitbull Terrior”: Pretty much any video from South African hip-hop/dance group Die Antwoord is weird enough to make this list, but “Pitbull Terrior” is just terrifying. In the clip, Ninja is transformed into a human/dog hybrid that goes on a killing spree. Yolandi Visser’s solid black contacts are pretty freaky too, though not more than the woman who starts transforming into a beast towards the end. (video)

2.       Stone Temple Pilots, “Sour Girl”: Bugs, weird transforming bunny creatures and Sarah Michelle Geller as a near demon? It all makes Stone Temple Pilots’ video for “Sour Girl” one of the more memorable and odder videos of the late 1990s. (video)

3.       Soundgarden, “Black Hole Sun”: It’s been nearly 15 years since the video for “Black Hole Sun” was made and the facial stretching effects used in it are still creepy as anything. But I guess that’s what happens just before you get sucked into a black hole? (video)

4.       Robbie Williams, “Rock DJ”: Robbie Williams used to seem so wholesome in the 1990s. That changed when “Rock DJ” came out. The video features Williams dancing in a roller rink taking his clothes off for the ladies skating around him. It’s pretty tame until he ends up getting so cocky that he pulls off his skin. Eww. (video)

5.       Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, “Don’t Come Around Here No More”: If the concept of ‘Alice In Wonderland’ creeps you out, than Petty’s video for “Don’t Come Around” will leave you seriously haunted. Petty is the Mad Hatter and master of ceremonies in this bizarre tea party where Alice is subjected to being shrunk, chased and put into a cup of tea. (video)

6.       Aphex Twin, “Come To Daddy”: Another duo that routinely ends up on these strange video lists is Aphex Twin. Like Die Antwoord, all of their videos are very twisted. But the video that seems to pop up over and over is “Come To Daddy,” and with good reason. The video features kids with the same adult male face running around wreaking havoc on the street, as well as a gooey demon that probably gave birth to them. (video)

7.       Marilyn Manson, “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)”: Marilyn Manson is the king of weird and grotesque, as his music is just so creepy to begin with. But one of his most terrifying tracks has to be his cover of The Eurythmics’ “Sweet Dreams.” And to go with it, Manson an equally disturbing video. Not only is the video filled with dark, dirty imagery and a wavy effect that stretches out body parts and blurs others, but every look Manson gives the camera is that of a sadistic madman. (video)

Though creative, there are some pretty creepy music videos out in the world. With videos that are shockingly gross, add in off-putting effects or are just plain terrifying, the Halloween season wouldn’t be complete without a little music video shocker. Check out some of the weirdest above and let us know what your favorite strange music videos are in the comments below.

---

Find music from these nightmare-inducing artists and more at Vinyl Bay 777. As Long Island’s top new independent record shop, we have thousands of titles to choose from in a wide variety of genres. Browse our selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs, memorabilia and more in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what gems you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

More Creepy Rock Songs for Your Halloween Playlist

Spookiness abounds on Halloween. The many superstitions that surround the holiday’s Celtic roots and pagan traditions make it one of the most terrifying and creepy nights of the year.

There are a lot of songs that hinge themselves on creepy occurrences and the occult. Metal, for one, often adopts the satanic as its own. It’s far from unheard of to hear references to the devil or death. But other rock genres have taken on creepy topics as well. From haunted hotels and stalkers to psychopaths and killers, horror is not reserved for horror rock.

Last year, Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, brought you a short list of alternative rock songs for your Halloween playlists. Now we’re back with more rock songs for your holiday soundtrack. Here are seven that will give you that creepy, uneasy feeling you’re looking for.

1.       Eagles, “Hotel California”: You might not be able to tell unless you read into the lyrics, but “Hotel California” is pretty messed up. Written about the excesses of fame in Los Angeles, the song talks about a hotel haunted by spirits that, once one enters, can “check out any time” but “can never leave.” (video)

2.       Billy Joe Armstrong, “Mechanical Man”: Chances are you aren’t familiar with the direct-to-video film ‘Live Freaky, Die Freaky” (and honestly, you shouldn’t be because it’s terrible and disgusting). But the film, which tells the story of the Charles Manson murders with puppets, stars a veritable who’s who of punk and rock music artists including all Jane Wiedlin of The Go-Gos, Davey Havok of AFI, Travis Barker of Blink-182, Joel and Benji Madden of Good Charlotte and, most importantly for this post, all three members of Green Day. Billy Joe Armstrong played Manson himself, which means that he has a lot of crazy songs on the soundtrack, including “Mechanical Man.” With its children’s-song-like vibe, the song explains Manson’s personality, marking him as “satanical,” “puritanical,” “messiahcal” and “maniacal” all “stirred” together “with a bloody hand,” while inviting others to join his cult. (video)

3.       Beatles, “Revolution 9”: Speaking of Charles Manson, “Revolution 9” was one of the songs that inspired him to kill. It’s also one of their weirdest songs, repeating the “number 9” part as if it were on a skipping record. If it doesn’t scare you or make you feel uneasy, it will definitely annoy the heck out of you. (video)

4.       Panic! at the Disco, “Emperor’s New Clothes”: Off Panic! at the Disco’s latest album ‘Death of a Bachelor,’ “Emperor’s New Clothes” is one of the band’s creepiest songs to date. Topically, it’s a bit like the ‘Emperor’s New Clothes’ fable mixed with ‘Dante’s Inferno.’ The guy loves excess and winning, and it will almost definitely end with his demise. Also, The band released a video for the song where Brandon Urie transforms into a gargoyle-like devil that rivals “Thriller’s” creepy factor. (video)

5.       Talking Heads, “Psycho Killer”: “Melodically, “Psycho Killer” is very unassuming, like any other danceable new wave track. But as its name suggests, it’s not so innocent. The song is written from the perspective of a serial killer, expressing the things that irk him and drive him to kill. Better run, run, run away! (video)

6.       The Police, “Every Breath You Take”: Like “Hotel California,” you wouldn’t necessarily realize that “Every Breath You Take” is that creepy a song until you listen to the lyrics. The refrain of “every breath you take, every move you make, I’ll be watching you” is very scary, cultivating images of someone stalking you outside your window. In fact, if that’s not scary, go out and rent just about any scary movie based around someone haunting someone inside a house. (video)

7.       Suicide, “Frankie Teardrop”: In researching this list, “Frankie Teardrop” came up very frequently as one of the most disturbing songs ever. And listening to it, I wouldn’t disagree. It starts off minimally; just Alan Vega’s voice talking about the song’s character Frankie and some static crickets. But the song slowly intensifies, the tension building as Frankie kills his kid, his wife and himself. Then Vega starts screaming with horrific pain. Then more crickets until Vega returns to tell us that Frankie is in Hell, at which point he gives a series of devilish cackles and screams. It’s somewhere between performance art, music and campfire story, and it’s all very uncomfortable. (video)

There are a lot of creepy songs out there that sum up that uneasy feeling people love about Halloween. These songs, while not all so obviously scary, certainly fit the bill on the eerie content factor. Check out the songs on this list and let us know what spooky songs fill your Halloween playlist.

---

Find music from many of these spooky artists and more at Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s top new independent record shop. We have thousands of titles to choose from in a variety of genres. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might uncover at Vinyl Bay 777.