Music Blogs

The scariest night of the year, Halloween, is fast approaching.  There’s a definite chill in the air, the clouds have a haunting grey tint and the moon is getting fuller.  Yup, All Hallow’s Eve is just around the corner. 

Marilyn Manson “This Is The New *Hit”

When looking at Manson’s catalogue of video, it’s hard to choose just one, which is why he earns top billing on this list.  When watching this video for “This Is The New *Hit”, I feel that you get a sense as to who/what two of Manson’s influencers could be; The Joker and Trent Reznor.  This video also allows you to get a good look at some of Manson’s freaky fetishes and band members, that’s one scary package if you ask me!   On that note, can you imagine Mason’s Mansion?  I imagine a house atop a hill with bats circling the steeple and lightning striking behind it (even on the sunniest of days).    Don’t trick or treat there kids! 

Nine Inch Nails “Closer”

Trent Reznor is one of the darkest figures of popular music.  I would even argue darker than Marilyn Manson.  While Trent doesn’t wear his freak as visibly on the outside, you can’t listen to a NIN track or album without getting a sense of Trent’s inner manic.  When watching a NIN video, looking at press shots of Trent or watching him in an interview, you can’t help but wonder if he sleeps hanging from the ceiling or in a Bram Stoker-esque coffin.

Slipknot “Wait And Bleed”

This band has a definite fear factor associated to them.  From the masks and straight-jackets to the power chords that can make your blood boil, Slipknot are a band that I wouldn’t want trick-or-treating in my neighbourhood.  (Especially because they dress like posessed clowns all year round).  I'm going to go out on a limb and guess these guys have a copy of Stephen King's IT prominently displayed on their shelves. *Shudder*  The video for “Wait And Bleed” may not be the scariest in the Slipknot catalogue, but the video/song title alone evokes scary movie imagery if ever!  Come on, picture it, waiting and bleeding?  If that doesn't scare you then I don't know what will?  

Seether “Remedy”

Straight up, I would not have wanted to be on the set of this music video!  Something tells me it would have felt more like being on the set of Texas Chainsaw Massacre than a music video.  Ya know where else I wouldn’t want to be?  In lead singer Shaun Morgan’s nightmares.  Yikes!  This video couldn’t pack any more haunting images into it if it tried.  While this video lacks guts and gore, it certainly remedies that with black magic imagery and enough nightmare worthy content for me to want to dig out my old night light! 

Foo Fighters “Everlong”

While the Foo Fighters are known more for their comedic video content and upbeat personalities than being scary, you can’t deny that they got fright right with this video. 

Between the nightmare inspired images, the pending threat of home-invasion and the ever characteristic cabin out in the middle of the woods this is totally a Halloween worthy video! 

Three Days Grace “Animal I Have Become”

From them hating everything about a certain someone to becoming animals, you have to wonder if the bands loved ones fear ending up on their bad side.  It was highly publicized that this song and video were about lead singer Adam Gontier's personal struggles. From the looks of the video, how he felt at the time was far from sunshine and lollipops!  Internal struggle between good and bad is the tension and darkness that many a horror movie killer are based on (no, I’m not saying Adam is dangerous!), which is why this video makes the list!

Rihanna “Disturbia”

“Disturbia” is definitely disturbing!  Who knew that this Caribbean beauty had such a dark side?  Between the freaky costumes and Rihanna acting absolutely possessed, this video, despite it being for one of the catchiest tracks to hit Top 40 radio this year, has some major haunting capabilities.  Wonder if she had to ask Marilyn Manson where he bought his creepy contacts?

Billy Talent “Fallen Leaves”

You may not think “scary” when you think of Billy Talent.  You may think, “awesome Canadian Band”, but with their video for Fallen Leaves there is certainly an undeniable element of creepy, which is why it has made this list.  It's also just a wicked rock track! 

If you’re theatrical or are known for putting a lot of effort into your Halloween costume, then this video may provide some serious inspiration.

The Halloween feast is served!

Queens Of The Stone Age “Sick, Sick, Sick”

Halloween plays on the different levels and elements of fright.  There’s the ever obvious, jump out and scare you kind, the big and scary grotesque kind and then my personal favourite, the dark and creepy kind.  This video falls under the later; dark and creepy.  You're scared, but also repulsed.     

I do have to preface the video with this, if you are a vegetarian or anyone who suffers discomfort at the thought of large amounts of food, beware!  There are some serious canibal depictions here!

Cancer Bats

Their band name alone does enough to instil an element of fear and with their first video for “Hail Destroyer” they prove that they have a knack for playing on the haunt.  I mean check out the teeth on that wolf!  Who hasn’t looked at wolves differently since their first introduction to Little Red Riding Hood?

If you liked this, you’ll love their next video.  Rumour has it that its got a serious nightmare element (check back, we’ll have it!)

Honourable Mention: 

Protest The Hero

While these [relative] newcomers definitely have some edge to them, they aren’t quite spooktacular yet.  But I have faith that next year they’ll have a video that will be sure to scare the kiddies.  I’d like to use “Sequoia Throne” and “Heretics & Killers” as examples that would support my stance. 

Rody’s coming to get you! 

Random but Scary:

There’s no appropriate intro for this video that I stumbled across.  In some ways I find this to be the scariest of all the videos on the list, in other ways, the funniest.  I give you, Cranes: