Halloween rock for Halloween weekend or Halloween night or anytime you need a playlist of spooky songs that rock.
And yes, I’m using the term “rock” loosely. Because, let’s face it, there’s not a lot of straight-up rock that works on Halloween. There’s some, just not a lot. When you’re building a Halloween playlist, you need to dig deeper into rock’s soft, white, rotting underbelly to scoop out the songs that make sense. You need punk. You need garage. You need industrial. You need metal. And that’s what I’ve been cultivating to put together this list that will likely have a few songs you know and a bunch that you’ll come to love.
That’s not to say there’s not rock on here. There is, of course. There’s just so much more. You see, when I’m not spinnin’ the hits for you weekdays from 11-4 on ROCK 92.9, I’m collecting. And I’m curating. And I’m culling songs and albums old and new from all-around. Sometimes it’s from a great streaming service like Bandcamp, sometimes it’s digging through the stacks at a used record store. I’m forever adding to my music library. And when it comes to the type of music you’d throw on to get yourself into a killer mood on Halloween night, I have plenty of it.
Adam 12’s Halloween Rock Playlist
If you’re reading this on or before Halloween, a few plugs. I’ll have a Halloween-themed 3-Way @ 3 for you on Halloween at 3. Then, from 4-7, Hardy will play some of the Halloween rock you’ll find below. We even gave his show a catchy name for the day: Hardy-ween. He hates it; I love it. Wherever Halloween takes you, we’ll provide your soundtrack. Oh, and throw a couple of peanut butter cups or Kit-Kat’s my way, please. Thanks. And have a safe and Happy Halloween.
AFI "Fall Children"
AFI are a Halloween staple in the 12 household.
Alice Cooper "Teenage Frankenstein"
Took this one from Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives. My fave film in the franchise.
Alice In Chains "Them Bones"
Arguably the greatest album opener of any alt-rock album from the ’90s. Sorry, “Cherub Rock.”
Amazing Royal Crowns "Do The Devil"
A lawsuit made them change their name, but they’ll always be the Amazing Royal Crowns to me.
Bauhaus "Bela Lugosi's Dead"
I could’ve chosen one of a number of Bauhaus tunes for this playlist, but this one’s the obvious choice.
Black Sabbath "Black Sabbath"
Went with the remastered version here just because they did such a damn good job punching it up back in 2014.
The Cramps "Human Fly"
It was this or “Goo Goo Muck.” I like “Goo Goo Muck,” but “Human Fly” just fits the theme better.
The Damned "Smash It Up Parts 1 & 2"
The Offspring covered this one once, but the original is where it’s at.
The Cult "The Witch"
“Fire Woman” would work here, too. But it’s Halloween. Gotta go with “The Witch.”
Dropkick Murphys "Halloween"
I went with the Dropkick cover as opposed to the Misfits original because I wanted an excuse to get some Dropkicks in the mix.
Metallica "Die, Die My Darling"
I went with the Metallica cover as opposed to the Misfits original because I wanted an excuse to get some Metallica in the mix.
Ministry "Every Day Is Halloween"
A Halloween standard, a Halloween playlist staple.
The Misfits "Last Caress"
OK, Misfits fans who got sour at me over the cover songs: here’s your Misfits tune. Enjoy.
Monster Magnet "See You In Hell"
Don’t sleep on Monster Magnet. They’ve put out some rippers over the years and this one’s perfect for Halloween.
Motley Crue "Shout At The Devil"
I threw this one on as part of a “devilish” 3-Way @ 3 just the other day.
The Sisters of Mercy "This Corrosion"
Gotta keep things gothy. It is Halloween, after all.
Skinny Puppy "Worlock"
I bought this album at CD Spins on Newbury St. back in the ’90s. It’s been a Halloween tradition for me ever since.
Superdrag "Do The Vampire"
“Dead on the inside…dead on the inside…” “Do The Vampire” indeed.
Type O Negative "Black No. 1"
Closing it out with (aside from Ministry) the greatest of all Halloween rock songs.
