As those pumpkins are carved, spooky decorations adorn houses across the United Kingdom, and an underlying dread of who might be knocking looms, it is officially Halloween season—or, to our other friends reading this, a joyous Samhain.
But what about your music choices this year? Whether you're throwing a full-blown house party or just setting a theme for the time of year, there are countless playlists to choose from on Spotify, Deezer, and beyond. But with such an abundance of music out there, what should you really be adding?
Maybe we can help—and yes, maybe this might be a challenge to your senses, too.
We've created a Dante's Inferno of dread, with 13 levels of horror and despair that escalate from the unnerving start of our playlist through to the absolute extremes of music.
We dare you to brave this musical journey this year. Consider this our ultimate 'Trick or Treat'—just be warned, some of these songs are not for the faint of heart.
5. Billie Holiday — Strange Fruit
Originally a poem, this song is a stark, brutal protest against the lynching of Black Americans. Holiday's definitive version is excruciating in its emotional clarity. The horror here is human, real, and immense, delivered with a chilling solemnity that makes it one of the most powerful and genuinely frightening musical statements ever recorded. | Getty Images
6. Samuel Barber — Adagio for Strings
Considered by many to be the saddest piece of music ever written. Barber's orchestral work, perhaps made more famous thanks to its use in the movie Platoon, is renowned for its intense emotional power and profound sense of tragedy. The piece builds with agonising harmonic tension, soaring in waves of sorrow that resolve only to emphasise a sense of immense, unshakeable loss. | Getty Images
7. Ray Parker Jr. — Ghostbusters
Come on now - you didn't think I wouldn't include a brief respite while we travel down this sonic Dante's Inferno, right? This track is the perfect centrepiece—it reminds us that sometimes, the supernatural is just a fantastic reason to dance. It’s the iconic, funky adrenaline shot you need before diving back into the darker side of the playlist. | Getty Images
8. The Misfits — Scream
The definitive horror-punk anthem. Full of frantic energy, catchy hooks, and lyrics steeped in classic monster movie tropes, this track is the perfect gateway back to chaos—capturing the high-energy, albeit campy, thrill of a late-night fright fest. The music video, albeit NSFW, is also a perfect send-up of the trashy zombie horror craze - in a hospital. | Scott Gries/Getty Images