A Pale Horse Named Death is an American gothic metal band that was founded in 2010 by Sal Abruscato of Type O Negative and Life of Agony fame. Their music is commonly described as a mix of both Alice in Chains and Type O Negative.
Current Members:
- Sal Abruscato - vocals, guitars (2010-present) drums (2010-2018)
- Eddie Heedles - guitars (2011-present)
- Eric Morgan - bass (2011-2012, 2014-prsent)
- Johnny Kelly - drums (2018-present)
- Bobby Hambel - live guitars (2011-present)
Former Members:
- Matt Brown - guitars, bass (2010-2013)
- Bobby Hambel - guitars (2011. He still plays with the band as a live member)
- Dave Bizzigotti - bass (2013)
- Tommy Spano - drums (2018)
Albums:
- 2011 - And Hell Will Follow Me
- 2013 - Lay My Soul to Waste
- 2019 - When the World Becomes Undone
Examples
- Anti-Love Song: "Shallow Grave" is about a guy who eventually snaps and kills his girlfriend.
- Creepy Crows: They show up in "When Crows Descend upon You".
- Deal with the Devil: "Devil Came with a Smile" is about a rock star who sells his soul to the Devil to become rich and famous. Afterwards, he lives a lifestyle filled with hookers, drugs, and the sort. Then it all goes downhill from there.
- Despair Event Horizon: "Die Alone" essentially boils down to this.
- Almost everything in When the World Becomes Undone can be interpreted as the singer experiencing this trope.
- Died in Your Arms Tonight: Well, "To Die in Your Arms".
- Drugs Are Bad: "Heroin Train", "Pill Head", and "Devil Came with a Smile" explore this theme.
- The End of the World as We Know It: Day of the Storm is about a massive storm unleashed to destroy mankind. Strangely, it ends on a positive note.
- Harsh Vocals: Used sparingly. Shows up in "Killer By Night", "Devil Came with a Smile", and "DMSLT", to name a few.
- Murder Ballad: Murder is a recurring theme in their music. Especially prevalent in songs like "Shallow Grave", "Killer by Night", and of course, "Serial Killer".
- Serial Killer: "Serial Killer".
- Sex Drugs And Rock N Roll: The rock star's immediate lifestyle after his Deal with the Devil in "Devil Came with a Smile".
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Spiritual Successor: Some fans consider A Pale Horse Named Death to be this to Type O Negative. - Surprisingly Happy Ending: Day of the Storm ends with the sun coming and bringing life back into the world.
- Downplayed with Cold, Dark Mourning, which closes their second album. While the song is rather sad, it also involves the singer's hope that he'll be reunited with his dead friends in the afterlife.
- Things That Go "Bump" in the Night: "Devil in the Closet".
- Together in Death: Cold, Dark Mourning is about a nonromantic version of this trope with the narrator stating his belief that he'll be able to see his dead friends again after his own death.
