From shadowed myths to whispered hauntings, these tracks reimagine the region’s darkest legends through sound. Each song represents a spirit from across Asia’s folklore — from vengeful ghosts and shapeshifting monsters and from scarring rock bangers to eerie siren songs — turning ancient terror into hypnotic, haunting melodies that blur the line between reality and fear.
With these 10 tracks, you too can summon the chilling spirit of Asian folklore and urban legends this Halloween, immersing yourself in spine‑tingling tales and eerie atmospheres that make every shadow and whisper come alive. After all, every knock and creak could be something or someone lurking in the dark.
Isyana Sarasvati, DeadSquad — 'IL SOGNO'
POCONG: The Indonesian legend of a female ghost that appears at night, often in the form of a beautiful woman, who lures men and drains their life force.
‘IL SOGNO’ blends progressive rock, death metal and classical elements with dream-like and intense instrumentation. The negative melodies blend with the regal classical opera like vocals to create a swell of unsettling energy that builds up with the addition of the bruising drumbeats and deep guttural vocals giving a haunting vibe to the track.
The lyrics drive home the sinister nature of the siren-like capabilities of the urban legend as they almost emphasise the urgency to escape from its lure, hoping that what you see before you is a mirage saying, “Question every second when I’m dreaming, I feel it alive, blinded by a mist under the moonlight”. The overall eeriness of the track captures a sense of misfortune and unease.
Hawa — 'Aku Dah Mati'
PONTIANAK: The Malaysian folklore tale of a vengeful female spirit who died during childbirth, often appearing as a pale woman in white.
‘Aku Dah Mati’ has a hypnotising and melancholy vibe that translates through the haunting melody and the layered vocals giving this song a touch of sadness and despair to it. Translating to “I'm dead”, ‘Aku Dah Mati’ is a track that almost seems like it’s from the point of view of the spirit as it lingers looking for the 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 because of revenge but you are like a pig” — relating to the sorrow that comes as a result of the untimely and unfortunate death that befell the woman — manifesting into anger that turns her into a blood thirsty spirit. The blistering alt rock and shoegaze inspired music of the track sticks to the folklore as it channels the anger fueled sadness.
deadman — 'sakura to ame'
KUCHISAKE-ONNA: The Japanese tale of a disfigured woman with a slit mouth who asks victims if she is beautiful, often attacking based on the answer.
“Am I beautiful” she grins, wide, her cheshire cat smile staring right back at you. Any answer is the wrong answer. Your misfortune has befallen you the moment you looked into her cold empty eyes. That’s the sinister energy that ‘sakura to ame’ packs with its mysterious lyrics and heartfelt vocal delivery by the band.
The alt rock sound gives the song the edgy darkness that this urban legend is steeped in with fluttery guitar notes balanced with thumping drum lines. “Your smile is also fading” the lyrics repeat over and over as your mind chants the same words, hoping that her extremely wide grin will disappear, she isn’t real, you’re dreaming, she’s just a regular woman; right?
Megumi Acorda — 'Ghost'
ASWANG: A Filipino urban legend about a shapeshifting monster, usually a vampire-like witch, that preys on humans at night.
‘Ghost’ is the perfect track to suit this shapeshifting monster as the melody presents a soft and sweet melody with airy vocals giving the song a dreamlike and addictive sound. However, the lyrics tell a different story as they talk about themes shrouded in darkness with lines like “Dreams of different ways to die” and “I exist to nobody but you”.
explore themes of isolation, obsession, and the uncanny. This contrast between the ethereal melody and unsettling lyrics amplifies the eerie atmosphere, deepening the sense of taboo and mystery that surrounds the urban legend.”
Luby Sparks — 'Closer'
HACHISHAKUSAMA: Hachishakusama, or the "Eight-Foot Tall Woman," is a Japanese urban legend about a malevolent spirit who preys on children by luring them with a distinctive "po, po, po" sound.
“‘What’s that sound? It’s getting ‘Closer’.” Like the Pied Piper’s call, the eerie lure of the Hachishakusama grips children who cannot resist its pull. ‘Closer’ is a darkwave track that hypnotizes, drawing listeners into the spirit’s sinister narrative.
Lyrics like “Come on little sweetie, don't be afraid of losing me, I'm not a deceiver, you're mine, somebody told me” echo the folklore’s chilling tale, capturing the ruse used to lead innocent victims astray. The haunting melody lingers long after the song ends, leaving an indelible mark — a memory you can never fully escape.
Zzzaam — 'sleeptalking not sleeptalking'
DALGYAL GWISHIN: A Korean urban legend about a ghost that looks like a smooth, egg-shaped figure with a featureless, faceless head.
‘sleeptalking not sleeptalking’ captures the haunting, almost ethereal longing of someone determined to reach an elusive destination. Much like the egg-shaped, faceless ghost silently gliding through urban spaces, the lyrics convey a sense of dreamlike Uncanniness—walking familiar streets yet reaching for something just out of grasp.
The lyrics say, “Walking the path from a dream, To that unreachable place”. The music’s dreamlike, melancholy tone mirrors the unsettling stillness of a face with no features; smooth, empty and unnerving.
Yellow Fang — 'Blanket'
NANG TANI: A spine-chilling Thai urban legend about the ghost of a woman who died near banana trees, appearing as a green-skinned spirit, luring men to watery graves.
‘Blanket’ is a siren call, the delicate lull of a mesmerising melody as it feels almost like it’s being carried by the breeze. Is this the sound of the waves crashing into the water? The sound of the trees as they sway in the wind? The sound of a spirit luring you to your death? The angelic sound of the dreamy layered vocals in this track makes it hypnotising.
The track opens with that softness before breaking into an indie rock beat with the drums crashing in almost like the panic that sets in with the realisation that the siren song was a trap, you’ve just walked into misfortune and this might be the end of the road for you.
Otay:onii — 'Subhuman Sings'
JIANGSHI: A Chinese folk tale about a hopping vampire, stiff in movement, feeding on the life force of humans, often depicted with Taoist talismans.
‘Subhuman Sings’ is an experimental track that is the final boss of uncanny songs with the layered unique vocals, melodies and sounds creating a sonic soundscape that feels almost overwhelming like the fight or flight that you feel when witnessing a Jiangshi slowly hopping toward you. That feeling of your stomach dropping, the dread of that “Subhuman” approaching you.
The lyrics describe the terrifying nature of the spirit as they say, “It’s ugly as it is oh whoever there have you heard a sub human speak？they can’t, the mouth’s needled their tongues’ cut, the power holder chains their feet, the abuse ties their hands”. The track hits the nail on the head with the chaotic music and fearful description of the entity.
Youth Portal — 'Cold Dark Summer'
ORANG MINYAK: A mythical creature in Malay folklore that is said to be coated in a shiny, black grease. According to legend, it abducts young women at night.
A ‘Cold Dark Summer’, the perfect time for whatever’s lurking in the shadows, or amongst the trees in the forest to set its sights on its prey. The track takes listeners on a hypnotic journey into the darker corners of post-punk and gothic rock The music thrives on brooding repetition, eerie synths, and driving, minimalist percussion. The song builds a sense of claustrophobic unease, almost like wandering through shadowy places with the weight of paranoia pressing in.
.Feast, Koil — 'Tak Ada Wifi Di Alam Baka'
SUNDEL BOLONG: A terrifying Indonesian urban legend about A ghost with a long-haired, beautiful appearance, but with a gaping hole in her back. She is said to lure men before revealing her horrifying secret.
‘Tak Ada Wifi Di Alam Baka’ is a blistering rock track marked by searing guitar riffs and thunderous, overpowering drums that demand attention. Drawing inspiration from the dark Indonesian legend of the Sundel Bolong, the song channels a raw, vengeful energy, mixing anger, rebellion, and haunting intensity into its sound.
With lyrics like, “Go to hell first, maybe we will be together,” it conveys a boiling rage that transforms into a curse, wrapping listeners in a storm of emotion, fury, and dark catharsis. The track’s relentless pace and ominous tone make it a visceral experience, perfect for fans of urban legends that are as intense as they are electrifying.
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