Top 5 Lovecraftian heavy metal songs to lose your sanity to

H.P. Lovecraft shouldn’t need an introduction, but much to the misfortune of our youth, the legendary horror author is seldom explored in high-school English classes. His weighty influence on heavy metal should likewise not require explanation, so we’ll just get right into it.

August 20^th 2015 marked Lovecraft’s 125^th birthday and I have comprised a list of my top 5 Lovecraftian heavy metal songs ever so you can spice up your playlist at work, school, or the altar of the Old Ones.

5. SAMAEL – The Rite of Cthulhu

Slow and mournful, yet triumphant and intense, this short instrumental track summons the haunting imagery of a terrified onlooker observing the ancient beast arising from his slumber. What a perfect way to begin your daily prayers to your destroyer and savior.

4. METALLICA – The Call of Ktulu

No list about Lovecraft influenced metal would be complete without this stellar Metallica instrumental. There’s not much to say about it really. You know it, you love it, and so do the Deep Ones. This is a perfectly fitting gift to our master’s eternal ears.

3. THERION – Cthulhu

Noticing a theme yet? Before descending into theatrical showman carnival music, Therion was a mighty and top-notch death metal band devoted to praising our slumbering lord. With the bleakest of atmospheres, the song Cthulhu drags its listeners to fathomless depths where only perpetual dread awaits.

2. MORBID ANGEL – The Ancient Ones

Naturally, the legendary death metal titans would appear on this list. In this song, Morbid Angel longs for the deaths of their enemies at the Ancients’ hands. Simple and efficient message; when the stars are right, Morbid Angel will be rewarded handsomely.

1. MORBID ANGEL – Lord of All Fevers & Plague

There’s no other option but to include Morbid Angel a second time in this list. When it comes to Lovecraftian insanity, Morbid Angel are the absolute masters. This compelling, madness-driven tribute to the horrors beyond the stars could steer the gentlest soul towards red-eyed, fanatical devil worship.

Some songs that are great but didn’t quite make the list are as follows.

IMPRECATION – From Beyond the Fiery Temples

SEANCE – Necronomicon

DEICIDE – Dead by Dawn