It’s no secret that Liverpool’s Video Nasties love a good horror film. The quintet, whose sound is a unique amalgamation of sludge, melodeath and black’n’roll, even released their debut single two years to the day, on Halloween 2017. Now, the band are celebrating the ghoulish holiday with the announcement that they’ve signed to one of the UK metal scene’s finest labels, APF Records. Dominion is due in March of next year, and like all of their material, will undoubtedly take some influences from the horror films that the band love so dearly.
There’s no better occasion for watching those films than All Hallows’ Eve itself, so to celebrate the announcement we had the band compile a list of the best movies to put on for the occasion. If you’re stuck for how to celebrate Halloween tonight, why not have a night in and begin to work your way through this list?
Rick Owen (bass):
Dawn Of The Dead (1978)
I’ve been obsessed with zombies since I was about fourteen. As cliché as it sounds Dawn Of The Dead really is king. You don’t know what’s caused the outbreak… you’re just thrown into chaos instantly and have these characters thrust upon you. It’s hopeless and melancholic but there is a goofy humour that carries through. A score by Italian masters Goblin and all the Tom Savini gore you can ask for. Perfect Sunday afternoon film.
Candyman (1992)
I had just started secondary school when I first encountered Candyman. Our school was pretty fucking grim as it was but then you add the urban legend of Candyman into the mix and it’s whole new fresh hell. I didn’t use the toilets in school for what seemed like months. I re-visited it recently after a few years and it still holds up. Clive Barker actually went to the same schools as my dad growing up too which is pretty cool.
Dave Archer (drums):
Braindead/Dead Alive (1992)
Braindead (or Dead Alive in North America), has to be my absolute favourite horror film for out-and-out ridiculousness. For me, nothing compares when taking into account the story, special effects, death count and sheer creative flare in which death is inflicted. Watching zombie heads getting ripped up in a lawnmower, wielded by a guy in a tank top is a real treat.
Troll 2 (1990)
Troll 2 has also got to get a mention. There’s nothing particularly scary about it, but the terrible effects, wooden acting and awful storyline has made this something of a cult classic. I couldn’t believe my eyes watching this for the first time – sheer bliss. The film won the title of being one of the worst films ever made. A documentary by the child star from Troll 2, called Best Worst Movie, came out in 2010 and is also really worth a watch. Horror films from the ’80s or ’90s which don’t take themselves too seriously seem to get my vote.
Stuart Taylor (guitars):
The Exorcist (1973) & Halloween (1978)
For me it would have to be The Exorcist and Halloween. Both completely different films but both scared the shit out of me as a kid and still do to this day. The Exorcist just has that underlying dread throughout that makes it such an uncomfortable watch. Halloween on the other hand. “The Night He Came Home”… Our first encounter of Michael Myers. John Carpenter is one of the greats and this really set an incredibly high bar for all slasher films to follow.
Tommy Lloyd (guitars):
Zombie Flesh Eaters (1979)
Arguably Lucio Fulci’s best. It’s a must see for any zombie fan. It contains two of the most infamous scenes in the genre – zombie vs shark (which even has a song named after it by Leeds thrashers Send More Paramedics) and the eyeball scene… if you know, you know.
The Evil Dead (1981)
This one doesn’t really need an introduction. Sam Raimi masterpiece. One of the first horror films I ever watched growing up. Great suspense and loads of gore.
Damian Von Talbot (vocals):
Fright Night (1985)
I taped it off the telly when I was about twelve and became obsessed with vampires, long red scarves and seducing women whilst wearing a turtle-neck sweater. It’s funny, scary, has boss special effects, awesome hammy acting from Roddy McDowall and Chris Sarandon, a banging ’80s soundtrack from Brad Fiedel and has a scantly-clad vampire Marcey D’Arcy from Married With Children. What more could a 12 year old boy want from a film?! You’re so cool Brewster!!
Friday the 13th (1980)
Mainly because it was my first. When I was a young shit, my parents would rent videos on a nightly basis. They would get horrors or whatever Schwarzenegger film was out that week and I would get some Disney shite. Obviously their films looked cooler so I would always badger them to let me watch their films. Having enough of my harassment, my parents forced me to watch the entire film right up until the end where Jason comes out the water. It blew my mind and I blew my mud. This was my first brush with horror (other than being scared by the Jaws theme which my dad would sing whilst running at me).
Dominion drops March 2020 on LP, CD, cassette and digital. For more, read our interview with Video Nasties here.
Words: George Parr
