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

Back In Black (And White Stripes...)

AC/DC drummer (former drummer?) Phil Rudd will be wearing the black and white stripes soon if the recent allegations against him are proved to be true. Rudd joined the legendary band in 1975, before leaving in '83, with the band stating 'personal problems' and conflict with rhythm guitarist and founding member Malcolm Young, who tragically has also had to leave the band in recent months. However Rudd rejoined the band in 1993, and has been with them until the recent legal troubles he faces.

On November 5th Rudd was arrested and charged with attempting to procure murder (ie hire a hit man...) threatening to kill the arresting officers and possession of methamphetamine and cannabis. Rudd has previously been convicted for drug offences in 2010, however the charges were dropped so he could still tour with AC/DC. Although the procuring murder charge has been dropped for there not being enough evidence I highly doubt he'll get off with it so easily this time. Rudd faces up to 7 years in prison if he gets found guilty.

But let's be fair, when it comes to rock stars, or famous people in general, they don't exactly get the prison sentences they normally deserve... Stay tuned for my next post on rock star arrests.

The only statement the rest of AC/DC have released so far is via their Facebook page, "We've only become aware of Phil's arrest as the news was breaking. We have no further comment. Phil’s absence will not affect the release of our new album Rock or Bust and upcoming tour next year." And with the release of the new video for 'Play Ball,' the first single to be released from up coming 17th studio album 'Rock or Bust,' where Rudd has been replaced with drummer Bob Richards. Nothing has been confirmed by the either AC/DC or any other involved party as to whether Rudd is out for good, but it's looking likely.

'Rock or Bust' is released 2nd December 2014.
Rudd is due in court over the allegations November 27th.

For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)

AC/DC is a legendary band. There is no question about this. It is astounding that they have never had a UK number 1, considering some of the shit that has... Everyone remember the Ketchup Song? Yeah that made it to number 1! The highest AC/DC have made it in the UK charts is to number 4 at the end of last year after yet another Facebook campaign to beat X-Factor for Christmas Number 1. 

But AC/DC's status is not what's keeping them in the media at he moment, it's the replacement of founding member Malcolm Young, while he recovers from an illness. Some are for it, some against. Personally I say it's a good thing. No band want's to go out on the back burner, and that's not a fate fitting to AC/DC.

Yes it sucks, and it won't be the same band without him, but AC/DC deserve a proper send off before they go. And I know it sounds pessimistic looking at it in this way, but let's be fair, they are getting older, and like all the other legends we know and love they won't be here forever.

Some bands can replace members and get it right. Some turn to shit. I mean the joke that is 'Guns 'n' Roses' now adays... Axl Rose go please just fuck off and stop trying. It's over. But so many more bands have been able to pull it off. Escape the Fate has had a few line up changes, they still sound amazing, Lynyrd Skynyrd reformed after the devastating fateful plane crash, AC/DC have had to do it before, and I'm more than sure they can nail it again. And anyone who disagrees needs to get over themselves and the past.