Songs to Live by: A Pale Horse Named Death’s Sal Abruscato

FalkovMK, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
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As the original drummer of both Type O Negative and Life of Agony and the frontman of A Pale Horse Named Death, Sal Abruscato (pictured above, second from the right, with APHND) has had his hand in some of the darkest, doomiest and most emotional heavy music of the last 30 years. His gothic-metal outfit A Pale Horse Named Death, which features fellow Type O alumnus Johnny Kelly and harkens to the gloomy sounds of Alice in Chains and My Dying Bride, released its third album When the World Becomes Undone earlier this year, and it’s full of angsty feels and apocalyptic visions. Since he’s clearly a man for whom music is deeply tied to emotion, we asked Abruscato to share some of the songs he turns to when he’s in various moods, and some of the songs that mean the most to him.

When I pissed off:
Nine Inch Nails – “Wish”

The song just gets me so pumped to break something apart.

When I’m feeling depressed:
The Beatles – “A Day In The Life”

For me, it’s reflecting on my own life.

When I get up in the morning:
Soundgarden – “Rusty Cage”

It makes me want to jump in my Challenger and do 150mph.

When I go to bed:
The Doors – “Crystal Ship”

Dreamy trippy close-your-eyes music to sleep to. I am a big fan of Jim Morrison vocals.

When I’m hungover:
The Kinks – “Lola”

Because you always wonder who you were with the night before.

When I’m getting it on:
Mac Davis – “Baby Don’t Get Hooked On Me”

Because I’m a 1970s kid and that’s how I ramble on.

Song I most want to be remembered for:
A Pale Horse Named Death – “Die Alone”

One of my most favorite songs I have ever written and synonymous with the fans. Three million views on YouTube can’t be wrong.

Song I wish I wrote:
The Beatles – “Dear Prudence”

A beautiful song that mesmerizes the soul, so simple yet powerful with it’s orchestrations.

Songs I want played at my funeral:
Black Sabbath – “Black Sabbath”

Because I am sarcastic, verbally shocking and humorously dark.