zombie rob
[Photo via Spotify]

Top 15 zombie anthems that will have you rising from the dead

Zombies are everywhere. Pick up a comic book, turn on your Xbox, visit the cinema, browse the app store and there they are, cheerily determined to eat the flesh off your bones. Open your iTunes and chances are you’ll find at least one song with the Z-word in the title, too. Below are 15 of the very best, which may make the wait between your next dose of walking corpses a little easier.

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1. Misfits – “Astro Zombies”

Arguably the best track to make the list, simply because the only thing better than zombies are undead from space. With Glenn Danzig enthusiastically crooning about the extermination of mankind over a gorgeously simple horror-punk soundtrack, there’s almost too much to love about this song.

2. Unearth – “Zombie Autopilot”

Not literally a song about boarding a flight doomed to undead destruction, Unearth eschew the subject of reanimated corpses in favor of a critique of the drudgery of modern life. Driven by a storm of NWOBHM guitars and chunky chugging, it could still serve as a solid soundtrack to running like hell from a hungry horde.

3. Borgore & Sikdope – “Unicorn Zombie Apocalypse”

Though it lacks lyrics, this gripping blast of grimy, stomping EDM still boasts one of the best titles to make the cut. It’s only a matter of time before some bright spark bases a video game around the concept and pockets billions.

4. Wednesday 13 – “I Walked With A Zombie”

On this part Ramones, part Andrew W.K.-esque adrenaline-fueled party anthem, Wednesday 13 lovingly narrate the joys of being in love with a lady of the no-longer-living persuasion. The fact that it kicks off with the lyric, “I’m damned if I voodoo/And I’m dead if I don’t” wins it creepy kudos right out of the gate.

5. Horrorpops – “Walk Like A Zombie”

With its stomping glam-rock groove, ’50s sci-fi style drones and the seductive vocals of Patricia Day, Denmark’s contribution to the undead song canon recounts the pitfalls of dating a horror obsessive—the demographic most likely tearing this list apart at the moment.

6. Faith No More – “Zombie Eaters”

Offering up such tender lyrics as “So hug me and kiss me/Then wipe my butt and piss me” might possibly refer to the loss of control over certain bodily functions at the point of death. Or it could just be that the title “Zombie Eaters” is cool—and who cares whether it relates to the lyrical content or not?

7. Cannibal Corpse – “Pit Of Zombies”

It’s no surprise the death-metal genre is rammed to the gills with songs about corpses that bite, but perhaps none are as “direct” as “Pit Of Zombies.” In classic Cannibal Corpse fashion, they unleash a churning, brutal storm of blast beat-driven noise while graphically describing the downsides of being suspended above said pit.

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8. The Cramps – “Zombie Dance”

In 115 seconds of understated boogie-inflected garage punk, the Cramps detail the events at a dance that could either be a commentary on the metaphorical deadness of those disaffected youth in attendance or a commentary on literally undead partiers.

9. Kirby Krackle – “Zombie Apocalypse”

Having the distinction of being the only song on this list composed on a ukulele, Kirby Krackle’s ditty narrates the downright inconvenience of a zombie apocalypse. Having to decapitate your own parents, running out of food and—worst of all—not being able to get on Twitter will surely hit home.

10. Single File – “Zombies Ate My Neighbors”

With a title taken from a classic Super Nintendo deep cut, “Zombies Ate My Neighbors” reps the lighthearted spirit of a Little Rascals-meets-Night Of The Living Dead crossover. Listing an arsenal consisting of lawn darts, bucket helmets and trash can lids, this pop-punk jam raises a situation where the kids next door face off against a zombie Armageddon. Realistic? Probably not, but it sure is catchy.

11. Vic Mensa, 93PUNX – “Zombie”

Rapper-turned-punk Vic Mensa is fully embracing the underground and continued his path toward the scene with this gritty remake of the Cranberries’ classic “Zombie.” Although the track makes more of a political statement rather than an undead one, the name itself and the high quality of this cover makes it an honorable mention.

12. Ghost – “Ghuleh / Zombie Queen”

Working as both a metal hit and a summoning chant for an ancient succubus, Ghost turn the creepy factor to 11 with this undead anthem. Playing off the feminine version of “Ghoul,” the track acts as an ode to the heretic goddess, who might be one of Satan’s premiere pals. Nonetheless, if you’re looking to add something to your seance playlist, this is a solid pick.

13. Weezer – “Zombie Bastards”

Setting a cheerful stride for their zombie-inspired hook, Weezer’s corpse jam could refer to normal people who have been “mummified” by the rule of life. Or, depending on your interpretation, actual flesh-eating monsters. One of the more positive-sounding songs on this list, the spooky names betrays the good vibes the track has to offer.

14. Social Distortion – “Road Zombie”

Another lyricless jam, Social D’s screeching guitar lines and ominous bass tabs set the stage for a race against an undead horde. Paired with the track’s name, the sound paints a picture of a leather-clad zombie a la Ghost Rider blasting down a desert road.

15. White Zombie – “I, Zombie”

The undead show up with a surprising sparseness in the songs penned by 2015 APMAs Vanguard Award recipient Rob Zombie, but no list would be complete without an entry from the man himself. Taken from White Zombie’s final studio album, “I, Zombie” is a rampant, industrial-flavored full-metal romp in which Mr. Zombie pays homage to, well, himself apparently.

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