Pardon My Axe

Tis the season, Halloween approaches, the axes have been sharpened along with the fangs, and the creepiest rock songs are on the menu. Happy Halloween to you all. Grab a ghoul and get out on the dance floor.

“Black Sabbath” is a song that was recorded by the English heavy metal band Black Sabbath. This song featured on the album was the opening track and referred to as the first doom metal song. The album released in 1970 is regarded as the first true heavy metal album. The album charted on the UK Albums Chart and the Billboard Top LPs chart.

“Careful With That Axe, Eugene" is an instrumental piece recorded by the English rock band Pink Floyd. It was released in November 1968 and is featured on their 1971 compilation album Relics. For the band it became a concert favorite and can also be found on their live recordings, such as the live half of the double album Ummagumma and the film “Pink Floyd: Live at Pompeii.”

“(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” is a song that was recorded by the American rock band Blue Oyster and is featured on their 1976 album Agents of Fortune. The song was written and sung by the lead guitarist Donald “Buck Dharma” Roeser. The song takes on the theme of eternal love and the inevitability of death. It became their highest chart success and charted on the Cash Box and Billboard Hot 100 charts.

“Enter Sandman” is a song that was recorded by the American heavy metal band Metallica. The song is the opening track and lead single from their self-titled album from 1991. The music was written by Kirk Hammett, James Hetfield, and Lars Ulrich with guitarist Hetfield writing the lyrics. The song theme is a child’s nightmare. The song charted on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The music video is particularly spectacular with images of a child having nightmares and images of an old man with shots of the band playing the song. The child dreams that he is drowning, falling from the top of a building, covered in snakes, being chased by a truck, and finally falling from a mountain while escaping the truck. During the part of the song in which the child recites a prayer, he is being watched by the old man. Throughout the video, the picture flickers continuously. The music video won the MTV Video Music Award for Best Hard Rock Video.

“Psycho Killer” is a song that was recorded by the American rock band Talking Heads and is featured on their 1977 album Talking Heads 77. It was their “signature debut hit” representing the thoughts of a serial killer. The song was originally written and performed as a ballad. The song charted on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The original video featured a woman undergoing a mental breakdown over several days.

“Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)” is a song that was recorded by the English singer and songwriter David Bowie. It came out as the title track from his 1980 album of the same name. The lyrics reflect on a woman’s withdrawal from the world and descent into madness. It charted on the UK Singles chart.

“Season of the Witch” is a song that was written and recorded by the Scottish singer and songwriter Donovan. It is featured on his 1966 album Sunshine Superman.

“Shout at the Devil” is a song that was recorded by the American heavy metal band Motley Crue. It was written by the bassist Nikki Sixx and is featured on their album of the same name. The song has been described as a heavy, riff-driven rocker featuring a dark tone.

“The End” is a song that was recorded by the American rock band the Doors. Written by lead singer Jim Morrison. It is the end to whatever it may be, including love. The song is featured on their self-titled debut album.

“Witchy Woman” is a song that was written by Don Henley and Bernie Leadon. It was recorded by the American rock band Eagles and is featured on their 1972 debut album.