A collection of the songs, bands, and videos that scared us as children
Interpol "Evil"
Scary. Shocking. Unsettling.
I remember the first time I saw the video for “Evil” by Interpol. I was 10. I had begun falling asleep, as I did every night, with the television on Fuse. For reference, when this song was released in 2004, they played music videos from every imaginable current rock artist in some way shape, or form. Just as the dull glow of the TV was lulling me to sleep, an image of a gruesome car crash appears on the screen with the thumping bass notes of the song in the background. Suddenly, a CPR dummy with giant blue eyes, a full set of teeth, and greasy hair appeared on the screen and began singing the words:
“Rosemary, Heaven restores you in life. You're coming with me, through the aging, the fearing, the strife…”
That did it. You know that burning fear in your chest when you get scared? Well, I had that in spades. I couldn’t even tell you what the song sounded like, but it felt like he was singing to me. Head flapping, jaw loosely chomping, and limbs flailing aimlessly, I was terrified. Anyway, I’m older now, and I can’t say any music video or song has scared me that much since then. Truly evil.
“When was the first time you were ever scared, shocked, or unsettled by a song/band/music video?”
Béla Bartók's Score of "The Shining"
Music for Strings, Percussion, and Celesta
“Adagio movement of Bartók's Music for Strings, Percussion & Celesta. Used for a scene in The Shining. Still creeps the hell out of me to this day when I hear it.”
- Tom Wooley (Keyboards/Synthesizers/Pro Audio)
Béla Bartók's compositions have left an indelible mark on the world of classical music, and his influence even extended to the realm of film scoring. One notable instance is the use of Bartók's "Music for Strings, Percussion, and Celesta" in Stanley Kubrick's iconic horror film, "The Shining." Released in 1980, the film is celebrated for its eerie and unsettling atmosphere, and Bartók's music plays a pivotal role in enhancing the sense of foreboding. The score's dissonant strings, percussive elements, and haunting celesta passages perfectly complement the film's chilling narrative, underscoring moments of tension and supernatural dread. Bartók's innovative and avant-garde compositions continue to captivate audiences and add a timeless, haunting quality to this cinematic masterpiece.
Aerosmith "Living on the Edge"
What an eerie undertone
- Dan Faiano (Customer Relations Manager/Drums)
Aerosmith's video for "Living on the Edge" has moments that can be considered creepy or odd, primarily due to its surreal and thought-provoking imagery. Released in 1993, the video blends classic rock performance with a series of unsettling scenes that challenge societal norms. The unsettling aspects include surreal sequences like a woman seemingly floating in the air and an unsettling portrayal of a child's innocence disrupted by a looming, monstrous figure. These scenes, while open to interpretation, add an eerie undertone to the video. The video's exploration of social issues, combined with these surreal moments, contributes to a feeling of unease, emphasizing the dissonance between the song's message and the real-world challenges it highlights. Overall, "Living on the Edge" embraces the odd and the creepy as a way to engage viewers and provoke contemplation on the complexities of the human experience.
Pink Floyd "Careful with that Axe, Eugene"
A haunting and eerie atmosphere
"Careful With That Axe, Eugene" from Pink Floyd. Especially the version from the Live At Pompeii film.”
- Rik Mercaldi (Guitars)
Pink Floyd's "Careful With That Axe, Eugene" performance in the iconic "Live at Pompeii" film is particularly unsettling and unforgettable. Shot in the ancient ruins of Pompeii, the scene of the band playing this dark and intense track against the backdrop of the desolate amphitheater creates a haunting and eerie atmosphere. The absence of a live audience and the barren surroundings only accentuate the feeling of isolation and desolation. As the song progresses, Roger Waters' primal scream, mimicking the sound of the axe being wielded, pierces through the silence, sending shivers down one's spine. The unsettling nature of the performance lies in its ability to evoke a sense of existential dread, as if the very essence of the music and its enigmatic presentation taps into something deeper and more primal within the human psyche, making it one of the most eerie and memorable moments in rock music history.
Poison the Well "Karsey Street"
Marlon Brando's scary voice
"Karsey Street" is an interlude that features drop-c chugs with a layer of Brando's famous Colonel Kurtz’s "Horror" Monologue from Apocalypse Now.”
- Mike Knoblock (Graphics/Web Team)
Poison the Well's "Karsey Street" contains a haunting sample of actor Marlon Brando uttering the words "I've seen horror..." from the classic film "Apocalypse Now" This sample adds a layer of intrigue to the song, juxtaposing the intensity of the chugging with Brando's unnsettling lines. The words serve as an artistic choice that complements the interlude's overall theme of scary and dark turmoil, contributing to its eerie and mysterious atmosphere. Poison the Well masterfully incorporates this cinematic element, making "Karsey Street" a unique and unforgettable throwaway track in the post-hardcore genre.
"I've seen horrors. Horrors that you have seen. But you have no right to call me a murderer, you have a right to kill me. You have a right to do that. But you have no right to judge me. It's impossible for words to describe what is necessary to those who do not know what horror means. Horror. Horror has a face and you must make a friend of horror. Horror and moral terror are your friends. If they are not, then they are enemies to be feared. They are truly enemies."
- Colonel Kurtz (Apocalypse Now)
Michael Jackson "Thriller"
All the Dancing Zombies
“Thriller was definitely the first video that scared me, but I was little then. As far as when I was a teen, Marilyn Manson's "Sweet Dreams" and Bush's "Greedy Fly" video were pretty creepy too. Special mention to all of Queens of the Stone Age's videos from the "Like Clockwork" album.”
- Mike Hamel (Web Sales)
Michael Jackson's "Thriller" music video is renowned for its macabre and chilling elements. Directed by John Landis, the video unfolds like a short horror film, with Jackson transforming into a werewolf and leading a zombie dance troupe. The eerie, fog-filled graveyard scenes and the iconic dance sequence have become iconic in the realm of pop culture. The music video masterfully combines elements of the supernatural and the macabre, creating a sense of dread and fascination that resonates with viewers even decades after its release. "Thriller" remains a testament to Michael Jackson's ability to push the boundaries of music videos and storytelling, leaving an indelible mark on the world of entertainment.