Fall Metal Songs for the Crisp Season
Iron Maiden has one of the best fall metal songs – Author: Anne Erickson, photo via John Mcmurtrie
Is it really almost fall? As we near the end of August, the cooler months are certainly in the air. I’m a summer person, but there’s really no reason to hate on fall. From a musical standpoint, some of the greatest metal songs are fall metal songs, so this season is perfect for the metalhead. Also, the fall months bring pumpkins, cider, donuts, Halloween and all kinds of spooky things. That’s not to mention there’s a deep, crisp chill in the air. So, let’s get into these fall-themed metal songs that are perfect to listen to while sipping that hot cider.
Fall Metal Songs
When I think of fall-themed metal songs, one song that comes to mind is more rock than metal, but it’s Guns N’ Roses with “November Rain.” This is such an epic ballad, and every November, I have to crank it multiple times. It’s a long song, but it’s so good, so it’s worth it. “November Rain” absolutely deserves a spot on your spooky season playlist.
Iron Maiden, “Fear of the Dark,” is a fantastic fall listen. Sure, Iron Maiden makes for a great listen any season. But, there’s something about “Fear of the Dark” that simply begs to be played during the fall months. The lyrics are very Halloween-appropriate, too.
Opeth bring the pumpkin spice on “Harvest.” The song’s name alone begs this track to be placed on a fall playlist. With the song’s mix of heavy but soft, creepy atmospheres, “Harvest” is a must-listen in the fall.
Gojira took center stage during the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony this summer, but they’ve been a household name in the metal community for years. Their music is dark and menacing, which is a great fit for the fall, but one track that’s really purpose-made for the Halloween season is “The Fall.”
I have to say that anything Danzig and Misfits is also a perfect fit for fall. Both bands are instinctually spooky-sounding, and both bands have a plethora of material that could make up a massive fall playlist. The same could be said for Alice Cooper, although I think Alice Cooper’s “Poison” is his best fall song.
AFI isn’t really metal, but I can’t ignore that the band’s gothic music is exactly what you want to hear in the fall. Their 2003 album, “Sing the Sorrow,” is a fall playlist all its own. Did I mention it’s my favorite album of all time? Off that album, I’d pick “The Leaving Song Pt. II” as an apt cool weather number, with its dark atmospheres and furious guitars.
Moving back to heavy metal, At the Gates and their seminal track “The Break of Autumn” is a great fall song, and it’s not super well-known, so it would make a good addition to your playlist alongside better-known tracks.
Of course, let’s not forget Black Sabbath. Really, most Black Sabbath tracks are among the best fall metal songs and anthems, but you can never go wrong with the famed “Paranoid.” Happy haunting.
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