Heavy Halloween: The “Metal Third” of the Playlist

October Spirits, Chapter Two: Metal

RRWS October Playlist, Part 2 | Originally published October 20, 2023

Last week on the podcast, I introduced the first 13 songs of our special October playlist, which I've now named October Spirits. You'll find it under that title with the subtitle "Halloween Top 40 from The Rock and Roll Whiskey Show" on Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube Music.

That list came out on Friday the 13th, so the songs were centered around themes of superstition, death, murder, bad luck, and all kinds of fun stuff like that. We mostly stayed in classic rock and roll from the '70s and a couple from the '80s, with the centerpiece being a nearly 100-year-old blues song by Robert Johnson, "Cross Road Blues." You can listen to last week's episode to hear more about that. I won't go into it today because we've got plenty more to talk about.

Today we're turning the volume up to 11 on our Marshalls and making everything just a little bit louder and heavier. Maybe a little scarier. And what better way to get into this eerie season than with the pulsating rhythms, haunting melodies, and dark themes of heavy metal?

Metal in its various forms has always shared a deep kinship with the mysterious and the supernatural. From its very inception, heavy metal has been characterized by its exploration of darker themes: tales of the occult, mythical creatures, existential dread, and evil. The genre's theatricality, with its grandiose guitar riffs, thunderous drums, and powerful vocals, lends itself naturally to the spirit of Halloween. It hits the same primal emotions: adrenaline, fear, excitement, a touch of the macabre.

For this portion of the playlist, I've put together a selection that brings the raw energy of rock and roll together with the spectral atmosphere of October's spookiest night.

14. Helloween, "Halloween" (Keeper of the Seven Keys Part I, 1987)

You might not know Helloween, but you should. Their "Halloween" is a masterclass in thematic power metal. It clocks in at over 13 minutes of epic storytelling, a musical journey that narrates the spirit and essence of Halloween night from playful trick-or-treaters to darker, more sinister undertones that loom as the night progresses. The song captures the duality of Halloween, both its childlike wonder and its potential for eerie occurrences. With haunting melodies, atmospheric interludes, and dramatic crescendos, it's a perfect opener for the metal portion of the list.

Like the good old Charlie Brown, you think Linus could be right? The kids will say it's just a stupid lie. But watch out, beware, listen, take care. In the streets on Halloween there's something going on. No way to escape the power unknown. In the streets on Halloween the spirits will arise. Make your choice, it's hell or paradise.

15. Iron Maiden, "Fear of the Dark" (Fear of the Dark, 1992)

One of Iron Maiden's most iconic tracks, played live in every Maiden show to this day since it came out in the early '90s. Loved by fans around the world. "Fear of the Dark" gets into the primal human fear of the unknown, especially what might lurk in the shadows when the lights go out. Bruce Dickinson's vocals paired with the song's creeping guitar melodies and harmonies create an atmosphere of suspense and unease. The lyrics tap into a paranoia-driven imagination where every rustling leaf or creaking floorboard can escalate into nightmarish scenarios. This song resonates with anyone who's ever been afraid of what's hiding just beyond their vision in the darkness.

Have you run your fingers down the wall and have you felt your neck skin crawl when you're searching for the light? Sometimes when you're scared to take a look at the corner of the room, you've sensed that something's watching you. Fear of the dark, fear of the dark. I have a constant fear that something's always near.

16. Ozzy Osbourne, "Diary of a Madman" (Diary of a Madman, 1981)

Ozzy, often dubbed the Prince of Darkness, delivers a harrowing tale of insanity and inner torment with the title track from "Diary of a Madman." The song's melancholic melodies and chilling lyrics paint a picture of a mind unraveling, lost in its own delusions and haunted by inner demons. The orchestral arrangements and guitar work of Randy Rhoads add layers of gothic horror, reminiscent of a haunted mansion or a tragic cursed soul. The combination of its narrative about the fine line between genius and madness makes it a poignant and unsettling piece for the season.

A sickened mind and spirit, the mirror tells me lies. Could I mistake myself for someone who lives behind my eyes? Will he escape my soul or will he live in me? Is he trying to get out or trying to enter me? Voices in the darkness scream away my mental health. Can I ask a question to help me save me from myself?

17. Dokken, "Dream Warriors" (Back for the Attack, 1987)

"A Nightmare on Elm Street Part 3: Dream Warriors" is my favorite of the Nightmare on Elm Street series. I think it's a lot of people's favorite. Marrying the world of rock with horror cinema, Dokken's "Dream Warriors" is forever tied to that movie and the franchise as a whole. The song speaks to the film's themes of confronting and battling one's nightmares, with a defiant chorus that resonates as a battle cry against the shadowy terrors of the dream world. The lyrics allude to the nocturnal terror induced by Freddy Krueger, and the music video features scenes from the movie. The connection to one of the horror genre's most iconic franchises makes it an essential rock anthem for Halloween. It's a really good, catchy '80s pop-metal song. Great vocals by Don Dokken and great guitar work by George Lynch. Just a cool song.

When I close my eyes I realize you'll come my way. I'm standing in the night alone, forever together. We're the dream warriors, don't want to dream no more. We're the dream warriors, and maybe tonight you'll be gone.

18. Rob Zombie, "American Witch" (Educated Horses, 2006)

When you get a Halloween playlist with metal songs in it, you usually get some Rob Zombie. Usually "Dragula" or "Living Dead Girl," something like that. I decided to go to the album "Educated Horses" for a different spooky Zombie song. "American Witch" is a mesmerizing dive into the world of witchcraft, superstition, and the darker recesses of American folklore. The track pulses with an eerie energy driven by heavy guitar riffs and Zombie's signature gravelly vocals, telling a tale of a woman accused of witchcraft and the terror that surrounds her. It explores the theme of societal fear, an age-old tendency to brand what is misunderstood or feared as "witchcraft." Zombie's love for macabre imagery and dark storytelling ensures that "American Witch" fits like a glove in any spooky playlist. It conjures up visions of shadowy figures, moonlit rituals, and ancient curses.

Alone on the hill and ready to die. Cancer of darkness, blackened eye. The mark of the wolf and the sign of the calf. Angels bleed down above the raft. The end, the end of the American witch.

19. Danzig, "Her Black Wings" (Danzig II: Lucifuge, 1990)

"Her Black Wings" is a dark tapestry of gothic romance and foreboding imagery. A haunting ode to a femme fatale figure, the song weaves a tale of a seductive yet menacing entity whose black wings suggest a fallen angel or malevolent siren. Glenn Danzig's powerful, brooding vocals underscore the allure and danger this enigmatic figure poses, luring the listener into her dark embrace. The eerie guitar riffs and the song's somber tempo amplify the macabre atmosphere. The lyrics paint vivid images of graveyards, moonlit skies, and a deadly romance, themes that are made for the Halloween season.

Blackest of the black, darker than night, come to me my bleeding light. See she comes, she comes now, enter oblivion. Here she is, harder than life, in my arms. See she there, entwined with love, unclean she is. And she comes down to me, and she offers me sleep, under her black wings.

20. Type O Negative, "Black No. 1 (Little Miss Scare-All)" (Bloody Kisses, 1993)

Dark, gothic, and dripping with atmospheric moodiness. "Black No. 1" from Type O Negative is a staple in the goth rock genre and a fitting inclusion for any playlist like this. Sung with the deep baritone of the late Peter Steele, who passed away several years ago, the song is an homage to gothic subculture, full of references to witches, dyed black hair, and the romanticism of the macabre. The track exudes a vampiric allure, making it a captivating listen during the witching hour.

Now it's All Hallows Eve, the moon is full, but will she trick or treat? I bet she will, she will. Happy Halloween, baby. She's got a date at midnight with Nosferatu. Oh baby, Lily Munster ain't got nothing on you. Loving you was like loving the dead.

The pairing: Jim Beam Devil's Cut

In case you're thirsty, allow me to offer you a drink straight from the devil. In this case, the devil's none other than the James B. Beam Distilling Company.

You may have heard of the angel's share, the portion of every barrel of whiskey that evaporates and is gone forever into the wind. In warmer climates like you'll find in whiskey-producing states like Kentucky and Tennessee, you lose a good portion of the barrel to the angels, depending on how long it sits in there. You also get a good amount of interaction with that barrel, and that's what gives bourbons their character and extra taste.

Jim Beam tells us there's a small portion of whiskey that remains in the barrel when it's empty, trapped in the charred new oak, never to be seen again in many cases. Spooky, right? Jim Beam has marketed that bit of whiskey as the Devil's Cut. They claim to take that devil's cut and blend it with other Beam whiskey that they say is extra-aged.

Jim Beam's marketing of Devil's Cut is interesting. They'll tell you, right on their label, that it's a complex spirit made for true whiskey connoisseurs. Much like the eerie allure of our October Spirits playlist, Jim Beam's Devil's Cut aims to have a unique character that resonates with the season. October is a month draped in mystique, where tales of the supernatural reign supreme and the boundary between our world and the unknown feels thin.

Despite the way they've positioned it, Jim Beam Devil's Cut also feels thin. The name conjures images of clandestine rituals, ancient alchemy, and dances with darkness. The process, where the trapped whiskey in the wood of the barrel is extracted and blended with longer-aged whiskey, could be said to reflect the essence of our playlist: drawing out the hidden and the mysterious, melding it with the familiar to create something rich and evocative.

But while Devil's Cut is wrapped in lore, at its heart it's pretty much just Jim Beam. It's a really cool name with an interesting story, but it's Beam with a little extra oaky flavor in it, basically. Don't get me wrong, it's good. It's fine, particularly at its price point of about $25. There's nothing wrong with it at all, and it's easy to drink. But at that price point, if you want a Beam product, spend a few more bucks and go for the Knob Creek, or Old Granddad Bonded is around that price too, $23-24. I don't know if Devil's Cut is the one you should get, but it's a fun one for the season.

Peel back the layers, though, and you'll recognize the classic Beam notes that have made it a household name. Hints of vanilla, caramel, that warming rye spice, a little nuttiness. And there's something deeper, an added depth from that charred oak that's supposedly been trapped in the barrel, giving it a touch of the mysterious. Much like the songs on our playlist, this bourbon is about an experience. It's pretty accessible. It's not too complex. And it's got a fun story, and we like stories. So as you continue to get into the haunting heavy rhythms of this portion of the October Spirits playlist, have fun with Devil's Cut.

21. Pantera, "Cemetery Gates" (Cowboys from Hell, 1990)

A melancholic and powerful exploration of love, loss, and the afterlife. Phil Anselmo's haunting vocals and Dimebag Darrell's mournful guitar solos (one of Dimebag's best, by the way, and that's saying a lot) paint a vivid picture of a soul tormented by the passing of a loved one, pondering the mysteries of life and death. Its themes of grief, eternal love, and the possibility of an afterlife resonate with the spirit of Halloween, a time when the veil between the living and the dead is believed to be at its thinnest. The song's mix of heavy metal riffs and ethereal, almost ghostly melodic passages make it a chilling yet poignant addition.

And when she died I should have cried and spared myself some pain. You left me incomplete, all alone as the memories still remain. The way we were, the chance to save my soul, and my concern is now in vain. Believe the word, I will unlock my door and pass the cemetery gates.

22. Anthrax, "Among the Living" (Among the Living, 1987)

Starting a run through the Big Four of thrash metal: Anthrax, Metallica, Slayer, and Megadeth. Not necessarily in that order, but that's the order the songs come in the playlist.

These four bands, each with their own distinct sound and style, emerged in the 1980s and quickly became trailblazers of the thrash movement, fusing the speed and aggression of punk with the technicality and heaviness of traditional metal. Their songs frequently get into dark, introspective, and at times supernatural themes, making a lot of their tracks good candidates for this playlist.

First up, Anthrax's "Among the Living." Inspired by Stephen King's "The Stand," it's an aggressive and fast-paced track about a post-apocalyptic society. The song paints a chilling picture of a world decimated by a plague and the emergence of a demonic figure, Randall Flagg. With its references to dark forces, societal collapse, and haunting imagery, it captures an eerie, unsettling vibe.

He's seeing, he's calling, his legacy he's spawning. He's coming, corrupting. Among the living. I'm the walking dude, I can see all the world, twist your minds with fear. I'm the man with the power. Among the living. Follow me or die.

23. Metallica, "The Thing That Should Not Be" (Master of Puppets, 1986)

Drawing inspiration from the eldritch horrors of H.P. Lovecraft, "The Thing That Should Not Be" is a haunting ode to the ancient, malevolent entities that lurk in the depths of the ocean and the corners of the human psyche. The song's slow, brooding tempo combined with James Hetfield's grim lyrics evoke a sense of impending doom and terror of the unknown. The monstrous riffs and the tale of a creature that defies comprehension make it a song that captures the unsettling atmosphere of a dark and stormy October night.

Crawling chaos underground, cult has summoned twisted sound. Out from ruins once possessed, fallen city, living death. Fearless wretch, insanity, he watches lurking beneath the sea. Timeless sleep has been upset, he awakens. Hunter of the shadows is rising. Immortal. In madness you dwell.

24. Slayer, "South of Heaven" (South of Heaven, 1988)

With "South of Heaven," Slayer goes deep into the abyss of human malevolence and the decay of moral values. The lyrics depict a world where evil runs rampant and any hope of redemption seems distant. Its chilling introduction combined with Tom Araya's haunting vocals creates a soundscape of despair and darkness. As the title suggests, the song explores the infernal, the spaces that lie just beyond anything divine, making it a fitting anthem for a night when ghouls and specters walk the earth.

The root of all evil is the heart of a black soul, a force that has lived all eternity. A never-ending search for a truth never told, the loss of all hope and your dignity. Chaos rampant, an age of distrust. Confrontations, impulsive habitat. On and on, south of heaven.

25. Megadeth, "In My Darkest Hour" (So Far, So Good... So What!, 1988)

A raw expression of grief, sorrow, and the isolation that stems from personal loss. Melancholic riffs and Dave Mustaine's visceral vocals convey the depth of his anguish. While not supernatural in theme, the sheer emotional intensity and dark atmosphere make it resonate with the somber and reflective aspects of Halloween, a time when many remember and honor the departed. This probably isn't the most supernatural or spooky of Megadeth songs, but it's got that feeling. It's dark. It's ominous. And it's actually my favorite Megadeth song, so I had to include it.

In my hour of need, no, you're not there. And though I reached out for you, wouldn't lend a hand. Through the darkest hour, your grace did not shine on me. Feel so cold, very cold. No one cares for me.

26. Black Sabbath (with Ronnie James Dio), "Heaven and Hell" (Heaven and Hell, 1980)

An exploration of the age-old battle between good and evil, "Heaven and Hell" serves as a philosophical musing on the choices one makes in life and their eternal consequences. Ronnie James Dio's powerful vocals paired with Tony Iommi's iconic riffs create a contrasting atmosphere of both celestial grace and infernal doom. The track gets deep into the duality of human nature and the eternal struggle between light and darkness. Its lyrical content combined with Sabbath's legendary heavy metal sound creates an aura of cosmic mystique and spiritual contemplation, making it a fitting piece for Halloween, a time of reflection on life, death, and what lies beyond.

It's heaven and hell, oh well. And they'll tell you black is really white, the moon is just the sun at night. And when you walk in golden halls, you get to keep the gold that falls. It's heaven and hell. Fool, fool, you've got to bleed for the dancer. Fool, fool, look for the answer.

What's next

Let these tracks, plus the ones from last week, form the backdrop to your Halloween season, whether you're setting the mood for a haunted house, heading out on a midnight drive, or just hanging out under the glow of a harvest moon. Next week we'll have another 13 songs, followed by a special episode on Halloween Day, October 31st, that adds the last track, number 40, to the playlist. Next week's batch will focus on newer music that's come out in the last decade or so, including a few songs released in 2023 and a lot from 2021 and 2022 as well. Pretty recent stuff. That'll give us about 90 years of history in this playlist, which I think is pretty cool.

Enjoy your October, friends. See you next week.