Halloween...

Halloween is my favourite time of the year. Screw Christmas, Halloween is where it's at. I love the gory decorations, I love dressing up, and most importantly I love that I can make playlists up of songs I love and no one can complain about it for once. No being forced to listen to R Kelly on repeat. Screw you R Kelly.

Music is what can make or break a party, or any occasion, so it's important to get it right. You need the cheese, the horror film classics, and the creepy. And what better genre for Halloween inspired music than rock. So here is my top picks for Halloween.

The Cheesy Halloween Classics

'Casue you can't just throw in the rock, you need to have a bit of the overplayed, commercial songs that everyone know.

Michael Jackson - Thriller

No Halloween party is complete with a bit of MJ. And 'Thriller' is as iconic as it gets, for both MJ and Halloween. With an award winning video full of the supernatural elements, the video propelled the song to become a cult classic. Yeah, it's cheesy as hell, but it will always be remembered. 

Monster Mash

Another iconic Halloween themed song. Monster Mash has been covered and parodied countless times. Some good, some bad. My favourite version has got to be Misfits.

Timewarp

The classic Halloween, horror dance song. Taken from the infamous Rocky Horror Picture Show, Timewarp is known by millions. And it is nearly impossible to hear it without looking like an idiot dancing along. A favourite with kids and adults alike, it is a must for Halloween. 

(Horror) Film and TV Themes

I feel like the following need no explanation. And if you're unsure about them then please remove yourself from the rock you've clearly been hiding under and go get Netflix, or go on Amazon, or just Google it!

Adams Family

Ghostbusters

Freddy Kruger (Nightmare on Elm Street)

The Exorsist

Halloween

Rock Music

Ozzy Osbourne - Crazy Train

From the Osbourne's manical laughing, to the fact that Osbourne is bat shit crazy, you can't have a Halloween playlist with out him. And the song is a classic.

Metallica - Welcome Home (Sanitarium)

Keeping with the kinda insane theme here, next up is Metallica, 'Welcome Home (Sanitarium). From 1986's 'Master of Puppets,' arguably one of the most influential albums ever released, the song is creepy from start to finish. So perfect for Halloween. The opening riff gives me shivers down my spine every time I hear it. And with lyrics that can interpreted as someone trapped in an asylum (or their own head) it could be the theme song for a number of horrors. A winning Halloween combination. Although to be fair, just thrown on a couple of Metallica albums ans you've got yourself a pretty sound playlist as it is.

AC/DC - Highway To Hell

One of the most recognised rock songs out there, Highway to Hell is another classic. There's not much explanation required with this one either, Halloween is all about demons and shit, and I'd assume they'd be giving it shit down in hell. So what could be more appropriate than a song about the 'Highway to Hell.'

Motley Crue - Shout At The Devil

'Shout, shout, shout. Shout, shout shout. Shout at the devil.' Again, the devil is a heavily associated Halloween figure. 'Shout At The Devil' can be taken if two ways, worshipping the devil, or a fuck you to the devil. Whichever way you want to take it, it's a Halloween kinda song.

Aiden - We Sleep Forever

As with the other bands mentioned there are a lot of Aiden songs that can be used on a Halloween playlist. Goth rock is Halloween all year round. But 'We Sleep Forever' is one of my favourites and is the on the soundtrack for 2007's horror film 'Dead Silence.' And the video features the band performing in a graveyard. It is worth mentioning Aiden's haunting cover of 'Cry Little Sister,' for the 'Lost Boys' remake too. It's a bit creepy. The original is also pretty creepy. Check them both out.

Misfits - Halloween

I feel like that is self explanatory. Halloween.



Alice Cooper

Original horror rock star, Alice Cooper. Anything by the legend is Halloween appropriate. Halloween go together like bread and butter.




Check out my full Halloween playlist here:https://open.spotify.com/user/1113460294/playlist/0H2XlezhN1klcEqocJaFGi

And if you're not feeling my music (although god knows why) here are some other playlists:

http://blog.siriusxm.com/2015/10/29/halloween-playlist-13-scary-songs-according-to-science/

http://in.bookmyshow.com/entertainment/7-songs-you-must-have-on-your-halloween-playlist/65454

http://www.sacurrent.com/Blogs/archives/2014/10/20/15-songs-to-put-on-your-halloween-playlist

Fightstar

So Fightstar played on Wednesday night at The Garage in Aberdeen. We went with quite mixed emotions about the gig. I will admit I haven't really listened to Fightstar for years. It was more a combination of a band is actually playing Aberdeen and nostalgia for the past that prompted us to buy tickets. 

I'm glad we went. I saw Fightstar back in 2007, and left a bit disappointed. By the time they came on stage we could only stay around 20 minutes before the last bus home left Aberdeen. This was back in the day before we could drive. I wasn't even old enough to drive back then. Good times.

Although a highlight of the first time was a little know (at the time) support band called You Me At Six. I remember school the next day and everyone that had attended was raving about them. And well let's be fair, who hasn't heard of You Me At Six now?! Although it is a bit sad to see that while YM@6 are selling out Wembley and shit Fightstar are still playing tiny venues. And going by The Garage's facebook page there were still tickets left on the door.

But enough about the past.

Fightstar nailed it. Despite only knowing a few songs I couldn't help but get into the entire gig. The crowd was loving it too, the majority of the dance floor being taken up by a moshpit from start to finish. And the wee grin on Charlie Simpson's face every time the crowd sang louder than him was priceless. All in all, it was a brilliant night that has refuelled a love for the band. And if you get the opportunity to go see them on a future tour go for it. You won't be disappointed.

And if anyone wants a bit of nostalgia, here is a video of Save It For The Bedroom from 2007.

Never Have To Say Goodbye

"I'd rather die on my feet, than live my life on my knees..."
           -Papa Roach 'As Far As I Remember'

Moving on from comebacks, let's talk about farewells. As I said, Aiden's comeback tour 'The Last Sunrise' is also their farewell. Funeral For A Friend are embarking on 'The Last Chance To Dance: The Final Tour.' Farewell tours have always been a thing, for the most part they don't work. A few years down the line the bands cave in (or need money) and record a new album and tour it, or they have a reunion tour, or they pathetically cant get over the fact that Guns 'n' Roses are no longer a thing and continuously find new band members and piss all over the legend that is the band. I googled it, I can't find an example of a final tour that was indeed the final tour. I can't think of any I know of, Google doesn't know any, and we all know that if Google doesn't know then it probably isn't a thing. Please if anyone does know one share this information. There has to be one out there somewhere....

KISS

Legendary 'glam metal' band KISS embarked on a farewell tour. Just four years after their 'Reunion Tour' in 1996, with all the original line up back together, KISS went on the 'Farewell Tour,' lasting from March 2000 to March 2001. A bit of a fail of a reunion, but their farewell tour was as much of a fail. Just one year after the big goodbye KISS announced they weren't retiring. Original members Ace Frehley and Peter Criss were gone, replaced with Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer. in 2003 KISS co-headlined a tour with Aerosmith. It lasted two years. In an interview on Chris Jericho's (WWE Superstar and lead vocalist for Fozzy) podcast Paul Stanley has tried to justify the band's decision, giving insight to the tension in the band, a need to part ways with Frehley and Criss, and "Put KISS out of it's misery." 

Judas Priest

Another failed last tour. From June 2011 to May 2012 Judas Priest embarked on their final tour, Epitaph World Tour. They changed their tune and later called it the last huge world tour they'd do. They were going to take a different approach to touring. Take time off between continents. To me this is still a world tour. But it's Judas Priest so let's just let them do what they want... 

Motley Crue

This one devastated me. No more Motley Crue. Yes, that is the sound of my heart breaking. But all is not lost, my amazing dad managed to get tickets for Manchester next week so at I am at least going to see them before the end. Although if anyone wants to give me a ticket/fly me to LA for the final ever show on NYE at The Whisky a Go Go I will not complain. On January 28th 2014 Motley Crue made history by being the first band to sign a legally binding 'Cessation of Touring Agreement,' meaning they can no long tour under the name of 'Motley Crue.' This is the end. No more. And I have the feeling this one is for real. Motley Crue's Final Tour has been on going from July 2014, with remaining dates sold out. Look out for my post next week on the Final Tour. RIP Motley Crue, but all bad things must come to an end. 

Black Sabbath

Another recently announced one, due to Tony Iommi's failing health Black Sabbath are heading out on one last tour. Iommi was diagnosed with cancer in 2012, and is now at the stage where he feels retiring is the best thing for him. Understandable, it's commendable he's kept going at all. So far only the US dates of the tour have been announced, with the exception of headlining Download festival, but I am eagerly awaiting the UK dates being released.  Check out the video announcement for the final tour here. 

This leaves us to debate (Neil Young, 'Hey Hey, My, My') "It's better to burn out than fade away." So is burning out good, or just fading away? Or go with a bang, on your own terms? I say fuck it, go with a bang. Go with a big bang! Get it out there one late time, let it all out then let it go. 'Cause let's face it, no one wants to become the new Axl Rose and not know when to give the fuck up. Which was when Slash left FYI. Or now. Just please stop. 

We're Making a Comeback...

Or at least trying to anyway. And what better way to make a comeback than to post about bands who've made comebacks...

Bullet For My Valentine

2015 has been a roller coaster year for Bullet. Original bassist Jay James left, being replaced with Jamie Mathias (vocals/guitar for Revoker). August saw the release of fifth studio album 'Venom,' followed by the on going European tour. Venom is not so much of a reinvention of the band, more of a evolved return to the beginning. It's safe to say that Bullet is back. 

While critics slammed previous album 'Temper Temper' I personally don't see the problem they have with it. Fair enough it is far from being their best work, but it's not completely shit. 'Venom' has taken them back to the highest level though, reaching number 3 in the UK charts making it their highest (Poison - 21, Scream, Aim, Fire - 5, Fever - 5 and Temper Temper - 11) chart position. The aforementioned tour was epic. Gone are the arean venues previously sold out by Bullet, in favour of smaller (and often neglected) venues. I was in attendence at the Aberdeen Music Hall gig, and it was amazing. And can we please take a moment to appreciate how hot Matt Tuck has got?

Venom is out now via RCA.

Bullet For My Valentine is currently touring Europe and will be hitting the US next year.

EP 'Live From Kingston' is available free now on GooglePlay.

Aiden

Anyone that has read my blog before (and if you haven't I feel like you should) will know I love Aiden, and I love William Control. For those who haven't (most of the population), I love Aiden and William Control.... Now that we've cleared that one up, let's talk about Aiden. With the exception of front man Wil Francis (William Control) all the original members have left. Jake Wombold in 2008, Jake Davidson in 2011, Angel Ibarra in 2012 and finally Nick Wiggins at some point during Aiden's hiatus. In 2013 Aiden finally announced a final album. So really, not only is this a comeback for the band, it is the final farewell. Wil Francis auctioned off various band memorabilia to fund the project (yes I bought something..) and is making the album available for free to download. A limited run of pysical cd's was released, which is no longer available (again yes I pre-ordered this....). As of right now the new line up is touring the US, aptly titled 'The Last Sunrise Tour,' which fingers crossed will be hitting the UK sometime soon. I've already told my gig buddy that we are going, regardless of whether he wants to or not.....

Download 'Aiden' from October 30th 2015.

Also, follow Wil Francis on Twitter and Instagram, 'cause his post are great. And gives an amazing insight and behind the scenes of his music. And just 'cause he's amazing and hot as hell...

Escape The Fate

I am aware it has only been two years since ETF's last album, but I feel like with Ungrateful coming out on Friday, and a post about comebacks they deserve a wee mention. They have made the ultimate comeback, from Ronnie Radke being locked up, they came back as strong as ever with a new vocalist. Again, I'm aware I've posted about this before, read the whole story here, and I feel like the line up changes is going to be an on going saga for the band. But at least they've buried the hatchet with Radke and his band Falling In Reverse. You never know, they might just say fuck it and all join together for a huge super group one day. Stranger things have happened.... Anyone listened to Hollywood Vampires yet?!

Hate Me is released on the 30th October 2015 via Eleven Seven Records. (I'm eagerly awaiting my pre-ordered copy. Yes I am that person.)

Ahead of the release date the full album is available to stream from Kerrang!'s website right now (I'm resisting temptation and waiting for the CD, cause I am that person.)

Escape The Fate are touring Europe at the start of next year. (So Fucking Excited!)