Goosebumps are one of those weird things in life that at times we struggle to explain. They can be triggered by fear, a gentle touch, witnessing something unsettling or hearing something we consider weird or don’t expect. Though everyone who truly loves music can tell you of at least one moment when they've heard a song that shocked them enough to bring out those mysterious bumps of glory.
Today I'm going to focus on the weird, unexpected and creepy side of the many metal subgenres by giving you 5 songs that will send shivers down your spine...
5. Carach Angren – When Crows Tick On Windows
Carach Angren are known for writing some incredibly twisted and deranged songs that somehow manage to sound both brutal and cheerful at the same time and this song is no exception. The album is based on the story of Hansel and Gretel, only there is no happy ending. The song follows the two children trying to escape from their abusive father, being caught in the act and beaten then discovering their mother has committed suicide. At this point in the song the instrumentation takes a drastic change and becomes so sad yet so beautiful at the same time sending those unexpected chills down your spine.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8X1GZ_r11LA&w=640&h=360]
4. Between the Buried and Me – Famine Wolf
No surprise that progressive metal masters BTBAM would make this list. They can do it all from elevator music to mind blowing polyrhythms to shred-tastic beauty that’ll make you wish you never put down that beginners guide to learning guitar. This song from the 4:00 mark will send you into a trance like state while you try to figure out what the hell is going on. It gets weirder and weirder, every instrument complimenting Tommy’s vocals perfectly until the guitars take over freeing you from the strange, welcoming you to back to reality with a solo that will leave an ecstatic stain in your pants.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smcbuoG6woY&w=640&h=360]
3. Ingested – Penance
Ingested are typically a slam metal band which doesn't usually cater for the weird, creepy vibes I'm going for in this article but believe me Penance definitely belongs here.
Penance is an instrumental song which shows us what music is truly capable of in the most amazing way possible. For those of who may not know the definition of Penance is: punishment inflicted on oneself as an outward expression of repentance for wrongdoing.
As you listen to this song you can truly feel the meaning of the word. The pain, suffering, guilt and anger all building up with a moment of relief only to come back full force and throw it all right back in your face with a heart breaking solo.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwiZ-V6i-k4&w=640&h=360]
2. Storm Corrosion – Storm Corrosion
Storm Corrosion is a one of album written by Mikael Åkerfeldt (Opeth) and Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree) and while it isn't necessarily “metal” it is some of the darkest music I have ever heard, earning its spot in this list. This song is quite soft and calming until halfway through where it starts getting a bit weird and things seem out of place. If you have heard of Steven Wilson before you will know he is a genius when it comes to music production and this song is a perfect example of how his mind works. The broken/out of tune guitar sounds with an eerie overtone are enough to get the hairs on your arms standing up, but they follow it up with a signature Mikael Åkerfeldt acoustic riff and a record skipping effect which will instantly give you goose bumps making your freshly shaven legs spikey once again muahahaha!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVuSKk_fs1o&w=480&h=360]
1. Carach Angren – Where the Corpses Sink Forever (album)
Yes it’s these guys again and this time with a taste of their traditional style and an entire albums worth of creepy vibes. The introduction to the album sets the scene for the entire album. Let me paint you a picture here: You’re a soldier in World War II, ordered to execute 7 prisoners. They’re chained down and blind folded, should be like shooting fish in a barrel right? But no, your bullets never hit them because they’re already dead. They all grin at you and these ghosts take over your soul making you live their horrific last moments.
There’s a song dedicated to each soldiers experience in the war which is chilling enough, but naturally the last track of the album is where shit gets real. This poor guy gets stuck in an endless cycle of living the 7 ghosts last moments, eternity of suffering through a tragic war.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xs3lPhmO--A&w=853&h=480]
Written by Jackson Calcutt.
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