You just can't top Sounds to make you Shiver! (1974) as the greatest horror themed record of all time. From a child's perspective, it's got it all - especially for children of the 70's, who were completely monster crazy. Could you possiblly portray the joy of Halloween and with more enthusiasm than this? Sure, it's busy, but so were the Tales from the Crypt comic covers - kids like busy. I mean, this is not a minimalist Bauhaus or Velvet Underground album - this is a kid's Halloween fantasy brought to life!
Jesus Harold Christ on rubber crutches! This one cover covers every childhood horror theme imaginable! There's a ghost, Frankenstein, a werewolf, a witch, a graveyard, Dracula, Quasimodo, bats, a hangman's noose, a mad scientist and his laboratory, plus other nameless monsters wandering around and locked within the bell tower. Who cared what was on the record itself, 70's kids had the coolest LP in history!
Sounds to make you Shiver! is certainly the best there is of this type of record. But let's take a look at some more horror themed album covers, each great in their own way.. If you have some personal favorites not included, please comment!
Note: Last October, I wrote a post on the creepiest album covers of all time. Records like Black Sabbath's debut and all those disturbing clown and ventriloquist covers were in that list. The following is not a gallery of the scariest covers - it's simply a selection of album covers with a horror theme that I happen to really like. As you probably know, I'm a huge fan of album art, and it's October... so, what better gallery to post? Let's get it started. (click on images to enlarge)
The coffin shaped frame is a nice touch. Plus, the image of the mummy standing among a happy crowd of hep cats is kind of alarming.
This one's by Jack Davis, who always delivers the goods. Of course, it's shouldn't be surprising that the former EC artist for Tales from the Crypt would make a fantastic album cover. Davis also did other covers including the Monster Rally records.
This one's a lot like the previous album, although, perhaps not quite as good. Milton Delugg was the band leader for The Gong Show and composed the score for Santa Claus Conquers the Martians. I certainly recognize the artwork here, but the name of the artist is on the tip of my tongue (it's not Jack Davis, I don't think - but perhaps another MAD illustrator?) Somebody help me out.
Tasteful use of vinyl cheesecake and well designed; however, I'm not real sure what all those ropes are hanging around her neck.
This is what happens when psychedelia and horror mix. Faintly Blowing (1969) by the druggie folk rock group, Kaleidoscope, may be a far cry from an Iron Maiden cover, but it still achieves an element of horror - with a cool sort of Grimms Fairy Tales vibe.
This is a detail from the Halloween Horrors (1977) album back cover. It's absolutely incredible (and should've been on the front). My copy has the track listing and other text all over this mesmerizing image. Branded in the 80's, somehow has the image with the text removed.
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