Wrapping up all the business of 2024 with some fun End of Year Guest Posts from bands, friends, music industry pals, label types, and assorted good fiends! Check out this list from McKeever of Heavy Halo to discuss the top hot sauces of 2024, a topic we know a bit about!
Hey there, McKeever from Heavy Halo here. As a band we love industrial music and all things spicy. It is our dream to have our own band hot sauce like Korn or Deicide does. If you know how to make this happen, hit us up…
So without any further delay, here is our list of our Top Ten Hot Sauces for 2024 and songs to pair them with…
10. Da Bomb
This was an awful experience but it’s on the list for its memorability. My friend had ordered the subscription for all The Hot One’s sauces and one night after the bar we tested every single one. This shit burns like chemicals because it is chemicals. Rather than being derived from natural peppers, Da Bomb is made with pure capsaicin extract. Felt like I was being poisoned but it was an interesting challenge nonetheless…
Song Pairing: Heavy Halo – The Poisoning
This sauce is unique since it is made with roasted red bell pepper and mushrooms. It is mild but adds a nice umami flavor to whatever you pour it on.
Song Pairing: The Flash Bats – Burn My Hair in Hell
8. Fly By Jing Sichuan Chili Crisp
Once you’ve eaten pizza with hot chili oil on it, you can never go back. Also crucial for ramen and dumplings.
Song Pairing: The Prodigy – Firestarter
7. Crystal Louisiana Hot Sauce
I lived in New Orleans for a bit a couple years ago and the city really broadened my creative horizons. There is powerful chaotic energy there. From brass bands to train-hopper crust punk to explosive bounce music, there is so much to overwhelm yourself with. The taste of Crystal brings me back to those times…
Song Pairing: Crowbar – The Lasting Dose
6. Bachan’s Hella Hot Japanese BBQ Sauce
I tried it because of Instagram ads and it’s actually really good. A Japanese barbecue sauce with extra heat, goes great on everything, particular wings and brisket.
Song Pairing: Hot Hot Heat – Bandages
5. Cento Sliced Hot Cherry Peppers
In Brooklyn, you live or die by your bodega sandwich order. Your deli guy is like your priest, he sees you for your true self. Though not technically a sauce, every hero needs a dash of hot cherry peppers to elevate it to the next level.
Song Pairing: Cocteau Twins – Cherry (Pepper) Coloured Funk
4. Melinda’s Habanero Hot Sauce
Sometimes you need that slightly sweet Caribbean habanero kick in your hot sauce. Melinda’s delivers. Killer on any sort of chicken over rice dish.
Song Pairing: The Soft Moon – Burn
3. Tapatío
The best taco sauce is a fiercely competitive category. Yucateco, Cholula, and Valentina are all strong contenders, but I’m gonna have to hand the gold medal to Tapatío. With the right amount of tang and spice, I never get sick of this one.
Song Pairing: The Blood Brothers – Set Fire to the Face on Fire
2. Chung Jung One Gochujang Sauce
Korean food is probably my favorite on the planet. I got to go to Seoul and Busan when I was in college and was blown away by every meal. But Gochujang is underrated as a hot sauce outside of Korean cuisine. It really works as a spicy ketchup substitute on anything.
Song Pairing: Youth Code – To Burn Your World
This is the most versatile sauce on this list. It makes almost all food better and has the perfect amount of bite to keep things interesting. Plus wtf is up with this name and doofy cartoon character? The strangeness of the branding adds to the allure…
Song Pairing: Ministry – Burning Inside
Heavy Halo’s new album Damaged Dream will be released in 2025 on Silent Pendulum Records.
Stream “The Poisoning” on all digital platforms, here:
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/heavyhalo/the-poisoning
Stream the song’s official visualizer, here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qo8Ba53adpg
Pre-order the new album, here:
https://silentpendulumrecords.com/collections/heavy-halo