Horror Folk Music to Chill Your Bones

This article is a collaborative effort, crafted and edited by a team of dedicated professionals.

Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

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Looking for a little horror in your music? Check out our list of the best horror folk songs to chill your bones. From dark and atmospheric to creepy and downright unsettling, these tracks will keep you up all night long!

The Origins of Horror Folk

Horror folk is a relatively new subgenre of music that takes traditional folk songs and reworks them with dark and macabre themes. The songs often deal with themes of death, murder, and loss, and are often set in a dark and eerie atmosphere. The lyrics are often dark and depressing, and the music is often slow and haunting. Horror folk is a growing subgenre of music, and many artists are beginning to experiment with the style.

Where did horror folk come from?

Horror folk is a relatively new genre, but it has already captured the imaginations of music lovers around the world. But where did it come from?

The roots of horror folk can be traced back to the early 1900s, when a subgenre of folk music known as murder ballads began to gain popularity. These songs told stories of real-life murders and other tragic events, often in graphic detail. Some were based on historical events, while others were purely fictional.

One of the most famous murder ballads is “Barbara Allen,” which tells the story of a young woman who dies of a broken heart after her lover marries someone else. Other popular murder ballads include “Pretty Polly” and “The Cruel Ship Carpenter.”

While murder ballads were certainly disturbing, they didn’t always have a specifically “horror” feel to them. That began to change in the 1960s, when musicians like Bob Dylan and Joan Baez started experimenting with more dark and sinister subject matter. Dylan’s song “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall,” for example, paints a bleak picture of an apocalyptic future, while Baez’s “Diamonds and Rust” tells the story of a relationship that ended in betrayal and heartbreak.

These artists paved the way for subsequent generations of horror folk musicians, who have continued to push the boundaries of what is considered acceptable in terms of lyrics and themes. Today, horror folk is more popular than ever, with new bands springing up all over the world.

What are the defining characteristics of horror folk?

Horror folk is a subgenre of folk music that combines folk and influences from horror films and literature. The genre is often atmospheric and unsettling, with eerie melodies and dark lyrics. Horror folk songs often deal with themes of death, loss, and despair, and some artists use the genre to explore social or political issues.

While horror folk has its roots in traditional folk music, the genre has been influenced by a number of other genres over the years, including gothic rock, dark wave, and post-punk. In recent years, horror folk has experienced a resurgence in popularity thanks to a new generation of artists who are bringing their own unique spin to the genre.

So if you’re in the mood for something a little different this Halloween season, why not give horror folk a try? You might just find yourself pleasantly surprised by how chillingly good it can be.

The Best Horror Folk Albums

There’s nothing quite like a good horror folk album to get you in the Halloween spirit. From the eerie sounds of the banjo to the haunting lyrics, horror folk is the perfect genre for October. If you’re looking for some spine-tingling tunes, here are the best albums to listen to.

What are the best horror folk albums?

Horror folk is a subgenre of both horror and folk music. As the name suggests, it combines elements of both genres to create a chilling, often unsettling sound. Many horror folk artists use traditional folk instruments like acoustic guitars and banjos, which they play in eerie, slow rhythms. Their lyrics often deal with dark subject matter, such as death, murder, and the supernatural.

While horror folk has been around for many years, it has experienced a resurgence in recent years, thanks in part to the popularity of shows like American Horror Story and films like The Witch. If you’re looking for some spine-tingling tunes to add to your Halloween playlist, check out our list of the best horror folk albums below.

1. The Devil’s Interval by Steeleye Span
2. Ghost Songs by Marissa Nadler
3. Widdershins by Jess Morgan
4. The Unquiet Grave by Voltaire
5. In the Valley Below by Witches dues Procession
6. White Horses by Wooden Wand
7. Crawdads by Kim Lansing
8. Alligator Wine by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins
9. Can’t Catch Me by Jerry Lee Lewis

What makes these albums so good?

Horror folk is a genre that has been growing in popularity in recent years. It combines the creepiness of horror with the ethereal beauty of folk music. If you’re looking for some chilling tunes to listen to on a dark night, these are the best horror folk albums out there.

1. Dead leaves and the dirty ground – The White Stripes
2. The Ghost of Tom Joad – Bruce Springsteen
3. I put a spell on you – Screamin’ Jay Hawkins
4. John the revelator – Son House
5. The Ballad of Hollis Brown – Bob Dylan
6. In the pines – Lead Belly
7. Stagger Lee – Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
8. Wagon wheel – Old Crow Medicine Show
9. The cradle will rock – Vic Chesnutt
10. Haunted – Ryan Adams

The Future of Horror Folk

Horror folk is a relatively new subgenre of music that’s slowly gaining popularity. It’s a type of music that combines elements of folk music with horror themes. Horror folk artists often use dark and eerie lyrics to create a feeling of uneasiness and dread. The music is often paired with horror-themed visual elements, making it a perfect fit for horror movies and video games.

Where is horror folk headed?

Horror folk tends to be a very niche genre, and it’s hard to say where it’s headed. It seems to be slowly growing in popularity, however, as more and more people discover its unique sound.

There are a few key elements that define horror folk: creepy, atmospheric melodies; lyrics that deal with dark subject matter; and a general feeling of unease and dread. Some believe that the genre is a direct descendant of gothic music, while others see it as a natural evolution of folk music itself.

Whatever its origins, horror folk is gaining a small but devoted following among fans of both horror movies and folk music. And as the world becomes increasingly dark and frightening, this genre may only become more popular.

What are the most exciting new horror folk artists?

As the popularity of horror movies and TV shows continue to grow, so does the popularity of horror-themed music. One subgenre that has been on the rise in recent years is horror folk.

Horror folk is a subgenre of folk music that takes traditional folk music and gives it a dark, eerie twist. It often features lyrics about ghosts, monsters, and other things that go bump in the night.

If you’re a fan of horror movies or TV shows, then you need to check out these four exciting new horror folk artists.

1. Ward & August
Ward & August are a Los Angeles-based duo who create dark, atmospheric folk songs inspired by Americana and European folklore. Their music has been featured on several popular TV shows, including American Horror Story and The Vampire Diaries.

2. Dark Andys
Dark Andys are a Canadian duo who create dark, haunting folk songs with an old-timey feel. Their music is perfect for any fan of horror movies or novels.

3. The Witches’ Ballads
The Witches’ Ballads are an English duo who perform dark, ethereal folk songs inspired by British folklore and mythology. If you’re a fan of gothic literature or films, then you’ll love their music.

4. Ursula 1000’s Witchcraft Series
Ursula 1000 is an American DJ and producer who has released several albums of witch-themed electronic dance music. If you’re looking for something a little different, then his Witchcraft series is perfect for you.

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