10 Metal AF costumes to rock this Halloween

By Alice Pattillo
( Metal Hammer )
last updated

Uninspired this Halloween? We've got your back with our the best metal inspired costumes and where to buy them!

(Image credit: Future)

With Halloween just around the corner, you might be fretting about this year's costume. You want to stand out amongst all the standard vampires, witches, ghosts, ghouls and sexy cats, but are lost for ideas. Well, how about ramping up the metal this year? 

Slipknot might be an easy choice, the jumpsuit and Joey Jordison or Corey Taylor mask combo is a classic, but what about all those numerous other rockers you might not have thought of? We've compiled the ultimate guide to the spookiest and most badass rock'n'roll outfits to make your spooky season stress-free! 

So from the weird to the downright scary, here are our top metal costumes to make you shine this October 31st...

*Disclaimer: While majority of our picks are male, they can easily be mixed up and gender-swapped – that way you'll look even more original!*

Marilyn Manson

Marilyn Manson, the God of Fuck, the shock rocker who took it to a whole new level... Did anyone else hear the rumour of his removing his ribs? He was the Ozzy of the 90s. The ultimate badass. Parents everywhere prayed their kids wouldn't succumb to the allure of his blasphemous music. So what better costume to scare the bejesus out of those neighbourhood kids? 

The 90s Manson was his freakiest, and also his most gender-neautral, so we've compiled the ESSENTIALS to nailing the look.

(Image credit: Pete Still/Redferns via getty)

Get The Look

  • Underbust Corset (opens in new tab) – if you really want to nail Manson's androgynous 90s look, you will no doubt need an underbust corset. Pair it with a black top, or don't – we're not your supervisor
  • White Lenses (opens in new tab) – You can't be Manson without his signature white eye! 
  • PVC Bottoms – If you are feeling brave you could go for these bum-less chap boxers (opens in new tab) paired with a mesh one piece (opens in new tab) to preserve your modesty. Alternatively, you can always play it safe and go for some PVC trousers (opens in new tab) (ladies, try these (opens in new tab)).
  • Make-Up – Don't forget to stain that pout blood red (opens in new tab) and add some dramatic facepaint! Stargazer shadows (opens in new tab) are a staple for any goth's makeup bag.

Ozzy Osbourne

He's barked at the moon and bitten the head off a bat (allegedly), one of the most infamous frontmen in the history of rock and metal, Ozzy Osbourne is a cheap and iconic costume that's sure to get you noticed. 

(Image credit: Martyn Goodacre/Getty Images)

Get The Look

  • Wig (opens in new tab) – You will need those glorious black locks, just like Ozzy's
  • Glasses (opens in new tab) – Nothing says Ozzy more than those signature round lensed specs.
  • Cross pendant (opens in new tab) – He might look Satanic, but Ozzy has sported a great big cross round his neck for his entire career.
  • A bat (opens in new tab)(minus the head)

Eddie (Iron Maiden)

Iron Maiden's Eddie the Head is probably the most recognisable band mascot in history and he's had many incarnations, from a cyborg to an Egyptian mummy. Our favourite? A lobotomised mental patient from Maiden's fourth studio album Piece of Mind...

(Image credit: Iron Maiden)

Get The Look

  • Mask (opens in new tab) – Or you could always use facepaint (if you are so inclined!) – this lady (opens in new tab) absolutely nailed Eddie from Legacy Of The Beast.
  • Straight Jacket  (opens in new tab)

Corpse Paint

The scariest metal of all – black metal. A scene with links to satanism, murder, church burnings and other grizzly happenings. Plus, it's so bloody EASY. 

You can either copy one of your favourite black metal artists – Abbath or Gaahl is a good shout – or create your very own customised corpse paint. DONE.

(Image credit: Avalon/PYMCA/Gonzales Photo/Terje Dokken/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Get The Look

  • Facepaint – We'd recommend greasepaint or cream as it won't get all dry and crack, plus you can just use your fingers. Try these black (opens in new tab) and white paint (opens in new tab) pots from Grimas to nail the look.
  • A first wave of black metal t-shirt – because Bathory (opens in new tab) and Venom (opens in new tab) are classics and if you don't have one of their tees in your closet, you should.
  • A bullet belt (opens in new tab) – Channel the second wave of black metal with a classic bullet belt.
  • STUDS – Anything studded at all. Honestly. Try this (opens in new tab) or this (opens in new tab) on for size.
  • A leather biker jacket – finish off the look with a trusty leather jacket (we're sure you've got one already, but if you don't, this one is pretty nice (opens in new tab)).
  • If you want to make it EXTRA scary, why not grab a toy goat (opens in new tab), decapitate it, stick its head on a stick and cover it in fake blood? Too far?

King Diamond

Alright, he's kinda like a proto-black metal corpse painted goth – but the Mercyful Fate (opens in new tab) frontman's look is undeniably iconic. If you don't fancy going generic, go full blown Diamond.

(Image credit: David A. Smith/Getty Images)

Get The Look

Jinx Dawson

If you don't know who Jinx Dawson is, you goddamn should do. She's the psychedelic occult queen and vocal songstress behind Coven. She's even responsible for inventing "the horns" (yes, before Dio (opens in new tab)!). Her stunningly stark blonde long hair and 60s satanic, witchy vibes make the perfect costume for Halloween – especially if you are keen to look gore-geous rather than grotesque.

(Image credit: Danny Matson/Getty Images for SXSW)

Get The Look

Baby Firefly

Baby Firefly. The most fucked up of Rob Zombie (opens in new tab)'s Firefly clan, and also played by his wife, Sheri Moon Zombie. You could dress up as Captain Spaulding, or perhaps Otis... but Baby gets our vote just because it's so goddamn easy. So, let's get fucked up!

(Image credit: Lionsgate)

Get The Look

Ghost

Ghost are the spookiest (although kid friendly) band of recent years, plus they boast pretty badass costumes. You can choose to go as frontman Papa Emeritus, one of the Nameless Ghouls, or of course, a lady ghoul!

(Image credit: Ghost)

Get The Look

Kiss

Ahh, Kiss (opens in new tab), those Knights in Satan's Service (they aren't by the way, it was a myth) were notorious during those good ol' days of the USA's Satanic Panic. Nowadays they have a much more friendly image, but they make a pretty badass Halloween costume nonetheless. 

(Image credit: Jen Rosenstein)

Get The Look

Alice Cooper

Alice Cooper

(Image credit: Ross Halfin)

Last but not least, why not become the master, nay, god of shock rock, the mighty Alice Cooper? Who doesn't want to be this absolute fucking legend of a man?!

Alice Pattillo