My Top Ten Scariest Rock Bands

It’s that time of year when the dark comes early, when devilish mindsets sprout to the tune of October rain. Seeing as how Halloween is right around the corner, and anything “scary” seems kosher, a list of the scariest rock bands might be the perfect warm-up before you reveal your inner Lugosi on the 31st. On the other side of this post rests some sinister rock music, a soundtrack to your late night debauchery and the Halloween rage that awaits.

10. GWAR

The heavy-metal band notorious for graphic stage theatrics and rubber monster suits look like a band straight out of Satan’s lair.  GWAR also may hold the record for most current and former band members, including “Balsac the Jaws of Death” and “Jizmak Da Gusha.”  The obscene shock-rockers revel in mocking political figures and celebrities such as Osama Bin Laden, Steve Wilkos, Michael Jackson, and Hitler.

Brace yourself.  This video defines sensory overload.

9. The Cramps

Progenitors of the psychobilly subgenre (a combination of punk and rockabilly), The Cramps survived for 33-years before lead vocalist Lux Interior’s death in 2009.  Rubbing off Elvis, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins and darker shades of rock, Interior established a primeval on-stage persona that has influenced artists such as The White Stripes and Queens of the Stone Age.  The Cramps are one of many on this list who were influenced by B horror/sci-fi paraphernalia.

8. Alice Cooper

One of the earliest rock artists who aimed to “shock” his audience, is appropriately regarded as one of the fathers of “shock rock.”  Ghoulish stage theatrics that included blood, snakes, and straight jackets propelled Alice Cooper as one of the most electrifying and macabre artists in the industry, a career that spans over 45 years.  Even Rob Zombie claims Cooper gave him his first “metal moment.”

7. Misfits

Creators of the horror-punk subgenre, the Misfits are iconic for integrating themes from 60′s and 70′s B horror/sci-fi films into their brand.  From their trademark skull logo, devilock styled haircuts, and song titles like “Halloween” and “Night of the Living Dead,” the Misfits ooze wicked from their veins.  Not to mention they were once caught for grave robbing in New Orleans.

6. Mudvayne

If you ever wondered what it might look like to have a metal band run by serial killers, Mudvayne is your band.  The Illinois natives scare the bejesus out of conservative music fans sporting multi-colored face paint and blotches of blood, even during music award shows.  Mudvayne’s music is highly innovative, and their complex style of drumming and bass has been appropriately titled ”math rock.”  Since their eruption in 2000, Mudvayne has taken on different looks, performing as aliens, and even bare-faced.

5. Slipknot

The versatile metal band out of Iowa gained popularity for their wide-range of musicality, and raucous live shows.  Slipknot is recognized for their frightening masks, which all 9 members wear for every appearance.  Their live act consisted of towering stage-dives, fights between members, and setting each other on fire.  2010 has been a devastating year for the band, losing co-founder and bassist Paul Gray to an accidental drug overdose.  The future of Slipknot remains unclear.

4. White Zombie

White Zombie made horror-metal mainstream with their infectious funk, and Rob Zombie’s ghoulish vocals, deriving their name from the 1932 Bela Lugosi film.  Their larger-than-life frontman has since moved on, going solo in the music department as well as directing some of the scariest horror films in recent memory, including a reincarnation of the “Halloween” series.  White Zombies’ final two albums went double platinum, exemplifying their sinister funk with singles “Thunderkiss ’65,” “More Human than Human,” and “Black Sunshine.”

3. Nine  Inch Nails

Since 1989, our inner goth has been given an excuse to dance thanks to the industrial synth of Nine Inch Nails‘ mastermind Trent Reznor.  Ranging from subjects of addiction and personal angst, to postapocalyptic hysteria, Reznor’s work can be labeled everything from distorted and chaotic, to ambient and transcending.  The video for “Closer” is one of the most creepy and disturbing videos you’ll find, even 16 years after its release.

2. Marilyn Manson

The ultimate provocateur of this generation got his name by combining Marilyn Monroe and Charles Manson, and is one the more controversial and enigmatic personas in popular culture.  Hated by almost every civil-rights organization ever created, Marilyn Manson has produced dozens of rock anthems including “Dope Show,” “Fight Song,” “The Beautiful People,” and “Rock is Dead.”  His lyrics are often misunderstood due to their cryptic nature, which often circle subjects of sex, drugs, and violence.

1. Black Sabbath

In 1968, music gave birth to a whole new dimension of metal.  Black Sabbath albums such as Paranoid and Master of Reality are engraved as metal genius, picked apart and referenced by almost every hard rock act since their inception.  Whether he is considered the Antichrist, a rock god, or both, Ozzy Osbourne’s presence in the rock community seizes to die.  “The Prince of Darkness” is infamous for beheading a dove with his bite, and has experienced several run-ins with the law.  Combining Ozzy’s reputation, with Black Sabbath‘s unparalleled influence on rock music, they RIP at number one on this list of scariest rock bands.

Honorable Mention:

The Wiggles

The Wiggles are everything rock is not, but they still scare me.  A band that manages to make a children’s song about popcorn unbearably frightening deserves some recognition.  Seriously, watch at your own risk.