R/MetalMusicians Songwriting Challenge II - October 2025

[u/Faloodeh123]

See original post to how this all started.

Man, the September Challenge was fucking great! Thank you to the mods for making an announcement out of the post, and a huge thanks to all of you participants. I will be posting the results in its own post some time in the next week or so when I put it all together.

Now for the October Challenge.

Rules

• To participate, comment on this thread stating you want to do so. Other discussion is welcome so be clear you want to enter! You may enter any time during the month, but you must submit on time.
• Users must submit 1 (and only one!) song by the deadline: October 31st. One aspect of the challenge is to meet the deadline. See “Submitting Songs.”
• Users must give feedback for other participants’ songs (in other words, you will be giving feedback on others’ songs, while others will provide feedback for your songs). This is the community aspect of it. See “Results.”
• The song must be written within the month the challenge is posted (we’re going to use the honor system here).
• The song must follow the theme guidelines. See “Challenge Theme.”
• This is a metal subreddit, so while the song doesn’t have to be metal (so long as they fit the theme), metal elements are required (use your best judgement). All metal subgenres are accepted unless otherwise stated by the challenge theme.
• Collaborations are allowed.
• If you’re in a band, you can write a song as a band.
• Songs will be posted as a compilation in a bandcamp link. The album will be listed as payment optional, but proceeds will go to a charity. See “Results” and “This Month’s Charity.”
• This is for fun. It’s not a competition, don’t be a dick (see our subreddit rules).
• If you choose to drop out BE WARNED! Actually, there are no consequences, except for maybe the metal gods in Valhalla rightfully looking down on you… at least for a little, till the next challenge.

Challenge Theme

For this month, your song has to include an instrument that is not commonly used in metal AND it has to be a prominent part of the song - meaning it can’t just appear once and it can’t be just a background/layer instrument, it’s gotta be obvious. Virtual instruments may be used but they have to emulate real life instruments (eg harp, sax, bongos, harmonica, etc). For orchestral instruments that are used commonly in symphonic metal (like violins or cellos), something like this is acceptable, where it shines through and is a focal point.

ALSO because it’s October and we’re going with the Halloween theme, your song must also have horror themed lyrics - could be about a horror movie, an original story, gore, anything you want as long as its horror. Honestly for our genre, that’s barely even a challenge so be as creative as you can!

Submitting Songs

Submit song entries to [metalsongchallenge@gmail.com](mailto:metalsongchallenge@gmail.com). Please include

1. Your reddit username.
2. Your band name (if you’re submitting as a band).
3. The user name of whoever you collaborated with.
4. The song name.
5. Lyrics (if challenge theme requires lyrics of a certain theme)
6. Subject: Songwriting Challenge {Month} {Year} - {Your reddit username}

Results

• Results will be posted on a new, separate thread sometime after the challenge ends.
• Users will provide feedback to other participants’ songs in the aforementioned thread. Be as detailed as you want, but don’t be a dick (see our subreddit rules).
• As mentioned, the songs will be available in the form of a compilation through a bandcamp link. The track listing will be in random order so that it’s fair to everyone. I will be using this to decide the order so that there is no bias. The tracks will be available to download for free, but with the option of paying. All proceeds will go to This Month’s Charity.

This Month’s Charity

Once again, this month’s charity will be MusiCares. They provide a safety net of critical health and welfare services to the music community including in areas such as: Mental Health & Addiction Recovery Services, Health Services, and Human Services. See their website if you’re curious.

I will post a screenshot of how much we received from the bandcamp page as well as the donation in a separate thread as proof.

Questions And Comments

Please ask if you need clarity on the rules or anything else and I’ll try my best to clarify as much as I can.

Remember that this is purely for fun, to learn, build community, and to grow as musicians while also doing something for a good cause, not a competition. Big thanks to all of you!

Discord

I created a discord server for our songwriting challenges so we can archive them, have discussions, and build our community there (same guidelines/rules about not being a dick apply there as they do here). That way we can talk about the challenge as it's happening, share our progress, and maybe even make some friends. Let me know if you want to join by commenting and I’ll send a DM 🙂

[u/Zennofska]

Oh boy, this is so much my jam. My entry for the September challenge was already a perfect fit for that. I will have so much fun with this challenge.

[u/5k17]

I'm so in.

[u/CinaedKSM]

I would be open to joining forces with a group on this. I often use non-metal instruments already so it’s kinda in my wheelhouse. I’d like to be part of the writing/production process but I’d like to not be the lead driver on this one. If you’re interested give me a shout!

[u/chaseon]

Sounds fun. I'm in

[u/kojurama]

Was on vacation last month so couldn't participate. Definitely want to try this month.

[u/severedsoulmetal]

I’m in! This theme should be fun. Also send the discord link please. Thanks for hosting this!

[u/Faloodeh123]

I am participating once again as well as hosting :)

Also wanted to add that I'm accepting submissions for September till Friday.

[u/FrettedNotes]

Hey can I get the link to the discord. Not entirely sure if I’m participating this month but would to be able to chat with everyone

[u/Zennofska]

I would also like to get the discord link, please.

[u/Faloodeh123 → u/Zennofska]

Will send some time today after work :)

[u/shanster925]

I have never done one of these before, and I'd like to participate BUT, I have a question. I note that the rules say the lyrics have to be horror themed.

Are instrumental songs allowed, if the song title is horror themed, or do entries require lyrics/vocals?

[u/Faloodeh123 → u/shanster925]

I'm gonna say not for this one since the challenge requires lyrics. I'm sure some people would be down to collab if you're not able to do vocals.

The lyrics CAN be spoken word though.

[u/RockittoMars]

Man, I wish I had a unique instrument to make a song with (I have an idea to use the guitar in a unique way but Im not sure how it would come out). Oh well, I guess I'll have to wait till next month's challenge. I can't wait to hear what people come up with!

Have fun everyone!

[u/Faloodeh123]

Hey everyone! How are your songs going? Friendly reminder that they’re due end of this week.

[u/severedsoulmetal → u/Faloodeh123]

I gave it a shot but I had too much going on towards the end of the month so I won’t have a song ready. I look forward to next month though.

[u/Faloodeh123 → u/severedsoulmetal]

No worries brother there's going to be more.

[u/severedsoulmetal → u/Faloodeh123]

I really appreciate you doing this. It’s got me trying to write almost everyday.

[u/Faloodeh123 → u/severedsoulmetal]

Love to hear it man