Songs of the Apocalypse

It should come as no surprise that I'm rather partial to the whole 'end of the world' thing. I like the movies, I like writing scripts based in and around it, and I like music that helps me formulate such thoughts. Everything I write is written to music, everything from heavy metal, to classical, to orchestral scores, to rock, to techno and dance. Some I use for action scenes, others for more emotional scenes, and others still to help maintain a coherent tone throughout. A standard practice of mine is to create a soundtrack beforehand, a list of songs that I use throughout that I feel fit the theme I'm going for. Be it the lyrics, the tone, or the combined effect of the song, each one is carefully picked. Well, I thought, why just my scripts? Why not compile a list of the best songs I have used over the years that I feel are suited to the theme.

After some research, and much listening, I finally finished a list of 32 songs. I had a lot more, but I set some guidelines to help pick the finalists.

The Criteria

• No songs from a score could be listed. They were written specifically for the movie, which includes apocalyptic and zombie themed movies (of which I have many CDs). Therefore, none of those could be used.
  
• No songs that were entirely instrumental could be used, for much the same reason. So long as there were a few words at least.
  
• The lyrics, tone, and overall feel of the song were considered when picking. The lyrics may have nothing to do with it, but the song may sound appropriate. It's all about the balance.
  
• No more than three songs from a single artist/group/composer could be included, and no more than three from the same CD.
  
• I have to have listened to the song at least once over the course of my writing. If I didn't feel it was suitable for writing the stuff I write, it wasn't suitable for the list
  

Keep in mind when reading this that this is MY list. Not yours, not his, not hers, not theirs. No one but me will agree with everything on this list. Most will probably have at least a couple they don't like, others may disagree with the list in its entirety. So be it. They can make their own list. This is my list.

So, without further ado, my list of 32 songs that I feel would fit an apocalyptic wasteland. There is no order, my writing is non linear, so the list is as well.

Artist - Song
Album: Album Title (Includes link to corresponding Amazon.com page where available)

Johnny Cash - Hurt
Album: American IV (The Man Comes Around)
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Cold - End of the World (Acoustic)
Album: Resident Evil Apocalypse Soundtrack
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Limp Bizkit - Creamer (Radio Is Dead)
Album: Results May Vary
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Korn - No One's There
Album: Untouchables
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Loreena McKennit - Night Ride Across the Caucases
Album: The Book of Secrets
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The Cranberries - Daffodil Lament
Album: Stars The Best of 1992 - 2002
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Dave Matthews - Gravedigger
Album: Some Devil
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Demon Hunter - My Heartstrings Come Undone
Album: Summer of Darkness
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Loreena McKennit - The Mummers Dance
Album: The Book of Secrets
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Depeche Mode - The Things You Said
Album: Music for the Masses
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Korn - Alone I Break
Album: Untouchables
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Rammstein - Schtiel
Album: Unreleased Track
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Mudvayne - World So Cold
Album: The End of All Things to Come
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Dave Matthews - Gravedigger (Acoustic)
Album: Some Devil
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Limp Bizkit - Behind Blue Eyes
Album: Results May Vary
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Nine Inch Nails - Hurt
Album: Downward Spiral
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Depeche Mode - I Want You Now
Album: Music for the Masses
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Rammstein - Halleluja
Album: Resident Evil Soundtrack
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Cold - End of the World
Album: 13 Ways To Bleed On Stage
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Linkin Park - My December
DVD: Frat Party At The Pancake Festival
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Red Hot Chilli Peppers - Don't Forget Me
Album: By The Way
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Depeche Mode - Agent Orange
Album: Music for the Masses
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The Tea Party - Walking Wounded
Album: Tangents
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U2 - The Hands That Built America
Album: The Best Of 1990 - 2000
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Staind - Outside
Album: Break the Cycle
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Loreena McKennit - The Highwayman
Album: The Book of Secrets
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Disturbed - Darkness
Album: Believe
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Limp Bizkit - Down Another Day
Album: Results May Vary
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Rammstein - Wilder Wein
Album: Unreleased Track (Live version available on Live Aus Berlin)
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Johnny Cash - When The Man Comes Around
Album: American IV (The Man Comes Around)
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Nickelback - Leader of Man
Album:State
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The Cranberries - Zombie
Album: Stars The Best of 1992 - 2002
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My favorite is without a doubt Johnny Cash's "The Man Comes Around."  I remember hearing it once and thinking it would go great with some zombie movie.  Two weeks later, and the "Dawn" remake uses it as its theme song in one of the best opening credit sequences ever put to film.  Great minds think alike, mother-f**ka.