Stereoboard's Apocalyptic Playlist - Listen Now (End Of The World Feature)
Thursday, 20 December 2012
Written by Heather McDaid
December 21st 2012 has been a predicted doomsday for quite some time now, and as our pending apocalypse is just around the corner - i.e. it's tomorrow - it seems only appropriate to offer a soundtrack to such an event. Everything has to have a soundtrack these days, you know.
1. Europe - The Final Countdown.
There are few songs in life that can amp you up for a pending event quite like Europe's (pictured, above) classic hit. Throw it on a few minutes before midnight on December 20th to really rile you up for the 21st and get you psyched to battle whatever pending anarchy the day holds. Or, as many predict, it'll just be another day at work - it's coming up to the weekend, so if Friday doesn't hold the apocalypse, at least you can psych yourself up for the weekend.
2. Iron Maiden - 2 Minutes To Midnight.
If Europe isn't your style for counting down to the big day, then we've got a slightly heavier alternative. Perhaps it's that when it comes to action heavy metal seems to make everything seem more exciting, or then again it might just be that heavy metal is quite brilliant - either way, here's an optional alternative to your pre-midnight tune.
3. AC/DC - Highway To Hell.
You don't have to take the end of the world without a fight. Jump in your car and have a cruise around, blare this from your speakers. More likely than not you'll just end up driving around on what is a normal day with obnoxiously loud music, but if the end of the world does happen to occur on your drive, you've got a mighty good soundtrack. If not, you're someone with a blinding taste in driving music.
4. Machine Head - Locust.
Looking at the plagues of Egypt, a few stood out that could be soundtracked. The likes of frogs proved a bit too difficult unless you opt for Kermit's 'It's Not Easy Being Green', which is a bit too jolly for an apocalyptic day. Some online have suggested that Egypt-like plagues might precede the actual apocalypse, so in this vein of though Machine Head's 'Locust' seems a pretty ideal choice. And even if millions and billions of locusts don't descend to annoy the hell out of us before the world ends, it's still a pretty banging action track for your backdrop.
5. REM - It's End Of The World (As We Know It).
Obvious song title is obvious. But then again, it's upbeat and energetic in the verse - probably just what we need to tackle the day ahead. A classic track for a said-to-be classic day.
6. Nine Inch Nails - The Day The World Went Away.
In every soundtrack, there is the need for one or two blazingly obvious choices based on title. Probably just edging out REM's track on title-suitability, I'm sure Trent Reznor will be overjoyed at this easy inclusion.
7. Rob Zombie - Living Dead Girl.
Along with the ideas of curses akin to those in Egypt preceding our downfall, Walking Dead fans and zombie enthusiasts alike have been throwing the 21st of December around as the date the undead roam the earth. (Everyone's got to have a theory, right?). In line with this, Rob Zombie seems an essential addition. You can chop and change most tracks from his discography into this slot, but 'Living Dead Girl' seems most appropriate.
8. Alkaline Trio - Armageddon.
Like many on this list, Alkaline Trio brings a bit of spunk to the end of the world. We'd like to think the Mayans predicted a bit of anarchy, not just a little puff of smoke, and what better backdrop for that is there than a nice dose of punk energy?
9. Dropkick Murphys - Going Out In Style.
The Dropkick Murphys are a good band to enjoy in any state, but we can't help but feel there's a level of enjoyment you can only experience when drunk. So, have a party - celebrate the end of the world with your nearest and dearest, pull out some kegs and crack this on. The singing, the dancing, the laughter - the end of the world seems as good a call for a good ol' fashioned knees up if ever there was one.
10. Papa Roach - Still Swinging.
When we spoke to Papa Roach last week, Tobin recommended this track from the band's repertoire for the occasion, and we can't help but agree. A nice little bit of Papa Roach swagger, some electro nuances and a sense of never giving up and continuing in the face of diversity. Nice.
11. Queen - Who Wants To Live Forever.
You can't help but feel that if tomorrow's predicted events were made into a movie, there'd be a blast somewhere, a town in chaos and one hero would appear from the wreckage. He raises his arms in defiance to the sky before searching for others and walking off into the horizon as this track hauntingly follows him. Well, maybe not. But Freddie Mercury helps everything, so let's play movie director and pretend that would happen.
These are a few recommendations to crack onto your iPod for tomorrow just in case, you know, everything ends. If not, then at least you'll have some good tunes to listen to!
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
We don't run any advertising! Our editorial content is solely funded by lovely people like yourself using Stereoboard's listings when buying tickets for live events. To keep supporting us, next time you're looking for concert, festival, sport or theatre tickets, please search for "Stereoboard". It costs you nothing, you may find a better price than the usual outlets, and save yourself from waiting in an endless queue on Friday mornings as we list ALL available sellers!
