From Psycho to Halloween and beyond, it’s the sounds of horror that stimulate the senses. Then, really starting in the early ’80s, pop/rock songs were added to the mix as selling points.
I have a lot of music, almost as much as I have movies. This is a list of my all-time favorite horror soundtracks. The CDs and cassettes which sat atop my stereo for months in heavy rotation. You will not find any albums with the phrase “Music Inspired by” that has to be one of the most dishonest attempts at cash-grabbing in recent years. If you think I’m wrong, please put on Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Album and tell me what Fear Factory, Pantera, Hatebreed or Static X have to do with a group of kids on their way to a Skynyrd concert in 1974! Sorry…I went on a tangent.
Now, there are no scores on this list. That is for another time. I hope you agree with some of my list and please let me know what you think should be on here.
Top 10 Horror Soundtracks
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#10
Trick or Treat (1986): This is kind of a guilty pleasure soundtrack. The entire soundtrack is done by Fastway! I first heard it at a friend’s house on vinyl. He was a serious metal head and introduced me to the likes of Maiden and Sabbath. Oddly enough, this is the only thing that stuck, funny how things work out.
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#9
Queen of the Damned (2002): Sometimes a movie sucks so much ass, but can still be well-represented musically. Case in point is 2002’s Queen of the Damned. The film suffered from bad casting and horrible scripting with the studio mashing both "The Vampire Lestat" and "Queen of the Damned" into one 100 plus minute mess. On the other hand, great care was taken with the music since it is a main focal point of the second novel. Bands providing the sound include Marilyn Manson, Wayne Static of Static X, Jay Gordon of Orgy and alternate versions by songwriter and Korn front man Jonathan Davis.
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#8
The Devil’s Rejects (2005): This, much like the film, is an ode to the '70s and early '80s, the days of Two Lane Black Top, Aloha Bobby and Rose and countless other road/crime flicks. The soundtrack reflects that with The Allman Brothers , Terry Reid, Joe Walsh and Three Dog Night. It’s perfect for good old fashion hanging out, drinking with friends till the wee hours of the night.
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#7
Fright Night (1985): Fright Night was everything it was supposed to be. An American '80s version of '60s Euro horror. The laughs were clever, but never mocking. The soundtrack is the epitome of 80’s music featuring Devo, The J. Giles Band, and Ian Hunter. This not only a fun soundtrack, but a snapshot of horror soundtracks of the time.
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#6
Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 (2000): Unjustly hated for no good reason, Joe Berlinger’s film remains one of the most misunderstood and under-appreciated films of the '90s. Just for the record, I stand by that statement whole-hardheartedly! Unfortunately the soundtrack rides the same wave. Pick it up and you won’t be sorry. Marilyn Manson, POD, Knicleback, Rob Zombie, Queens of the Stone Age and more. Who are you kidding? The soundtrack is great!
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#5
The Lost Boys (1986): Who are you lying to? You know you had this soundtrack. EVERYBODY had this soundtrack and rode around on dirt bikes with trench coats on. Yes, we were nerds, but we thought we looked cool blasting Lou Graham, INXS, Roger Daltry, and The Doors. The fun doesn’t have to end, pop that CD back in!
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#4
Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth (1992): Is the movie good? Could have been a lot better but could have been a lot worse. This soundtrack starts hard and ends hard but manages to sprinkle a little lite rock in between. Motorhead, Bowie’s Tin Machine, Material Issue, Soup Dragons and Ten Inch Men. Sure, it’s a better soundtrack than a movie, but a least it’s a better soundtrack than a movie. 'Nuff said!
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#3
House Of 1000 Corpses (2003): Like everything with this movie, the soundtrack found its way into our hearts. Pre-1977 jams from The Ramones, Buck Owens (oddly, the best and catchiest song on the album), plus, all-new Zombie tracks including the awesome “Pussy Liquor” and the criminally ignored “Little Piggy."
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#2
The Crow (1994): Just brilliant! Every song on the album kicks ass. And even though not everyone loves everything, nothing here screams to be passed over! A lot of the best songs here are original and unavailable anywhere else which makes this album a must have for your collection. One of the Cure’s best songs “Burn” (which harkens back to the “Disintegration” era) sets the pace. Nine Inch Nails covers Joy Division, Rollins Band, Stone Temple Pilots, My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult, Medicine, Helmut, Jesus and Mary Chain. Hell, this album transcends. If you don’t own it, you should.
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#1
Return of the Living Dead (1985): Possibly the greatest horror soundtrack EVER! Okay, I know I’m getting a little crazy but I LOVE this album. Hell, I love it on cassette, three different vinyl pressings, CD, and even extended bootleg edition. I have more copies of this soundtrack than Anchor Bay's Evil Dead DVDs (You know what I’m talking about). For a horror film from 1985, one of the things that is most amazing is that it’s still in print. Again, many of the songs on this album are unique to it, which keeps the album relevant! The Cramps, T.S.O.L., The Damned. The only thing that would make this album better is a song from the Misfits (and it doesn’t even need it!) Okay, I’m done. I’m gonna go throw it on right now!
