As those pumpkins are carved, spooky decorations adorn houses across the United Kingdom, and an underlying dread of who might be knocking looms, it is officially Halloween season—or, to our other friends reading this, a joyous Samhain.
But what about your music choices this year? Whether you're throwing a full-blown house party or just setting a theme for the time of year, there are countless playlists to choose from on Spotify, Deezer, and beyond. But with such an abundance of music out there, what should you really be adding?
Maybe we can help—and yes, maybe this might be a challenge to your senses, too.
We've created a Dante's Inferno of dread, with 13 levels of horror and despair that escalate from the unnerving start of our playlist through to the absolute extremes of music.
We dare you to brave this musical journey this year. Consider this our ultimate 'Trick or Treat'—just be warned, some of these songs are not for the faint of heart.
1. Ludwig Van Beethoven — Moonlight Sonata (1st Movement)
Melancholic and full of quiet despair, the famous Adagio sostenuto is strikingly slow and solemn, played with a heavy, funereal grace. This is the sound of deep, contemplative sadness and regret, a profound emotional haunting that sits quietly in the soul long after the notes fade. It’s the perfect sonic invitation to a night of dark thoughts - and if you're a Resident Evil fan, you know this too well. | Getty Images
2. GZA — Cold World
Lyrical master GZA paints an unforgiving, cinematic picture of urban decay and brutal survival. This isn't supernatural horror, but the unflinching look at real-world bleakness is just as chilling. The heavy production and GZA’s commanding, detached delivery emphasise the hopelessness and severity of his "cold world." | Getty Images
3. Slipknot — Left Behind
A track that cuts deep with feelings of betrayal and isolation. Rooted in singer Corey Taylor’s experiences with homelessness, the lyrics explore loneliness and shattered trust. The song’s massive, shifting dynamics—from tender verse to crushing chorus—mirror the turbulent feeling of holding onto someone who is slipping away. | Getty Images
4. Rezső Seress — Gloomy Sunday
Known as the "Hungarian Suicide Song," this piece carries a dark, chilling urban legend linked to numerous tragedies in the 1930s. The song’s simple, devastating melody and sombre tone channel an overwhelming sense of existential grief. Forget jump scares; this is pure, soul-crushing sorrow with a mythical reputation. | Public Domain
5. Billie Holiday — Strange Fruit
Originally a poem, this song is a stark, brutal protest against the lynching of Black Americans. Holiday's definitive version is excruciating in its emotional clarity. The horror here is human, real, and immense, delivered with a chilling solemnity that makes it one of the most powerful and genuinely frightening musical statements ever recorded. | Getty Images
6. Samuel Barber — Adagio for Strings
Considered by many to be the saddest piece of music ever written. Barber's orchestral work, perhaps made more famous thanks to its use in the movie Platoon, is renowned for its intense emotional power and profound sense of tragedy. The piece builds with agonising harmonic tension, soaring in waves of sorrow that resolve only to emphasise a sense of immense, unshakeable loss. | Getty Images