Music and horror is a natural pairing that works, based on the dozens of examples I’ve read over the years, so it just made sense to put together a list! I’ve read all of these books, although some I read years ago before my blog, so I haven’t written reviews. And obviously, this isn’t a complete list, so I’d love to hear what music-centric horror books you would add. (And the “Band Candy” of the title is a Buffy reference, in case you didn’t know. I couldn’t resist:-)) Here we go:
My Ex, the Antichrist by Craig DiLouie. A fantastic story about the rise of a pop-punk band and the band’s creator—the antichrist—who uses their music to end the world.
We Sold Our Souls by Grady Hendrix. A musician rounds up the members of her old rock band to exact revenge in this bloody, fast-paced story.
Schrader’s Chord by Scott Leeds. A talented A&R musician inherits a terrifying—and irresistible—box from his father, in this weird and creepy ode to the power (literally) of music.
We Love the Nightlife by Rachel Koller Croft. This ridiculously fun story revolves around two Disco loving vampires and their bloody adventures.
The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice. A classic, this is Lestat’s tale (from Interview With the Vampire), where in the present (1980s) he’s a famous rock star.
Vampire Junction by S.P. Somtow. The story of a teen vampire/rock star who is trying to come to terms with his weird existence.
Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill. An aging rock star with a taste for purchasing unusual items buys a ghost on the internet.
The Five by Robert McCammon. OK, it’s been years since I read this and my memory is a little foggy, but I remember loving it. It’s about a struggling rock band called The Five and the horrors they encounter on their final tour. I may have to do a reread!
Revival by Stephen King. This is another book I haven’t read in ages, that combines religion, music and horror perfectly.
The Scream by John Skipp & Craig Spector. I probably have a signed copy of this in a box somewhere. This is from the splatterpunk era of horror, and I remember loving it.
I don’t read horror as you know but my Ex the anti Christ gets all the raving reviews!
I’m glad it’s getting rave reviews, it deserves it!
I love it when music and horror combine. I’ve read five of these ten so that’s not bad. I adored We Love the Nightlife as well as We Sold Our Souls. I need to try to locate a copy of Vampire Junction. Wonder how many is in that series? Hmm, just checked Goodreads and it looks like three. What a fun list!
I think I’ve only read the first Vampire Junction book, and it was a long time ago, but I remember loving it. I also love the author, S.P. Somtow, who is very underrated.
You do so many cool things like this post which I appreciate even though horror is not for me.
Anne – Books of My Heart
Aww thanks Anne!
Awesome (and I love the Band Candy/Buffy reference… now I have images of Giles in my head!). I’ve read five of these, and absolutely agree that rock music and horror are a great fit. (Okay, and disco too!) I’m looking forward to reading My Ex the Anti-Christ. It took me years to finally pick up We Sold Our Souls, because I assumed it wouldn’t interest me (silly me) — loved it, of course.
LOL yes Giles from that episode was so funny:-) If you loved We Sold Our Souls, you’ll love My Ex as well.
I feel so proud that I at least have read one book on this list: We Sold Our Souls. And of course I love the Buffy reference! 😉
I think We Sold Our Souls is my favorite Hendrix:-)
Since I love music I really loved this theme for your list, that’s brilliant! The one Grady Hendrix book I ever tried didn’t work for me so I’ve been hesitant about trying his books but if I ever do I like the concept of We Sold Our Souls. My Ex, The Antichrist and Schrader’s Chord sound good too! ( I love that vinyl-skull and that red font ❤️)
I agree, the cover of Schrader’s Chord is amazing!
I’ve read a couple of these. And I thought I’d read almost all of McCammon’s books, but The Five is new to me. I’ll have to get a copy of that. Fun post!
https://lisalovesliterature.bookblog.io/2025/06/17/e-galley-review-seven-year-itch-mountain-men-matchmaker-2-by-amy-daws/
The Five was published by a small press and didn’t get much attention, unfortunately. It was so good!
Very nice list, and I’ve yet to read any of them. For my contribution I’ll add a bit of an oddball book, but one I loved: Cowboy Feng’s Space Bar and Grille by Steven Brust. It’s a wild ride.
I’ll have to check it out, the title alone sounds like fun!
It makes me happy to see We Sold Our Souls on your list. 🙂
It totally deserves to be on the list:-)
Omg I love Buffy and should have gotten the reference apparently I’m due a reread if I had to look up what episode it was.
I had no clue Stephen King had written a music based horror story. I also didn’t realise Lestat was a rock star in one of the books. Having only seen the movie this is another reminder that I majorly need to get on and read the books. I’m also particularly curious about Heart Shaped Box. It’s one of the two books by the author I’m picking from to start with.
I feel like Stephen King has several books that feature music, but I can’t remember the others. I would love to find time for a Lestat reread:-)
Immediately thought of We Sold Our Souls, Schrader’s Chord, along with My Ex the Antichrist. I feel like there have been a couple more but can’t think of them right off the bat, it just seemed to be a mini trend in horror lately.
Great list. I’m trying to think of any other titles but nothing springs immediately to mind. As soon as I post this comment a book is bound to pop into my brain.
Lynn 😀
I have We Sold Our Souls and Heart Shaped Box on my tbr.
Kind of recommend Beautiful City of the Dead by Leander Watts, which has some horror elements to it but seems more fantastical.
This is such an original list!!