With Halloween around the corner, get in the spirit with these iconic goth songs made in Toronto

By T Edward

As the sun sets earlier each day and the colour of the leaves begins to change, we all begin our unconscious countdowns to the spookiest day of the year — Halloween! From dark and bloody costumes to bone-chilling ghost stories, our surroundings are beginning to shift in anticipation of this terrifying night. One subculture that has fully embraced spooky season is the ever-macabre goths. Seen through movies, fashion and especially music, gothic media is for anyone who wants to channel their inner Morticia or Gomez. With these song recommendations, you will be sure to feel the Halloween spirit and maybe even grow to love the music that so well embodies this ghastly time of year.

“Mandalay” – Vital Sines

Starting us off strong is Vital Sines, a Canadian band active for less than 10 years in the ‘90s. Despite their short run, the Toronto-based band has become a cult classic amongst goth and new-wave fans across the country. While their hit EP,  Collage, thrust them into the metaphorical alternative hall of fame, the group’s lesser-known EP, Hearlluccinations, contains more hidden gems to help unleash your inner Halloween fiend. “Mandalay” is the closing track on the 1983 EP and perfectly encapsulates the band’s dark mood. With teetering piano and synth, producer Steve Hall beautifully masters the gloomy track, playing into the sounds of classic horror. His lyrics are filled to the brim with wistful yearning, curating an experience that will transport listeners to embark on a Halloween love story for the ages. This disco-infused track is guaranteed to make you want to dance like a goth, trailing you along with its smooth-flowing vocals.

“Cold is Better” – Double Eyelid

Described as “a modern classic” and “unforgettable” by critics, Double Eyelid has proven to be an instrumental figure on Toronto’s goth scene. Forming in 2009, lead singer Ian Revell spent years perfecting that iconic floaty sound that citywide goths can’t help but love. Taking inspiration from Bowie all the way to Bauhaus, the group features gritty guitars and live drums to deliver their gothic sound. In the alternately-titled remake, “Cold is Better,” the song’s macabre lyrics highlight all things Halloween, from graveyards to skeletons and even death itself. The 2016 spin-off of their 2012 hit song, “Dead is Better,” uses deep synths and ghastly vocals to entrance listeners, delivering on the band’s eerie vision. Pairing dark lyrics with an upbeat rhythm and mesmerizing synths, you can’t help but move to the track’s haunting melody.

“Push” – Siviyex

If you’re looking for a unique mix of varying electrical noise, look no further than Siviyex, whose production techniques have achieved a new-wave sound. The duo from Toronto uses a range of musical tools to create their shoegaze-inspired discography. “Push,” the sixth song on their self-titled EP, perfectly showcases the band’s airy, almost otherworldly sound. Newly emerged and having performed at iconic venues throughout the city such as DROM Taberna and The Monarch Tavern, Siviyex have solidified themselves as innovators in the city’s goth scene. With haunting vocals from Castelvi and eerie guitar from M. Gomes, the pair carry their audiences through a truly frightful night at every show.

“Halberdier” – Dermabrasion

If you’re in search of a more violent Halloween experience, Dermabrasion may be for you. Lead singer Kate McGouran and instrumentalist Adam Bernhardt began playing together in a local punk band, WLMRT and these roots are evident in the spunk in their current work. The deep tones heard in “Halberdier” pair with McGouran’s menacing vocals to create an impactful opening track for the band’s latest album, Pain Behaviour. The duo pairs rough and rugged synth with gritty guitar, exhibiting the aggressive roots of goth music and highlighting the band’s post-punk influences. Produced by Josh Korody, who worked with bands such as Traitrs and Breeze, it’s no surprise that Pain Behaviour resonates with goths across Toronto. With lyrical references to Catholicism, Satanism and pure body horror, Dermabrasion’s opening track is sure to leave you hooked and ready for the wickedness of the season. With their next show at The Garrison on October 30th, be sure to check out this band for an unforgettably authentic Halloween celebration!

“Happy Birthday” – The Birthday Massacre

It’s nearly impossible to highlight Toronto’s goth music scene without paying homage to one of the city’s most iconic goth bands, The Birthday Massacre. Formed in 1999 in London, Ont., the sextet has released nine studio albums and rose to popularity within the subculture after releasing their hit song, initially titled “The Birthday Massacre,” in October of 2000. The band embraced the smashing success of their song after it was renamed to “Happy Birthday” in their debut album titled Nothing and Nowhere. Shortly after their popular debut, the band shifted to Toronto, playing countless shows in the city. With a mesmerizingly intense opening, which features heavy drums and a melodic riff, “Happy Birthday” quickly catches the ear of any listener seeking out a spooky tune. A commencing soft whisper will guide you deeper into the eerie, dark realm built up in the song. Punchy instrumentals contrast with mesmerizing vocals throughout the entirety of the project. To anyone looking to feel the dark, intriguing nature of Halloween, your search ends with “Happy Birthday.”

With Halloween quickly approaching, there’s plenty of inspiration to derive from our local goths to fully submerge into this fearsome day. Use these frightful songs to let your Halloween spirit run loose – whether it be through costuming, attending a legendary party or carving out your spookiest jack-o’-lantern, do your best and do it big, gothic-style!