No, not actual frogs! Actual frogs are awesome! Leave them alone. I’m talking about frog monsters, the recurring enemies of the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense from Hellboy, and very specifically the frog monsters you encounter while playing Mantic Games’ Hellboy: the Board Game.
Back during the white-hot frenzy of the game’s Kickstarter (the conclusion of which I spent staying in a castle in Italy which proved disappointingly devoid of secret rooms, ghosts, and/or helpful skeletons) someone started compiling a playlist that would be suitable to whack on during a game session. I thought this a fantastic idea and made a number of suggestions which were duly incorporated, but was displeased to discover a whole bunch of songs that were CLEARLY AND ENTIRELY UNSUITABLE being included! It was OUTRAGEOUS and I immediately started compiling a list of PROPER songs, which has been slowly growing in the back of my head ever since.
It’s rather a short list. I can’t quite pin down the criteria for a suitable Hellboy song, but I know it when I hear it. It will likely have a gravel voiced singer, a lot of base and a general atmosphere of menace. Something of a country and western feel – without going too far into Hank Williams territory – is common. Lyrics with supernatural elements are obviously a plus, but are not essential.
I’ve posted my list here and will add to it as I discover more tracks. Suggestions are welcome, but don’t expect me to accept any of them!
Red Right Hand – Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
The World Ender – Lord Huron
City of Dreams – Mickelangelo
Riders on the Storm – The Doors
Jesus Built my Hotrod – Ministry
Ghost Riders in the Sky – Stan Jones
The Devil Went Down to Georgia -The Charlie Daniels Band
Black Market – Bear McCreary
Road to Hell – Chris Rea
Ashes to Ashes – Steve Earl
Dragula – Rob Zombie
How’s it Gonna End? – Tom Waits
Bella Lugosi’s Dead – Bauhaus
Fallout 4 Main Theme – Inon Zur
Mars, the Bringer of War – Gustav Holst
Finally, if your players are leery at the idea of killing frogs then play them some of Froggy 2000. It’ll get them in the right headspace in no time…
