Horror Song of the Day: Haunted by Horror (by Diabolical Masquerade)


Diabolical Masquerade’s “Haunted by Horror”, from the album Nightwork (1998), feels like getting lost in a crumbling old mansion where every shadow has a story. The guitars grind and spiral while eerie melodies sneak around the corners, giving it that perfect mix of gothic drama and black metal intensity. It’s messy in the best way — like a fever dream scored by ghosts and vintage film reels.

The whole thing swings between chaos and calm, pulling from classic European horror vibes — Hammer films, giallo soundtracks, and a hint of early Lovecraft moodiness. One minute it’s a frantic chase through candlelit halls, the next it’s quiet enough to hear the walls breathe. That cinematic tension makes it feel alive, like the song itself is telling a forgotten horror tale.

What ties it together is Blakkheim’s flair for theater. He leans into the atmosphere with a wink, and you can almost picture velvet capes, fog machines, and flickering projector light behind it all. “Haunted by Horror” doesn’t just use horror for decoration; it lives in it, turning those old-school scares into something weird, stylish, and unmistakably metal.

Haunted by Horror

The shadow we forgot of the dead some tragedy
I’m crush dead frays out fame it to do
Path of blackness the path to mighty forest
Bleaching through defeat it purr back its wallow it shay: pick turn infernal
Gave it to the spat the forest lent be hide look at this sane legion we’re won’t to die
Desire in latch we want it forehead and captured within for resole is side
Breed on slowly doubt pride pay be frosted on dot haunted moon
So I am the dead, arrow blood and thunder
Make me wonder of the hate and moon clays
Turn back the fault shove me with anger
And revolve of the blood with hatch never be dead
Fallen for reborn I am is stand in high
Rising for dying dream ultimate in shade

Horror Song of the Day: The Thing The Should Not Be (by Metallica)


If you’re into heavy music with a dark, spooky vibe, Metallica’s “The Thing That Should Not Be” is a must-listen. The song draws heavy inspiration from H.P. Lovecraft’s stories about ancient sea monsters and forbidden gods — you can feel that eerie cosmic horror flowing through the lyrics and music. Unlike their faster, thrashy songs, this one’s slower and heavier, building this oppressive, almost underwater atmosphere that really pulls you into a different world. The sounds perfectly suit a cosmic horror soundtrack, like you’re hearing something ancient waking up beneath the surface.

Every member of Metallica brings something special here. James Hetfield’s vocals nail that storytelling vibe, like he’s warning you about unspeakable horrors. Kirk Hammett’s guitar solo adds a weird, haunting layer with its echoing bends and wild tone, totally fitting the Lovecraftian theme. Cliff Burton’s bass work gives the song a thick, gnarly depth that makes everything feel huge and otherworldly, while Lars Ulrich’s steady drumming drives the mood without rushing it. Together, they craft this dense, crushing atmosphere that feels like it could be the soundtrack to a cosmic nightmare.

If you want to hear the song take on an epic new dimension, check out the S&M version with the San Francisco Symphony. The orchestra adds massive, cinematic power, turning the track into a full-on cosmic horror soundtrack. The strings and brass layer in this grand, haunting sound that makes the whole thing feel even more apocalyptic and intense. It’s like Metallica took their already heavy and spooky song and gave it the kind of scale and depth that only a symphony can provide. Definitely worth a listen if you want to experience cosmic horror in both metal and orchestral form.

The Thing That Should Not Be

Messenger of fear in sight
Dark deception kills the light
Hybrid children watch the sea
Pray for father, roaming free

Fearless wretch
Insanity
He watches
Lurking beneath the sea

Great old one
Forbidden site
He searches
Hunter of the shadows is rising

Immortal
In madness you dwell

Crawling chaos, underground
Cult has summoned, twisted sound
Out from ruins once possessed
Fallen city, living death

Fearless wretch
Insanity
He watches
Lurking beneath the sea

Timeless sleep
Has been upset
He awakens
Hunter of the shadows is rising

Immortal
In madness you dwell

[Guitar solo]

Not dead which eternal lie
Stranger eons death may die
Drain you of your sanity
Face the thing that should not be

Fearless wretch
Insanity
He watches
Lurking beneath the sea

Great old one
Forbidden site
He searches
Hunter of the shadows is rising

Immortal
In madness you dwell

Horror Song of the Day: Tubular Bells by Mike Oldfield


Mike Oldfield didn’t write Tubular Bells specifically for The Exorcist but it’s a song that works perfectly for the film.  Oldfield’s song, which was rumored to have originally envisioned as being a Christmas instrumental, become an iconic horror them.

Horror Song of the Day: Bad Moon Rising by Creedence Clearwater Revival


by Erin Nicole

Today’s song of the day is one that was used so memorably in An American Werewolf In London.  From Creedence Clearwater Revival, here is Bad Moon Rising.

Bad Moon Rising

I see a bad moon rising.
I see trouble on the way.
I see earthquakes and lightning.
I see bad times today.

Don’t go around tonight,
Well, it’s bound to take your life,
There’s a bad moon on the rise.

I hear hurricanes a-blowin’.
I know the end is comin’ soon.
I feel rivers overflowin’.
I hear the voice of rage and ruin.

Don’t go around tonight,
Well, it’s bound to take your life,
There’s a bad moon on the rise.
Alright!

Hope you got your things together.
Hope you are quite prepared to die.
Looks like we’re in for nasty weather.
One eye is taken for an eye.

Well, don’t go round tonight,
Well, it’s bound to take your life,
There’s a bad moon on the rise.

Don’t come around tonight,
Well, it’s bound to take your life,
There’s a bad moon on the rise.

Horror Song of the Day: Mater Tenebrarum by Keith Emerson


Inferno (1980, dir by Dario Argento, DP: Romana Albano)

Today’s horror song of the day comes from Keith Emerson’s soundtrack of Dario Argento’s Inferno.  Emerson did not have an enviable task, having to follow up Goblin’s soundtrack for Suspiria.  But Emerson pulled it off, crafting a score that compliments Goblin’s earlier work while maintaining an identity of its own.

Horror Song of the Day: Ed Wood by Howard Shore


Today would have been the 101st birthday of the pioneering indie director, Edward D. Wood, Jr!

Today’s song of the day is the theme from Tim Burton’s 1994 biopic of the director.  In my opinion, this remains Burton’s first film.  Burton also directed the musical video below while the great Toni Basil choreographed.  And, best of all, the dancer is named Lisa Marie!

Horror Song of the Day: Main Title Theme From Alien By Jerry Goldsmith


Today, the Shattered Lens wishes a happy birthday to the one and only Sigourney Weaver.  Seen here with Jonesy the Cat, Weaver will always be best-remembered for bringing to life Ellen Ripley and totally revolutionizing both horror and science fiction!

Today’s song of the day comes from Jerry Goldsmith’s iconic score for Alien.

Horror Song of the Day: Demon by Claudio Simonetti


Demons (1985, dir by Lamberto Bava)

For today’s horror song of the day, we have Demon, a track from the soundtrack for the 1985 film, Demons.  This song was composed and performed by Claudio Simonetti, who is best known as the keyboardist of Goblin.

The music video, incidentally, was directed by Michele Soavi, who also appeared in Demons as the mysterious masked man handing out free movie tickets.

Horror Song of The Day: Cat People (Putting Out Fire) by Giorgio Moroder and David Bowie


Today’s horror song comes the hypnotic soundtrack of Paul Schrader’s Cat People.  This song was so good that it later showed up and was used to equally strong effect in Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds.