Song premiere: Creepy 'Karol of the Bells' from 'Krampus'

The horror comedy Krampus puts a devilish spin on the Christmas movie genre, so it needs a fittingly creepy song to go with it. With bells, naturally.

For the soundtrack of the film (in theaters Friday), composer Douglas Pipes (Monster House) composed a haunting theme that would tie into the Krampus legend's Eastern European roots but also redid the holiday standard Carol of the Bells as Krampus Karol of the Bells for the end credits.

The track, exclusively premiering at USA TODAY, was originally written as an instrumental arrangement, and then director Michael Dougherty wanted to include a children's choir, according to Pipes.

Sneak peek: 'Krampus' twists Christmas magic

He then went back and "wrote lyrics for a cautionary tale warning the younger kids to never lose their Christmas spirit" — matching the plot of the movie — and called on his nephew's show choir at California's Brea Olinda High School to record the Karol. "These kids were an amazing flurry of enthusiasm and talent, true Krampus Karolers," Pipes says. "Heed their message!"

The Krampus soundtrack releases digitally on Friday through Back Lot Music, and the album is forthcoming on CD through LA LA Land Records and vinyl through Waxworks.