Editors’ Picks For Halloween
By Vero Kitsuné, Chris Magdalenski and Karl Magi
As the nights grow longer and the veil between worlds thins, Halloween—and for some, Samhain—calls for a soundtrack steeped in shadow and atmosphere. Beyond the costumes and candlelight, it’s the menacing vibes of dark synth and EBM, the effervescent smoke of darkwave and coldwave, and the broodiness of gothic rock that summon the season’s true magic. These sounds conjure visions of fog-drenched streets, flickering neon, and rituals whispered after midnight. Whether you’re honoring old traditions or just reveling in the eerie beauty of October, our editors have gathered their own selection of fresh releases, recent favorites and a few classics to set the tone for your haunted celebrations.
Vero’s Picks
JOHN CARPENTER - “Halloween”
I’m throwing in the most obvious first to pay respect to the OG. Because there’s no Halloween playlist without this iconic theme from the most legendary horror synth figure ever. Where would we all be if it weren’t for this genius?
EXTIZE - “MediEvil”
Extize’s dark HELLektro sorcery fuses pounding EBM rhythms with eerie Gregorian chants that summon demons by name, creating a ritual on the dance floor. This industrial goth club banger channels both menace and ecstasy, transforming sacred tones into something deliciously profane. It’s the kind of track that turns a rave into a rite—and keeps the faithful dancing long after midnight.
MERCY GIRL - “Ghost”
When you’re aiming for a cool, low-key Halloween gathering with your goth friends, Mercy Girl’s “Ghost” sets exactly the right tone. Stylish and understated, it drifts between darkwave and post-punk with effortless poise. The track’s moody basslines and gauzy vocals create an atmosphere that feels more like a midnight art show than a costume party—cool, chic, and beautifully haunted.
PERTURBATOR - “Future Club”
Halloween or not, this track is a perennial staple, a true classic that finds its way onto nearly every synth playlist—and likely will for years to come. No matter the season, it’s guaranteed to get any party moving.
VIOFLESH - “Within The Veil”
Chilean duo Vioflesh have been making waves in the modern darkwave and coldwave scene with their effortlessly catchy and memorable hooks, and jewel-toned nostalgic atmospheres. “Within The Veil” is perfect for the cemetery dates.
CARPENTER BRUT - “Turbo Killer”
Carpenter Brut’s “Turbo Killer” is another synth classic that oozes dark, killer energy. Its driving arpeggios and relentless momentum make it feel like a neon-soaked thrill ride, full of retro horror vibes. It’s the kind of track that instantly gets the blood pumping, no matter the time or place.
APNOIE - “Ivy”
Apnoie has just dropped one of the most exciting LPs of the year, Sad Living + Sad Mind. With sharp production, dark charm, and endearing doll-like performances layered over massive beats, it’s a record that feels both intimate and unsettling. Apnoie’s sound evokes the kind of discovery you’d stumble upon in the depths of the Parisian underground—raw, stylish, and haunting.
THE CURE - “Burn”
My favorite song by The Cure ever. Actually, it’s my favorite song, ever. Plus, Brandon Lee forever. I basically live and breathe this track all year round. Devil’s Night is special.
SHADOWRUNNER + NEILIO - “Nightmare”
One of the more playful and imaginative releases from the synth community, “Nightmare” offers a laid-back synthwave twist on classic horror synth, subverting genre expectations. Rather than channeling the usual John Carpenter–style slasher energy, it paints a sun-drenched vision of the macabre smothered with SPF 100. The track conjures images of vampires and werewolves in Hawaiian shirts, sipping piña coladas, doting on pink flamingos, cruising down palm tree-lined Los Angeles boulevards in Corvettes, chasing not victims—but sunsets.
HEALTH - “Hateful (Feat. Sierra)”
My favorite Health track and collab. The perfect soundtrack for all the haters, stalkers, and psychos lurking in the dark corners of obsession. It’s vicious, seductive, and unsettlingly catchy—because really, what’s scarier than that?
AGNIS - “Creatures of The Night”
From Agnis’ latest LP Gothess, “Creatures of the Night” blends the dark, theatrical camp of Danny Elfman with her signature industrial gothic pop flair. A throbbing bass arpeggio runs beneath it all, building tension like a heartbeat in a haunted carnival. The result is a cinematic, tongue-in-cheek piece that dances between menace and mischief, equal parts macabre cabaret and midnight rave in its nocturnal parade.
HELIX CODE - “The Monster”
New Jersey–based synth duo HELIX CODE make a comeback this year with a horror synth-rock offering that’s retro, lo-fi, full of character and sinister charm. With playful sound choices and gritty performances, HELIX CODE makes a monstrous splash in a truly blood-soaked sonic playground.
LACRIMORTA - “Nocturnal Lucidity (Black Roses and Blood for Red Wine)”
For those drawn to eclectic, avant-garde dark drama, multi-instrumentalist and producer Lacrimorta’s self-titled LP offers a trove of shadowy gems. Blending influences from Visual Kei, gothic romance, dark electro, and trance, Lacrimorta conjures a world where beauty and melancholy intertwine. It’s a moonlit summons for all dark souls to gather, dream, and drift through the night together.
CIRCUIT PREACHER - “Made To Burn”
If you’re more into heavy-hitting EBM in the vein of Ministry, Skinny Puppy, or early Nine Inch Nails—blended with David Gahan–esque vocal flair—Circuit Preacher is the man. His anguish-fueled tracks and brooding synth work hit with both power and precision. “Made to Burn” feels destined to become a modern industrial classic.
Karl’s Picks
BEACHDOLLS – “Werewolves”
Beachdolls’ Werewolves glows with passionate remembrance and burning need underneath moon-silvered skies. Jessica Ess’s touching voice dreams with misty desire while Rob Nordli’s saxophone leaps with fervent feeling, balanced with trembling need. As colossal drums crash and the night radiates, the narrator surrenders to wild hunger and haunting love beneath the howl of darkness.
DRESS TO IMPRESS – “Stranger in the Dark”
Dress To Impress’ Stranger in the Dark creates impressions of fear in the misty night. Pan pipes, chimes, and saxophone intertwine as his spectral voice trails with enigmatic shadow. Wind sweeps and the tightly wound chimes create a hypnotic effect while menace surges below. The lyrics unfold like a sinister dream, reflecting a ghostly pursuit through shadowed alleys.
BENDING GRID & JOLIE – “Predator in Stilettos”
Bending Grid & Jolie’s Predator in Stilettos struts with temptation and menace. Jolie’s sultry voice cuts through pounding bass and glittering synth as she prowls the night with hypnotic confidence. Her vocals drip with danger and desire, embodying a nocturnal queen who hunts for all of the blood she can get.
ELEVATE THE SKY – “Entity”
Elevate The Sky’s Entity unfolds in waves of tension and looming dread. A pipe organ synth creates frightened energy, terrified arpeggios spin and slicing notes with jagged edges descend. The track’s luminous melody and growling bass conjure visions of spectral figures moving through shadowed ruins.
BECKETT – “Sleeping With The Lights On”
Beckett’s Sleeping With The Lights On is a funky fever dream of duality and spiraling madness. Driven by pulsing bass, brassy bursts and writhing synth, it hovers on the border between horror and groove. The lyrics reveal Dr. Beckett’s fractured mind as his evil alter ego emerges, trapped in a hallucinatory nightmare of their own creation.
HEARTBEATHERO – “Stranger Things”
HeartBeatHero’s Stranger Things seethes with spectral tension and retro horror movie threat. Deep bass and glowing synth textures create a cinematic pulse, like something evil breaking through a torn sky over a haunted town. As arpeggios whirl and darkness swells, the track captures both the wonder and the fear of the unseen world lurking beneath the earth.
Chris’ Picks
PRIEST - “A Signal In the Noise”
This is song is pure darkwave goodness. It belongs on the soundtrack of a lost cyberpunk horror film from the 80’s. Go for a drive down a long desolate road at midnight and crank it.
TYPE O NEGATIVE - “Die With Me”
Truth be told, I could easily fill all five slots of this with Type O songs, but I’ll restrain myself. “October Rust” has been my go to album for getting into the Halloween spirit since its release way back in 1996.
STRVNGERS - “My Black Queen”
This one is a recent discovery. It’s off-kilter, slightly demonic intensity wormed its way Into my brain and refuses to leave.
VEXTRA - “Design”
Vextra made its way to my ears thanks to my TikTok algo, and for that I am grateful. A self described “dystopian cyberpunk metal band” from Nottingham. Say no more… I’m all in.
DEAD ON A SUNDAY - “Damnit (After Dark)”
Does the world need a creepy, goth-ed up cover of a classic Blink 182 song…. My answer absolutely yes.
If you enjoyed our selection, we’ve put together a playlist. And tell us what your favorite Halloween tracks are on social media and we’ll check it out.
