[nextpage title=”Intro” desc=”Songs about various killers.” img=”21493″]

21 Songs Inspired by Assassins, Cult Leaders & Murderers features music about deviants like Manson, Chapman & Speck.

Assassins. Cult Leaders. Domestic Terrorists. Serial Killers. Mass Murderers.  What do all of them have in common? They are all bad people. Despite the horrendous nature of the aforementioned people, we as society simply can’t get enough of them.  No, the majority of society doesn’t condone their actions, but there’s no denying there’s a fascination that humans can be so cold-blooded – totally wired wrong.  This list, 21 Songs Inspired by Assassins, Cult Leaders, and Murderers, analyzes songs inspired or written about these so-called deviants. Featured artists include Lana Del Rey, Marilyn Manson, and System of a Down. Among the deviants – Charles Manson, Mark David Chapman, and Richard Speck.

---

[/nextpage][nextpage title=”1.Lana Del Rey” desc=”‘Freak'” img=”19123″]

1.Lana Del Rey, “Freak”

Writers: Lana Del Rey & Rick Nowels « Producers: Kieron Menzies, Lana Del Rey & Rick Nowels

Honeymoon • Interscope • 2015

Cult Leader: Charles Manson

Infamous cult leader and mass murderer Charles Manson died on Sunday, November 19, 2017.  Manson had been incarcerated for five decades, escaping a sentence that originally called or the death penalty.  Since influencing his followers, The Family, to commit utterly brutal murders in 1969, including actress Sharon Tate, his influence within pop culture has run rampant.  Manson has made a name for himself…albeit negative to the nth degree.

Hmm, interesting how his “dash” is defined…

“You’re cold as ice, baby
But when you’re nice, baby
You’re so amazing in every way.”

Anytime Lana Del Rey gets into the mix, there’s always dark, mysterious, and strange beauty. “Freak” from her 2015 album Honeymoon is no different.

“Baby, if you wanna leave, come to California
Be a freak like me, too
Screw your anonymity, loving me is all you need
To feel like I do
We could slow dance to rock music, kiss while we do it
Talk ‘til we both turn blue
Baby, if you wanna leave, come to California
Be a freak like me, too.”

It should be noted that the song itself isn’t specific to Charles Manson. However, the music video, featuring Father John Misty, brings in a cultish element.  Coupled with the lyrics – particularly the “slow dance to rock music” – there’s the sense that Misty plays a Manson-inspired character.   Del Rey gets some Jim Jones influence in as well, specifically the infamous “Kool aid.”

---

[/nextpage][nextpage title=”2.BoySetsFire” desc=”‘Bathory’s Sainthood'” img=”16992″]

2. BoySetsFire, “Bathory’s Sainthood”

Writers: Chad Istvan, Josh Latshaw, Matt Krupanski, Nathan Gray & Rob Avery

Tomorrow Come Today • The Bicycle Music Company • 2003

Serial Killer: Elizabeth Báthory

“Do we really want do we really need
Bastard messiahs
Wrapped up in the dream of patriotic clean
White washed desire.” 

Jason Ankeny of AllMusic describes BoySetsFire as a “progressive hardcore band…formed in Delaware in 1994 by singer Nathan Gray, guitarists Josh Latshaw and Chad Istvan, bassist Darrell Hyde, and drummer Matt Krupanski.” BoySetsFire dives into Hungarian countess Elizabeth Báthory (1560 – 1614). Despite being part of a family including royalty, the same family also included dysfunction beyond the countess herself. Status allowed Báthory to become a prolific, unexpected serial killer. ‘The Blood Countess’ as she’s often nicknamed, “sadistically tortured to death between 100 and 650 girls, an inexact number.” History.com asserts “her bloodthirsty activities have led many to cite her as one of the first vampires in history.” But with all serial killers, they eventually make mistakes.

“Your sainthood is obvious on every starving face
Your deception gives us
A way to separate
The poor from the hate
The rich from the stone
Genuflect away the sins that we’ve known
Sure one percent rules, but heaven’s made of gold
Chalk it up to folly and consequences alone.”

On “Bathory’s Sainthood,” BoySetsFire emphasize the abuse of power in the hands of the Countess.  Because of her nobility, she was able to literally “get away with murder.”  Because of her untouchable status, hundreds died.  While Bathory is the central example here, the band examines corruption due to power and status in the bigger scheme of things.

“For Báthory
We're bleeding out
The devil hides in angelic shrouds
Blasphemy
As speaking out
We've asked for it.”

---

[/nextpage][nextpage title=”3.Hall & Oates” desc=”‘I Hear the Voices'” img=”20354″]

3. Daryl Hall and John Oates, “Diddy Doo Wop (I Hear the Voices)”

Writers: Daryl Hall & John Oates « Producers: Daryl Hall & John Oates

Voices • RCA • 1980

Serial Killer: David Berkowitz (Son of Sam)

“Look at me, I’m running
Ooh, what have I done
Oh, I must have hurt someone
It’s dark in Subway Station
...Oh, I hear the voices deep inside.”

Daryl Hall and John Oates, often referred to simply as Hall & Oates, had a hit album on their hands with Voices (1980). The album’s closing song, “Diddy Doo Wop (I Hear the Voices),” supposedly “had a dark inspiration.” That inspiration was none other than David Berkowitz, better known as The Son of Sam. According to a quote from Daryl Hall in 35 Things You Didn’t Know About Daryl Hall & John Oates’ ‘Voices’:

‘Son of Sam’ mentioned ‘Rich Girl’ was an influence on him. He got his rage up thinking about that song when he was killing people…I said, ‘Let’s write a song about a slasher or axe murderer who keeps hearing these voices in his head. Whenever he hears these doo-wop voices in his head it makes him kill people just like ‘Rich Girl’ did.’ So that’s what we wrote about.’

During the second verse of “Diddy Doo Wop (I Hear the Voices),” Hall & Oates reference The Son of Sam being a fan of their classic, “Rich Girl.” For good measure, they also reference Charles Manson. They continue on creating their own fictional slasher/ axe murderer, who enjoys “Duke of Earl.”

“Charlie liked the Beatles (ahh)
Sam, he liked Rich Girl (bitch girl)
But I'm still hung up on the Duke of Earl (duke, duke, duke of earl, duke, duke, duke of earl)...
Oh, the doo wop voices everywhere
And oh, the Duke is singing.”

---

[/nextpage][nextpage title=”4.Bloodbath” desc=”‘Anne'” img=”18915″]

4. Bloodbath, “Anne”

Grand Morbid Funeral • Bloodbath • 2014

Serial Killer: Ted Bundy

---

“Unspeakable wretched thoughts intensify
As she caught my eye –  so divine
Young slender blond-haired muse
Hard to refuse my urge to abuse.”

Swedish death-metal band Bloodbath previously appeared on The Armin Meiwes EP | Playlist (“Eaten”), a brief, but effective soundtrack capturing the horror of the Rotenberg Cannibal. Loudwire named “Eaten” the 34^th best metal song of the 21^st century. Here, the song is “Anne” from the collective’s 2014 album, Grand Morbid Funeral. Furthermore, the murderer was much more prolific than Meiwes – the infamous Ted Bundy. Bundy (1946 – 1989) was a “1970s serial killer, rapist, and necrophiliac, responsible for at least 36 murders, who was executed by electric chair.” Bundy was a truly horrifying dude.

“Anne” focuses on an incredibly unfortunate victim to the madness and abusive, murderous nature of Bundy. Expectedly, Bloodbath delivers a bloodbath with graphic lyrics to capture the sinister, gruesome experience.

“As my knife goes in
Forced to the floor
Cuffed and gagged
Tearing severe…
Blunt force trauma
Your head I’ll split
Bleeding
Anne, don’t fear
You’ll live through me forever
Until your body from decay collapse
I’ll come back to relapse
…
A tale of broken arm and my harmless charm
From the herd she’s drawn – to my car
Once there I’ll smack her head
Then we’re off to the place all women dread
A secluded old shed
Soon I will reach my edge
With my manhood fed to her severed head…”

[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”5.Macabre” desc=”‘Konerak'” img=”15817″]

5. Macabre, “Konerak”

Dahmer • Decomposed • 2000

Serial Killer: Jeffrey Dahmer

---

“He [Dahmer] drugged him and had oral sex

With Konerak Sinthasomphone…”

“Konerak,” which fittingly appears on the 2000 Macabre album, Dahmer, focuses on one of Jeffrey Dahmer’s most notable victims, a 14-year-old Laotian boy, Konerak Sinthasomphone.  Macabre, as expected, are both satirical and blunt in regards to the song lyrics.  They leave nothing to the imagination, imparting the details of crimes committed against an innocent child.

“Konerak Sinthasomphone roamed
Away from Jeff’s home
Some woman saw him running naked
And 911 they phoned
The police brought Jeff and Konerak to the apartment
And left them alone
Then Jeffrey kill and dismembered
Young Konerak Sinthasomphone.”

[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”6. The Cranberries” desc=”‘I Just Shot John Lennon'” img=”21495″]

6. The Cranberries, “I Just Shot John Lennon”

Writers: Dolores O’Riordan & Noel Hogan « Producer: Bruce Fairbairn & The Cranberries

To the Faithful Departed • Island • 1996

Assassin: Mark David Chapman

---

“It was the fearful night of December 8th
He was returning home from the studio late
He had perceptively known that it wouldn’t be nice
Because in 1980, he paid the price
John Lennon died, John Lennon died, John Lennon died…”

There’s fame and then there’s infamy.  Mark David Chapman, the assassin to musical icon John Lennon, clearly exemplifies infamy.  The Cranberries impart the tale of the tragedy, committed at the hand, rather the Smith and Wesson .38 gun of Chapman.

“With a Smith and Wesson .38
John Lennon’s life was no longer a debate
He should have stayed at home
He should have never cared
And the man who took his life declared, he said:
‘I Just Shot John Lennon!’

… Oh a sad and sorry and sickening sight
It was a sad and sorry and sickening night.”

Adding to the sadness, the band’s dynamic frontwoman, Dolores O’Riordan, passed away January 15, 2018, at the age of 46.

[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”7. Marilyn Manson” desc=”‘Lamb of God'” img=”17143″]

7. Marilyn Manson, “Lamb of God”

Writers: Marilyn Manson & Twiggy Ramirez « Producers: Dave Sardy & Marilyn Manson

Holy Wood • Interscope • 2000

Assassins: Lee Harvey Oswald & Mark David Chapman

---

“It took three days for him to die
So the born again could buy the serial rights.”

Arguably, the Marilyn Manson song “Lamb of God” focuses more on the victims of assassination – President John F. Kennedy, John Lennon, and Jesus Christ – rather than the assassins themselves.  Still, would “Lamb of God” have come about without the deadly cruelty of Lee Harvey Oswald or Mark David Chapman, let alone the Crucifixion of Christ?

Although he went to Catholic school, Marilyn Manson isn’t the least bit Christian.  However, he paints society and the media’s perception of notable deaths such as Kennedy and Lennon as god-like – comparable to Jesus Christ himself.

“If you die when there’s no one watching
Then your ratings drop and you’re forgotten
But if they kill you on their TV
You’re a martyr and a lamb of god.”

Manson dedicates the first verse to Kennedy.

“There was Christ in the metal shell
There was blood on the pavement
The camera will make you god
That’s how Jack became sainted.”

The second verse shifts to Lennon.  Manson actually names assassin Chapman on the final line of the verse.

“There was Lennon in the happy gun
There were words on the pavement
We were looking for the lamb of god

We were looking for Mark David.”

[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”8. Xiu Xiu” desc=”‘House Sparrow'” img=”21497″]

8. Xiu Xiu, “House Sparrow”

Dear God, I Hate Myself • Kill Rock Stars • 2010

Serial Killer: Richard Chase

---

Serial killer Richard Chase is sometimes referred to as the Vampire of Sacramento. With a nickname like that, it’s no surprise that Chase indeed drank the blood of his victims.  Like many serial killers, the way that killed, as well as the disrespect to the corpses afterward, was nothing short of horrific.  Besides his bloodthirst, Chase was a mentally ill cannibal, necrophile, and rapist.

“Defrock human
No one stole you
Day light murder
From your front room
Distilled violent
Keep safe
Please God!”

California alternative, experimental collective Xiu Xiu, led by Jamie Stewart, covers the horrendous individual on “House Sparrow.” “House of Sparrow” serves as the fourth track from their colorfully-titled 2010 effort, Dear God, I Hate Myself.  Uniquely, a victim in this song seems to be escaping the wrath of a unnamed deviant of society (a pedophile), while later specifically referencing the incredibly disturbed sociopath at hand.

“I got away pedophile
I made it into my own little
Christian school
Flung far thy serial will to kill
I got away I got away…
I got away pedophile…
I got out Richard Chase
I made it to my pink and padlocked door
Flung far your thirst to destroy me
I got away I got away.”

[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”9. Overkill” desc=”‘I Hear Black'” img=”20355″]

9. Overkill, “I Hear Black”

Writers: Overkill « Producers: Alex Perialas & Overkill

I Hear Black • Atlantic • 1993

Serial Killer: David Berkowitz (Son of Sam)

---

“I hear black

And have no mercy

I hear black

It has no mercy

Repeating in my head.”

In an AllMusic review, Jason Anderson describes, I Hear Black, the sixth studio album by Overkill as “a slightly more dense, ambitious recording,” compared to their past work. Chris Jennings (Worship Metal), describes the album as “a dark, groove-filled excursion into…brand new territory for the band.” Specifically regarding “I Hear Black,” he asserts, “The likes of ‘I Hear Black’ … remain(s) thick slices of crusty creativity topped with the kind of monstrous riffs most bands would kill for.

Perhaps the most notable thing about the song “I Hear Black” is its content.  It is yet another song by the band that references David Berkowitz.  The lyrics serve as the evidence, with references to dogs being a dead giveaway. According to 13 Bizarre Facts About David Berkowitz, AKA The Son of Sam, “he was controlled by a spirit living inside his neighbor’s dog.” On the first verse, frontman Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth sings:

“Bad or a wet dream

Feeling so in-between

Gun in my pocket and

A target on my head

Right on the wrong road

He talks to me through dogs

Not sure who it is

But I know it ain’t God.”

It doesn’t end with just one reference to dogs. Ellsworth continues:

“Not my fault, wasn’t even there

Rest of the world, all gone insane

Can you hear the dogs barking? Can you hear the dogs speak?”

[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”10. God Dethroned” desc=”‘Villa Vampiria'” img=”16992″]

 

10. God Dethroned, “Villa Vampiria”

Ravenous • Metal Blade • 2001

Serial Killer: Elizabeth Báthory

---

“The taste of blood it feeds my soul

Feels so good, I kill unbound

You’re gonna give it all to me.”

Dutch metal band God Dethroned also tackles Elizabeth Báthory on “Villa Vampiria.” In addition to the previously shared information about Báthory, CNN adds more nuggets of knowledge.

“She was married to a [Hungarian] nobleman, Ferenc Nadasdy… Although there were reported killings before his death in 1604, afterward she seems to have become totally unhinged… It was said she eventually ran low of girls to satiate her habit and she began to lure victims of higher born families, who began to notice their missing daughters.”

Summing up the aforementioned quote, after feeding on the lowest females in society, Báthory began to expand into those with status.  That ended up being her biggest mistake.

“Welcome to my house

I like bathing in blood

Your body cut open

I like bathing in blood

I want your blood

I want it now.”

Regarding the record at hand, “Villa Vampiria,” God Dethroned makes ample vampire references. While there’s no direct mention of the Countess, it seems that at a minimum, she’s referenced in passing, particularly the aforementioned lyrical excerpt.

[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”11. Macabre” desc=”‘The Hillside Stranglers'” img=”16536″]

11. Macabre, “The Hillside Stranglers”

Murder Metal • Decomposed • 2003

Serial Killers: Kenneth Bianchi & Angelo Buono

---

“The Hillside Strangers” is approximately one-minute-and-forty-seconds of musical strangulation. Strangulation is the appropriate word, given that’s exactly what deadly cousin duo Kenneth Bianchi and Angelo Buono did – strangle people.

“Angelo and Ken were cousins and friends
Two cousins who liked prostitutes
Cruising the night, a girl they’d invite
In their car for a ride to the hillside
Abduction, rape and strangulation
That’s how Kenneth and Angelo
Got their sexual gratification.”

The so-call Hillside Strangers did not play around in real life, even if Macabre entertain with their satirically-driven approach to capturing their twisted, perverse crimes.

“No girl would escape
Strangled they died
Left on the hillside…
We’re gonna strangle you:
And leave you on the hillside
We’re gonna strangle you:
Spread naked on the hillside.”

[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”12. OOMPH!” desc=”‘Mary Bell'” img=”21498″]

12. OOMPH!, “Mary Bell”

Writers: Bodenski & Simon Michael « Producers: OOMPH!

XXV • Universal Music GmbH • 2015

Serial Killer: Mary Bell

---

“This nightmare was real

And it was never over

Heaven watches

When little hands do evil.”

Given that OOMPH! Is a German band, the original lyrics for “Mary Bell” are in German.  Thankfully, Google Translate exists, not to mention a ready-made translation of the song! As for serial killer Mary Bell, killed extremely young, at the age of 11 years old! According to Chase Whale of Serial Killer Shop:

“At age 11, she and a friend strangled and mutilated two preschool boys. Her trial, one of the most sensational of the twentieth century, showed a defiant child who killed ‘solely for the pleasure and excitement.’”

OOMPH! successfully describes the coldness of one of the youngest serial killers of all time.  The band spares the detail of the murders, focusing solely on the “wiring.” The product of an unloving and un-nurturing environment, Bell clearly wasn’t set up for success so to speak.

“She was thrown into the world

Her mother herself was

Still a child, to whom love was foreign

Cold and remote…

It was in the summer that an empty house

Cast a spell over her

She wanted to perform the worst

That you can…

The sun rose,

Only coldness was within her

Empty eyes like steel-gray glass

Heaven remained silent

She couldn’t feel anything

Not guilt, not pity

Not even the dew on the grass…”

[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”13. Swampland” desc=”‘Axeman of New Orleans'” img=”21499″]

13. Swampland, “Axeman of New Orleans”

The Stranded West • 2015

Serial Killer: Axeman of New Orleans

---

“In fact, or realm of fancy
The axeman from the hottest hell
I’ve arrived in New Orleans
To cast my demon spell.”

Swampland, an alternative cowpunk/post-punk collective from Long Beach, California, released their debut album, The Stranded West in 2015.  The band describes their debut album as “12 songs reminiscent of The Gun Club, Nick Cave, and Dead Moon.” Interesting.  One of those 12 songs is particularly intriguing given the central theme of this playlist, sigh.  Yes, Swampland delivers a song centered around the unidentified and unsolved crime of the Axeman of New Orleans. According to Vice, supposedly, “residents tried using jazz to appease the serial killer, but not before he claimed the lives of local Italian grocers.”

“Invisible like ether, I’ll slay inside the night
A fallen brother angel for my majesty’s delight
In my infinite mercy I present this proposition
rile me or appease me, it’s your decision…
On to my next victim not blue or improvised
besmear your blood and brains so smooth and recognized …
To hell with me by straight razor or axe

Like the blood I’ve left behind my legacy will last.”

---

[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”14.Legion…Damned” desc=”‘Nocturnal Predator'” img=”20464″]

14. Legion of the Damned, “Nocturnal Predator”

Feel the Blade • Napalm Records Handels GmbH • 2008

Serial Killer: Richard Ramirez

---

“Nocturnal predator is looking for prey

Terror strikes in the dead of night

Hell has sent an angel of wrath

And murder fills the city with fright

Blessed by the lord from below

He cut his first victim’s throat

More slashing will soon follow

Sworn to his satanic oath

Hand of death

Demon claw

Night stalker.”

“Nocturnal Predator” is the second song on Feel the Blade, the 2008 album from Dutch metal band, Legion of the Damned.  Feel the Blade isn’t a warm and friendly project, featuring other colorfully-titled songs such as “Slaughtering the Pigs,” “Slut of Sodom,” and the painful “Chronic Infection.”

From the onset, “Nocturnal Predator” is intense. The guitars are brutal, the drums pummel, and the vocals are biting and incredibly coarse.  Over its course, listeners are given four minutes and twelve seconds of the utmost damnation. Legion of the Damned superbly capture the story of Richard Ramirez, not to mention the spirit…

“Shooting men in front of their spouse

Carving up the wife in neck, face and groin

Satisfying his sadistic delight

The misanthropic killer gouged her

And took, with him, her eyes… Raping the women, he captured

Forcing them to give the devil praise

Drawing occult signs on the bodies

The pentagram left as his mark.”

[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”15. Cheap Trick” desc=”‘The Ballad of T.V. Violence'” img=”21500″]

15. Cheap Trick, “The Ballad of T.V. Violence (I’m Not the Only Boy)”

Writer: R. Nielsen « Producer: Jack Douglas

Cheap Trick • Epic •1977

Mass Murderer: Richard Speck

---

“The Ballad of T.V. Violence (I’m Not the Only Boy)” – what a song title Cheap Trick, what a song title.  Apparently, the song, written about Richard Speck had a different song title originally, “The Ballad of Richard Speck.” Rolling Stone goes on the state that the record “was acted out onstage with [frontman Rick] Nielsen in the role of mass murderer.”

“I need a girl to give me some love
I need some love Gimme your love gimme your love
I need a knife To get me a wife
I need a knife give me your life give me your life
I need a gun to have me some fun I need a gun
Gimme your love gimme your love…
I need some rope it’s my only hope and when you’re fighting so

I just can’t go on

I need a girl to give me some love…”

Like so many of the deviants highlighted on this list, the troubles began early with Speck (1941-1991). His biggest claim to infamy is his murder spree, killing eight student nurses.  It wasn’t well enough for him to stab them to death, he also abused them all, “raping at least one victim,” according to the NY Times.  Originally sentenced to death, the sentence would be changed to life imprisonment.  Speck died at 49, just missing his 50^th birthday after having a heart attack. In regards to the song itself, Nielsen and company continue to address the needs of Speck, who “was a lonely boy” but “not the only boy! No!”

[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”16. Shinedown” desc=”‘Son of Sam'” img=”20360″]

16. Shinedown, “Son of Sam”

Writers: Brent Smith & Rick Beato « Producer: Rob Cavallo

The Sound of Madness – Deluxe Edition • Atlantic • 2008

Serial Killer: David Berkowitz (Son of Sam)

---

“God damn, I might be the Son of Sam

The only child of a holy man.”

Jacksonville, Florida hard rockers Shinedown have something to say about David Berkowitz on “Son of Sam,” the 13^th cut from the deluxe version of their third studio album, The Sound of Madness. The aforementioned lyrics are excerpted from the chorus, which sums up record penned from Berkowitz’s delusional perspective.

“God damn, I might be the Son of Sam

The only child of a holy man

I stand alone for all to see

Cause they ain’t never seen a war like me

God damn, son of Sam

God damn, son of Sam.”

The verses depict the insanity of Berkowitz, clearly possessed by a demon. On the second verse, notably, frontman Brent Smith sings:

“Are you afraid your life means less?

Are you concerned you might be next?

It’s much too soon for me to tell

If you’re in heaven or in hell.”

The third and final verse is even more chilling lyrically. Smith, as Son of Sam, sings:

“Look now over your shoulder

No it’s not over

It’s just the beginning

And I will write the final ending.”

[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”17. SOAD” desc=”‘ATWA'” img=”19121″]

17. System of a Down, “ATWA”

Writers: Daron Malakian & Serj Tankian « Producers: Daron Malakian & Rick Rubin

Toxicity • Sony Music Entertainment • 2001

Cult Leader: Charles Manson

---

“I don’t sleep anymore

I don’t eat anymore

I don’t live anymore

I don’t feel.”

Armenian-American metal collective System of a Down make quite an impression with “ATWA,” inspired by infamous cult leader and mass murderer Charles Manson. ATWA itself is an acronym for air, trees, water, and animals.  It’s an “ecological mandate” that Manson promoted. It’s a fitting title for the song, which centers around the mindset and feelings of the ‘misunderstood’ cult leader – at least from his perspective.  The aforementioned lyrics, as well as the chorus give a clear portrait of how he felt.

“You don’t care about how I feel

I don’t feel there anymore.”

[/nextpage] 

 

18. Macabre, “Fatal Foot Fetish”

Murder Metal • Decomposed • 2003

Serial Killer: Jerry Brudos

---

Jerry Brudos was a truly disturbed soul – understatement. Perhaps the first thing that stands out about this particular serial killer is his fetish – a shoe fetish to be exact. In addition to being a fetishist and murderer of at least three women (possibly four), Brudos was also a “rapist, torturer, and necrophiliac” – charming.  Charles Montaldo of Thought Co. provides some details about his modus operandi:

“Brudos later confessed to forcing [Karen Sprinkler] into his car at gun point, then bringing her to his workshop where he raped her and forced her to put on various women’s underwear and pose for pictures.  He then killed her by hanging her from the hook in his ceiling.  As with his other victims, he violated her corpse, then removed both breast and disposed of her body.”

Disgusting. Macabre succinctly summarizes the perverseness of Brudos on “Fatal Foot Fetish,” from their 2003 album, Murder Metal.  Among the highlights:

“Jerry Brudos had a fascination
With women’s undergarments and shoes…

Jerry Brudos was the foot fetish killer
Kept a lady’s foot inside his freezer
Dressed it up in heels
And then he’d beat off…
His new wife didn’t have a clue
That Jerry Brudos would kill five women
And keep one’s foot to jerk off to.”

 

[nextpage title=”19. Electric Hellfire” desc=”‘Jack the Knife'” img=”20463″]

19. The Electric Hellfire Club, “Jack the Knife”

Kiss the Goat • Magick • 1995

Serial Killers: Jack the Ripper & Richard Ramirez

---

“I’m Jack! and you’re my victim

I was born to take your life

You were born to suffer

At the hands of Jack the Knife.”

Industrial-alternative rock band The Electric Hellfire Club reference a couple of different serial killers on the disturbing, intense “Jack the Knife” from their 1995 album, Kiss the Goat. Like so many of the bands covering serial killers on their albums, The Electric Hellfire Club aren’t exactly wholesome.  See the other song titles, including opener “Invitation to Your Damnation,” “Hellfire,” and “Bitchcraft.”

“You will find me standing in the shadows

Dressed to the nines

With the image of your murder

Burning in my eyes

I’m the handsome stranger

Who took you for a ride

I offered you some candy

On the day you died.”

On the song at hand, Jack the Ripper and Richard Ramirez are the inspiration.  As the first lyrical quote suggests, Jack the Ripper is the most explicitly named. That said, the references to handsomeness, night stalker, and Satan confirms the role of Ramirez.

“I’m the Devil’s paintbrush

And he likes the color red

You’re my latest masterpiece

Dismembered on your bed

Ripper, slasher, night stalker

Each of them a tasty slice

But future generations will call me

Jack the Knife!”

The pentagrams and the palm references in the following lyrical excerpt are all Richard.

“Inverted pentagrams

In lipstick on your wall

The symbol of my savior

I carved into my palm

I use a knife to make my mark

Name and number of the beast

In the flesh of some young lovely

Recently deceased!”

 

[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”20. The Acacia Strain” desc=”‘Unabomber'” img=”17960″]

20. The Acacia Strain, “Unabomber”

Wormwood • Prosthetic • 2010

Terrorist: Theodore Kaczynski (The Unabomber)

---

“If your cable went out
You would lose your fucking mind
If you lost all power
You would end your fucking life.”

Ted Kaczynski earns the distinction of being the only domestic terrorist covered on this playlist – totally NOT an honor. Despite being an incredibly gifted and intelligent individual, Kaczynski essentially ‘threw it all away’ becoming the infamous Unabomber. In addition to the infamy of causing fear, 23 injuries, and 3 deaths, Kaczynski is notable for his Washington Post manifesto.  That’s where The Acacia Strain comes into the picture.

The metal collective have a knack for writing about deviants, also tackling Richard Ramirez on their 2010 album, Wormwood.  The song that deals with Kaczynski is fittingly titled “Unabomber.” Specifically, the band captures Ted’s views on technology’s effect on society.

“Dependency is commonplace
Easy eradication of the human race
Technology has an iron grip
We are swimming against the tide in the sea of shit

We are the tools of our tools
We must liberate ourselves from the shackles of fools
We made the machine
We made the end
The world wide web is no longer your friend…

Born to kill, live to die, no one mourns, we won’t survive.”

[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”21. Swans” desc=”‘Killing for Company'” img=”21501″]

21. Swans, “Killing for Company”

The Great Annihilator • Young God • 1995

Serial Killer: Dennis Nilsen

---

“I couldn’t stop myself
I knew I’d do it again
But I could heal myself
If I could feel your skin.”

Those lyrics, excerpted from the first verse of “Killing for Company,” are a bit disturbing Swans – just saying. Nonetheless, disturbing is the right vibe for the serial killer at hand. Jeffrey Dahmer gets a hell of a lot attention as he should – he was hellish to the nth degree. However, Dahmer had a disturbing British counterpart, Dennis Nilsen (1945 –). Like Dahmer, Nilsen was homosexual, targeting gay boys and men.  Also, like Dahmer, he enjoyed dismembering the corpses, necrophilia, and keeping trophies (aka “company”). As awful as Nilsen was to normal folks, he earned the nickname as “The Kindly Killer.” Don’t let the nickname fool you –  there’s very little “kindly” about killing between 12 and 15.

“And if I heal your wound
We will make love again…” 

As for the lyrics featured above, arguably they seem to fit with Nilsen nearly killing Carl Stotter, but ultimately reviving him.  All for the sake of company?

“I know we’ll never end
Now there is no beginning
And when it’s cold at night
I’ll kiss your velvet sleeve
I know we’ll never end
I’ll keep you company.”

[/nextpage]