Drenched in gothic gloom, ritual horror, and eerie psychedelia, Cathedral summon the perfect atmosphere for a slow-burning Halloween night
Formed in Coventry in 1989 by former Napalm Death vocalist Lee Dorrian, Cathedral shifted away from grindcore to pioneer a unique blend of doom metal, psychedelia, and occult rock.
With haunting lyrics, down-tuned riffage, and rich thematic depth, they’ve earned a place in the annals of British horror-metal history.
For a Halloween steeped in creeping dread and cosmic weirdness, these seven tracks deliver the doom.
Best Cathedral Songs for Halloween
Hopkins (The Witchfinder General) (1995)
A thunderous homage to the 17th-century witch-hunter Matthew Hopkins — and the 1968 Vincent Price film.
Quote: “Ride with me, on a one-way journey to the gallows.”
Fact: The music video features clips from the cult film and became an underground favourite for metal and horror fans alike.
Read more about Cathedral’s Hopkins (The Witchfinder General)
Ebony Tears (1991)
A sorrowful, glacial dirge, soaked in loss and the supernatural. The sound is as heavy as the themes—pure gothic doom.
Quote: “Bleeding shadows, tears of ebony.”
Trivia: This track from Forest of Equilibrium helped define Cathedral’s early sound—slow, depressive, and massive.
Serpent Eve (1991)
This track slithers through occult themes of serpent worship and forbidden rites.
Quote: “Serpent Eve, she speaks in tongues.”
Fun fact: Cathedral’s obsession with esoteric imagery was partly inspired by 1970s horror comics and Hammer films.
Soul Sacrifice (1992)
A more uptempo ritual anthem, yet no less steeped in dread.
Think sacrificial rites, haunted woods, and blood-soaked altars.
Quote: “Soul sacrifice in the halls of decay.”
Did you know? This EP marked a transitional moment, moving the band from funereal doom to a more groove-infused, yet still dark, sound.
Midnight Mountain (1993)
Cathedral’s most anthemic track, yet laced with eerie, psychedelic imagery.
Perfect for late-night Halloween drives under a full moon.
Quote: “Rising through the midnight mountain, laughing at the curse.”
Trivia: Despite its upbeat tempo, the song’s lyrics hide surreal, occult undertones.
Ride (1993)
Trippy and haunting, Ride takes the listener through a distorted journey of loss and wandering spirits.
Quote: “Ride with the ghost wind, shadows by your side.”
Fact: The Ethereal Mirror album saw Cathedral expand into lysergic doom, with this track as a haunting highlight.
Enter the Worms (1995)
Creepy and subterranean, this track crawls with imagery of death, decay, and what lies beneath.
Quote: “The worms await your flesh below.”
Did you know? The lyrics draw inspiration from Lovecraftian horror and the inevitability of decay—perfect Halloween material.
Whether you’re conjuring spirits or simply sinking into the fog of All Hallows’ doom, Cathedral will guide your Halloween with thunderous lament.
Have you seen or experienced Cathedral live — or do their riffs echo in your seasonal nightmares? Tell us about it in the comments section below.
