# Need suggestions for some 'insane' instrumental music **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 12, 2015, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-suggestions-for-some-insane-instrumental-music/712481 "2015-02-12T16:28:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Enlightening\_Meditation](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecc23a/32.png) [@Enlightening\_Meditation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enlightening_Meditation)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2015, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-suggestions-for-some-insane-instrumental-music/712481/41 "2015-02-14T03:47:33Z")
I read the OP and immediately thought of Frank Zappa, Varèse, and Stravinsky. Parts of these albums by Frank Zappa (sometimes with The Mothers of Invention) would work I think for an insane asylum motif: _Weasels Ripped My Flesh_ _Lumpy Gravy_ _Hot Rats_ _Waka/Jawaka_ ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2015, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-suggestions-for-some-insane-instrumental-music/712481/42 "2015-02-14T04:24:04Z")
> [@Mithras](#): > > I’m pretty far from a connoisseur of orchestral music but is there something by Charles Ives that fits? Three pieces for two pianos tuned a quarter-tone apart. I happen to love them, and have met only one other person who feels likewise. Interestingly, both of us are professional Piano Technicians. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/izFgt2tZ0Oc/maxresdefault.jpg "Charles Ives - Three Quarter-Tone Pieces [1/3]") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izFgt2tZ0Oc) ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2015, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-suggestions-for-some-insane-instrumental-music/712481/43 "2015-02-14T04:36:42Z")
Edgar Varese “Poeme Electronique” - The original 1958 recording. Oliver Messiaen’s “Dieu Parmi Nous” - if I remember correctly, this was sort of an interpretation of beatific vision, but to me it sounds like insanity. Beautiful dissonance. (Feel free to correct me on this.) ---
**Author:** ![Anamorphic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/anamorphic/32/3057_2.png) [@Anamorphic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anamorphic)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2015, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-suggestions-for-some-insane-instrumental-music/712481/44 "2015-02-14T04:59:18Z")
Most anything by [Steroid Maximus](https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=steroid+maximus). ---
**Author:** ![Banksiaman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banksiaman/32/3334_2.png) [@Banksiaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banksiaman)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2015, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-suggestions-for-some-insane-instrumental-music/712481/45 "2015-02-14T11:02:19Z")
[Scott Walker’s](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Walker_(singer)) two most recent albums - The Drift and Bisch Bosch. Not always instrumental, but the vocals often come in as moans, short jabs or ululating wails over people punching meat, screeches and echoes. Can be hard to take. If you want music that’s hard to listen to and has REALLY been played in an asylum, then check out an early Cramps performance, filmed as a [live concert](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fat2rswNJ1k) at the Napa Mental Asylum in 1978 [Brian Gregory, Nick Knox in the line-up for those who still stay sick]. ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2015, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-suggestions-for-some-insane-instrumental-music/712481/46 "2015-02-14T12:49:24Z")
[Shostakovich’s String Quartet No. 8, movement 2.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjvTTfbpWjY) Composed in a period of great personal strain, and speculated by one of his friends to have basically been the artist’s would-be “suicide note.” 'Seems fitting. ---
**Author:** ![wellanuff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/57b2e6/32.png) [@wellanuff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wellanuff)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2015, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-suggestions-for-some-insane-instrumental-music/712481/47 "2015-02-14T13:31:14Z")
If you only need snippets, the first minute and a half of ELO’s “Fire on High” is fairly nightmarish/insane sounding. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/xfBUVpGvOOs/hqdefault.jpg "Fire On High - Elo (Youtube Edition) Full") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfBUVpGvOOs) ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2015, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-suggestions-for-some-insane-instrumental-music/712481/48 "2015-02-14T16:13:27Z")
Some of Ornette Coleman’s free jazz sounds a little crazy. ---
**Author:** ![Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/les_espaces_du_sommeil/32/308_2.png) [@Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Les_Espaces_Du_Sommeil)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2015, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-suggestions-for-some-insane-instrumental-music/712481/49 "2015-02-14T16:47:42Z")
> [@Ranchoth](#): > > [Shostakovich’s String Quartet No. 8, movement 2.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjvTTfbpWjY) > > Composed in a period of great personal strain, and speculated by one of his friends to have basically been the artist’s would-be “suicide note.” 'Seems fitting. Another good one. Shostakovich’s music is the very definition of bleak. I have mixed feelings about his music but his _eighth quartet_ is perhaps his masterpiece. Movement 3 is one of the finest things he wrote (am I the only one who thinks of the theme from _Charlie’s Angels_ at 0:53?): [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OtqABpuV-s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OtqABpuV-s) ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2015, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-suggestions-for-some-insane-instrumental-music/712481/50 "2015-02-15T13:32:55Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > Two tracks on Rick Wakeman’s **Criminal Record** qualify. “Chamber of Horrors” starts out rational enough, but becomes progressively more insane. “Judas Iscariot” sounds like the work of a p;sychotic organist. I was planning at one point to use it for my own music dub for the silent _Phantom of the Opera_, because it’s so perfect. When I saw Broadway’s (i.e., Andrew Lloyd Webber’s) _Phantom of the Opera_ and it began the main theme music, I was positive that they were using snippets from Rick Wakeman’s “Judas Iscariot”. I know you can’t exactly copyright a 5 note descending chromatic run, but still, the resemblance is uncanny if it’s an independent and non-derivative composition. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2015, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-suggestions-for-some-insane-instrumental-music/712481/51 "2015-02-15T16:56:26Z")
> [@Zebra](#): > > DooWha, Don’t worry, I can use snippets under ‘fair use’. [You sure about that?](http://studentpressblogs.org/nspa/the-non-existent-30-second-rule/) ---
**Author:** ![DooWahDiddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9bcb4/32.png) [@DooWahDiddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DooWahDiddy)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2015, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-suggestions-for-some-insane-instrumental-music/712481/52 "2015-02-16T04:46:00Z")
> [@AHunter3](#): > > When I saw Broadway’s (i.e., Andrew Lloyd Webber’s) _Phantom of the Opera_ and it began the main theme music, I was positive that they were using snippets from Rick Wakeman’s “Judas Iscariot”. I know you can’t exactly copyright a 5 note descending chromatic run, but still, the resemblance is uncanny if it’s an independent and non-derivative composition. Pink Floyd thought about suing him for that very same motif. Pretty impressive when you can steal from _two_ people! ---
**Author:** ![Elemenopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b5e925/32.png) [@Elemenopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elemenopy)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2015, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-suggestions-for-some-insane-instrumental-music/712481/53 "2015-02-16T19:50:34Z")
You might give a listen to the Silent Hill soundtracks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKWK1Wd1UXI ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2015, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-suggestions-for-some-insane-instrumental-music/712481/54 "2015-02-16T20:45:27Z")
> [@Rachellelogram](#): > > [You sure about that?](http://studentpressblogs.org/nspa/the-non-existent-30-second-rule/) This bears repeating. Fair-use means you can use small snippets in a review or something similar. Also parody is protected speech. It does NOT mean you can just appropriate anything you like, no matter how small. At minimum, look into paying ASCAP/BMI fees. ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2015, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-suggestions-for-some-insane-instrumental-music/712481/55 "2015-02-17T04:29:53Z")
Einstürzende Neubauten might have the level of weirdness you’re looking for: [Sehnsucht](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKHwNkakNDE). Chains and drill sounds are involved. Or [Das Schaben](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hu0YcYLyiRs) Or [Halber Mensch](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0LF6WA9rxI). Really a lot from the _1/2 Mensch_ album might meet your criteria. ---
**Author:** ![HowSoonIsThen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e56c9b/32.png) [@HowSoonIsThen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HowSoonIsThen)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2015, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-suggestions-for-some-insane-instrumental-music/712481/56 "2015-02-17T04:46:10Z")
The first thing that came to mind when you said insane instrumental music was Naked City. Sort of a combination of Jazz and hardcore punk/grindcore. Then I realised I misinterpreted “insane”. Still, these slightly more ambient track by them might fit: [Naked City's Absinthe Album Track 1 - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DC7kCuaTn9k) And as for things that might make people say "that's not music": Nurse with Wound: [Nurse With Wound - "The Bottom Feeder" - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbfxNoYxMhI) (possibly NSFW) Whitehouse: [Whitehouse - total SEX - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7rIYoKlH60) (there are vocals, but I can’t make out the words) Throbbing Gristle: [- YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6Psy63FgqQ) Based on the previous suggestions (at least the ones I read), I’m not sure if this is the kind of thing you’re going for, but I think it would suit a nightmarish scene. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2015, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-suggestions-for-some-insane-instrumental-music/712481/57 "2015-02-19T05:07:17Z")
> [@Knorf](#): > > This bears repeating. > > Fair-use means you can use small snippets in a review or something similar. Also parody is protected speech. > > It does NOT mean you can just appropriate anything you like, no matter how small. At minimum, look into paying ASCAP/BMI fees. Thank you, ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2015, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-suggestions-for-some-insane-instrumental-music/712481/58 "2015-02-19T06:52:30Z")
I’ve always felt that Chopin’s Piano Sonata No 2 Op.35 Finale: Presto was the perfect depiction of pained insanity delivered by solo piano. I call the piece “Liquid Madness”. Sonata No. 2 Op. 35 is know as the “Marche funèbre” or “The Funeral March” and the first three movements are recognized people the world over. But the fourth and final movement, Finale: Presto, is not heard as often. Perhaps because it just sounds utterly insane. To me it is a wonderful distillation of madness in a bottle. And could be just the thing you’re looking for. [Here is a decent rendition of it](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4d_CGL0VUo), but I believe the best version I’ve ever heard was played by Andre Watts. Sadly, I couldn’t find that version on YouTube. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2015, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-suggestions-for-some-insane-instrumental-music/712481/59 "2015-02-19T16:30:24Z")
> [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](#): > > I’ve always felt that Chopin’s Piano Sonata No 2 Op.35 Finale: Presto was the perfect depiction of pained insanity delivered by solo piano… > To me it is a wonderful distillation of madness in a bottle. And could be just the thing you’re looking for. > > [Here is a decent rendition of it](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4d_CGL0VUo), but I believe the best version I’ve ever heard was played by Andre Watts. Sadly, I couldn’t find that version on YouTube. Good one. ---
**Author:** ![Hoopy\_Frood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hoopy_frood/32/8452_2.png) [@Hoopy\_Frood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hoopy_Frood)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2015, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-suggestions-for-some-insane-instrumental-music/712481/60 "2015-02-23T03:06:08Z")
> [@Knorf](#): > > This bears repeating. > > Fair-use means you can use small snippets in a review or something similar. Also parody is protected speech. > > It does NOT mean you can just appropriate anything you like, no matter how small. At minimum, look into paying ASCAP/BMI fees. Yep. This is why the intro bars of “Stairway to Heaven” do not show up in the DVD of _Wayne’s World_ when Wayne tries out the guitar. The creators didn’t understand when the movie was released that they couldn’t use those bars under “fair use”. (I believe they were citing the 4-bar exemption, which also doesn’t exist.) I don’t remember the full of what happened, but I believe Zeppelin agreed to let bygones be bygones as far as the movie release went, but there would be a lot of royalty payments to have that scene on the DVD. So they replaced it with a meaningless guitar riff instead on the DVD’s, which kind of ruined the joke. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-suggestions-for-some-insane-instrumental-music/712481.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-suggestions-for-some-insane-instrumental-music/712481.md?page=4)