Danzig is an American heavy metal band formed in 1987 by vocalist Glenn Danzig following his departure from the horror punk band the Misfits. The band blends heavy metal with blues rock and gothic imagery, achieving cultural significance through albums like "Danzig" (1988) and "Danzig II: Lucifuge" (1990). The band is perhaps best known for the song "Mother," which became a mainstream hit after its music video gained heavy rotation on MTV in 1993. Glenn Danzig's career spans multiple influential acts, including his earlier work with the Misfits and Samhag, making him a significant figure in punk and metal subcultures. The band's dark aesthetic, combining occult themes with muscular riffs, has maintained a devoted cult following for over three decades.
Discussion of a potential Danzig pinball machine has emerged within the pinball community, with approximately 25 mentions across enthusiast forums. Much of the conversation centers on whether a Danzig-themed machine would focus on Glenn Danzig's solo band era or his earlier tenure with the Misfits, with many fans expressing strong preferences for "Danzig era Misfits only." The spooky, horror-themed aesthetic associated with both the Misfits and Danzig's solo work makes the property appealing to pinball designers looking for darker themed content. Community members have grouped Danzig alongside other potential horror-adjacent music themes like Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne as properties that would fit the pinball medium well.
A Danzig pinball machine would offer compelling design opportunities across multiple dimensions. The visual theme could draw from the band's iconic imagery, including the demon skull logo, occult symbolism, and the dark horror aesthetic that permeates album artwork from both the Misfits and Danzig eras. Gameplay could incorporate modes based on classic songs like "Mother," "Twist of Cain," and if including Misfits material, "Last Caress" and other horror punk anthems. The music and sound design would be a particular strength, featuring Glenn Danzig's distinctive baritone vocals and the band's heavy, blues-inflected metal riffs. The horror punk aesthetic would allow for creative playfield features including coffins, skulls, and gothic architectural elements that would appeal to fans of both darker themed pinball machines and the band's dedicated fanbase.
