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.
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.
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...
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.
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.
Get The Look
- A top hat (opens in new tab)
- A gothic gentleman tail coat like this one (opens in new tab) from Punk Rave. Swoon.
- A high necked black top (opens in new tab)
- A leather vest (opens in new tab)
- An inverted cross pendant (opens in new tab)
- And again, black (opens in new tab) and white paint (opens in new tab)!
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.
Get The Look
- A 60s style black dress (opens in new tab)
- A blonde wig (opens in new tab)
- Long, drapey hooded cloak (opens in new tab)
- Great big eyelashes (opens in new tab) and 60s-styled black eye makeup (opens in new tab)
- Some stiletto shaped witchy false nails (opens in new tab)
- A human skull (opens in new tab)(just to carry around, as you do...)
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!
Get The Look
- A white vest top (opens in new tab)
- Some ripped up low-rise jeans – you might need to get some scissors to these (opens in new tab).
- CAT-style boots (opens in new tab)
- A cowboy hat (opens in new tab)
- Fake blood (opens in new tab) – lots of it.
- Some form of weapon, we've gone for a knife and a cleaver (opens in new tab).
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!
Get The Look
- For Papa: black (opens in new tab) and white paint (opens in new tab), a Ghost logo adorned hat (opens in new tab) and grab a black robe (opens in new tab) and something like this (opens in new tab).
- Tobias Forge: Some more black (opens in new tab) and white paint (opens in new tab), plus a white suit (opens in new tab).
- Nameless Ghoul: A snazzy jacket like this one (opens in new tab) , a black morph suit mask (opens in new tab) and a mask (opens in new tab)
- Female Ghoul: Grab this ace mask (opens in new tab) and pair it with a ladies fitted suit!
- For all: Throw on one of these necklaces (opens in new tab) for good measure.
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.
Get The Look
- Yet again, you will need that trusty black (opens in new tab) and white paint (opens in new tab).
- A wig like this (opens in new tab)
- Some inflatable guitars (opens in new tab)
- We're not sure if this outfit is supposed to be Ace Frehley or Paul Stanley (opens in new tab), but it's cool either way.
- Or, channel your inner demon (opens in new tab) *insanely long tongue not included.
Alice Cooper
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?!
- This absolutely badass Alice Cooper costume (opens in new tab) that comes complete with a motherfucking SNAKE.
- AND AGAIN, some black (opens in new tab) and white paint (opens in new tab).