Creating suspense in music can be achieved in a number of different ways, but for instant suspense gratification, there's nothing quite like a diminished chord.
It's a fairly safe bet to suggest that you know the track ‘Thriller’ by Michael Jackson. You know the introduction, just before the enormous chords that introduce the opening to the song?
That last chord in the build-up; that’s diminished! If that isn't the biggest confirmation of a chord’s horror-like and suspenseful intention, we don't know what is!
