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Music to Sacrifice Virgins To
Down on his luck and moving back in with his mother, Asher Benton receives a death bed letter from an estranged relative. Uncle Rex is leaving his most prized possessions to his nephew—a collection of heavy metal records and a vintage stereo. In need of money, Asher plans to sell them, but is quickly drawn in by a mysterious album named Music to Sacrifice Virgins To.
The album is forged of black magic, and the more Asher listens to it, the closer he comes to being a Satanic warlock. By embracing the evil, he gains all that he desires—money, women, influence, and power. He forms a death cult to do The Devil’s bidding and soon starts to wonder if Uncle Rex truly is dead. Perhaps he is closer than Asher ever imagined.
From Kristopher Triana, author of Gone to See the River Man and Full Brutal, comes his most diabolical work yet. Filled with demons, sorcery, and murder, Music to Sacrifice Virgins To is a vicious, merciless horror novel that will devour your soul.
“Like the bastard son of Faulkner and Barker, Triana trudges a literary lane all his own.” - Nick Roberts, author of The Exorcist’s House
The album is forged of black magic, and the more Asher listens to it, the closer he comes to being a Satanic warlock. By embracing the evil, he gains all that he desires—money, women, influence, and power. He forms a death cult to do The Devil’s bidding and soon starts to wonder if Uncle Rex truly is dead. Perhaps he is closer than Asher ever imagined.
From Kristopher Triana, author of Gone to See the River Man and Full Brutal, comes his most diabolical work yet. Filled with demons, sorcery, and murder, Music to Sacrifice Virgins To is a vicious, merciless horror novel that will devour your soul.
“Like the bastard son of Faulkner and Barker, Triana trudges a literary lane all his own.” - Nick Roberts, author of The Exorcist’s House
- GenresHorror
566 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 31, 2025
43 people are currently reading
173 people want to read
About the author
Kristopher Triana
67 books2,106 followersKristopher Triana is the author of Gone to See the River Man, Full Brutal, They All Died Screaming, Shepherd of the Black Sheep, Toxic Love, and more.
His fiction has appeared in countless magazines and anthologies and has been translated into multiple languages, drawing praise from Publisher's Weekly, Cemetery Dance, Rue Morgue, Scream, The Ginger Nuts of Horror and others.
Full Brutal won the Splatterpunk Award for Best Horror Novel of 2019, and Triana won the award again in 2022 for The Night Stockers, which he cowrote with Ryan Harding.
He lives in Connecticut.
His fiction has appeared in countless magazines and anthologies and has been translated into multiple languages, drawing praise from Publisher's Weekly, Cemetery Dance, Rue Morgue, Scream, The Ginger Nuts of Horror and others.
Full Brutal won the Splatterpunk Award for Best Horror Novel of 2019, and Triana won the award again in 2022 for The Night Stockers, which he cowrote with Ryan Harding.
He lives in Connecticut.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
November 10, 2025
I'm a Triana fangirl and have read almost everything he's put out. This is one of his largest books but I burned through it like it was a magazine... It was terrifying and revolting and sexually charged in the most evil way, which makes sense with the incubus angle. A great tribute to the devil rock glory days of heavy metal, and a story that takes the "deal with the devil" trope to disturbing extremes. I loved how Asher got worse as the satanic influence took over, making him increasingly more hateful to everyone and everything. It was a scary progression and made for some of Triana's bleakest writing.
I love this author's work because he can give you a dark drama like "I Don't Recognize This World Anymore" and then follow it with "Music", one of the most insane and brutal splatterpunk novels I've ever read. This one might be too intense even for fans of his "River Man" books, but obviously those of us who loved "Full Brutal' and "Toxic Love" are the intended audience. This is NOT for lightweight horror fans! But if you're brave enough, this is one of the best new horror novels you could ask for.
One last thing added post script: What I love most about Triana's stuff is that it is true splatterpunk, meaning there's a message behind the carnage. To me this book is about the danger of power being put into the wrong hands, the hypocrisy of organized religion, and most chilling of all, the belief that most people will choose evil if it gives them better results, and perhaps that's why the world is in state of moral decay. Like I said, it is bleak.
I love this author's work because he can give you a dark drama like "I Don't Recognize This World Anymore" and then follow it with "Music", one of the most insane and brutal splatterpunk novels I've ever read. This one might be too intense even for fans of his "River Man" books, but obviously those of us who loved "Full Brutal' and "Toxic Love" are the intended audience. This is NOT for lightweight horror fans! But if you're brave enough, this is one of the best new horror novels you could ask for.
One last thing added post script: What I love most about Triana's stuff is that it is true splatterpunk, meaning there's a message behind the carnage. To me this book is about the danger of power being put into the wrong hands, the hypocrisy of organized religion, and most chilling of all, the belief that most people will choose evil if it gives them better results, and perhaps that's why the world is in state of moral decay. Like I said, it is bleak.
November 21, 2025
I’ve been going back and forth trying to figure out exactly how I feel about this one. I usually love Triana’s work, but Music to Sacrifice Virgins To lands squarely in the middle for me for a few reasons.
The story follows Asher, who moves back in with his mother after a breakup. When his estranged uncle dies, Asher inherits his old metal vinyl collection from the ’70s–’90s. Hidden among the records is an obscure album called Music to Sacrifice Virgins To. Once he plays it, the music unlocks his darkest impulses and grants him powers that help him rise as a warlock in Satan’s army. The more horrific acts he commits, the more favor and power he gains...
I’m no stranger to splatterpunk or extreme horror; I can handle films like Guinea Pig Experiments or A Serbian Film (though that’s a one-and-done for me). But movies only consume a couple of hours of your life. A book traps you in its world for days or weeks, and with this nearly 400-page novel, Triana really pushed my limits. It’s an unceasing wave of depravity, so intense that I often felt like I couldn’t catch my breath. I stayed in this world too long. A few taboo scenes involving a family were almost unbearable for me as a parent - so fair warning to any parents out there, it gets really gross 🤮. Nearly every chapter contains some kind of sexual act, and when the sexual violence becomes this constant, it starts feeling repetitive and a little numbing.
Another issue is that there’s no one to root for. Triana often writes vile characters, but they usually have some twisted charm or depth that keeps me invested. Asher, though, is simply awful. He’s misogynistic, cruel, and entirely devoid of redeeming qualities, and no one ever challenges him. We just follow him deeper and deeper into darkness, and I found myself wondering why I’d want to spend my free time with someone I couldn’t stand. Had we seen more of his human side before the record transforms him, the later depravity might have hit harder instead of feeling like a constant onslaught.
However, there were things I genuinely enjoyed. The music playlist was great, and the novel’s commentary on Christianity, morality, and power was compelling, especially the idea that society often rewards ruthlessness while goodness goes unnoticed. I also loved the demon descriptions; Triana excels at monstrous imagery. Beelzebub’s design with flies, maggots, and teeth in eye sockets, was fantastic! And a birthing scene near the end actually made my jaw drop 😱
This one isn’t a new favorite for me, but I know it will absolutely appeal to readers who want extreme, shock-heavy horror. I did love Full Brutal, and maybe that’s because I resonate more with female POVs. But if you’re into stories driven by sexual violence, blood-soaked filth, and satanic, taboo mayhem, then this might be exactly what you’re looking for!
The story follows Asher, who moves back in with his mother after a breakup. When his estranged uncle dies, Asher inherits his old metal vinyl collection from the ’70s–’90s. Hidden among the records is an obscure album called Music to Sacrifice Virgins To. Once he plays it, the music unlocks his darkest impulses and grants him powers that help him rise as a warlock in Satan’s army. The more horrific acts he commits, the more favor and power he gains...
I’m no stranger to splatterpunk or extreme horror; I can handle films like Guinea Pig Experiments or A Serbian Film (though that’s a one-and-done for me). But movies only consume a couple of hours of your life. A book traps you in its world for days or weeks, and with this nearly 400-page novel, Triana really pushed my limits. It’s an unceasing wave of depravity, so intense that I often felt like I couldn’t catch my breath. I stayed in this world too long. A few taboo scenes involving a family were almost unbearable for me as a parent - so fair warning to any parents out there, it gets really gross 🤮. Nearly every chapter contains some kind of sexual act, and when the sexual violence becomes this constant, it starts feeling repetitive and a little numbing.
Another issue is that there’s no one to root for. Triana often writes vile characters, but they usually have some twisted charm or depth that keeps me invested. Asher, though, is simply awful. He’s misogynistic, cruel, and entirely devoid of redeeming qualities, and no one ever challenges him. We just follow him deeper and deeper into darkness, and I found myself wondering why I’d want to spend my free time with someone I couldn’t stand. Had we seen more of his human side before the record transforms him, the later depravity might have hit harder instead of feeling like a constant onslaught.
However, there were things I genuinely enjoyed. The music playlist was great, and the novel’s commentary on Christianity, morality, and power was compelling, especially the idea that society often rewards ruthlessness while goodness goes unnoticed. I also loved the demon descriptions; Triana excels at monstrous imagery. Beelzebub’s design with flies, maggots, and teeth in eye sockets, was fantastic! And a birthing scene near the end actually made my jaw drop 😱
This one isn’t a new favorite for me, but I know it will absolutely appeal to readers who want extreme, shock-heavy horror. I did love Full Brutal, and maybe that’s because I resonate more with female POVs. But if you’re into stories driven by sexual violence, blood-soaked filth, and satanic, taboo mayhem, then this might be exactly what you’re looking for!
December 23, 2025
I’m a huge fan of Triana but this one just wasn’t for me. It felt “extreme” just to be extreme. I saw a Facebook post from him trying to promote the book and it came across a bit fake, just trying to appeal to the masses. I’ve read many of his books and this was the first one I lost interest in about halfway through. Give it a go and decide for yourself but it’s my least favorite Triana story.
October 30, 2025
Music to Sacrifice Virgins To by Kristopher Triana is a story of music, demons, death, and a brutal, obscene descent into evil. It will unapologetically cross every boundary might have, and maybe a few you didn’t know you had.
This is a masterpiece of demonic horror for hardcore extreme horror aficionados. Triana’s writing is provocative, visual, and ruthless. And so is this story.
This is a masterpiece of demonic horror for hardcore extreme horror aficionados. Triana’s writing is provocative, visual, and ruthless. And so is this story.
December 1, 2025
"For the lords of hell, we come bearing the wrath of Satan."
This book was badass. If you are a fan of extreme metal and love the Devil, this book is for you.
This book was badass. If you are a fan of extreme metal and love the Devil, this book is for you.
December 25, 2025
Oh man, this one hurts.
Although I've only read a handful of Triana's books, he's consistently managed to impress me with his range and ability to write stories that are just as captivating to read as they are filthy, vile and vulgar. 'Music To Sacrifice Virgins to' is his latest book, and the premise is one that was immediately compelling to me.
You see, I love demonic/satanic horror, and it's rare that an author as willing to get down and dirty as Triana comes along and writes one. Yes, I was very much looking forward to this one, which is why it's such a goddamn bummer that I really didn't like it.
Before I turn into a total Negative Nancy about it though, there are some things that I did really enjoy about this story. For one, as is usually the case with Triana, the descriptions and prose, specifically when it comes to the nasty bits, are disgustingly vivid. His writing is a total assault on the senses, and the depravity he is willing to depict reaches new levels.
I particularly loved how this applied to the demons in the story. These mofos are NASTY. Every vile, sloppy, fecal detail is depicted in loving detail here, with some absolutely foul scenes that had my guts doing twisting like a bop-it for how wretched they were.
Unfortunately, despite having the ingredients for a story I should love, the narrative is really where this falls apart for me, or more precise, the lack of a narrative. The premise is incredibly simple: Asher, the protagonist, is the an ordinary 20-something who finds himself down on his luck after a bad break-up and a dismal financial state that sees him moving back home with his mom. He soon receives a letter from his recently deceased and estranged uncle, who has left Asher his entire record collection, with one particular record leading Asher into a satanic pact that sees him falling deeper and deeper into pits of depravity.
Its a simple idea, and my issue is that its really pretty much what it says on the tin. You're looking at about 500 pages or so that contain an endless slog of shocking atrocities that involve murder, torture, murder sex, SA, infanticide, more SA, incestuous SA, and so on and so forth. If you're at all familiar with the Extreme Horror genre, than you probably know what expect, and you'll guess where things are going in this book almost immediately.
It really is just 500 pages of the worst stuff you can imagine. It's honestly the exact thing that People stigmatize the genre for. The characters are one dimensional, dull, and exist only to be used and abused. The protagonist is never challenged. There is nothing that every stands as an obstacle for him, he simply gets his way, and all contrivances and egregious conveniences are hand-waved away as the power of Satan looking out for him.
I expected the story to be about Ashers moral downfall. There's a tried and true idea here of someone getting pulled down into the darkness, but in this book it never really happens. Asher, who as far as we know, is a totally normal person, jumps into evil way too quickly with almost no hesitation or consideration. Yes, there is technically a plot point that could partially explain it, It just feels super contrived and unsatisfying.
At the end of the day, there could have been a good tale here, but unfortunately I found the book to focus purely on the shock-slop typical of the genre, and it goes on far longer than is merciful given the lack of depth.
Rather than being shocking, it quickly becomes monotonous. I'm sorry to say, but I expect a lot more from Triana when it comes to character and depth. He's written a lot of stuff I love, but sadly, this one ain't it for me.
Although I've only read a handful of Triana's books, he's consistently managed to impress me with his range and ability to write stories that are just as captivating to read as they are filthy, vile and vulgar. 'Music To Sacrifice Virgins to' is his latest book, and the premise is one that was immediately compelling to me.
You see, I love demonic/satanic horror, and it's rare that an author as willing to get down and dirty as Triana comes along and writes one. Yes, I was very much looking forward to this one, which is why it's such a goddamn bummer that I really didn't like it.
Before I turn into a total Negative Nancy about it though, there are some things that I did really enjoy about this story. For one, as is usually the case with Triana, the descriptions and prose, specifically when it comes to the nasty bits, are disgustingly vivid. His writing is a total assault on the senses, and the depravity he is willing to depict reaches new levels.
I particularly loved how this applied to the demons in the story. These mofos are NASTY. Every vile, sloppy, fecal detail is depicted in loving detail here, with some absolutely foul scenes that had my guts doing twisting like a bop-it for how wretched they were.
Unfortunately, despite having the ingredients for a story I should love, the narrative is really where this falls apart for me, or more precise, the lack of a narrative. The premise is incredibly simple: Asher, the protagonist, is the an ordinary 20-something who finds himself down on his luck after a bad break-up and a dismal financial state that sees him moving back home with his mom. He soon receives a letter from his recently deceased and estranged uncle, who has left Asher his entire record collection, with one particular record leading Asher into a satanic pact that sees him falling deeper and deeper into pits of depravity.
Its a simple idea, and my issue is that its really pretty much what it says on the tin. You're looking at about 500 pages or so that contain an endless slog of shocking atrocities that involve murder, torture, murder sex, SA, infanticide, more SA, incestuous SA, and so on and so forth. If you're at all familiar with the Extreme Horror genre, than you probably know what expect, and you'll guess where things are going in this book almost immediately.
It really is just 500 pages of the worst stuff you can imagine. It's honestly the exact thing that People stigmatize the genre for. The characters are one dimensional, dull, and exist only to be used and abused. The protagonist is never challenged. There is nothing that every stands as an obstacle for him, he simply gets his way, and all contrivances and egregious conveniences are hand-waved away as the power of Satan looking out for him.
I expected the story to be about Ashers moral downfall. There's a tried and true idea here of someone getting pulled down into the darkness, but in this book it never really happens. Asher, who as far as we know, is a totally normal person, jumps into evil way too quickly with almost no hesitation or consideration. Yes, there is technically a plot point that could partially explain it, It just feels super contrived and unsatisfying.
At the end of the day, there could have been a good tale here, but unfortunately I found the book to focus purely on the shock-slop typical of the genre, and it goes on far longer than is merciful given the lack of depth.
Rather than being shocking, it quickly becomes monotonous. I'm sorry to say, but I expect a lot more from Triana when it comes to character and depth. He's written a lot of stuff I love, but sadly, this one ain't it for me.
November 9, 2025
I had (probably too) high hopes for this book based on the premise. The only other Triana books I've read were Gone to See the River Man and the sequel, and I thought those were both great. I'm totally fine with extreme horror scenes when they actually fit the story. However, this book feels like ten steps backward for Triana - who obviously can write a solid intriguing story. This story even had the potential to be solid. The first fifty or so pages were so good, and then from there it just turned into porno garbage. Part of the problem is that the "extreme" scenes are just so repetitive and often have no bearing on moving the story forward. I'll admit I did fully expect the sacrificing a virgin scene with the title of the book, but it came after probably 100 other repetitive over the top extreme sex-murder scenes that I just wanted the book over with. Even Satan himself would be bored with the amount of try-hard to impress the extreme sickos crowd.
December 19, 2025
I was lucky to have beta read this one long before the release and while it's a chonker, it keeps you absolutely glued to the pages. Now, this is absolutely going to be a divisive book as it is VERY extreme. Triana dives back into the extreme horror/splatterpunk novel he's very well known for.
Asher is a character you can never root for. He's awful and becomes decidedly more so after becoming an incubus and doing the demons work. As such, there's an onslaught of sexual depravity and bloodshed that never lets up. The devil works hard, but Asher works harder to get his just rewards.
I can see why some readers would think this book can be a little too much. For this reader, it felt like it was needed to show the various steps of Asher's progression. In true Triana form, the descriptions of the.. well everything.. gives you such great visuals and lends to the harrowing nature of this read. He holds nothing back. The story is dark and brooding without a glimmer of light or hope for redemption. And that ending.... uff. Personally, I thought it was a happy ending when it was all said and done. But that's just me ;). And the social commentary is right ON POINT.
This isn't a read for the squeamish or those who won't want to be barraged with infinite evil debauchery. Even the most seasoned extreme horror reader will find themselves with their jaws dropped and their hands over their eyes.. parted slightly to continue reading. All the trigger warnings.
Now excuse me while I pick up the bong I made out of the skull of an enemy and rip one.
Asher is a character you can never root for. He's awful and becomes decidedly more so after becoming an incubus and doing the demons work. As such, there's an onslaught of sexual depravity and bloodshed that never lets up. The devil works hard, but Asher works harder to get his just rewards.
I can see why some readers would think this book can be a little too much. For this reader, it felt like it was needed to show the various steps of Asher's progression. In true Triana form, the descriptions of the.. well everything.. gives you such great visuals and lends to the harrowing nature of this read. He holds nothing back. The story is dark and brooding without a glimmer of light or hope for redemption. And that ending.... uff. Personally, I thought it was a happy ending when it was all said and done. But that's just me ;). And the social commentary is right ON POINT.
This isn't a read for the squeamish or those who won't want to be barraged with infinite evil debauchery. Even the most seasoned extreme horror reader will find themselves with their jaws dropped and their hands over their eyes.. parted slightly to continue reading. All the trigger warnings.
Now excuse me while I pick up the bong I made out of the skull of an enemy and rip one.
November 7, 2025
This was a wid ride, for sure. Kristopher has a way of keeping you engaged with the reading, even if nothing of note is happening. Asher may be sipping a beer and simply planning his next course of action, but I found myself utterly entranced.
The ending was pretty predictable, but didnt change my enjoyment of the story. The bands mentioned run the gamut, which I was happy to see. Overall, an entertaining read and well worth the money for 450 pages of Satanic awesomeness.
The ending was pretty predictable, but didnt change my enjoyment of the story. The bands mentioned run the gamut, which I was happy to see. Overall, an entertaining read and well worth the money for 450 pages of Satanic awesomeness.
November 16, 2025
Highly recommended for anyone who is always a fan of the spatterpunk/Extreme Horror Genre. Triana holds no bars in this one. As a person who has a interest to the positive side of satanism, it's always blows me away how the darker side of it really shows how much the boundaries can be pushed without rasing any red flags and this book executed it perfectly. Became one of my top favorite Triana reads and looking forward to see what in store for future works.
October 29, 2025
Corniest BS I’ve ever read. Hard to be “scared to death” when it’s just a cornball of a book. You can tell the author just likes writing about smut getting off to it with horrible plot lines and characters that make 0 sense. 0/10
November 17, 2025
A book like no other. I've never read a book of this kind, it was kind of mesmerizing. A book that goes zero to sixty in no time. There is no God in this book, there is no happy ending. There is nothing but madness and evil!
November 9, 2025
Metal metal land
Well that was fucked up. I loved it. If you like gore and metal then you should read this book.
Well that was fucked up. I loved it. If you like gore and metal then you should read this book.
November 18, 2025
Without a doubt the most evil media I have ever consumed!
It was already cemented before this magnum opus, but for the ones in the back, KRISTOPHER TRIANA my favorite author!
It was already cemented before this magnum opus, but for the ones in the back, KRISTOPHER TRIANA my favorite author!
December 1, 2025
Evil Defined
The only thing that you will find more horrific than this book is that now someone else will set this as the benchmark that they hope to some day overtake.
The only thing that you will find more horrific than this book is that now someone else will set this as the benchmark that they hope to some day overtake.
December 12, 2025
Kristopher Triana always brings it when he writes and this one was no exception.
This really played into the cult feel and the play on satanic panic as well. This book really plays into those fears and the way it plays out. As always Triana paints a story that once you start reading you are hooked.
This really played into the cult feel and the play on satanic panic as well. This book really plays into those fears and the way it plays out. As always Triana paints a story that once you start reading you are hooked.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews