By Chy Klitzke

Among many other things, one of my favorite parts of October is Halloween music. 

“Halloween music? Is that a thing? You mean like the Monster Mash?”

In my eyes Halloween music is an extremely underrated genre. Just like Christmas music, there exists a whole category of artists who make music inspired by themes of classic horror and Halloween — you just have to dig a little bit to find it.

If you are looking to get into the Halloween spirit, check out these 13 albums!

The Silver Scream – Ice Nine Kills

Within recent years, Ice Nine Kills has really found their stride in making horror-inspired albums. Similar to their 2015 album, Every Trick in the Book, where every track is inspired by a novel, every song on The Silver Scream is inspired by a horror movie. With references to The Shining, Jaws, It, Friday the 13th, Halloween and more, this is such a fun album to listen to for any long-time horror fans. 

Track recommendation: “IT Is The End.”

Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge – My Chemical Romance

As one of my personal favorite albums of all time, 3 Cheers is a theatrical and catchy take on a more horror-oriented side of emo/pop-punk that is heavily influenced by bands like Misfits and AFI who also both claim a spot on this list. The album itself loosely tells the story of vampires, death, and revenge. 

Track recommendation:  “Helena.”

Disguise – Motionless in White

Motionless in White has become a force to be reckoned with after the release of last year's Disguise. Gothic and ghostly, there is no better time to give this album a listen.

Track recommendation: “Disguise.”

Dead Man's Party – Oingo Boingo

For me, October means listening to the song “Dead Man's Party” on repeat for at least two hours a day. Halloween belongs solely to Danny Elfman due to his creation of the scores for Nightmare Before Christmas, Edward Scissorhands and Beetlejuice, but it is obvious that this penchant for spooky music was present all the way back to the Oingo Boingo days.

Track recommendation: “Dead Man's Party.”

Bed, Bath & Beyond – Here Come the Mummies

There has never been a better album for Halloween parties than Bed, Bath & Beyond. Led by a group of anonymous mummy members, every track on this album is fun, funky and dancey. 

Track recommendation: “She Parties.”

Meliora – Ghost

In all fairness, any Ghost album could fit the bill. Their earlier works are reminiscent of Catholic horror tropes, but it's Meliora that gives me the spook as it immediately begins with, quite literally, a ghostly introduction. 

Track recommendation: “Spirit.”

Famous Monsters – Misfits 

In my eyes, the Misfits are the most obvious band to put on this list. These pioneers of the horror punk genre drew inspiration from classic monster movies to create an image that both stylistically and musically fits within horror culture. Although any of their albums could be considered for this list, Famous Monsters really digs deep into the Halloween aesthetic, among being a personal favorite. 

Track Recommendation: “Helena.”

All Hallows, EP – AFI

Thanks AFI, how convenient. Mosh it up this Halloween to this Halloween themed album!

Track recommendation: “The Boy Who Destroyed the World.”

Best Kind of Mess – Get Scared

Get Scared's first full-length album is as catchy as it is spooky. This is an underrated album, and their gothic image really compliments the horror elements that are present in their music. 

Track recommendation: “Sarcasm.”

You Won't Get What You Want -Daughters

Although not technically Halloween, this album's chilling ambiance makes it the scariest on the list. Wouldn't wanna hear this album in a dark alley. 

Track recommendation: “Long Road, No Turns.”

Turn Off the Light – Kim Petras 

Ok so this album might stick out like a sore thumb amongst all the other rock albums on this list, but oh my god it's so good! If there's one thing for certain, I need more Halloween themed pop albums immediately. “Turn off the Light” even features Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, one of my favorite celebrity icons of all time.

Track Recommendation: “Turn Off the Light.”

La Gargola – Chevelle

Taking inspiration from the intensity of the classic horror film, Rosemary's Baby, La Gargola was created to reflect the building tension from first song to last.

Track Recommendation: “Ouija Board.”

Zombie, EP – The Devil Wears Prada

As the title would suggest, the Zombie, EP is comprised of five songs that center around a zombie apocalypse. It's a fun album that contains some of their heaviest work. 

Track Recommendation: “Revive.”