Haunting melodies that leave a mark

What is the scariest thing you can think of? Is it a zombie? No, a fierce creature? A vampire? Let me think some more. Maybe a shark? But they're not really scary in-less you're in the water and in most cases, they're not going to be that interested in you. No, what is the scariest and deadliest creature known to us? Humans. It has to be humans. Of course, Halloween is more about spooky ghosts and ghouls than humans. Let's face it though the most real and scary threat you can face is another unknown human being. If I'm out in the woods all by myself the thought of meeting another unknown human is a truly terrifying thought. I'd rather be out there by myself if I'm completely honest. Following on with that theme is the idea behind this playlist I am about to present to you. A spooky and haunting playlist, however not in a traditional sense. There will be no ghouls or goblins here. Just haunting melodies and musing on the state of the human condition. I mean, after all, what keeps you up at night? The fact there could be a monster under the bed or the possibility the person you're sleeping next to could be a monster and you just don't know it yet...........................

When I first heard about this challenge I wasn't actually sure that I would get around to submitting to it. Not that I haven't written about a playlist or two before but they took many weeks of prep work. My Altimate Alternative playlist took many weeks of finding independent artists and finding the hottest tunes. It took many listens to get the songs flowing the way I had hoped. My article on the playlist 'Daily does of underrated pop' took a week while I asked those who took part to answer my questions. With this spooky playlist, I am leaving it till the day of the deadline to finish this article and select the tracks. With that being said it is currently shorter in length than I would have normally hoped for.

Now, as you're listening to this playlist. I get to talk you through as you're listening to these haunting tunes. I wanted to include a wide range of different genres. Although, I am biased towards rock and alternative music. I have also included a few stripped back acoustic tracks. Two of these tracks I have written and recorded myself. I wasn't sure about using them at first because I'm not sure that they're creepy but just sad. It wasn't till after I had the idea about haunting melodies did I think my tracks would fit. Their sadness is infectious and sadness can very much be a scary experience.

Along with the inclusion of my music, I must say there are some truly legendary tracks. Black Sabbath are one of the bands I automatically think of when it comes to Halloween music. Although I have included their track, electric funeral to end the playlist. War pigs is an awesome track and let's face it there is nothing scarier than rich people exploiting human lives for money. The thought of that truly keeps me up at night. The talking heads had to be included because that's just a classic. Radio head isn't probably a track you would consider on a standard Halloween playlist however, karma police melody has something sinister and uplifting about it. I'm not sure something could be both these things at the same time but it sure does sound like it. We also have some good old Greenday with brain stew which is one of my favourite tracks by them. Talking of favourites I have 'zero' by smashing pumpkin on the list. I have never heard such a dirty and unrelenting guitar riff. Not to mention the lyrics which are something straight out of a horror film 'Emptiness is loneliness, and loneliness is cleanliness and cleanliness is godliness, and God is empty, just like me'