Halloween Compilation

My concept of Halloween is perhaps a little different to some of the other blogs running with this theme today and if I come across as something of a grumpy old man on this one then so be it!

When I was a kid, here in the UK, Halloween didn’t seem to mean as much as it does nowadays. The concept of trick or treat was a purely American thing the night just seemed to pass without comment. Nowadays of course, thanks to the likes of Tesco’s sensing another cash-in opportunity and dedicating two bloody aisles to flogging sweets, costumes and God knows what, your up and down to the door all night handing out piles of sweets to bloody kids who, if not piled up with E numbers, will gladly redecorate the front of your house with 2 dozen eggs (or worse) or happily apply a much needed coat of paint stripper to whatever happens to be parked in your drive.

However, in an attempt to enter into the spirit here’s 10 tracks for consideration for your Halloween mix-tape (compilation rules apply – one track per artist or group!)….

1. Black Sabbath – Black Sabbath

the mother of all scary songs. The opening alone sets the scene perfectly.

2. Helloween -Halloween

clocking in at a little over 13 minutes make the little beggars listen to this epic before handing over the Haribo.

3. Iron Maiden – Fear Of The Dark

after the scarily off-form No Prayer For The Dying album, Maiden return with this stalking classic

4. Judas Priest – Night Crawler

beware the beast in black… awesome Painkiller track.

5. Warren Zevon – Werewolves Of London

older, mainstream, cheesy and scary yet still played regularly on Planet Rock!

6. Ten – Spellbound

classic melodic rock as Gary Hughes finds his “supernatural love” materialising at the foot of his bed

7. Alice Cooper – I Love The Dead

from the man who thinks everyday is Halloween. Have you thought how this guy looks scarier as he gets older?

8. Blue Oyster Cult – Don’t Fear The Reaper

even the group’s name is scary as was the guitarist hair-do!

9. The Kinks – Wicked Arabella

unusual lyrical matter for Ray Davies but as usual it’s superbly observed.

10. Tygers Of Pan Tang – Love Potion No.9

you won’t find this is many lists! Don’t ask a gypsy for advice….

Of course, for full effect you must intersperse each track with Bruce shouting “Scream For Me….”

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More Halloween mix-tape suggestions needed? Then try….

Hard Rock Hideout , Heavy Metal Time Machine , Heavy Metal Addiction , The Metal Minute and Bring Back Glam

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HALLOWEEN HELLOWEEN COMPETITION……

So what have I missed then? Add a track in the comments that I think “yep – should have included that one” and a sealed copy of “Gambling With The Devil” could be yours…

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BL