Six Tunes: That’ll Give You Nightmares This Halloween

BY MARYANNE SPUCYS

Halloween is just around the corner, so we’ve found some of the most frightening and bloodcurdling tunes that’ll keep you up all night. From creepy soundscapes to recounting gruesome murders, there’s plenty to help you embrace the spooky season. Fair warning, some of these tunes are pretty violent and gory, so know your limits.

The Beatles – ‘Revolution 9’ 

While The Beatles are typically known for their upbeat, rock vibes, ‘Revolution 9’ is an exception to the rule. Described as a sound collage, ‘Revolution 9’ blends samples of classical music (including reversed music), spoken prose, car horns, crowds, and a cooing baby with a recurring piano theme and loop of the words “number nine”. This eight minute-long song is unsettling, chaotic, and sure to leave you on edge.

Krzysztof Penderecki – ‘Threnody to the Victims of Hiroshima’

This chilling piece features screeching violins that mimic piercing screams, slapped instruments, and other experimental techniques that evoke the terror of a classic horror movie. The piece alternates between chaotic cluster chords that build in intensity and thin, high-pitched notes that slowly become more discordant, making your hair stand on end.  

Existence Has Failed – ‘Intro’

Obsessed with serial killer podcasts? Have a listen to the introduction to Existence Has Failed’s album, Dreadful Eruption From an Unknown World. The muffled snippets taken from an interview with serial killer Joseph Kallinger are broken up by haunting synth, becoming clearer and louder as Kallinger recounts his crimes in spine-chilling detail. The sudden breakdown and death-roar leave you jumping out of your skin.

Throbbing Gristle – ‘Hamburger Lady’ 

Looking for something on the creepy side of things? This experimental, industrial tune should be right up your alley. Starting with a thumping heartbeat-like drumbeat and droning synth that fluxes in and out of focus, this forms the base layer that the creepy spoken word and a high-pitched siren-like synth motif blend in with. The lyrics, recounting a doctor treating a patient with burns so severe she earns the nickname ‘Hamburger Lady’, ripple and fade in and out, making you feel as if you’re drifting in and out of consciousness (and totally creeped out).

Body Count – ‘Here I Go Again’

There’s something off-putting about violence and gore, and ‘Here I Go Again’ has both in spades. The fusion of hard rock and doom metal vibes mix with a spoken-word vocal style – with lyrics describing fragmented memories of murder – evokes a sense of terror. And, if the lyrics aren’t creepy enough, the gory (and NSFW) music video is sure to leave you feeling disturbed.

Black Tongue – ‘Foreshadow / Waste’

We’d be remiss if we didn’t include more metal, and Black Tongue is a solid choice when it comes to nightmarish sounds. ‘Foreshadow / Waste’ is a two-for-one special of low growls, screaming vocals, heavy bass breakdowns, and high-pitched, whining synth. The overwhelming nature of Black Tongue’s sound will leave you feeling stressed out and (at least a little) horrified.