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Spooky vibe energises heartless monster (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

eeriness

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'monster' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't see how they can define each other.

I don't understand the remainder of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for eeriness that I've seen before include "Ghostly atmosphere" , "Weird quality" , "'Weirdness, scariness (8)'" , "Strange and frightening quality" , "'Ghostliness, scariness (8)'" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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