Summon the Spirits: 10 Songs That Bring Asian Folklore to Haunting Life
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A chilling collection of tracks reimagines ancient legends for a modern Halloween, blurring the line between sound and spectral reality.
As the nights grow longer and shadows deepen, a new wave of artists is drawing inspiration from the rich tapestry of Asian folklore and urban legends. These aren’t simply retellings; they’re sonic explorations, transforming age-old terrors into hypnotic melodies and eerie soundscapes. From vengeful ghosts to shapeshifting monsters, these 10 tracks offer a spine-tingling immersion into a world where every creak and whisper could signal something lurking in the dark.
Indonesian Nightmares: Pocong and the Siren’s Call
The Indonesian legend of the Pocong – a female ghost appearing as a beautiful woman who drains the life force of men – finds a haunting echo in the collaboration between Isyana Sarasvati and DeadSquad with their track, ‘THE DREAM’ (IL SOGNO). The song “blends progressive rock, death metal and classical elements with dream-like and intense instrumentation,” creating a swell of unsettling energy.Lyrics like, “Question every second when I’m dreaming, I feel it alive, blinded by a mist under the moonlight,” emphasize the urgent need to escape the siren’s lure, capturing a sense of misfortune and unease.
Malaysian Vengeance: The Pontianak’s Lament
Eve’s ‘I’m Dead’ (Aku Dah Mati) embodies the sorrow and rage of the Pontianak, a Malaysian spirit of a woman who died in childbirth. Translating to “I’m dead,” the track feels like a lament from the spirit herself, lingering and seeking her next victim. “With lyrics such as, I’m dead, leave it to me alone, i’m weak, i’m half dead, leave it alone, i’m really weak as of revenge but you are like a pig,” the song channels the anger fueled by an untimely death. The blistering alt-rock and shoegaze soundscape perfectly complements the folklore’s themes of vengeance and sadness.
Japanese Horror: The Kuchisake-Onna’s Grin
The terrifying tale of Kuchisake-Onna, the Japanese woman with a slit mouth, comes alive in deadman’s ‘sakura to ame’. The song captures the chilling encounter with the disfigured spirit, whose question – “Am I beautiful?” – seals your fate. “Any answer is the wrong answer,” the description notes, highlighting the inescapable misfortune. The fluttery guitar notes and thumping drum lines create an edgy darkness, mirroring the legend’s unsettling nature, while the repeating lyric, “Your smile is also fading,” amplifies the psychological horror.
Filipino Shapeshifters: The Ghost’s Allure
Megumi Acorda’s ‘Ghost’ perfectly embodies the shapeshifting nature of the Filipino urban legend of the Ghost – a vampire-like witch preying on humans. The track presents a deceptively sweet melody with airy vocals, masking lyrics that explore themes of isolation, obsession, and the uncanny. Lines like…
Indonesian Fury: The Sundel Bolong’s Curse
oil’s ‘There’s No Wifi in the Afterlife’ (Tak Ada Wifi Di Alam Baka) delivers a blistering rock track inspired by the Indonesian legend of Sundel Bolong – a ghost with a gaping hole in her back. The song channels a raw, vengeful energy, mixing anger, rebellion, and haunting intensity. Lyrics like, “Go to hell first, maybe we will be together,” convey a boiling rage that transforms into a curse, wrapping listeners in a storm of emotion and dark catharsis.
