It is that time of year again, though I am sure for many of our readers (if you are like me) it never really left. This is the 5th annual instalment of this playlist. Like previous years, I try to break away from the typically goth go-to’s; after all you will hear “Bela Lugosi is Dead” at the mall this week. I draw from every genre – this time around there is punk, Doo-Wop, metal, death rock and country. I have been on a dark country kick lately, so it might lean in that direction, but there’s a balance, new artists doing familiar songs, old artists taking their stab at older artists, and the obscure classic. Lyrically, they delve into the spooky darkness of Halloween in some way. Ok, maybe the Sisters of Mercy cover is more about bringing your empire down, but they get a pass since any Sisters of Mercy song makes you feel like you are in an 80s horror movie. We do have odes to the undead, witches and ghosts. Perhaps you will find your new favorite band or at least have the proper soundtrack to getting wasted and laid in the cemetery while you are dressed as sexy Leatherface. A girl can dream…
Starcrawler -Pet Cemetery
This L.A rock band captures where glam and punk met in the 70s. Their take on this Ramones song is pretty endearing and inspired me to plunge deeper into their albums.
Alkaline trio- “Lucretia My Reflection”
First time I checked these guys out, the sole basis for doing this was due to the fact I knew they were fellow members of the Church of Satan. Using the Sisters version of this song would be too obvious, but for the style of punk this band plays they do an excellent job with this one.
KMFDM -“Oh My Goth”
From their most recent album, this tongue-in-cheek wink to half their fan base makes me wish they would show this more organic side of themselves more.
Wednesday 13- “Decomposed”
Not really metal in the way we think of it here, but I like that they are beginning to have more in common with W.A.S.P than Rob Zombie. This song is the kind of mindless fun I loved in High School.
Twin Temple “I Know How to Hex You”
Sexy and Satanic take on early 60s doo wop. Makes me want to drive on Mulholland at 3 a.m. Lyrically, it’s witchy empowerment.
Those Poor Bastards -“Evil On My Mind
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I have been on a dark country kick lately so these guys come from that side of the fence. They are rowdy enough for those who do not normally listen to country and spooky enough to belong here.
Dead & Gone – “Blood From a Ghost ”
These guys came from the more hardcore side of the scene that spawned Christian Death. They were more of a well-kept secret, but this gem transcends the underground, mixing street punk with something more sinister.
Bridge City Sinners – “Witch’s Wrath”
Folky bluegrass with an enchanted New Orleans street corner jam vibe. She carries enough of a snarl to her voice that this ode to witches has some teeth to it.
Idle Hands – “Give Me to the Night “
Ever since the demise of In Solitude, I have been searching for a band to fill that void. Perhaps more metallic in their intentions, these guys take a pretty decent stab at filling that place for me.
Death Valley Girls- “Horror Movie”
This band sounds like the soundtrack to a woman in chains’ escape to the desert style of grind house. There is more punk in their attitude than anything, but something dark and unhinged lies under the surface.
