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.
9. Tyler, The Creator — Yonkers
This track defined a generation of controversial hip-hop. The lyrics, full of shock, dark humour, and self-destruction, are delivered over a sparse, pounding beat. It’s an abrasive, aggressive track that creates an atmosphere of intense psychological discomfort rather than standard horror, though admittedly it is one of Tyler's first controversial works - so not for everyone. | YouTube
10. Danny Brown — Die Like A Rockstar
Danny Brown’s chaotic, hyperactive delivery and the song's dizzying, experimental production perfectly capture the feeling of a life spinning out of control. It’s thrilling, but undeniably frenzied, embodying a sense of self-destructive abandonment that is genuinely unnerving. | Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for Pandora
11. Aphex Twin — Come To Daddy
This electronic masterpiece is a sonic acid bath. The fractured beats, unsettling synth lines, and that famous music video directed by Chris Cunningham—featuring child versions of Richard D. James screaming—create genuine, deep-seated psychological discomfort. It’s a chilling blend of harsh noise and electronic dread. | YouTube
12. Carcass — Heartwork
Death metal pioneers Carcass, especially in their melodic era, often combine high-speed technicality with lyrics focused on anatomy, decay, and death. Tracks like the title track Heartwork are as intellectually precise as they are physically brutal, offering a soundscape that is both crushing and clinically unsettling. | Martyn Goodacre/Getty Images