My 6 Favorite Horror Films

I Zombie do not die

Metal and horror movies have such obvious, longstanding connections to each other that it hardly needs explained. So I won't. Instead, I'll share with you my 6 favorite horror movies, and suggest metal songs to go with each of them. And just in time for you to pick them up for Halloween.

6. Hellraiser (1987)

Hellraiser (which is based on the excellent novella The Hellbound Heart) "explores themes of sadomasochism and morality under duress and fear" (per Wikipedia). Angels to some, demons to others, as the poster says. A mysterious puzzle box is used by a hedonist, because it promises pleasures yet unseen. But pain goes with that, and soon the protagonists end up in a place that's kind of like hell, but with pleasure. All senses are stimulated.



For the music selection, I thought the puzzle box deserved a Chaosphere, from Meshuggah of course. "Corridor of Chameleons" is just as bewilderingly insane as the place portrayed by the movie.


5. The Blair Witch Project (1999)

The Blair Witch Project was a pioneer of the "found footage" style of horror film. Usually, I hate that style of movie, because it tends to be contrived, and too many of the camera tricks are unbelievable. But this one is much more real, due to the fact it was done in such a real way, with actors actually hand-holding cameras. The emotions presented are real. Many people complain that the movie doesn't show you what you're supposed to be scared of. But what's really scary is the unknown.



For the music selection, Mercyful Fate's "The Bell Witch" is perfect. The story of the Blair Witch is partially based on the Bell Witch legend, after all.

4. The Terminator (1984)

While the later films in the series fall more into the action or thriller categories, the original Terminator movie was clearly a horror flick. A helpless, attractive, and less-than-perfectly-moral female protagonist tries to escape the danger, which slowly but inexorably moves toward its goal of blood. That's tried-and-true horror, right there.



No Austrian Death Machine here. Instead, I've chosen Death's "Altering the Future", as that's the goal.

3. Halloween (1978)

Halloween, by master director John Carpenter, is the original slasher movie. Every one that's come after, from Jason to Freddy to Ghost Face, is just a poor imitation of Michael Myers. His lumbering, slow, but unstoppable approach presaged even the Terminator's style. The movie also played a part in establishing many genre cliches that still exist today, like the fact that teenagers who misbehave will end up dead.



They're not exactly in style right now, but The Haunted's "Moronic Colossus" seems to describe Michael perfectly.

2. Alien (1979)

Before Ridley Scott decided to make crappy Robin Hood movies, he made awesome sci-fi. Alien is frightening for so many reasons. The creature could get inside you and kill you, or it could sneak up on you and kill you. The only thing that was for sure was that it would kill you. The ship is huge, dark, lonely, and has no shortage of nooks and crannies for the creature to hide. Not only that, but it's the creepiest-looking movie monster ever, thanks to the brilliant H.R. Giger. What elevates this even further is that the protagonists don't do stupid things that get them killed. That always ruins horror movies for me. Instead, they are perfectly capable human beings. The terror they're facing is just so horrifying that even smart people can't escape it.



And Giger brings us of course to fellow Swiss freaks Celtic Frost. In space, no on can hear your "Necromantical Screams". This Triptykon version is excellent.

1. The Thing (1982)

I said it recently, but I meant it. John Carpenter's The Thing is my all-time favorite movie, and horror isn't even really my favorite genre. The film has the most important elements that made Alien great: total isolation, a completely alien creature that can strike unexpectedly, and characters that aren't stupid. Plus, it stars the awesome Kurt Russell. It also has other important added features, because it takes place on contemporary Earth, and the Thing has the potential to wipe out all humankind. But more importantly, there's the element of paranoia. You don't know who's infected and who's not, so you can't trust anyone. And the fear is for more than just your life, but also your individuality, your will, your soul, and that, ultimately, is more frightening. And then it ends with the best possible, spine-tingling ending a movie has ever had.



There are no shortage of winter-themed metal songs out there, but ultimately I have to go with Nargaroth's "Winter" (from Jahreszeiten). It's cold and frightening.