NIck Groff Investigates… The Legend of Krampus!

Last Updated on July 21, 2021

Nick Groff is one of the most respected names in television and beyond when it comes to the paranormal. He has had incredible experiences in some of the most haunted locations in the world. As a friend to Arrow in the Head, we’ve shared some very exciting experiences with Nick including a couple of wild and spooky moments that we’ve managed to capture on camera. Thus, we’ve decided to work with the television host and producer extraordinaire so he can share his knowledge and insight on all things that go bump in the night. With this bi-monthly column, we plan to delve into everything from urban legends to ghostly apparitions, to his take on some of the coolest genre flicks ever. This is Nick Groff Investigates…!

THE LEGEND OF KRAMPUS

Here we are again, nearing the end of another year. December brings us snow, trees adorned in decorations, colorful lights and perhaps a little holiday magic. If you’ve left your house at all you have probably heard Christmas music every single place you go. And with the one night a year that Santa Claus comes around to bring gifts to children everywhere, there is a much darker and spookier legend. While Santa tends to leave coal for those on the “naughty list,” the terrifying Krampus is far less forgiving. This horrific half-goat and half-demon is ready to punish children that have been disobedient. But who is Krampus?

“Krampus' roots have nothing to do with Christmas. Instead, they date back to pre-Germanic paganism in the region. His name originates with the German krampen, which means "claw," and tradition has it that he is the son of the Norse god of the underworld,” – Mythology Stack Exchange

Throughout the years, this demonic entity has become yet another tale to keep children from being bad. He may not be quite as well known as good old Saint Nick, but he’s been around for a very long time. We have seen a few feature films about the monstrous creature like KRAMPUS (2015), A CHRISTMAS HORROR STORY (2015), as well as a few low budgets shockers like KRAMPUS: THE CHRISTMAS DEVIL (2013), MOTHER KRAMPUS (2017) and KRAMPUS ORIGINS (2018) – with quite a few more.

However, what about looking past the movies and what we currently know about the legendary beast? With that, it felt like the perfect time to talk about the horned legend with our resident expert on all that is chilling. This includes all the terrors that haunt our dreams as we wait for Santa to leave presents under the tree. Nick Groff is here to deliver us a bit of Krampus offering. And maybe even suggest his own personal flick to deliver the frights this year on top of it all.

“Through my journeys I’ve come across a few different legends that took me on twists and turns. Most locations I’ve investigated stretched stories in order to hype the fright. The crazy part is when you research further into most legends they all start from something. Fiction or fact, most have a root that they stemmed from in the beginning. 

Doing a little research on the Krampus, I’ve learned it had nothing to do with Christmas, but over time stretched into the holiday in order to frighten children from being bad. Krampus, aka “claw,” was originally known as the Norse god of the underworld. I guess that didn’t terrify people enough so they had to make this into a blood thirsty creature that attacks on Christmas. Interesting, but hey I dig it, especially if I have to hear another Christmas song play randomly…I’ll be begging for Krampus to take me instead, HA!

People want the thrill of being scared, so yes why not turn the god of the underworld into a crazy killing being. The stories grow and pass on through generations. Each new child being terrified and adapting their own spin on the creepy tale.

I personally love it, but I also enjoy a wild and frightening time. Maybe that’s why most watch and look for these legends because finding the truth behind the story is sometimes more scary!

One of the scariest Christmas stories I heard was a true horror story and turned into a movie. No I’m not talking about the killer Snowman, aka “Jack Frost” (1997). I’m talking about 1974 movie “Black Christmas”! This movie was scary because of the back story. It plays every year on the holidays right next to the 1983 movie “A Christmas Story” which I find amusing. I love both movies. Happy Holidays and remember, when the lights go out on the tree don’t check to see what’s wrong…”

Make sure you check out Nick Groff this week on Paranormal Lockdown with new episodes every Tuesday at 7 PM PST.