As we carve our way into shorter days and longer sleeves, the smells and thrills of October officially kick off the holiday-packed B-side of the year.

Pumpkin madness is in full tilt, and the candy stash and monster mash are slowly building a creepy sweet crescendo. Sights and sounds are all the rage this time of year, and when the night of tricks and treats arrive, ambience is the black cat’s pajamas.

Thanks to the California sound of the 1964 cult-classic TV theme of The Munsters, retro twanging guitar riffs have become synonymous with setting the tone for creepy-crawly shindigs and front porch foolery.

, the mystifying Russian rock duo, has been delivering vintage vibes since the mid-90s with a thrilling and chilling musical ride through the eerie and eccentric world of retro surf-rock.

Their latest album, Visiting the Skeleton in the Closet, immediately opens a creaky door to a mysterious realm where surf guitars collide with B-movie soundscapes and horror film samples.

With catchy melodies, driving rhythm and quirky, radioactive licks, it is a hauntingly beautiful homage to the old while crafting a killer vibe entirely their own.

Chups weaves a web of intrigue through every track as they mash up a mad-laboratory concoction of vintage, surf, garage and psychedelic rock into a kaleidoscope that blasts a bite-sized phonic howl of a time.

For a ghoulish thrill ride of surf rock that delivers a delicious and electrifying journey through the weird and wonderful world of surf, skeletons and spooky surprises, Messer Chups delivers the full-sized candy bar of tasty tunes. Direct side effects do not include cavities, stomach aches or sugar rushes. Spin at your own risk.

– Chris Rucker