4 Classic Rock and Metal Songs That Were Inspired by H.P. Lovecraft

Are you a fan of dark, spooky, existential classic horror? You might already be a fan of H.P. Lovecraft, then. And you’ve got something in common with these four bands who quite famously penned a song or two inspired by the writer behind The Call Of Cthulu and At The Mountains Of Madness.

1. “Call Of Ktulu” by Metallica

This Ride The Lightning track from 1984 is Metallica’s most direct reference to H.P. Lovecraft. Though, it’s not the only thrash metal track from the band that pays tribute to the horror author. The song “Dream No More” also features a nod to Lovecraft.

“Call Of Ktulu”, though, is a pretty wild song. It’s a fully instrumental track that would have been the perfect song to feature in a film adaptation of The Shadow Over Innsmouth.

2. “Behind The Wall Of Sleep” by Black Sabbath

This H.P. Lovecraft-inspired track from Black Sabbath’s self-titled 1970 album is a pretty clear homage to the 1919 short story Beyond The Wall Of Sleep. That original tale follows an insane murderer in a mental institution who begins to receive visions from another dimension.

Black Sabbath is composed of quite a few occult writing fans, namely fans of Aleister Crowley and Dennis Wheatley. It’s not exactly surprising that they wrote a song about an H.P. Lovecraft work.

3. “Lovecraft” by The Vaselines

This alt-rock outfit isn’t exactly known for writing songs about impending doom or existential cosmic horror. If anything, The Vaselines are twee icons. 

Still, despite their love for lighter rock, the band did put together a noise rock anthem called “Lovecraft” in 1989. In the liner notes for a 1992 compilation of their best works, the band noted that Lovecraft was “a great writer” and that they hoped they did him justice. We definitely think they did.

4. “Last Exit For The Lost” by Fields Of The Nephilim

H.P. Lovecraft really inspired quite a few English rock stars, it seems. Fields Of The Nephilim is another English rock band to pay their respects to Lovecraft with a song. “Last Exit For The Lost” is the closing track of the 1988 album The Nephilim.

Photo by Pete Cronin/Redferns

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