Music is meant to render soothing chills right? Partially correct because there are instances in the past where music proved to be terrifying and creepy to the ultimate level.
Horror by and large is regarded as a movie genre and has established itself in a similar setting. But, as said about music, it can set or upset the tone for a film. Music can come out as that element of surprise and add the much needed X-factor to any horror movie.
Some of the horror music we are about to talk about are capable of stealing the show even without the visuals that are meant to run alongside.
So without any further delay let’s jump into the top Horror Music Albums that will keep you at the edge of your seats. Also, look for some budget constrained music albums that put up quite a show!
10- “First Utterance”
Composed by: Comus
This was the very first album from Comus and it was right on the money. First Utterance came in 1971, it was 49 minutes long and had a perfect blend of folk, psychedelia, and essence of progressive rock. The idea was to present folk music draped in the colors of horror and the powerful lyrics of the album were able to catch attention. The subjects for the songs of this album were clinical too, it dealt with rape, criticism, and violence. The album was able to produce that intensity with the goofy horror gradient present at all times, that was required to make it a hit.
9: Om
Composed by: John Coltrane
Sadly the composer wasn’t alive when the album went live in 1968. Nevertheless, the unsettling tone that he recorded in his album will always remain intact. This was one of the weirdest albums from John.
The album was divided into two parts. John sees this album as “The first vibration”, The sound that will infuse life into everything. The album is 29 minutes long, both part one and two. Free jazz is the base genre of the album.
8: “Absence”
Composed by: Dalek
The group was going through a tough time when they were recording this album. The same gory and creepiness was distinctive in the album throughout. It was the third album from Dalek, and it came out on February 8, 2005. The album consisted of a total of 20 songs totaling 57:07. There were also 2 bonus tracks, especially in Japanese. This album will make you go through different levels of unsettled feelings.
7: “In the Grips of the Light”
Composed by: Racebannon
Not every music lover will fall for this album, hardcore Mathcore genre fans can truly relate to it. Mathcore is such a confined niche that most people won’t get the complicated music through the lead vocals amidst the strong instrumental play. The album represents the less explored Alternative/Indie genre.
For Instance, the song “Clubber Lang” has a prolonged pessimistic guitar sound in the starting. I’m Yr Egomaniac, and it is disturbing enough with its slow tonality. It had a total of 8 songs and the album first appeared on 22 January 2002.
6: “Shaking the Habitual”
Composed by: The-Knife
The best of the album in this goofy horror genre you can find having such strong dominance of mechanical instruments. The duo released their final album on5 April 2013 that was cringe enough to make a mark for itself. Regardless to say that the genre of the album is electronic given the strong instrumental play.
The album was loved by critics for its eccentricity. The album was inspired by the feminist and queer theory. The 1-disc version of the album is 77:18 minutes in total while the 2-disc version is 96:20 minutes long.
5: NYC, Hell 3:00 AM
Composed by: James Ferraro
This album wasn’t a surprise as James has a reputation of tinkering with sounds. This album was no different; he largely experimented with the music. This album surges deep into the psychological world. He tried to make a connection with the demons with the monsters of this human world. Most of the songs will be no less than an emotional hell for the audience. The album was released on October 15, 2013, and consisted of 16 songs.
4: D.o.A: The Third and Final Report of Throbbing Gristle
Composed by: Throbbing Gristle
By the time D.o.A: The Third and Final Report of Throbbing Gristle was out, the composer was already famous for some of the most disturbing and unsettling music of the time. Even though this was only the second album from Throbbing Gristle. The album was released on 4 December 1978. This album was regarded as one which will send you into a sea of nostalgia and uneasiness. The album has 2 slides, slide A has 6 songs while slide-B has 7. The total runtime of the album is close to 44 minutes because some of the songs are less than a minute long.
3: “Plague Mass”
Composed by: Diamanda Galás
Quite uncharacteristic of this genre this album has very minimal use of instrumental sounds. Before this one might have argued that producing a horror masterpiece soundtrack isn’t feasible without strong instrumental play. The lead artist, Diamanda Galás made full use of his vocals to make it happen. Throughout the album, he can be seen singing almost hysterically at the top of his voice. The album has a total of 14 songs that were out for the public on 1 April 1991.
2: Public Castration Is a Good Idea”
Composed by: Swans
Ranking at the top of the Post-punk genre this album is known for its loud music even without the best use of metal instruments.
All of the songs are by way of live performances. Michael Gira was superb with his human growling sounds which he managed to produce. For some, it can be absurd but the fans of this genre alongside critics loved it. Moreover, it was the first-ever live album from the band which released in 1986. It consists of 7 songs, Money is Flesh being the first in the lot.
1: Recordings of Shortwave Numbers Stations”
Composed by: The Connect Project
This is something unsettling for the audience, this was originally not any album. This album is unusually long to fit this category, it is a 5-hour long compilation of various sounds.
These are the recordings of the audio used by the government to communicate with spies. It has a robotic sound, amidst raw sounds and music jingles. The genre of this album is field recording, and it is hard to believe but some of these relay stations can still be tuned into. This collection of 5 audios was released in 1977 by the British government.
