It’s Halloween and with this post I am giving you a treat that will not promote tooth decay nor lead you to issues with your waistline. In the spirit of my inquiries that featured “Music Resolutions”; I’ve polled a number of Metal and Rock musicians in my world and asked them “What is your favorite Horror movie and why”. So get some popcorn, dim the lights and sit under a cozy blanket as we learn of some awesome talents favorite creepy film. It’s a lengthy list but splitting this one into parts didn’t make sense. Let’s go.

Chris Caffery (Savatage/Trans-Siberian Orchestra): “Halloween”. Because it was the only movie that not only scared me in the theaters it scared me afterwards in real life. In my opinion it’s the best horror film ever made. In the sense of true horror. A real killer. There was no superhuman bs in the first one. Just pure evil.

Gogo Melone (Aeonian Sorrow): From old films was “Dracula”… I really like the atmosphere and as a kid I was a big fan of vampires. The movie that scared my ass off the most and had nightmares for days with, were “The Ring” and “The Exorcism of Emily Rose”…I don’t think I’ll ever see them twice again ??

Jimmy Kunes (Cactus): God there’s so many. “Fearless Vampire Killers”, I know it’s a spoof. But what a film!!!

Elise Ryd (Amaranthe): “The Shining”. Those two kids are the most scary thing I’ve seen. And I don’t like that dude Johnny towards the end. “Here’s Johnny” ? And this is true.. Every time I’m in a hotel with long corridors I expect those kids to show up in the end of the hallway. Haha, that image is haunting me, STILL! It’s Enshrined in my memory.

Archie Kuosmanen (Santa Cruz): Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining because it’s the undisputed heavyweight champion of horror flicks!

Flo Mounier (Cryptopsy): It’s “The Exorcist”. A lot have tried but none have come close to capturing the freakyness of this film. Lots of mystery surrounds it as well. Just an awesome horror flick.

Kai Hahto (Nightwish/Wintersun): Probably “Halloween Part 2”. I sneaked in to my mothers brothers collection when I was 11 years old and it freaked me out!!! ? I am a big Horror fan still. Seen most of the stuff out from old Romero/Fulci/Dario Argento you name it ?

Alexander Krull (Leaves Eyes/Atrocity): “Nosferatu” is a masterpice and a classic, ahead of its’ time and inspiration of generations of horror movies later on. I was lucky to watch “Nosferatu” in an old cinema once with the original piano score played live at the theatre – just like back in the day….and I was recording some bits and pieces on tape secretly haha. You can listen to it on our vampire inspired ATROCITY album BLUT on the song “Leichenfeier”. Happy Halloween everybody!

Thomas Youngblood (Kamelot): “Hellraiser” because of Pinhead. He is the kinda character that nightmares are made of. I am not a fan of the typical “crazy guy kills a bunch of people”. It has to be something supernatural or interplanetary.

Chris Kells (The Agonist): Hmmmm I’d have to say right off the top of my head “The Devils Rejects” just because it was super weird but also funny at the same time and the music is awesome in it. No wait, I’ve changed my mind “The Thing” is my favorite. It’s just an all time classic so creepy and suspenseful

Jaymz Lennfield (Beatallica): Ya i watch a ton of horror and def have thots on stuff. While i love many, here is one that is undeniable: “Night of the Living Dead” –Completely love the use of the black n white, not only cuz of the decision to shoot it in b @ w, but cuz of the way shadows play throughout the film. They are the one special effect used in the movie. Its a stark film and as shadows are the sole effect, its a great call to leave it simple like that. I also see the movie as a huge piece of social commentary. Considering when it was made, its a statement on race relations. Shot in black n white to showcase the separation of race in the country. Ironic that it takes place in the north, symbolizing race relations are not just southern issue. The main character gets shot, hooked, and burned at the end….the still shots at the end of the movie are just as horrible as the movie itself. Then back to rolling tape with the bonfire and the non-chalant walking away by the police chief. Its brutal. My phone screen is the image of the girl in the basement coming after her mom. She is the one character who uses a weapon instead of laying her hands on mom to kill her…the youngest of the bunch with the least care. More to say about it…i simply think the movie is far more than horror. Which makes it even more horrific. The horror wasnt really created by something outside of mankind. Man, and their relationships with others, are the horror which already exists and will continue to do so. The movie doesn’t ever end.

Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear): “The Shining” because it rocks!!!

Chandler Mogel (Punky Meadows): Hey dude ! Sure ! Hmmm not sure ….not that big into horror movies , but I would say…..”Saw”! It was just very original and scary as hell, and not with any monsters or supernatural elements – just purely a psychotic taken to the extreme. I saw some of the later ones and wasn’t that impressed, as they tried to take it to another level, but that first one was brutal !!!

Leslie Hunt (District 97): Me? I have only seen a couple … cause I am such a wimp… “The Conjuring” and “The Exorcism of Emily Rose” … they are tied ? I guess I can elaborate … I’m ok with outing myself as a wimp, I watch horror movies with my eyes and ears covered

Rob Balducci (Independant Artist): My favorite horror movie is “An American Werwolf In London” I love the storyline and that you can really relate to the characters. The special effects for the time are amazing. To this day I still think it stands up. My favorite seen is when they are walking through the Moors in London ? and he gets attacked !! They need to make more really good Horror movies like this today!!

Elina Siirala (Leaves Eyes/Angel Nation): “The Shining”. I think Jack Nicholson is great in that film and the way it builds up of the suspense is very well done. I don’t really watch horror much.

Mark Jansen (Epica): My favorite horror movie is “The Exorcist” as it scared the shit out of me when I was a kid ?

Rachel Lorin: My favorite horror movie is “Carrie”…she is so sweet and then turns into this badass.

Parker Jameson (Starkill): I know I’m gonna get a ton of shit for this, but my favorite ‘scary’ movie is easily “The Village”. First off, it has, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful soundtracks I’ve ever heard, and I’ve spent countless hours listening to that by itself. And secondly, without spoiling anything for people who haven’t seen it before, the end reveal is crazy and completely flustered and pissed me off and blew my mind all at once the first time I saw it. I’m a big fan of escapist themes, and I just really enjoyed the setting and concept and acting in that movie.

September (September Mourning): Sure my fav is “Scream” because it’s the first horror film I ever saw and I loved the combination of slasher, comedic value and thriller. The characters are iconic. It will always hold a special place in my black heart.

Ray West (Weapons Of Anew): I use to dig the classics , but ever since I saw “The Conjuring” I can’t get it out of my head . So I’m gonna say “The Conjuring”.

Sonia Goldberg (Mother Harlot): Haha a favorite topic of mine! I’m going to go with “Martyrs” (the 2008 French version). The film blends viciously disturbing body-horror with even more disturbing philosophical implications. While I won’t spoil anything, because it’s truly worth a watch if you can handle the gore, the story moves between two acts, almost effortlessly transforming what could initially be considered a revenge tale into something much more sinister. It’s one that will burn itself into your brain, and stick with you far beyond the realms of comfort…. easily one of the best movies I’ve ever seen.

Bumblefoot (Sons Of Apollo): Big horror movie fan! So many I love, I saw “The Funhouse” in the theater when I was 11 years old, when he pulled his Frankenstein mask off it freaked me the F out, always stuck with me! Saw “The Omen” in the theater as well, I was seriously afraid to be alone in the dark for a good two years after that one! The original “I Spit On Your Grave” and “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” had some serious psycho-torment, as well as great next century remakes. And a tip of the hat to “Motel Hell” for the garden of heads, and the final dying line, Ha!

Christina Chriss (Kaleido): “Halloween”! The classic! Michael Myers is the greatest horror icon, and so synonymous with Halloween, including the soundtrack! Instant Halloween vibes! My band Kaleido and I love it so much we have created 3 spoof videos of our own based around the movie!

Mike LePond (Symphony X/Mike LePond’s Silent Assassins): My favorite is “Abbott and Costello meet Frankenstein”. It has all my favorite monsters and still makes me laugh so hard 70 years later.

Lerin Gitis (Repulsur): My favorite horror movie would have to be “Halloween”. My dad used to dress up as Michael Myers and wait in the garage to scare the crap out of me. It was effective LOL. Also love that they used William Shatner masks to make the costume. I’m a complete Star Trek nerd.

Tony Kakko (Sonata Arctica): Halloween! Tough question… as a kid I loved the genre more than I do these days. Maybe it’s having kids that made it harder to stomach some stuff. I have loved many flicks and first that comes to my mind is “Christine”. It literally affected the daily life as a kid occasionally, driving a bike in the dark, and an American made car with no headlights on approaches, then suddenly turns them on… dunno if that’s my ultimate fave but as it was one of the first I saw, let’s go with it now.

Jean Beauvoir (Plasmatics/Crown Of Thorns/Little Steven): I’d say “The Exorcist”… I think it’s one of the best horror films made to date, in terms of suspense, acting and scare factor. I feel the events and moments in this film weren’t as predictable as in many horror films….

Alissa White-Gluz (Arch Enemy): I’m sorry I don’t like horror movies! The closest thing to a horror movie I would watch would be “Rocky Horror Picture Show” or “Little Shop Of Horrors”.

Demon Boy (Independant Artist): Hey Ghoulies! This is American Shock Rocker DEMON BOY! My Favorite Halloween Movie is “Tales Of Halloween” this movie is 10 short vignettes that intertwine with each other in various ways to make up the entire film.. I love each Terrifying story.. the graphic gore is excellent, the stories are original and creative the concept of the film was to have 10 directors each write one of the stories to contribute to this Horror flick.. In my opinion its just about the best I have seen next to the recent “TRICK R TREAT” film that has a similar construct of short stories making up one film, so if you get a chance go Get Your Ghoul On and Watch “TALES OF HALLOWEEN”!

Madame Mayhem: Well and old school favorite is the original “Frankenstein” movie if that helps. It’s a classic . Probably one of my first introductions to the genre . You can’t not love it.

Jack Frost (Seven Witches): The original “Halloween”. My dad took me to my first horror film when I was a kid. My dad was a policeman and went to get us snacks during the scene with Jamie Lee Curtis sitting on the couch when Myers was laying on the floor and jumped up. My dad snuck up and tapped me on the back of my neck and it scared the crap out of me. It was the best LOL.

Kayla Dixon (Witch Mountain): I’d say that my favorite has always been the original “Poltergeist”. I remember watching it as a kid with my mom and being extremely freaked out! My mom is really cool and exposed me to a lot of horror as a kid and Halloween was always a really big deal when I was growing up. “Poltergeist” is cool because they aren’t just haunted, Carol Anne is actually kidnapped into another dimension. Movies about serial killers and gore don’t really scare me, it’s the stuff that you can’t see like spirits and demonic possession that gets me. It honestly scared the shit out of me and I can’t stand TV static to this day! Haha.

Jeff Plate (Trans-Siberian Orchestra): “Alien” and “Aliens”. Love the Sci-Fi flicks, but this monster and the premise for the whole idea is just awesome. If I come across either of these movies when I’m flipping channels I will watch it until the end.

Theresa Jean (The Nearly Deads): my favorite horror movie is “The Shining”. I love it because it’s a classic film, the cinematography is amazing and the performance by Jack Nicholson is so creepy and memorable.

John Blaze (I Am: Scarecrow): For me it’s “Hellraiser” and especially at the end when the dude is ripped apart and to be a big tongue-in-cheek, I like Pinhead’s long coat. I wear the same thing and I also give a shout out to “Rocky Horror Picture Show”.

Jerry Only (Misfits): For me it’s “Night Of The Living Dead”. Obviously it was a look into the future, the zombie apocalypse is now upon us…it was a frightening concept for its time. Black and white and horrific. Groundbreaking, and produced by George Romero with 100 thousand dollars that he borrowed from his uncle. Today they are everywhere, the zombie apocalypse has already occurred.

There you have it my fiends, a whole bunch of spookified cinema favorites from some truly talented people. I was surprised at how many found “The Shining” to be their favorite but seeing a few for “The Exorcist” was kind of expected. Thanks to all who responded to my inquiry and oh yeah, in case you might be wondering what my own favorite horror film is I think it’s a tie between the original “Halloween” and the first, also original “Friday The 13th”. The old “Halloween” scared the crap out of me and I remember my friends Dad jumped in on us screaming while we all watched it in the darkness so many years ago – It was on HBO or something. He nearly gave everyone a heart attack. “Friday” because it just made being out in the wild at things all the more precarious and since my friends and I often spent times in parks back then – well, you don’t always know what is behind that tree or like that suddenly quiet night at all. Now, please tell me down in the comments what YOUR favorite Horror or Spooky film is your favorite and why. There is no wrong answer and your submission will make this even more interesting. Don’t forget to click through to some of these musicians official sites to hear what they are doing for music. I should mention that this year’s Halloween photo of me features one of the freebie Batman masks that were given out during “Batman Day” at the comic book shops. With the “Justice League” film opening up in a few weeks I felt it appropriate.

Official Websites:
Aeonian Sorrow: http://www.aeoniansorrow.com
Amaranthe: http://www.amaranthe.net
Arch Enemy: http://www.archenemy.net/en/
Atrocity: http://www.atrocity.de/
Beatallica: http://beatallica.com/
Bumblefoot: http://www.bumblefoot.com/index.php
Cryptopsy: http://cryptopsy.ca/
District 97: http://www.district97.net/
Epica: http://www.epica.nl
Jean Beauvoir: https://www.jeanbeauvoir.com/
Kaleido: https://www.kaleidoband.com/
Kamelot: http://www.kamelot.com
Leaves’ Eyes: http://www.leaveseyes.com/
Madame Mayhem: http://www.madamemayhem.com
Mike LePond’s Silent Assassins: https://www.facebook.com/mikelepondssilentassassins/
Misfits: http://www.misfits.com
Mother Harlot: https://www.facebook.com/MotherHarlot/
Nearly Deads: http://www.thenearlydeads.com
Nightwish: http://www.nightwish.com
Punky Meadows: http://punkymeadows.weebly.com/
Rachel Lorin: https://www.rachellorinmusic.com/
Repulsur: https://www.repulsur.com/
Rob Balducci: http://www.robbalducci.com/
Santa Cruz: http://santacruzbandofficial.com/
Seven Witches: https://www.facebook.com/Seven-Witches-185545834901482/
Sonata Arctica: http://www.sonataarctica.info/
Starkill: https://www.facebook.com/StarkillOfficial/
Symphony X: http://www.symphonyx.com
Trans-Siberian Orchestra: http://www.trans-siberian.com
Weapons Of Anew: http://www.weaponsofanew.com
Witch Mountain: https://www.facebook.com/witchmountain/