Rory’s Halloween Mixtape
Rory’s Halloween Mixtape
A while back we all did mixtapes because most of us are codgers, and I went all misty-eyed for 2002. This time we’re doing a monster mash variant of this as Spooky Season takes hold. For my list I’ve decided to not overthink things for once in my life and just came up with 10 bangers to cut a rug in the crypt to. The only rule I’ve set myself is you can sing along to them and they fucking rock, so no Cannibal Corpse or the “Hereditary” soundtrack this time, so here are some jams!
Unto Others- Nightfall
One of the finest new bands around, this killer cut from their debut is an adrenalised Goth Metal rager. There are plenty of more obvious hits like ‘Jackie’ or ‘When Will God’s Work Be Done’, but I love how feral this one sounds. The chorus is massive, and Gabriel Franco shouts “Huuurrghhh!” and “Arrooooghh”! all the way through it when he’s not singing, I don’t know what else you could possibly want?!
Avatarium- Boneflower
Every Avatarium album has at least one Psche-Pop banger amidst the Doom, and this one from their debut is a killer. It’s got a jaunty theme of lovers gathering in a forest to enact a suicide pact like Romeo and Juliet but above the age of consent.
The Devin Townsend Band – Vampira
Heavy Devy brings the cartoon horror schlock in this Pop Metal groover that’s campier than a unicorn drinking an appletini whilst still kicking like a mule. That’s 2 equine smiles in a row. Anyway, the only thing ‘hoarse’ will be your voice at the end of the song from trying to keep up with Devin’s high notes. I’m sorry.
King Diamond- Abigail
Although The King literally has a song called ‘Halloween’, the riffs in this go so hard and the “Ahhh-Ah-Ahhhh” falsetto bit inhabits my dome all year round that I couldn’t pick it. To be honest, any King Diamond or Mercyful Fate is prime Samhain fodder, so there are no wrong answers here but this one just whips all the dick.
Candlemass- Crystal Ball
The OG Orb-Ponderer song. Leif Edling making a second appearance here after Avatarium with a Doom classic from his day job that has some of the nastiest riffs and some of the silliest vocals from enemy of subtlety Johan Längqvist, who sings the whole thing like a camp ghost with hyperthermia. Would it be really stupid were it not for the guitars inducing perma-stank-face the whole time, but then again Johan sounds legit scared of the evil dwelling within that orb, and who am I to judge?
Ghost- Squarehammer
An obvious choice? Yep. A great choice? You’d better believe it. There will never be a Halloween Party I’m involved in that doesn’t feature Ghost- in fact, there’ll never be a party, full stop, without Papa and the Ghouls if I have anything to say about it. One of the greatest Rock songs of the 21st century, and you’re a dweeb if you think otherwise, and probably at risk of Dark Juan harassing you. Evil never sounded so infectious- you thought ‘The Monster Mash’ was a graveyard smash? It ain’t shit compared to being ready to swear right here right now before the devil!
Lucifer- Riding Reaper
Did someone order some occult-laced Joan Jett style Retro Rock? ‘Cause Johanna and the boys are here to deliver the goods and leave no ass unshaken. Another band where you can pick any song at random and it’ll slot onto a Halloween playlist like a hand into a studded leather glove. Lucifer do pretty much one thing but it’s so satisfying that anyone wanting some kind of creative growth probably needs their head checked. If not their hard drive! Despite this, though, ‘Riding Reaper’ is a particularly choice cut of bluesy vocals and killer riffs lifted from Sabbath’s more swaggering moments.
Creeper- Cry To Heaven
UK spooky/horror Punks Creeper is one of my favourite bands of the last decade, and going through a vampire phase where they dialled up the Goth to maximum hairspray was always going to earn them a place at the party. They have many songs that hit you in the feels but this one just hits you in the hormones. Like an ultra horny Sisters of Mercy, this song prowls through the verses before ascending into an 11/10 chorus so seductive it would make Mary Poppins start twerking.
Green Lung- Dance To The Grave
How about a fresh cut from 2026 and a nailed-on classic album from one of the UK’s hottest new(ish) Metal bands? I might not shout about them as much as some of our other scribes, but I’m fully on the hype train, roaring down the Necropolitan line with everyone else! The new album is a classic, and this opener is the soundtrack to having a right old knees-up with a bunch of bony skeleton lads in the moonlight. If that doesn’t sound like a lovely time, I think you’re on the wrong website, our kid.
Type O Negative- Wolf Moon
What? You didn’t think I’d be leaving the drab four out, did you? The album this is from is called “October Rust” and it’s glued to the speakers in my house for the whole Autumn season and beyond. Nobody does sexy gloom better than Pete Steele, and the peerless riff and keyboard work here is the audio equivalent of jamming out in a haunted castle. It’s a brave man who can draw a werewolf and period analogy and live to tell the tale, but Pete apparently gets a pass. My wife and the subsequent bruises have proved that I am extended no such privilege.
May the ghouls and goblins in your life have a Happy Halloween. Maybe I’ll be back for a Christmas mixtape unless I can figure out a good Diwali one that’s not just the last Bloodywood album.
Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of Rory Bentley and Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
